Chapter 46: Bullshit Emperor, I’m Going to Kill You
By the time the two of them leisurely made their way over, the Imperial Study Room was already crowded.
When they saw Xiao Li enter, all eyes snapped toward her. Each person’s face was livid, their resentment palpable. They were clearly there to demand retribution.
Xiao Li walked over as if she hadn’t noticed them. "Brother, I’m here."
The Emperor glanced at her attire, disapproving, but he was in no mood to deal with that now. With a stern face, he reprimanded her, "What have you done now?"
Xiao Li chuckled. "I just taught a few low-life thugs a lesson. You don’t have to praise me for it personally, Brother."
The Emperor’s eyes widened. "Since when did you hear me praising you?"
An official to the side couldn’t wait any longer and questioned her directly, "May I ask why the Princess assaulted my nephew without cause?"
Xiao Li turned to glance at the middle-aged man. ’Hmm, I don’t know him.’
Xiao Jingyi prompted, "Zhang De, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice."
’Oh, that guy’s uncle.’
She swept her gaze over the others. This man was standing at the very front; he was clearly the highest-ranking official those four could find to speak for them.
"Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, is it? As it happens, this princess has a question for you too. Is it a crime for the sons of nobles to harass a decent woman in the street? And what is the crime for insulting a princess, threatening to kill me, and tear me to pieces?"
Zhang De’s face was grim. "The Princess struck first. They only spoke recklessly because they did not know her identity at the time. Those who act in ignorance are not guilty."
Xiao Li sneered. "A fine ’those who act in ignorance are not guilty.’ You mean to say if it hadn’t been me today, they could have just beaten or killed anyone they pleased?"
Another man said angrily, "The Princess was the one who hit them first!"
Xiao Li shot back, "They were harassing someone. So what if I hit them?"
"Enough!" the Emperor barked.
Suppressing his anger, Zhang De clasped his hands in a salute. "Your Majesty, I have already inquired. My nephew and that young lady already knew each other. They merely ran into each other and were exchanging a few jokes when the Princess suddenly attacked and injured my nephew and the other three. Yet, she didn’t touch a single hair on Young Master Feng of the Feng Family. I do not know what the Princess’s intentions are."
The Emperor’s gaze on Xiao Li changed instantly. Though he hadn’t spoken, he had surely already formed his own suspicions.
Xiao Li was speechless. ’I just ran my mouth once about wanting to find a handsome consort. It was just a joke! How can this boomerang keep coming back to hit me again and again?’
’I swear, I just wanted to tease Feng Yin a little. I had no indecent thoughts whatsoever. But it’s obvious the Emperor doesn’t believe in my innocence. That look in his eyes could kill.’
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
Xiao Li was exasperated, but she couldn’t remain silent.
"That Young Master Feng was just looking for his brother-in-law. They were trying to drag him down with them to harass the girl. The kid was struggling and refusing, but they wouldn’t let him go. I’m not blind. I saw he was innocent, so why would I hit him?"
Just then, Xiao Jingyi performed a salute. "Brother, your younger brother wishes to file an imperial complaint."
"I accuse Zhang De, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, of immoral conduct, of murder, and of seizing another man’s wife." The single sentence was earth-shattering.
Everyone was confused. Everyone was shocked.
’What in the world is Prince Wei up to?’
Zhang De visibly panicked for a moment before forcing himself to remain calm. He shouted, "Prince Wei, do not spout such nonsense just to absolve the Princess! I am, after all, a court official. How can I allow the Prince to slander me so casually?"
Xiao Jingyi’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. He spoke with complete confidence, "Your Majesty, I have evidence. Vice Minister Zhang’s concubine, of the Mei Family, was originally the wife of a butcher on West Street. Vice Minister Zhang..."
"Your Majesty!" Zhang De interrupted loudly. "Your Majesty, we are discussing the Princess’s assault. Prince Wei is changing the subject. Does he intend to shield the Princess?"
’So, you, a mere Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, really think you can convict a princess?’
Xiao Li said, "Brother, since everyone is here, let Jing Yi finish what he has to say. We can deal with it all at once. As for me hitting those men, I will accept whatever punishment you see fit."
’I only beat them up; I didn’t kill them. What’s the use of them complaining? It’s not like they can hit me back, can they?’
’Even if the Emperor believed them, he wouldn’t strike his own sister just because these people complained. Where would his imperial dignity be then?’
Xiao Li had originally planned to manipulate him a little, but once Prince Wei started talking, she realized she could play this a different way.
Zhang De knew perfectly well what he had done; he couldn’t let Prince Wei continue.
Even if he wasn’t sure Prince Wei had evidence, his crimes wouldn’t stand up to an investigation.
"Your Majesty, my young nephew offended the Princess. He deserved to be beaten. I apologize to the Princess on my nephew’s behalf."
Now that the fire was burning him, he knew he had to retreat. But it was too late.
His pleas couldn’t stop Prince Wei from making his accusation. Zhang De collapsed to the floor and was finally dragged away like a dead dog.
Of course, even though he was the one who had committed the crime, he now hated Xiao Li. As he was being dragged away, he glared at her with such resentment it looked like he wanted to devour her.
Without even looking, Xiao Li grabbed a nearby object and threw it at him. "What are you looking at? I’m not the one who forced you to steal someone’s wife, you scum!"
Xiao Li had grabbed the lid of an incense burner. Her aim was perfect, hitting Zhang De right on the forehead. It didn’t bleed, but a lump instantly swelled up, making everyone else’s forehead throb in sympathy.
"Xuanyang!"
The Emperor slammed his hand on the table, furious. "A princess of the realm, resorting to violence at the drop of a hat! What has become of your dignity?"
"Get back to your residence at once! Copy the Heart Clarity Spell one hundred times for me. You are not to eat until you’re finished."
Xiao Li could have spat blood. ’Copying Buddhist Scripture, always copying Buddhist Scripture! Can’t he think of anything new? I’m not doing it.’
"Brother, I did nothing wrong. I was righting an injustice. You should reward me."
Her words made the Emperor laugh in anger. "You have the nerve to ask me for a reward? Look at you! Do you look anything like a princess right now? Two hundred times! I’ll have someone supervise you. You won’t miss a single word."
Xiao Li clenched her fists. ’You damn Emperor! I’m going to kill you!’
Xiao Li was kicked out and ordered to go back and copy the Buddhist Scripture. This time, not even Xiao Jingyi could help her, as he had to provide the Emperor with evidence for the trial concerning Zhang De’s murder case.
Although he had gotten her out of a tight spot, Xiao Li wasn’t the least bit grateful to him.
’That guy is full of nasty tricks.’
He had clearly known about Zhang De’s wicked deeds long ago but had never made a move against him. By exposing it at this moment, everyone would think he was forced to drag Zhang De down just for Xiao Li’s sake.
You could tell from Zhang De’s final expression. He didn’t hate Prince Wei for exposing his crimes; instead, he resented Xiao Li.
Without realizing it, Xiao Li had become the target of all the hatred, shielding Xiao Jingyi, and yet on the surface, she still had to thank him for his help.
’How could any child who survived in the imperial family be a fool?’
However, Xiao Li had barely stepped through her own gates when Prince Wei’s steward arrived, bearing a large box of gifts.
"Princess, these are local specialties the Prince collected on his travels. They just arrived, and he hastily sent this lowly one to deliver them. Please accept them with a smile."
Xiao Li opened the box. Inside was a case of coral beads, as red as blood. A single glance at their luster told her they were of the highest quality.
Xiao Li picked up a bead, toying with it in her fingers. After a long moment, she let out a small laugh. "Alright. Leave it."