Chapter 155: The Crown Prince Is Punished

Causing such a massive commotion within the imperial city naturally alarmed the Palace.

After Mo Junheng heard the news, his face was filled with delight.

"Mo Junyan, that fool! He really is a lunatic, actually going on a killing spree right in Jingcheng. Once I report this matter to Father Emperor, even if Father Emperor favors and dotes on him, it will be of no use. After this incident, no one can save him."

Mo Junheng hurried to the imperial study, afraid of being a second too late. At this moment, he seemed to already see Mo Junyan reduced to a prisoner, facing a life of misery and wretchedness.

At this time, in the imperial study, the Emperor listened to the Dark Guard's report and slammed his hand heavily on the desk. The teacups on the desk toppled over, and tea spilled all across the table.

Eunuch Li, attending to the side, jumped in fright. Fearing the Emperor would fly into a great rage, he hurried forward to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, Prince Li, he..."

"Good! Good! Very good indeed!"

Hearing this, Eunuch Li's heart sank.

It was over. This time, the Emperor was truly furious.

But then again, Prince Li had caused such a scene in Jingcheng this time, killing so many people. How could the Emperor not be angry? Now the court was in upheaval. Even if the Emperor did not want to deal with Prince Li, he probably had no choice.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

"Calm my anger? Why should I calm my anger?"

Great. The Emperor was so angry he had started speaking in irony.

"Not only will I not punish him, I will reward him. He is truly my son! He has guts, he has the style I had in my day."

Huh?

Eunuch Li could not help but freeze.

So the Emperor's "good" just now was sincere?

"These parasites should have been cleaned out long ago. That brat is truly my own flesh and blood."

The Emperor had even burst out with crude language, which showed he was genuinely delighted.

Just then, a young eunuch walked in and said respectfully: "Reporting to Your Majesty, someone just arrived from outside the Palace. It is a guard from Prince Li's residence."

"What is it?"

"He said they delivered a basket of vegetables to your imperial kitchen, and that you must eat them at noon." The young eunuch could not help feeling a chill of fear as he said this.

Prince Li really had enormous audacity, actually daring to instruct the Emperor on what to do.

Because of this, his voice grew quieter and quieter, but fortunately the Emperor heard it clearly.

"Delivered vegetables? Why would that brat send me vegetables for no reason?" The Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly. Could it be that he knew this incident had gotten a bit out of hand, so he sent something by way of apology?

At this thought, the Emperor could not help but feel pleased.

He had finally waited until this brat bowed his head and yielded to him.

"Your Majesty, how should these vegetables be handled?"

"Stir-fry them."

Hearing this, Eunuch Li hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, you previously decided that today you would dine in the Empress's palace."

The Emperor waved his hand: "Tell the Empress there is no need to prepare anything."

"Yes."

The Emperor, in an excellent mood, looked at the young eunuch and said with a smile: "Tell the imperial kitchen that there is no need to prepare anything else for noon today. Just stir-fry this plate of greens."

Only stir-fried greens?

Though astonished, he did not dare to ask whether he had misheard.

Just then, a guard's voice came from outside: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience."

Guessing what he had come for, the smile on the Emperor's face cooled a few degrees: "Let him in!"

"This son greets Father Emperor." Seeing him reading a memorial, Mo Junheng said respectfully: "Ten thousand blessings to Father Emperor."

"Rise." The Emperor set down the memorial and looked at Mo Junheng with a faint smile: "What is it?"

"Reporting to Father Emperor, this son has a matter he wishes to report to you."

"Speak." He picked up the memorial again and carefully read through it.

"It concerns Prince Li." Mo Junheng sighed and said with feigned helplessness: "Second Brother went on a killing spree in Jingcheng today, killing many people from the Ministry of Revenue. Now the various ministers of the Ministry of Revenue have all submitted memorials, asking you to severely punish Second Brother. This son was deeply troubled upon hearing this, and came specially to ask Father Emperor how this matter should be handled."

Hearing this, the Emperor nodded.

"You are the Crown Prince. I wish to hear your opinion first. What do you think should be done about this matter?"

Mo Junheng's heart leaped with joy upon hearing this. Father Emperor was asking for his opinion.

"In reply to Father Emperor, this son believes that Second Brother was indeed somewhat reckless this time, costing multiple lives and provoking widespread outcry. He ought to be punished, and an explanation should be given to the court officials. However, I beg Father Emperor to handle it leniently. After all, he is an imperial prince, your son, and this son's own brother."

Hearing this, the Emperor chuckled a few times.

The look in his eyes was impossible to read, neither joy nor anger discernible.

The Crown Prince felt victory was within his grasp, vowing to crush Mo Junyan completely in this incident.

"Mm." The Emperor nodded. "Then do you know which officials from the Ministry of Revenue submitted memorials demanding that Prince Li be heavily punished?"

"The Vice Minister and Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue both submitted memorials."

"I understand."

"Someone come!"

"This servant is here." Eunuch Li stepped forward, his gaze toward the Crown Prince somewhat strange, seemingly helpless, yet also carrying a trace of pity.

The Crown Prince was startled. What kind of look was that from Eunuch Li?

"Draft an edict."

"Prince Li, Mo Junyan, holds the people in his heart and prioritizes the state. He is honest and self-disciplined, unwavering in his duty to imperial grace and the people's hopes. It has now been ascertained that officials of the Ministry of Revenue embezzled from their posts, disrupted the court's order, and their crimes are confirmed with ironclad evidence, provoking the fury of heaven and earth. They are hereby stripped of all posts and thrown into the imperial prison to be executed after three days. Their assets and holdings are to be confiscated and redirected toward disaster relief. Their subordinate officials who knew of the crimes but failed to report them shall receive eighty strokes of the cane and be exiled to the northwest. Those who were coerced into complicity shall face the same. Their descendants, to the end of their line, shall never be employed by the court. From this day forward, anyone who reports corruption that is verified true shall be rewarded one thousand taels of silver and promoted two ranks. Let all officials examine themselves, keep themselves upright, and together support the state, so as to pacify the people's hearts."

As the Emperor spoke word by word, Mo Junheng's face grew paler and paler.

Father Emperor... could it be that from the very beginning, Father Emperor never had any intention of punishing Mo Junyan?

"Crown Prince." The Emperor's tone sank: "I know you and Prince Li have long been at odds. But of all the things you should not have done, you should not have thought you had seized hold of Prince Li's weakness and placed the empire and the state behind your personal grievances. You are the Crown Prince, the imperial prince I rely on the most, but you are not my only son. If you prove incompetent and inept, I can have someone take your place. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Junheng hurriedly knelt on the ground.

"Father Emperor, this son knows his error. This son was only… only feeling regret for those officials who were innocently killed, and also worried that Prince Li's tyrannical actions would destabilize the court."

"Foolish!"

The Emperor slapped the desk and said angrily, "You truly are foolish! When the people's hearts are at peace, the court is stable; when the people's hearts are unsettled, the court is in turmoil. What Prince Li did was precisely an act to stabilize the people's hearts. I had long heard of the embezzlement in the Ministry of Revenue, and only wished to find an opportunity to uproot it entirely. Since you lack the ability to do these things, do not hinder others. Enough, reflect on yourself at the Crown Prince's Residence these few days! Do not come before the throne."

The Crown Prince left the imperial study with extremely heavy steps. As he passed by Eunuch Li, Eunuch Li said softly, "Your Highness, the Emperor only hopes for you to become a dragon."

"Heh." Hopes for him to become a dragon?

He is hoping for Mo Junyan to become a dragon!

Mo Junheng said nothing, only quickening his pace toward the direction of the palace gates as he departed.