Chapter 103: So, What Do You Want?

Chapter 103: So, What Do You Want?

The Third Prince and the Third Princess paled in shock. They never expected their father to actually punish them for this lowly servant!

Qiu Yongzhi, who had just climbed up, was already trying to minimize his presence due to the Emperor's arrival. He hastily wiped off the blood from his mouth secretly, hoping that the Emperor wouldn't notice him.

What was happening with Uncle-Emperor? To think he would discipline his own nephew and niece for the sake of a minister's daughter. But Qiu Yongzhi was no fool; he knew he had seriously crossed a line today.

Who could have foreseen that a mere daughter would be so valued by the Minister of Revenue that he would be angered to the point of spitting blood?

Eunuch Fu had served the Emperor for decades. Recognizing the Emperor's seriousness, he dared not plead for mercy. Instead, he arranged for assistance, discreetly signaling a palace attendant to notify Empress Concubine Qiu.

Being close to the Dawn Palace, they could surely summon her quickly.

Eunuch Fu's prediction was correct. Empress Concubine Qiu arrived even faster than the palace officials in charge of punishment. Upon arriving, she wore a surprised expression, as if she was completely unaware of the situation. However, she secretly shot a glance at Eunuch Fu, seemingly content with his timely warning.

Upon receiving her look, a slight smile tugged at the corners of Eunuch Fu's mouth.

"Your Majesty, what has happened? What mistake have Lu'er and Wei'er made for you to be so enraged?" Empress Concubine Qiu approached the Emperor, her voice honeyed and alluring, enchanting every ear present.

The Emperor's expression remained stoic, dark as ever. "Ask these two delinquents yourself! They drugged Miss Su and planned to throw her into Zhaoyu Prison. It's clear they've no regard for the law! You've spoiled them rotten!"

Consort Qiu was rarely scolded by the Emperor in such a manner. Her face froze for a moment, but her tone grew even softer and coquettish.

"Your Majesty, might there be a misunderstanding? It was this concubine who sent Wei'er and Lu'er to accompany Miss Su on a tour of the palace. I adore Miss Su and had hoped to arrange a match between her and my nephew. How could they possibly want to harm their future sister-in-law?"

The Emperor had just arrived and only heard his children's absurd words. He hadn't noticed Qiu Yongzhi's involvement until now. His brows knitted together as he turned to look at the consort, astonished.

"What matchmaking nonsense are you spouting? Don't you know your nephew's character? Do you think he's worthy of Miss Su? You're dreaming!"

Qiu Yongzhi's face paled, his heart filled with a thousand objections. How was he not worthy of that Su family daughter? She was disabled, and he was willing to marry her – that was her good fortune!

Consort Qiu shared the same thoughts. Su Youyue had been jilted and was handicapped, with an unsavory reputation. Many families would shake their heads at the mere mention of her, unwilling to have such a daughter-in-law. Offering her marriage to her nephew was already a favor.

She couldn't comprehend why the Emperor would speak to her so harshly. A hint of injustice appeared on her face, but she dared not show it. Moreover, seeing her nephew injured like this genuinely pained her. If not for the need to appease the Emperor first, she would have already dealt with that little harlot. Surprisingly, she proved quite cunning, notifying Minister Su before launching her attack...

"The Emperor is right. This concubine was careless. But Lu'er and Wei'er are simply habitual troublemakers; they must have been joking with Miss Su... They truly saw her as their future sister-in-law, so how could they have intended to send her to Zhaoyu Prison?"

As Queen Qi spoke, her delicate hand gently climbed onto the Emperor's arm. "Your Majesty, please punish this concubine instead. It was all my fault for summoning Miss Su into the palace, causing all these troubles..."

After a few rounds of coquettish behavior, the Emperor's previously stern expression softened significantly. However, knowing that Minister Su was still watching, he found himself in a dilemma.

Indeed, he didn't want to punish his children, but he couldn't ignore Minister Su's feelings either. It made him feel guilty towards Lady Lu from years ago. While the Emperor didn't particularly care about old favors, he didn't wish to give anyone grounds to criticize him.

After a moment's pause, the Emperor coldly snorted. "It is indeed your failure as a parent that led them astray. This time, I'll spare them the whipping out of respect for you, but they must be confined to their quarters."

Then, he turned to Su Zhenyun. "Dear Minister Su, today's incident reflects my own lack of discipline. In the future, no one except myself can forcefully summon Miss Su into the palace, nor can they compel her to do anything against her will, not even the Empress or the crown prince and princess. How does that sound?"

Not only was Minister Su an upright official, but he was also highly capable and emotionally invested. The Emperor knew exactly how to handle such a minister.

After all, it was merely a matter of preventing Miss Su from entering the palace. She was an ill-omened person, and he had never wanted her there anyway. Moreover, forbidding the Empress and others from compelling Miss Su to do anything was insignificant. As an invalid, she rarely ventured out and seldom interacted with people.

In short, he hadn't lost anything, but by making this promise himself, the Emperor's favor was profound. Su Zhenyun would undoubtedly be deeply grateful.

The courtiers standing by were indeed surprised. The Emperor's words were as good as imperial decrees. Who would dare to cause trouble for Miss Su now, even the Empress and the crown prince and princess?

The third prince and princess had never seen their father extend such favor to anyone. Did this mean they could no longer humiliate Su Youyue at will?

How can that be!

Both of them turned anxious and were about to speak, only to be met with a glare from Empress Concubine Qiu.

Empress Concubine Qiu hadn't expected that although she managed to protect her son and daughter, she had inadvertently given that lowly maid such assurance. It was truly a loss outweighing the gain. A hint of resentment flashed across her eyes, but with the Emperor having already made several concessions, they couldn't possibly take advantage of his leniency and disregard his dignity.

The Emperor's face was more important than the heavens. Empress Concubine Qiu knew this well, or else her imperial favor wouldn't have remained unwaning for so many years. If they really disregarded the Emperor's face, not only would she, as a concubine, suffer, but even his own children would not be spared from his ruthless punishment.

Back then... the Crown Prince's downfall was rooted in his inability to understand the Emperor's intentions. He thought too highly of himself and repeatedly brought court officials to advise against the Emperor, causing displeasure and eventually leading to his demotion.

Upon seeing their mother's signal, the Third Prince and Third Princess reluctantly fell silent.

Upon hearing the Emperor's decree, Su Zhenyun's furrowed brows slightly eased as he bowed. "This subject greatly thanks the Emperor for your kindness! My daughter is currently unwell, so I'll take her leave first..."

The Emperor was eager for him to leave promptly and immediately granted permission. However, at this moment, Su Youyue, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.

"I am unworthy of such grand favor from the Emperor. I dare not accept such a heavy reward."

"Nuannuan?" Su Zhenyun looked at his daughter in confusion.

Not to mention him, her biological father, no one else could have imagined that Su Youyue would actually decline such an incredible opportunity!

The Emperor's expression darkened. He hadn't expected that this Miss Su, the eldest daughter of the Su family, would be so ungrateful.

A hint of mockery flickered in Concubine Qiu and the others' eyes. They had thought that Su Youyue had finally become astute, but it seemed she was still foolish after all.

"Oh? Then what do you want?" The Emperor's tone was cold. Both rewards and punishments were expressions of his imperial favor. He disliked those who took credit for their deeds and sought rewards, let alone someone who would try to blackmail him with a small grievance and make exorbitant demands.