Chapter 83

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's brows furrowed slightly; he was clearly displeased with such a handling result and coldly questioned, "Hmph! Is this what you call a handling method? Simply absurd to the extreme! Also, just who are you? Report your name truthfully!"

Master Qian replied with a trembling voice: "Th... this lowly one is named Qian Lai."

The Emperor glared with wide eyes and shouted loudly: "Good! Good! Truly very good! This Shangshufang ought to be a sacred place for teaching and nurturing pillars of talent, yet now it has been turned into a foul mess by you!

Do not think We are unaware of the relationship between you and Song Qi; you are his maternal uncle, are you not? Hmph! A person like you who engages in favoritism and fraud — how could you possibly teach outstanding students of both virtue and talent! From now on, you need not set foot in this Shangshufang even half a step!

As for who should serve as the master of the Shangshufang's Sixian Ban, on this matter We have Our own considerations." However, just at this moment, Master Qian still shouted unwillingly: "Your Majesty, this lowly one is truly wronged! Although I am indeed Song Qi's uncle, the root cause of this whole affair is Yan Qianqian's fault! No matter what, she should not have struck someone!"

The words had barely fallen when An Wang, who had been hidden behind the screen, could no longer suppress the anger in his heart; he strode out from behind the screen and roared angrily: "By your logic, is everything our Wang's daughter's fault?

Song Qi insulted Jie'er as a bastard, and even reviled this Wang along with him — in your eyes, is this not even a trifling matter? Could it be that because this Wang has not made a move to teach someone a lesson for a long time, you all think this Wang is weak and can be bullied?"

Facing the furious An Wang, Master Qian was instantly frightened pale, his whole body trembling uncontrollably; where would he dare utter another word of sophistry.

He hurriedly knelt on the ground, kowtowing like pounding garlic as he begged: "An Wang, Your Highness, quell your anger! This lowly one absolutely had no such intent; all mistakes, great and small, are the fault of this lowly one and that Song Qi.

Once this lowly one returns home, I will certainly punish Song Qi severely and order him to immediately go to An Wangfu to apologize to you in person; I only beg Your Highness to raise your noble hand and spare this lowly one this once!"

Master Qian kowtowed desperately like pounding garlic, his forehead striking the ground with thud-thud-thud sounds, as if he would knock a hole in the bluestone floor. Yet An Wang did not even glance at him properly; his gaze passed straight over him and landed on Yan Jie not far away.

Yan Jie had been standing there all along; the moment he saw An Wang and Qianqian, the emotions he had long suppressed finally surged forth like a burst flood.

He could no longer control himself; like an arrow leaving the bow he sprinted over, tightly hugged An Wang's thick thigh, and wailed heart-rendingly: "Father, Father! Jie'er is truly your biological child, right?" Tears mixed with snot, smearing all over his tender little face.

Seeing this, An Wang hurriedly bent down, extended his broad palm and gently stroked Yan Jie's hair, replying in a firm tone: "Correct, my good child; you are this Wang's own flesh and blood! Henceforth, if anyone dares speak nonsense and gossip, never mind Qianqian striking someone — even if this Wang personally acts, I will twist that person's head off and kick it like a ball!"

At this moment, the Emperor, who had been coldly observing from the side, also spoke opportunely: "Men! Quickly drag this ungrateful Qian Lai down and give him thirty heavy strokes, so he may properly remember the lesson!"

The words had not finished when the guards who had been waiting at the side rushed forward and effortlessly dragged away the still desperately begging Master Qian.

Immediately after, the Emperor turned to Eunuch Sun beside him and instructed: "Eunuch Sun, draft an edict at once. That Song Qi actually dared publicly insult a member of Our imperial clan — truly audacious to the extreme! However, considering his young age, he must have been instigated by others to commit such a grave error; We shall temporarily spare his life and simply remove him from the Shangshufang.

As for Minister of Rites Song Wenxiao, as a father he failed to teach his son, his virtue is lacking and he is truly unfit for his current post; effective immediately he is demoted to Vice Minister of Rites, to warn others by his example!"

Finished speaking, the Emperor looked at An Wang with a gentle gaze and slowly said: "In this matter, Jie'er has truly suffered enormous grievance! Eunuch Sun, later you go to Our Imperial Private Treasury and have a look, select some tribute toys from other countries that are suitable for a child to play with and send them to An Wang." Hearing this, An Wang hurriedly rose and thanked him: "Many thanks for Imperial Elder Brother's concern!"

The Emperor nodded slightly, then said: "You all may return to the palace to rest for now. As for the master selection, We need to deliberate carefully and see who is most suitable. Eunuch Sun, starting tomorrow let the Shangshufang temporarily close for two days." Eunuch Sun hurriedly responded: "This servant respectfully obeys the imperial edict!"

After the Emperor had arranged all matters properly, An Wang carefully picked up Yan Jie, and led Qianqian by the hand as they slowly walked out of the Imperial Palace together.

Along the way, Yan Jie kept his arms tightly locked around An Wang's neck, refusing to let go; his small body trembled slightly, as if he had still not fully recovered from the shock and grievance just now.

Seeing this, a surge of pity welled up in An Wang's heart; he comforted softly: "Jie'er, do not fear; no matter when or where, you will forever be this Wang's most cherished biological child." Although outwardly it was proclaimed that Yan Jie was the son of the Wangfei's younger sister, in reality An Wang had always treated him as his own, caring for him meticulously and doting on him dearly.

In An Wang's view, Yan Jie was still young and did not yet understand how great an impact the mystery of his origins could have on a person.

If in the future he can calmly accept his current identity and no longer stubbornly obsess over his origins, then in An Wang's heart he will forever be his true biological flesh and blood in the genuine sense;

However, if one day Yan Jie wishes to seek the truth and understand his real origins, An Wang will likewise not deliberately conceal it and will certainly tell him the truth.

As for the Emperor's side, in fact from the very day Yan Jie was picked up, An Wang had already reported this matter to the Emperor in detail.

In this way, henceforth no one would be able to use this incident to blackmail or threaten An Wang again.

After hearing An Wang's words of comfort, Yan Jie, whose heart had been filled with fear and unease, gradually no longer feared as before.

Even Qianqian, standing at the side, now spoke up: "Little Brother, if in the future those people with dishonest mouths who like to spout nonsense bully you, you must remember to tell Elder Sister immediately! Elder Sister guarantees she will beat them until they are battered and fleeing in panic!"

Yan Jie sobbed, his eyes crying so red the rims were scarlet, and replied in that still slightly childish, milky voice: "Okay..."