Chapter 495: Chapter 166: Xiao Jinxing’s "Novel" Revenge
"What is going on with you two!" Xiao Zhanping’s veins bulged, clearly furious to the extreme.
Xiao Jinsen and Xiao Jinxing were gasping for breath, both remaining silent.
"Have you become mute?!" Xiao Zhanping roared.
Such a furious expression made everyone following behind him dare not even breathe loudly.
Even his roar seemed to make Xue Mei tremble.
"Won’t speak, is it? Drag them away, each to receive fifty heavy beatings!" Xiao Zhanping ordered fiercely.
"Prince! What’s the matter?!" Zhao Mengyu, hearing that Xiao Jinsen and Xiao Jinxing were fighting in the plum garden, naturally rushed over immediately, encountering Xiao Zhanping on the way, and followed him.
Now, seeing her son’s face covered in wounds, she too was extremely displeased.
Seeing the emperor about to punish Xiao Jinsen, she naturally didn’t want her son to sustain more injuries, thus she rebuked in an extremely stern voice.
Xiao Jinsen pursed his lips.
He knew that if he didn’t speak now, he would definitely receive the flogging.
Fifty heavy beatings, he wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for at least ten days to half a month.
He gritted his teeth, knelt on the ground, and said, "Father, your son was merely sparring in martial arts with the third brother. It was wrong of your son to cause father and mother concubine worry."
"Sparring in martial arts?!" Xiao Zhanping obviously didn’t believe it.
Xiao Jinxing also knelt on the ground, echoing, "Father, today being the Winter Solstice, I happened to meet second brother in the plum garden. Inspired by the beautiful scenery, I wanted to spar with my brother. Disturbing father and Imperial Concubine was my fault."
"Sparring in martial arts, so why is the Prince’s face full of injuries?" Xiao Zhanping asked coldly.
"It’s because your son is not skilled in martial arts, and is no match for third brother," Xiao Jinsen admitted through gritted teeth.
Right now, the most important thing was how to avoid these fifty heavy beatings.
Xiao Zhanping’s gaze tightened.
In his heart, Xiao Jinsen should naturally be a notch above, being personally taught by him since childhood and outstanding in every respect, yet unexpectedly, he couldn’t even beat Xiao Jinxing.
At that moment, he couldn’t help but have some thoughts about Xiao Jinsen.
Zhao Mengyu, having followed Xiao Zhanping for many years, was very adept at guessing his intentions, knew that Xiao Zhanping was definitely disappointed in Xiao Jinsen.
She hurriedly echoed, "As an elder brother, the Prince should show some leniency to his younger brother."
The implication of her words was that Xiao Jinsen’s face was full of injuries while Xiao Jinxing was unscathed because Xiao Jinsen had intentionally gone easy on him.
She also hinted that Xiao Jinxing was too eager for quick success.
However, such words might be persuasive coming from others, but coming from Zhao Mengyu, it was obviously a way for her to give her own son a way out.
Xiao Zhanping, being the emperor, naturally wasn’t stupid.
But in order to save face for his own son,
he didn’t probe further but turned his gaze to Ye Qichi, "Princess of Chen, tell me, why did they start fighting?!"
Ye Qichi thus became the focus.
She really wanted to roll her eyes.
Xiao Jinsen and Xiao Jinxing had long been at odds, why would she need to be asked how they started fighting?!
Of course, she knew.
Xiao Zhanping was just finding a way for his sons to step down and let this matter pass.
So, an outsider was needed to testify.
Ye Qichi had no choice but to kneel on the ground and respond, "Your Majesty, the Prince and the King of Chen had a spur of the moment interest and decided to spar in martial arts."
"Was it truly just sparring in martial arts?" Xiao Zhanping confirmed again.
"Your daughter-in-law speaks nothing but the truth," Ye Qichi earnestly replied.
Of course, she didn’t dare say.
It was because Xiao Jinsen tried to take liberties with her.
If said out loud.
This matter would really blow up.
"In that case, all rise," Xiao Zhanping commanded.
Xiao Jinsen, Xiao Jinxing, and Ye Qichi stood up.
"I allow you to wander around the palace, but not for you to come to the plum garden. As princes, going to the place of ladies, what kind of decorum is this! I do not want to see this next time!"
"Your sons obey," Xiao Jinsen and Xiao Jinxing quickly bowed in obeisance.
"It’s getting late, prepare for the evening banquet," Xiao Zhanping then instructed.
"Your concubine obeys," Zhao Mengyu quickly responded.
Xiao Zhanping took another look at Xiao Jinsen and Xiao Jinxing.
Looking at Xiao Jinsen’s face.
Ultimately, he said nothing and turned to leave.
Xiao Zhanping left with the group.
Xiao Jinsen glared fiercely at Xiao Jinxing, then at Ye Qichi, and under Zhao Mengyu’s gaze, left first.
Everyone dispersed.