0p0 Chapter 332 Kneeling as punishment
Chapter 332 Kneeling as punishment
Nanny Li said in a slightly anxious tone, "Empress Dowager, what's the point of tormenting the Empress like this! Not to mention that the Empress has always been respectful to you, this will chill her heart. And your grandchildren, the Sixth and Seventh Princes are such good children. Knowing that you are not feeling well, the Sixth Prince takes time to come visit you. If you treat the Empress like this, your grandchildren will not want to see you! More importantly, if His Majesty finds out, will he not vent his anger on Prince An?"
Hearing the name of Prince An, Empress Dowager Li's embarrassed expression changed: "How dare he! His brother is already like this, what else does he want!"
Nanny Li lowered her head slightly and said dejectedly, "Your Majesty, of course you wouldn't dare! Your Majesty is the Emperor! Besides, Prince An is indeed... a bit outrageous! If anyone brings this up in the previous court, Prince An will be charged with another crime!"
Empress Dowager Li was stunned. She suddenly fell back onto the soft pillow, her eyes dull as she spoke haltingly, "The Emperor told me the other day that the harem wasn't allowed to interfere in government affairs, and that I should only take care of my own business. So, I took care of the affairs of the Crown Prince! Now I can't even take care of the affairs of the harem?"
Nanny Li had no choice but to persuade her again, "Empress Dowager, now that we have a master of the harem, let the Empress take charge! The harem has been doing well for all these years, and your grandchildren are all doing well. If you interfere again, His Majesty will only be more angry if anything goes wrong! And that will be even more detrimental to Prince An's situation!"
Empress Dowager Li was overwhelmed with thoughts. When she thought of her two sons, her heart gradually became bitter. She didn't know why things had turned out like this.
Of course, it was impossible to conceal the fact that Lan Qingwu was punished to kneel in the Cining Palace. Although Nanny Li was frightened and repeatedly warned people against it, there were people planted in the Cining Palace by Emperor Shenwu, and Li Xiang was recently ordered to keep a close eye on the Cining Palace, so of course he got the news earlier.
Li Xiang's face was as bitter as lotus yellow, but since it concerned the Empress, he dared not not report. He had to bite the bullet and walk into the hall. When he arrived in front of Emperor Shenwu, he knelt on the ground without saying a word.
The Shenwu Emperor's phoenix eyes were slightly surprised. He put down the red brush in his hand and said directly: "Speak!"
Li Xiang then spoke and described clearly what happened in the Cining Palace. Emperor Shenwu had only heard half of it when the memorial in his hand was slammed onto the imperial desk with a "bang".
Li Xiang raised his eyes quietly and saw that Emperor Shenwu's expression was as cold as ice and his face was as gloomy as water.
Emperor Shenwu uttered word by word from his throat: "You just can't bear to see me get what I want!"
Li Xiang quickly shrank back, "Your Majesty, I have already invited Imperial Physician Nie Wushuang to Fengqi Palace. Please see..."
Emperor Shenwu stood up and said, "Go to Fengqi Palace."
When Emperor Shenwu arrived at Fengqi Palace, Nie Wushuang had already taken Ruping's pulse. He prescribed the best external ointment and gave it directly to Ruping.
Nie Wushuang was just about to take his leave when Emperor Shenwu arrived. He reported Lan Qingwu's situation again and then bowed and took his leave.
Emperor Shenwu sat down beside the bed with a sullen face. He reached out and gently rolled up Lan Qingwu's pajamas. When he saw the bruised knees, his phoenix eyes became even colder.
Lan Qingwu hurriedly comforted her in a soft voice.
Emperor Shenwu glared at Lan Qingwu, took the ointment presented by Ruping, and gently applied it to Lan Qingwu's wound.
"I knew you were stupid, but I didn't expect you to be this stupid. Why are you arguing with the Queen Mother? I'll sort out all this mess later! Do you really have to kneel down? Doesn't it hurt?"
Lan Qingwu curled her lips in grievance, "Then next time the Empress Dowager gives me advice like this, should I ask Your Majesty for help every time? It would be better to just refuse directly and put an end to it once and for all. The Empress Dowager will never mention this matter again."
Emperor Shenwu was almost laughing out of anger, and his fingers unconsciously exerted a little force, causing Lan Qingwu to scream slightly.
Emperor Shenwu threw the ointment to Ruping and squeezed out a word between his teeth: "It's your fault!"
Lan Qingwu felt even more aggrieved. He had been spoiled by Emperor Shenwu over the years, so how could he bear what was happening now?
She ignored her still painful knees, stretched out her hands to hook the neck of the Shenwu Emperor, and said aggrievedly: "Brother Heng! Brother Heng!"
The Emperor Shenwu took advantage of the situation and put his arm around her slender waist. "What? You think you'll be alright if you act a little spoiled? Let's see if you learn this lesson!"
Lan Qingwu had no choice but to throw herself into the arms of the Emperor Shenwu. "Then... I can't stand hearing what the Empress Dowager said! I can't accept it!"
Emperor Shenwu's heart was soft and bitter: "Can't stand it? I'm so stupid and weak!"
Emperor Shenwu lifted Lan Qingwu's cheek and examined it carefully. "You're not wearing that collar today?"
Lan Qingwu nodded gently: "The Empress Dowager is ill, so it is not appropriate for her to wear an overly gorgeous phoenix necklace when she goes to the Cining Palace. However, I want to wear it when I return to Fengqi Palace!"
It turned out that Lan Qingwu was so fond of the collar that he placed it next to the pillow on the bed.
The Emperor Shenwu naturally saw the exquisite box containing the Phoenix Eyes Necklace. He picked up the box with one hand and said, "I will put it on you."
Lan Qingwu shuddered slightly. Last night, after Emperor Shenwu put the Phoenix Collar on him, he had been tormenting him like crazy. Now, he was wearing it again today...
However, Emperor Shenwu did not discuss it with Lan Qingwu. He opened the exquisite red wooden box, took out the collar, and put the phoenix collar on Lan Qingwu with great care.
The phoenix tail gently fell on Lan Qingwu's chest. Lan Qingwu looked at the colorful diamonds and jades, as well as the noble Hetian purple jade peach petals that were slightly flowing with purple light. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes again.
Emperor Shenwu then said, "Ruoruo can wear this phoenix necklace every day. On days when you need to avoid it, you can wear it inside your neck."
Lan Qingwu blinked her watery eyes and nodded, "Okay! I'll listen to Brother Heng."
Emperor Shenwu snorted with a laugh: "I hope so!"
Lan Qingwu took the opportunity to act coquettishly in the arms of Emperor Shenwu, hoping that Emperor Shenwu would forget about this matter as soon as possible.
Emperor Shenwu could see through Lan Qingwu's thoughts, and he just held her in his arms with a smile.
A few days ago, the Imperial Censor impeached Prince An for his extravagant and licentious life in his mansion, with constant singing, dancing and feasting. This even attracted the playboys in the imperial city to come in and out of the prince's mansion, and they behaved in an unruly manner. They even brought girls from brothels and music halls in and out at will.
Prince Kang, who seldom attended the morning court, broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this. He had done this kind of thing before, quite a few times, but it had not been brought to the attention of the previous court. Emperor Shenwu was too lazy to care about these trivial matters. At most, he would scold him and ask him not to be too absurd. He did not expect that his eldest brother had made such a big fuss about this matter!
Prince Kang quietly raised his head to gaze at the Emperor on the dais. The Emperor's regal crown beads drooped, obscuring his piercing eyes. Of course, Prince Kang couldn't clearly discern the Emperor's expression. He couldn't help but feel somewhat relieved. Running around with Prince Ding for the past few years, while it had taken up some of his energy and made him a bit tired, was finally becoming less of an eyesore for the Shenwu Emperor.