PDLP Chapter 401: Ancient Dimension, Cannon Fodder Female Matching Whose Marriage Was Snatched Away by Co
Chapter 401: Ancient Dimension, Cannon Fodder Female Matching Whose Marriage Was Snatched Away by Co
The faint light of morning sun shone on the towering palace walls. On the golden brick floor inside the walls, King Zhao and his son looked miserable and trembling.
Their robes were wrinkled and stained with dust, and cold sweat dripped down their temples, gathering into small puddles on the ground. The long hours of forced kneeling had left them with no feeling in their legs, as if they were no longer part of their bodies.
It was not until the noise of the morning court gradually faded away that they finally received the imperial edict allowing them to return home.
However, before they could breathe a sigh of relief and digest this embarrassing incident on their own, the shrill and cold voice of the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict reached their eardrums again.
"Your Majesty has issued an order, and Prince Zhao and his son shall obey.
Considering the relationship between the two clans, the death penalty can be spared, but the punishment of life cannot be avoided.
From now on, every odd day, you must kneel at the palace gate for two hours as a warning to others. I hope you will behave yourself."
King Zhao was already exhausted by the humiliation and torment he had endured that night. When he heard the order of punishment, he felt dizzy, his breath suddenly stopped, his vision went dark, and he fell straight backwards.
"Father!"
Upon seeing this, Crown Prince Xiao Yichen was horrified and rushed forward to support him, but his legs and feet were not agile enough, so he could only let King Zhao fall to the cold ground.
Fortunately, the imperial physician arrived in time, and after first aid, King Zhao slowly woke up.
"What a rebellious son! What a rebellious son!!"
King Zhao's face was as pale as paper, his eyes were empty and desperate, as if he had aged ten years overnight.
Xiao Yichen suppressed the sadness and anger in his heart, carefully helped King Zhao up, and slowly left the palace step by step.
Along the way, the father and son fell silent, and only the heavy footsteps echoed in the empty palace road.
Their figures, standing on the palace road, looked especially lonely and desolate. Their former glory and pride had now been completely crushed by the endless humiliation and punishment, leaving only a haze of confusion and uncertainty hanging over their path forward...
"How should we deal with this matter? I can only go to that eunuch and ask him clearly..."
Prince Zhao cannot see His Majesty now. It is obvious that His Majesty is very angry and has even lost patience with Prince Zhao's Mansion.
Now we can only learn what to do from my father-in-law Xiao Shunzi.
But before Prince Zhao's Mansion could take any action, Eunuch Xiao Shunzi came uninvited.
Xiao Shunzi walked straight to the center of the courtyard and conveyed His Majesty's oral instructions.
"Your Majesty has spoken. The Crown Prince and the daughter are already husband and wife. This is a matter concerning the royal family's reputation and the reputation of the palace, and cannot be treated lightly.
As for what kind of status to be granted to her, Your Majesty has granted permission, and Prince Zhao's Mansion can make the decision based on its own considerations.
After all, after careful investigation, it is undoubtedly the place where the two met secretly. This situation has been reported to Your Majesty and all the officials. A comprehensive and appropriate solution is needed to appease all parties."
After saying that, he looked at Prince Zhao who was being supported by others and the Crown Prince Xiao Yichen who was kneeling alone in unbearable pain.
Prince Zhao's face was as pale as paper, with beads of sweat the size of beans rolling down his temples. He tried hard to support his body, which was almost exhausted from kneeling for a long time, and signaled his servants to bring a plate of golden gold.
"Eunuch, I am now at my wit's end. I only hope you can show me a way forward.
How should this matter be handled to appease His Majesty's wrath?"
Xiao Shunzi is no pushover, but His Majesty said he could accept the gift from Prince Zhao's Mansion, which meant that Prince Zhao's Mansion was doomed...
But he would never reveal His Majesty's thoughts to anyone.
"Your Majesty, just focus on completing the punishment without fail, and the best strategy is to arrange the Crown Prince's marriage properly.
After all, the Crown Prince is the one who dared to disregard the Emperor's decree in public. Not only the Crown Prince, but also the shameless girl who dared to meet the Crown Prince secretly, don't you agree?"
Xiao Shunzi's words seemed to be light-hearted, but when he mentioned Shi Shu, his tone suddenly turned cold, and he mercilessly spat out words like "shameless girl".
Disgust seemed to be a substance, permeating the air.
King Zhao was still weighing the pros and cons in his mind, considering whether to give Shi Shu the noble status of Crown Prince's Consort. After all, this matter had caused an uproar in the city, and if it was not handled properly, it might cause more trouble.
However, at this moment, after hearing Xiao Shunzi's words full of contempt, the balance in his heart instantly tilted.
He thought to himself, since all the people around His Majesty despised Shi Shu so much, how could he show any favoritism towards her?
Not to mention being the Crown Prince's wife, even if she was a concubine, she would have to be given the lowest rank, so that everyone would know that Prince Zhao's Mansion was not without rules.
After Xiao Shunzi left, King Zhao immediately called the Crown Prince Xiao Yichen to his side.
"Yi Chen, you also heard what Grandpa Xiao Shunzi said about Shu's matter.
This woman's misconduct has put my Prince Zhao's Mansion into such a predicament and has also angered Your Majesty.
This king originally wanted to give her a respectable identity, but now it seems that is impossible."
King Zhao rubbed his still aching knee and spoke in a low voice, his words full of anger and dissatisfaction.
He was reluctant to blame his own son, but other people were nothing but ants in his eyes.
Xiao Yichen frowned. Although he felt a little pity for Shi Shu, who had become his woman, he also understood that the current situation did not allow him to have any other ideas.
"Father, I understand. However, if I don't handle this properly now, I'm afraid there will be more complications."
King Zhao looked at his indecisive son. If his leg had not been injured from kneeling, he would have kicked him away.
However, Princess Zhao interrupted her son's words.
"Hmph, what else could possibly happen? She's just a shameless woman.
From today on, place her in the most remote corner of the palace and send a few servants to watch over her.
As for her status, she was told to the outside world that she was a concubine of the lowest rank. She was not allowed to move around freely, nor was she allowed to have any contact with the outside world.
It's just in Prince Zhao's mansion, so I can just keep it for a while before dealing with it."
Xiao Yichen hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.
“What Mother said is absolutely true.
Don’t look at how miserable Shu is now, but don’t forget that she is still the cousin of the Shi family.
In my opinion, it would be better to keep her calm now.
When there is no one in the Shi family to inherit the family business, then the Shi family's rich property will naturally fall into Shi Shu's name.
By then, she will be a woman, and in the Zhaowang Palace, she will be at our mercy. All this wealth will eventually become the property of the Zhaowang Palace."