# Chapter 88
In the palace, the Emperor burst out laughing. "What did you say? Princess DunSu is beating the Crown Prince? Have you lost your mind?"
The Commander of the Guards had a bitter说不出的苦衷， repeatedly assuring, "Your Majesty, every word I speak is true! Princess DunSu personally went to the Ancestral Temple to retrieve the family discipline, bringing quite a crowd with her. That was the very whip the founding ancestor used to conquer the empire! I truly dared not stop her, so I... allowed the Princess to enter."
The Emperor was still struggling to process this. DunSu would beat Qi Xiao? What absolute nonsense! In the past, if Qi Xiao so much as lost a single strand of hair, Princess DunSu would worry herself sick for days. Now she would actually discipline him with the family rod? Had she gone mad too?
While the Emperor was still lost in doubt, Fu Hailu walked in from outside, frowning as he bowed. "Your Majesty, the Elderly Prince Hui, the Elderly Prince Chun, Prince Jiaqing, and Prince Fumao request an audience."
The Emperor knitted his brows. "They... came together?"
Fu Hailu nodded, glancing at the Commander of the Guards. Understanding his meaning, the Commander first took his leave. Once the man had departed, Fu Hailu said, "Your Majesty, this morning Princess DunSu went to the Ancestral Temple. She... is the legitimate eldest Princess after all. Marquis Bai who guards the temple dared not defy her wishes, so he truly allowed the Princess to take the family discipline. But that's not all—Your Highness, she..."
"Who would have thought the Princess didn't go directly to the Crown Prince's residence. Instead, she went to the homes of these elderly, virtuous princes first, to apologize to them all. She said she had failed to educate the Crown Prince properly, which led to today's disaster. The Princess told the princes that she couldn't tolerate sand in her eyes. If she truly beat the Crown Prince to death today, she would go to the Ancestral Temple and take her own life to atone to the late Emperor. This..."
The Emperor flew into a rage, coldly berating, "What is this nonsense?! If she wants to beat him, let her beat him. If she wants to die, let her die. What does she mean by alarming all these elderly princes?!"
Fu Hailu sighed. "How very true, Your Majesty! Several princes are living out their days in peace, long removed from worldly affairs. The Princess really shouldn't have... shouldn't have caused such a commotion. But that's not all. After the Princess said these words, how could the princes not try to dissuade her? Yet Princess DunSu wouldn't listen to a single word. She only said, only said..."
The Emperor glared daggers. "Say it!"
Fu Hailu carefully observed the Emperor's expression, hesitating before saying, "She also said... no one would be of any use; she wouldn't listen. The Princess repeatedly told the princes not to come to plead with Your Majesty on her behalf. This..."
The Emperor slammed his writing desk, erupting in fury. "She's afraid they WON'T come!"
However angry he was, the elderly princes had come, so the Emperor still had to receive them. He ordered Fu Hailu to escort them into the main hall, smiling warmly. "What occasion brings my uncles to visit? Fu Hailu! The elders must be cold—quick, bring the princes thick fur cushions!"
Fu Hailu hastily made arrangements. Prince Hui waved his hand. "Your Majesty needn't bother. We old bones won't be sitting long..."
Prince Chun had grown breathless from the walk. He nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. We're old enough to be impolite, so let's skip the formalities! Getting to the point—DunSu went to the Ancestral Temple this morning to retrieve the family discipline. Does Your Majesty know of this?"
The Emperor was greatly shocked. "The family discipline? What would my imperial sister need the family discipline for?"
Prince Fumao waved his hand, sighing. "Surely it's because of the Crown Prince's matter. Your Majesty, normally we shouldn't meddle in affairs of state. But now it's come to this, even the family discipline has been deployed. As members of the imperial clan, we must speak up. We've heard about the Eldest Prince of Lingnan's secret dealings with the Western Barbarians, and we were all startled. The Crown Prince was at fault, yes, but circumstances demanded pragmatism. Though the Crown Prince acted unilaterally, in the end he was driven by desperate circumstances. If he had老老实实地派人回来请示皇上的意思，he would have missed the window entirely. On this point, it can be justified."
The Emperor swallowed his frustration, his face a picture of为难. "The princes speak truly, which is why I have not punished the Crown Prince. I only placed him under house arrest to appease public opinion."
Prince Chun was already showing signs of senility. He frowned at this and said, "But isn't the house arrest what caused the trouble? DunSu's quick temper! She grabbed the whip and went straight for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was under Your Majesty's house arrest at his residence—with nowhere to escape!"
Prince Hui shook his head, smiling. "Third brother... that's not what we're discussing."
Prince Chun struggled to open his drooping eyelids, mumbling in confusion, "Then what are we discussing? Isn't it just the Crown Prince's matter? Sigh... Your Majesty, please, go and persuade her. No matter what, your elder brother only left behind this one descendant. Would you truly let him die?"
Prince Hui was startled into a cold sweat by this single sentence. His heart raced as he regretted why he had come to wade into these murky waters. Fearing what else he might say, Prince Hui hastily lifted his teacup and handed it to Prince Chun, exclaiming, "Third brother, drink some tea. This tea is much better than what you have at your estate..."
Prince Chun nodded, took the cup, and drained it in one gulp. He clutched the empty cup, shaking his head repeatedly and sighing endlessly. Prince Hui turned to the Emperor, forcing a干笑. "Prince Chun has grown confused in his old age. He can barely recognize people anymore. His words were indiscreet—please forgive him, Your Majesty."
The Emperor's face went pale,勉强 forcing a smile. "It's nothing. What Third Uncle said isn't wrong. Imperial Sister's temper... tsk... It's not just others, even I fear her."
Prince Hui had spent his whole life keeping himself clean, never liking to involve himself in trouble. Seeing the Emperor's expression darken, he dared not stay any longer. After some hesitation, he smiled and said, "Regarding the Crown Prince's matter..."
The Emperor shook his head, sighing. "Imperial Sister is far too stubborn. Men! Go immediately to the Crown Prince's residence and tell Princess DunSu that I decree—she is not to cause any more trouble! The Crown Prince's wellbeing affects the nation's foundation. How can she act so rashly?!"
Prince Chun had just drunk his tea too hastily and let out a sudden hiccup. Dazed, he murmured, "Also tell the Crown Prince... next time he gets beaten, remember to dodge. Sigh, it's been years since I've seen brave little Xiao. Has he grown stupider? Just standing there老老实实地让人打..."
The Emperor's fists tightened in his sleeves. Unable to hold back, he added, "The Crown Prince has learned his lesson as well. Issue the order—there's no need for house arrest anymore. Also, summon the imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Academy who excels at treating external injuries to accompany you! Make absolutely certain the Crown Prince is well cared for. If Qi Xiao suffers even the slightest harm, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
The Emperor's tone grew increasingly vicious. Prince Hui knew the Emperor was truly angry. Fearing being implicated, he dared not linger another moment. Supporting Prince Chun, he took his leave.
Inside the Crown Prince's residence's inner courtyard, Qi Xiao's body was covered in intersecting whip marks—there wasn't a spot of uninjured skin. Suddenly, an imperial edict arrived from outside. Princess DunSu stood frozen, listening to the decree. After the messenger departed, tears instantly spilled from the Princess's eyes. She turned, crying out in loss, "Quick! Take the Crown Prince down! Hurry!!"
Qi Xiao, drenched in cold sweat, raised his head at these words. He spat out a mouthful of blood froth and smiled weakly, utterly spent.
The servants carried Qi Xiao back to the inner chamber of the study. Princess DunSu followed close behind, constantly wiping away tears. The accompanying imperial physician approached,低声说道, "Your Highness, allow this humble official to examine the Crown Prince..."
"No need! I have my own excellent medicine. You may withdraw!" The Princess's tears fell ceaselessly. She ordered her attendant female officials to bring out the medicine ointment that had been prepared long in advance. She snatched it from their hands frantically, refusing to let anyone else touch it. Removing her赤金镶宝护甲, she washed her hands, and dipped the ointment, applying it to Qi Xiao's wounds. Seeing the numerous whip marks on his body, she could no longer hold back her sobs. "My child! Does it hurt?"
Qi Xiao's face was pale, but he managed a smile. "Only a little. It doesn't hurt much."
The Princess wiped her tears and continued applying the medicine, sobbing repeatedly. "My child, my flesh..."
Jiang Deqing had also been released. The elderly eunuch shuffled into the inner chamber. Seeing Qi Xiao's injuries all over his body, he couldn't help but cry again. "What sin brought this upon us..."
Qi Xiao said nothing. But Jiang Deqing could see at a glance that he was thirsty. Hastily, he poured tea and offered it up. Qi Xiao rinsed his mouth, drank a full cup, and轻声说道, "Uncle, please don't blame Aunt. She did this... to rescue me from my current predicament. And... the whip just now was clearly held back in strength. It only broke the skin—none of the muscle or sinew was injured. In less than half a month, it will heal..."
Jiang Deqing had heard the Emperor's decree as well, so he understood naturally. Still, he couldn't help but心疼. The Princess's face was streaked with tears. Gently stroking Qi Xiao's cheek, she shook her head, choking with emotion. "I knew you would understand... Xiao'er, don't resent me for being cruel. Back in my father's day—your Imperial Grandfather—the records show he first placed King Jue under house arrest, to be dealt with later. That 'later' lasted thirteen years! In the end, King Jue hanged himself from a beam. The past is a clear lesson. Your aunt must guard against this..."
Qi Xiao nodded. "I understand your苦心, Aunt... Aunt, if you hadn't acted as you did, I'm afraid that in my desperation to escape my predicament, any self-harm I might have caused... would have been far worse..."
The Princess's heart ached terribly. Weeping bitterly, she exclaimed, "The day before yesterday, when I received news of your house arrest, I nearly fainted from shock. You... just what were you thinking?! What did I tell you before? Do not get involved in Lingnan's affairs again! Do not get involved in Lingnan's affairs again! Why won't you listen?!"
Qi Xiao smiled, but the movement inadvertently pulled at his wounds. His face went white in an instant. He shook his head, smiling faintly. "Aunt... just consider me mad..."
The Princess froze. She cried even harder. "My foolish Xiao'er..."
Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "Aunt, don't worry. The suffering today, the pain endured—someday... I will return it tenfold, a hundredfold... to him. I, Qi Xiao, am not... not someone who simply endures insult without repayment..."
Exhausted beyond measure, he低声说道, "Now I only hope that Bai Ren... that he succeeds in everything. My beating today... was not in vain."
The Princess felt both heartache and worry. Anxiously she asked, "Not in vain? For his sake, was it worth it?"
"Crown Prince, great news!" A young eunuch under Jiang Deqing's charge came running in, clutching a document, laughing loudly. "Crown Prince, great news!! A letter from Lingnan has arrived. The Eldest Prince... the Eldest Prince was victorious!!"
Qi Xiao wiped the cold sweat from his face, laughing several times, then低声喘息. "Worth it..."