The feeling when Qi Ha'er stroked his face sent a chill down Xin Yeheng's spine. He was scared, but he couldn't show it. He was afraid that Qi Ha'er would detect his lucidity.
"You're such a good boy. I didn't expect my control method to be so effective," Qi Ha'er curled his lips. He took out a few more silver needles from his bosom. Just as he was about to pierce the needles into Xin Yeheng's forehead again, he heard a shrill male voice from outside. "Your Highness, Your Highness! His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen are coming to see you! Hurry up and get up!"
Hearing that Xin Zizhao and Wei Shuxuan were coming, Qi Ha'er had no choice but to put away the silver needles in his hand. He told Xin Yeheng, "Xiao Heng, go out first. Remember to behave well. That's your elder brother."
The sarcastic tone made Xin Yeheng feel extremely uncomfortable, but he endured it and quickly walked out of the room, subconsciously wanting to get away from Qi Ha'er as fast as possible.
As soon as Wei Shuxuan learned that Xin Shang had returned to the Fenghe Palace after receiving his punishment, she immediately called the imperial physician to check his wounds. "Imperial physician, will Xin Shang be okay?"
"Your Majesty the Queen, Young Master Xin Shang will be fine. He has been practicing martial arts since childhood and has excellent physical fitness. Thirty blows from the cane are just a minor injury for him. Let this old official prescribe some medicine for Young Master Xin Shang to apply on the wound. He will recover after a few days of proper rest."
"Thank you, Imperial Physician. Chief Eunuch Li, see the Imperial Physician out, and send someone to get the medicine with him."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Queen," Chief Eunuch Li made a gesture of invitation. "Imperial Physician, this way please."
Wei Shuxuan turned around and looked at Xin Shang. Xin Shang lowered his head remorsefully. "Miss Xuan... This subordinate is really sorry. This subordinate shouldn't have been so impulsive and fought with the people of the Eleventh Prince. This subordinate even hit the Eleventh Prince. Please punish this subordinate, Miss Xuan!"
Saying that, Xin Shang was about to kneel down to plead for punishment. Wei Shuxuan quickly helped him up. "No, no, no, Xin Shang. You're still injured. Don't kneel down to me. And as for the punishment, didn't I already give you thirty blows from the cane just now? Don't think too much. Just recuperate well!"
As soon as she finished speaking, they heard footsteps, and then they heard Xin Zizhao's voice. "Xin Shang, I've heard about what happened today."
"Xin Zizhao, you're back so soon?" Wei Shuxuan knew that Xin Zizhao was going to scold Xin Shang, so she quickly turned around, trying to divert Xin Zizhao's attention.
"Of course I'm back after finishing my business. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known that such a thing would happen between Xin Shang and the Eleventh Prince," Xin Zizhao glanced at Wei Shuxuan coldly. "And you, don't try to divert my attention. I'm talking to Xin Shang now."
"What? Are you going to ignore me?" Wei Shuxuan looked at Xin Zizhao unhappily. "Xin Shang didn't do it on purpose. Why are you scolding him? He only attacked the Eleventh Prince because of you!"
"Miss Xuan, please don't defend this subordinate. This subordinate knows it's all this subordinate's fault. It's normal for the master to scold this subordinate. Please punish this subordinate, master!"
Seeing Wei Shuxuan angrily defending Xin Shang, Xin Zizhao knew that if he really punished Xin Shang, he would definitely make Wei Shuxuan angry. So, Xin Zizhao waved his hand. "Forget it. Let this matter go this time. Don't let it happen again. Xuan'er punished you on my behalf, Xin Shang. You should thank Xuan'er well. Do you understand?"
"This subordinate understands. This subordinate won't let Miss Xuan's kindness down. This subordinate won't act impulsively again."
"That's for the best."
"By the way, Xin Zizhao, let's go to the Huaman Palace to see the Eleventh Prince."
"What? Did you punish him too?" Xin Zizhao raised his eyebrows. Xuan'er shouldn't have punished Xin Yeheng.
"No. Didn't Xin Shang hit him? I heard that although it was just a slap, but I saw that the Eleventh Prince seemed to become very weak after being hit. I'm a bit worried about him, so I want you to accompany me to see him."
So, under Wei Shuxuan's pleading gaze, Xin Zizhao went to the Huaman Palace with her. Just as they stepped into the main hall of the Huaman Palace, Xin Yeheng came out of the room. Seeing his panicked expression, Wei Shuxuan felt a bit strange. But the moment Xin Yeheng saw her, the panic on his face faded, replaced by surprise. However, soon, the look of surprise faded again.
Just as Wei Shuxuan was still wondering, Xin Yeheng had already taken the initiative to salute them. "Greetings to Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Queen."
"Rise. Today, I heard that my personal guard hit you. How's the injury on your face?" Xin Zizhao asked Xin Yeheng about his injury with concern.
"...Your Majesty, this younger brother is already fine. Please don't worry, Your Majesty."
Xin Zizhao's calm and gentle tone made him feel flattered.
"That's good. If you feel unwell, be sure to invite the imperial physician to treat you. Only then can I feel at ease."
"Yeheng, I've already punished Xin Shang today. Don't hold a grudge against him for today's matter, okay?" Wei Shuxuan apologized with a smile.
"...Yes, Your Majesty the Queen. Since Your Majesty the Queen has said so, this younger brother will of course follow your order."
Now that Xin Yeheng had been pacified, the matter of Xin Shang would be suppressed. Of course, Wei Shuxuan hoped that there would be no greater commotion.
Just after the matter of Xin Shang had just happened, Xin Zizhao was deliberately made things difficult by the ministers during the morning court. First, they negated all his decisions, and then they raised some problems that they clearly could solve but deliberately threw them to him to deal with.
"Gentlemen, don't blame me for speaking harshly. Have you all lost your minds? If you can't even decide such trivial matters and have to rely on me, then why don't you all be the emperor? How about that?"
Seeing Xin Zizhao getting angry, all the ministers dared not say a word. Seeing that they were silent, Xin Zizhao said, "If there's nothing else, then adjourn the court. And if you're dissatisfied with me, then you don't have to attend the morning court from now on. That's all."
When Xin Zizhao was angry, his eyes were extremely cold when looking at people, just like looking at a lifeless machine, cold and full of killing intent.
Just as Wei Shuxuan woke up, Xin Zizhao came back. She sat up on the bed. "Why are you back so early, Xin Zizhao?"
"Something happened in the court, so I adjourned the court early."
Judging from Xin Zizhao's expression, Wei Shuxuan thought that something must have happened during the morning court to make Xin Zizhao show a troubled expression.