Chapter 244: Someone is Ready to Mend Their Ways

Chapter 244: Someone is Ready to Mend Their Ways

Yan Duo was a good friend of Shangguan Jinghong. However, he made no moves before or after Shangguan Jinghong's betrayal.

Moreover, apart from drinking together, he and Shangguan Jinghong had little other interaction.

Therefore, the emperor eventually left him be without further investigation.

"Bit by a snake at school? Imperial Household Department, send someone to thoroughly clean the academy," Xiao Yin said coolly to the minister of the Imperial Household Department.

Xiao Yin leaned on the armrest of his chair, exuding a chilling aura that made Yan Duo very uneasy.

The Prime Minister, however, seemed to have forgotten the emperor's authoritative nature. Over the past three years, although the emperor didn't particularly like him, he had allowed him to speak and even let him consider himself the father-in-law of the nation.

Thus, seeing Xiao Yin's cold expression, he didn't pay much attention to it.

"Your Majesty, Yan Duo's son was not bitten by a snake at the academy. He was injured by the personal maid of the little lord and the princess," the Prime Minister said.

"Xu Ruzhen, have I given you too much power? Why are these ministers not speaking for themselves? Must I step in?" Xiao Yin asked coldly, his gaze fixed on Xu Ruzhen.

Xiao Yue carried the Ruo Xi Baby into the imperial study. The emperor had previously said he would handle some matters and then have them go together to Qionghua Hall to see the second prince, Xiao Yu Heng.

"Your Majesty, please grant this humble official the favor of borrowing an imperial doctor," Yan Duo dared not say more; he simply knelt and pleaded.

"Borrow an imperial doctor? Should I also lend my empire for a bit? Perhaps my imperial robe as well?" Xiao Yin's eyes turned cold as he looked at Yan Duo.

"Your Majesty!" The ministers all kowtowed, too afraid to speak further.

"Your Majesty, this humble official is truly helpless. My grandson was bitten by a snake at the academy, and there was nothing I could do!" Finally, unable to bear the worry for his son, Yan Duo kowtowed and said, "It was my son Yuyu's fault. He didn't dare to join the Xu family's young lord and the Lu family's third young master in teasing the little lord."

"Oh, do tell," Xiao Yin said leisurely, as if everything was under control.

This made the Prime Minister realize that the Lin family's influence might be waning.

"Your Majesty, Yuyu made a mistake, and I will make him kneel and beg the little lord for forgiveness. However, he really doesn't deserve to die. He's just a child and was merely a participant. The one who actually brought the snake to the academy was the third young master of the Lu family, not my Yuyu!" Yan Duo cried.

"Minister Yan, you are spouting utter nonsense. My Xiao Shan's snake has always been very obedient. It was specially tamed and given to him by his uncle. The snake has always been well-behaved in my residence and would never attack anyone," the Minister of Revenue, Lu Shangshu, said.

Yan Shilang had always followed him in the past, but after today's confrontation, Yan Duo decided he would no longer associate with Lu Shangshu.

"Your snake doesn't bite? It's still a beast after all. It has now bitten both my Yuyu and the Xu family's young lord. How do you explain that? Minister Lu, while being a Beast Tamer is commendable, your son clearly lacks the skills," Yan Duo said.

"You can say whatever you want about other things, but don't say my son isn't capable." The Lu Shangshu was furious, pointing at Yan Duo as if he were about to strangle him.

"A true Beast Tamer controls beasts, not just raises snakes trained by others to cause harm. Minister Lu, it's not your subordinate saying this, but what are you going to do about my son? My son is unconscious!" Yan Duo shouted at his superior.

Xiao Yue carried the Ruo Xi Baby into the imperial study and overheard the conversation.

"Ah, I didn't expect that there would be such an effect. Let those children sleep a little longer then." Ruo Xi Baby's eyes coldly surveyed the room. "Hmm, Yan Duo's murderous aura has lessened considerably. It seems he is reflecting deeply and ready to reform. As for the Minister of Revenue and the Prime Minister, they appear to be unrepentant!"

Xiao Yue looked at Xiao Yin, knowing that her royal brother had heard Ruo Xi Baby's thoughts. Her brother would know what to do next.

"Xier, come here, Uncle will hold you." The emperor reached out to Ruo Xi Baby.

Ruo Xi Baby quickly leaned over. She could sense that her uncle was actually quite angry. The Purple Dragon aura was overflowing, and she needed to absorb the excess energy to prevent harm.

Too much Purple Dragon aura could not only lead to dark transformations but also cause physical harm.

With all the ministers present, this princess has a question." Xiao Yue turned to face the group of senior ministers. "Minister of Revenue, you consider yourself ordinary, so how do you think your third young master can become a Beast Tamer?"

"Reporting to Her Highness, the Princess, my son Xiaoshan has been obsessed with these beasts since he was young. I took him to visit a famous teacher, who said that he has extraordinary talent." Minister Lu replied, clasping his hands and bowing.

"Oh, extraordinary talent?" Princess Xiaoyue sneered coldly and said, "It seems Minister Lu has paid that charlatan quite a bit of silver, enough to buy his nonsense!"

"Princess, Xiaoshan has indeed shown great skill in handling beasts over the years. The beasts in our home listen to him." Minister Lu clasped his hands, bowed his head, and said.

"Even a snake disobeys him, biting its owner instead. And you say they all listen to him. Minister Lu, isn't that contradicting yourself?" Xiaoyue said.

"Your Royal Highness!" Yan Duo knelt, looking up at Xiaoyue, crying and saying, "I beg you to have mercy and let Imperial Doctor Wen save my son. My son was merely involved. The true mastermind is the Prime Minister’s young lord and Minister Lu's son. They were the ones who planned to deal with the little prince!"

"Yan Duo, don't spout nonsense. My son would never scheme against the little prince. The little prince is so well-behaved and sensible!" Minister Lu immediately knelt down and said, "Your Royal Highness, don't listen to his nonsense."

"Bam! Bam!"

Xiaoyue lifted her foot and kicked them both over with one kick each.

"Even the children are bullying my brother's son. It's clear what kind of slander you all spread behind our backs about my royal brother. Hmph!" Princess Xiaoyue snorted coldly, then with a sweep of her long robe, she turned and took her seat; the movement was incredibly cool.

The imperial study was large, and the dome of the palace was high, but the atmosphere was heavy.

Xiao Yin remained silent, only gently rocking the little girl. Xiaoyue, on the other hand, coldly looked at the people kneeling before her, her eyes icy.

"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, I beg you, please save my son. If the imperial doctors don’t arrive soon, my child won’t survive!" Yan Duo kowtowed.

"The person who caused the problem should fix it. Since it's Minister Lu's son's snake, then go ask him for the antidote! What use is there in asking the imperial doctors?" Xiao Yin said coldly.