Chapter 87: The Astute and Cunning Princess
Zhao Beicheng cried injustice, his volume growing. Xianzong"s temper soured with the shouts. This b.a.s.t.a.r.d dares to smear an imperial princess? If he"s not soundly beaten to death, I"ll even feel sorry for myself. It was enough that his daughter gave him eyerolls sometimes, but she was his flesh and blood. How could a mere subject dare to look down upon him? It was intolerable!
Zhao Qiuming knelt on the side, not daring to plea for mercy. Otherwise, he"d be the one being beaten too. Still, the gears in his brain were still turning as he puzzled things out. He knew his son well enough to understand he wouldn"t speak nonsense just to blame another person. After he"d forced him to steal Gu Xinglang"s credit and ruin the general, his son had been listless for months. If Zhao Beicheng said he saw Yu Linglong bring the sixth imperial prince to the Zhao Estate, then it was most likely true.
Eldest Young Master Zhao might have a st.u.r.dy const.i.tution, but his cries soon died beneath the onslaught of 20 beatings. Gu Xingnuo watched coldly and noticed that the inner palace guards in charge of the task must have been instructed beforehand by Jing Zhong, because they weren"t using their full strength in the strikes. Otherwise, they would"ve killed Zhao Beicheng within the first 10 blows.
Jing Zhong, meanwhile, was observing Xianzong"s expressions. The emperor"s face had turned less gloomy once Zhao Beicheng"s shouts weakened under the repeated blows, so Jing Zhong murmured, "Your Majesty, it"s already been 29 hits Is Zhao Beicheng to be beaten to death?"
Xianzong gave a cold snort.
Jing Zhong said, "Your Majesty, if this keeps on, Zhao Beicheng will be crippled. In the end, he was only thinking of esteemed consort and His Sixth Highness. That nonsense he just spewed must be from fear of Your Majesty"s punishment."
"Afraid that Zhen would push the blame onto Linglong?" Xianzong said irritably.
Jing Zhong said carefully, "Your Majesty, don"t people who spew nonsense say whatever comes to their minds? As this servant sees it, Zhao Beicheng must know how much Your Majesty cherishes the eldest princess. If he was pushing blame to anyone, it"d have to be someone who wouldn"t suffer from Your Majesty"s punishments, yes? It doesn"t seem like Zhao Beicheng means to hurt any person."
Jing Zhong had skills when it came to pleading for leniency. He not only acknowledged Xianzong as a compa.s.sionate father who cherished his daughter, but also praised Zhao Beicheng as a man who held the emperor in reverence while being unwilling to malign an innocent party.
Xianzong"s expression shifted before he slapped his hand against the armrest. Jing Zhong quickly turned and ordered the imperial guards, "Cease."
The guards stopped beating Zhao Beicheng, leaving the bleeding man on the verge of death. Gu Xingnuo only felt it was a pity, but he spoke in a solemn and quiet voice. "Your Majesty, it"s likely the court and the commons have already heard of the imperial guards going to the Zhao Estate and Zhao Beicheng stealing His Sixth Highness out of the palace. If Zhao Beicheng"s let go just like this, this commoner fears…"
Before he could finish, Zhao Qiuming kowtowed to Xianzong again. "Your Majesty, this subject"s unfilial son committed a grave mistake. May Your Majesty punish him severely. This subject is willing to share the crime with my unfilial son."
Xianzong sighed. As expected, Zhao Qiuming"s a loving father. "Take Zhao Beicheng to the justice courts," he ordered. He could waive the death penalty, but not punishment. Thus, the scoundrel would be locked up for a few more days.
"This subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace and mercy," Zhao Qiuming was all tears and snot as he remained kneeling on the floor.
Two guards dragged out the unconscious Zhao Beicheng. A eunuch by the doors then ran in with two more guards by his side to kneel in front of the emperor. "Your Majesty, Eldest Prince Jing Mo requests an audience."
Hearing the words "Jing Mo" instantly made Xianzong"s head feel swollen. If it wasn"t for him, he wouldn"t be facing so many different headaches. However, no matter how much the Zhuri prince annoyed him, he had to see him. "Let him in."
On the way to the imperial study, Jing Mo saw the beaten and b.l.o.o.d.y Zhao Beicheng being hauled away unconscious. He smiled as he realized the Zhao Clan had suffered another blow.
When Xianzong saw Jing Mo, he said with effort, "Eldest imperial prince, what business brings you to the palace this time?"
Jing Mo saw Zhao Qiuming still kneeling on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that Prime Minister Zhao ordered his son to steal His Sixth Highness out of the palace?"
Xianzong gestured for Jing Mo to take a seat. He did and continued, "Your Majesty, my Zhuri won"t force anyone to do anything. If Your Majesty isn"t willing, then I can explain things to my imperial father in your place upon my return to Zhuri."
Xianzong waved a hand at him and said, "Zhen"s sixth son is in the palace right now. He can leave with Eldest Imperial Prince to Zhuri at anytime."
"The prime minister has four sons of his own," Jing Mo replied. "Last night it was Zhao Beicheng. Who knows which son will make their move tonight?"
"Your Majesty, this subject wouldn"t dare," Zhao Qiuming hastened to promise Xianzong.
Jing Mo smiled coldly at him. "How much of your words can I trust, prime minister?"
Zhao Qiuming looked at Xianzong with a resigned expression.
"Then Eldest Imperial Prince, your meaning is?" Xianzong asked.
"I"m preparing to return back in two days," Jing Mo said. "For the sake of saving worry, I think it"ll be best if Your Majesty allows me to take away His Sixth Highness."
Xianzong gave a start, then managed with difficulty. "Right now?"
Jing Mo said, "Better to have less ha.s.sles, don"t you think, Your Majesty?"
Zhao Qiuming said, "Eldest Imperial Prince, Esteemed Consort Zhao has yet to bid farewell to His Sixth Highness. If you take him away now…"
"What is Prime Minister Zhao saying?" Jing Mo interrupted him without scruples. "Will Consort Zhao"s health improve just by His Sixth Highness remaining a little while longer?"
If Jing Mo took away Yu Ziming now, neither Xianzong nor Zhao Qiuming would ever find out the truth about last night"s events from the boy"s lips. This was good news, but Gu Xingnuo still felt a sense of humiliation at Jing Mo forcing their emperor"s hand.
"Go bring His Sixth Highness here," Xianzong ordered Jing Zhong. The eunuch obeyed and withdrew.
Jing Mo looked next at Gu Xingnuo. At w.a.n.gxiang Pa.s.s, he"d once see this man dressed in military attire. Now he was wearing the brocade robes of a young master of the Gu Clan in the status of a commoner. Despite this, he still stood here with honor.
Zhao Qiuming looked between Jing Mo and Gu Xingnuo and suddenly understood a possible scheme against his Zhao Clan. With Princess Linglong"s skills, it"d be easy enough to take His Sixth Highness from the palace. Then she could take advantage of the imperial guards visiting the Zhao Estate to bring him there, find Zhao Beicheng, and trick him with her words. Once they acted out the perfect play in front of the imperial guards, the crime of secretly stealing an imperial prince from the palace would rest soundly on the Zhao Clan"s shoulders. Then Jing Mo would come just on time to demand Yu Ziming. Once the boy was in his hands, they would have no chances to ask the little prince just who took him out of the palace that night.
Jing Mo and Yu Linglong have joined hands!
Cold sweat broke out in Zhao Qiuming"s palms at the realization. With those two allied, Yu Ziyi"s grown another set of arms out of thin air. Yu Linglong! Zhao Qiuming admitted he had times when he was careless, but why had he never noticed the 13-year-old girl as an astute and cunning, vicious old schemer?!