Chapter 416: The Prince Strikes Each Time They Meet

Chapter 416: The Prince Strikes Each Time They Meet

With the Great Qi Empire holding court every ten days and the New Year approaching, there were numerous matters to attend to in today's morning court. Emperor Li Jingyi was a serious and meticulous ruler; he listened intently to each minister's report, asking thoughtful questions and resolving issues on the spot whenever possible, deferring others to post-court discussions.

It must be said that despite his youth, Emperor Li Jingyi had a knack for governance, handling court affairs with increasing ease. After hearing out the last minister, he pondered for a moment before making a decision, then announced the court's adjournment.

After the Emperor left, the ministers filed out of the Golden Throne Hall one after another, heading toward the palace gates. The cold weather, coupled with the early morning rise for court, left many eager to return home for a warm meal, hence their hurried pace.

Outside the palace gates, as everyone was saying their goodbyes and preparing to get into their sedans or onto their horses, Duke Duan marched up with a riding crop in hand. Although notorious for his previous indiscretions, he commanded a certain respect due to his princely title, prompting many ministers to greet him.

But Duke Duan ignored them and walked straight up to Lan Feibai, striking his face with the whip. The sudden violence shocked the crowd, and those ministers who had been about to leave stopped to watch the unfolding drama.

Lan Feibai, both shocked and enraged, touched his cheek where a mark had been drawn and glared at Duke Duan, "Duke Duan, have you lost your mind?"

"Hmph, I've gone mad indeed, driven insane by a dog like you," he retorted.

With that, he aimed another strike at Lan Feibai, who hastily dodged. Several ministers started to intervene, but Duke Duan pointed his whip at them and warned:

"Let me tell you, whoever dares to stop me from beating this cur, don't blame me if my whip finds you. It doesn't have eyes."

The would-be peacemakers withdrew their hands, understanding that reasoning with Duke Duan, a notorious scoundrel, was futile.

Seeing no further obstructions, Duke Duan snorted and stepped closer to Lan Feibai, raising his whip and striking again, all the while shouting, "You must have the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard to send a concubine to my son-in-law. Today, I'll teach you what happens when you vie with me for a son-in-law."

Lan Feibai wanted to find a hole to crawl into. He had not expected Duke Duan to beat him at the palace gates over the affair of Lan Shuyu wanting to become Xiao Yuchen's concubine. It was utterly humiliating.

And at that moment, Duke Duan added, "If the daughters of the Lan family are so keen on being concubines, send them to me. I'm still in need of something to warm my feet."

"Duke Duan, you..."

Lan Feibai was so infuriated he felt faint, heaving several heavy breaths before saying, "That's all a misunderstanding, I have no idea how such rumors started."

"A misunderstanding?" Prince Duan snapped his whip again before retorting, "Your concubine knelt before my daughter, begging her to take your daughter in—is that also a misunderstanding?"

Lan Feibai: "..."

What could he say? He was at a loss for words. At this moment, he wished the earth would swallow him whole. He had never regretted anything as much as he did now, regretting his excessive indulgence towards Lady Rong and Lan Shuyu. Looking at other people's concubines and illegitimate daughters, none would cause such a debacle as they did.

Prince Duan lashed out with his whip again, and Lan Feibai dodged hastily. Why didn't he retaliate against Prince Duan? He wished he could, but he didn't dare!

Even if Prince Duan was debauched, he was still a prince, someone even the Emperor would address respectfully as 'Uncle'. One could scheme against him in the shadows, but to physically confront him was to disregard one's station. Moreover, Prince Duan wielded a whip, while he, a civil servant, was unarmed—how could he possibly fight back?

Fleeing in a panic, he suddenly spotted the Duke of Dingguo not far off and ran to him, pleading, "Your Grace, save me, please?"

But Xiao Huai stood still, unmoving, and said, "Lord Lan, when you spread rumors to tarnish my son's reputation, did you ever consider this day might come?"

Lan Feibai: "..."

The rumors merely suggested that Xiao Yuchen wasn't indifferent to Lan Shuyu—how could that be construed as slandering his reputation?

Just then, the Emperor's chief eunuch, Ye Deben, approached, bowing to Xiao Huai first before saying, "Prince Duan, Lord Lan, the Emperor summons you."

Prince Duan glanced at Xiao Huai, saw his composed expression, clenched his teeth, and pointed with his whip at the surrounding officials, declaring, "Whoever dares to present my son-in-law with a concubine in the future, I will deal with them in this manner every single time."

With a huff, he strode into the palace, while Lan Feibai sighed heavily and followed behind in disarray. The surrounding officials all looked towards Xiao Huai. With Prince Duan making such a statement, did he have no objections? Yet, they saw him calmly walk to his horse, mount it, and ride away elegantly.

The officials exchanged glances, then left in groups, whispering among themselves:

"The Duke of Dingguo himself doesn't take concubines; could it be he forbids his son from doing so as well?"

"Really?"

"It's hard to say, alas, why are both of the Duke's sons already committed?"

"Exactly, alas, do you think since the Duke and his wife are so affectionate, they might have another son?"

"Another one, your daughter wouldn't be eligible by then!"

"If not a daughter, perhaps a granddaughter!"

………

In the imperial study, Duke Dingguo and Lan Feibai followed Ye Deben inside. Upon seeing the emperor, Lan Feibai immediately knelt down and wept, "Your Majesty, Prince Duan has whipped me without discernment. My face is utterly disgraced."

Emperor Li Jingyi gave him a glance and then turned to Prince Duan, asking, "Uncle, why did you beat Minister Lan?"

Prince Duan bowed to Li Jingyi and replied, "He insisted on offering his daughter as a concubine to my son-in-law. Despite Yu Chen's refusal, they spread rumors to pressure the match. Lan Feibai, is the dignity of your family's daughters so trivial that you resort to schemes just to make them concubines?"

Lan Feibai, his face a mottled mix of red and purple, humbly responded, "Indeed, I have failed in my daughter's upbringing, but Prince Duan should not have beaten a minister publicly! In doing so, have you considered the court's dignity?"

"Nonsense," Prince Duan spat disdainfully, "My disciplining you has nothing to do with the court."

Recalling what his daughter Jia Ning had told him, he added, "My daughter is a royal princess. By brazenly offering her husband a concubine, have you regarded her with respect, or the royal family for that matter?"

Frightened, Lan Feibai repeatedly kowtowed to Emperor Li Jingyi, "Your Majesty, the heavens and earth can witness my loyalty!"

Emperor Li Jingyi glanced at Prince Duan, feeling it was time someone taught him a lesson. Smiling faintly, he addressed Lan Feibai, "Minister Lan, indeed, your actions were improper. The heir of Xiao has already rejected your daughter; why did you still resort to manipulation?"

"It is my lack of discipline, and my household management is at fault," Lan Feibai admitted, still kneeling.

What else could he say? He knew he had to accept blame, as the emperor clearly sided with Prince Duan.

"Indeed, matters of wives and children are your family affairs, which I shall not interfere with. However, Minister Lan, you should take your domestic responsibilities to heart," Emperor Li Jingyi advised.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Lan Feibai understood clearly; the emperor was signaling that while his personal matters were his own, he should not meddle in imperial family affairs.

"Uncle," Emperor Li Jingyi then addressed Prince Duan, "you too must restrain your temperament and not resort to violence so hastily."

"Understood, Your Majesty," Prince Duan bowed in acknowledgment.

"As such, you are fined six months of your stipend," Emperor Li Jingyi decreed.

For Prince Duan, a six-month stipend was trivial. He bowed again, "I thank Your Majesty for your generous mercy."