Chapter 32: Sending Eunuch An Back to the Palace to Recover from His Injuries

Xiao Moting ordered the soldiers in a deep voice, "Bring the wardrobe over."

After thinking it over, he still felt uneasy, so he followed the soldiers out of the tent.

Just as he went out, Eunuch An led his men inside, raising his head to scan the situation in the tent.

"Oh, what poor timing; is the Old General about to kick the bucket?"

"Old General Han has guarded the pass for decades; what a pity!"

After saying this, he arrogantly drew out his voice.

"... Where is the Prince of Northern Suppression? How is the counting of the spoils the Second Prince asked him to tally coming along?"

"Once you've finished counting, hurry up and send them to the Second Prince; the Second Prince is still waiting for them."

His attitude was dismissive, making the soldiers itch with anger.

Han Guiying felt furious inside; her father's life was hanging by a thread, yet Eunuch An had barged in with a large group of eunuchs without a shred of respect.

At this moment, a communications officer ran in.

"Reporting to General Han, news from the Inner Court says that the letters you sent were suppressed, and the Emperor... the Emperor never even saw the five requests for medicine you sent."

"What?"

Han Guiying looked abruptly at Eunuch An.

The letters were suppressed?

Eunuch An was in charge of the Inner Court; all letters had to pass through his hands to be presented to the Emperor.

She glared fiercely at Eunuch An; the other party had long been bought off by De Guifei and often whispered slanders in front of the Emperor.

She never expected him to be so bold and reckless as to suppress the five desperate pleas she had sent; this was meant to take her father's life!

Eunuch An was exposed, but he only panicked for a moment before immediately regaining his arrogance.

"The Emperor is busy with state affairs; he has no time to look at unimportant letters!"

"Besides, Black Jade Broken Bone Ointment is so precious, how could it be bestowed so casually?"

Han Guiying could not hold back; she picked up her long whip and pointed it at Eunuch An.

"Treacherous eunuch! My father has guarded the border for thirty years and exhausted his heart's blood for Daliang!"

"You privately withheld letters and harmed my father; this General will not spare you!"

Seeing her take the whip, Eunuch An was startled.

"Audacious, put that whip away at once!"

Han Guiying shouted sternly.

"We are resisting the enemy at Fengsha Pass, yet you are wreaking havoc in the Imperial Court; today, this General will purge the side of the Emperor!"

The soldiers were also filled with righteous indignation and drew their Long Swords to surround him.

The Emperor was advanced in age and favored De Guifei, allowing the De Guifei faction to control the Imperial Court, leading to eunuchs holding power and a foul atmosphere.

Everyone had long held grievances!

Seeing so many people surrounding him, Eunuch An truly panicked; he hurriedly took out the Imperial Executioner's Sword and pointed it at the soldiers, scolding them.

"What do you want to do? I represent the Emperor!"

"Whoever is disrespectful to me is disrespectful to the Emperor and is committing treason."

"All of you, kneel down!"

Suddenly, Xiao Moting, dressed in full military attire, strode into the tent.

Behind him followed several soldiers carrying a large wardrobe covered in Coarse Cloth.

Everyone stood still at once and looked toward him.

Qin Zhan hurriedly stepped forward.

"Reporting to the Prince, this eunuch privately withheld General Han's desperate pleas and had a dismissive attitude, which is why everyone..."

Xiao Moting raised his hand to stop him from continuing.

Seeing this, Eunuch An raised the Imperial Executioner's Sword and sat down brazenly on the Grand Preceptor's chair.

"Prince of Northern Suppression, these few rebels are disrespectful to the Emperor; take them down at once to uphold military law!"

The inside and outside of the tent were filled with soldiers, all of them gnashing their teeth.

A bunch of eunuchs who lived in luxury in the palace had never been to a battlefield, yet upon arriving at the Northern Frontier Camp, they barked orders at these warriors and even flaunted their official authority in front of the Prince of Northern Suppression!

Simply detestable!

How hateful!

But they were helpless!

The Imperial Executioner's Sword represented the Emperor's personal presence!

Whoever dared to be disrespectful was committing a grave offense against the Emperor; the light punishment was beheading, and the heavy punishment was the execution of the nine clans!

Although many soldiers were hateful, they had no choice but to comply and lowered their Long Swords.

Only Han Guiying, unrelenting, gripped her long whip tightly and pointed it at Eunuch An with red eyes.

The Military Advisor hurried forward and whispered a reminder to Xiao Moting.

"Prince, this concerns the crime of treason; please, do not be impulsive."

Xiao Moting stepped forward, glanced at Han Guiying, and shouted in a deep voice.

"Take him."

Eunuch An sneered and arrogantly brushed off his robe.

"Pointing a whip at me, are you trying to rebel? Prince of Northern Suppression, take her down..."

Before he could finish speaking, a squad of soldiers rushed into the tent and grabbed him.

Eunuch An was stunned, "Prince of Northern Suppression, you've made a mistake; I told you to take that rebel Han Guiying..."

"I am very clear-headed," Xiao Moting said in a deep voice, a powerful pressure erupting from his entire body. "An Fuhai has disrupted the military camp, entered the commander's tent without authorization, and nearly leaked military secrets; he must be dealt with according to military law to serve as a warning to others!"

Having said this, he lifted his chin.

"Hang him up and give him thirty lashes with the military whip!"

Eunuch An was stunned; after regaining his senses, he shrieked in a shrill voice.

"Prince of Zhenbei, you... you dare to strike me? I possess the Imperial Long Sword, which represents the Emperor himself!"

Xiao Moting sneered, cold light overflowing from his eyes.

"Even if the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is punished the same as a commoner."

"Eunuch An, are you trying to place yourself above the imperial throne?"

"This is Beijiang, not Shengjing! On my fief, how one is punished is entirely up to me! You have violated military law and disobeyed a Military Order; you shall be dealt with according to military regulations."

With the heavy label of "insubordination" slapped onto him, Eunuch An could not help but shiver.

"How would I dare."

"Then that is an admission of guilt." Xiao Moting did not wait for him to finish, shouting in a deep voice, "An Fuhai has shown contempt for the Emperor, a crime compounded! Add twenty lashes to the punishment, drag him out!"

"What?" Eunuch An was stunned.

His own words had actually allowed Xiao Moting to seize a handle against him, resulting in twenty more lashes.

Those military whips were thick and heavy; being struck by them was agonizing!

Hearing Xiao Moting's order, the soldiers outside the tent erupted into a cheer in unison.

"The Prince is wise!"

It was so satisfying!

This Eunuch An had been throwing his weight around, and they had long hated him to the bone.

Two soldiers rushed forward and, as if picking up a chick, grabbed Eunuch An and dragged him out of the tent.

Eunuch An was so scared his legs went weak, completely losing the overbearing posture he had just displayed.

It would be a miracle if he didn't end up mangled and bloody after these fifty lashes.

"Fourth Prince, spare my life..."

"Your letters, I will present them to the Emperor immediately upon my return."

"Isn't it just Black Jade Broken Bone Ointment? Let me go, and when I reach Shengjing, I will immediately speak to the Emperor on your behalf."

The few eunuchs nearby, who had originally been arrogant and conceited, were now trembling with fear and dared not say a word.

Xiao Moting's expression was cold and stern, and he turned a deaf ear.

Outside the tent, the sound of whipping soon rang out, along with the wailing and howling of Eunuch An.

"Ouch... it hurts me to death..."

"Fourth Prince, I will never dare again..."

Eunuch An was hung in mid-air, screaming incessantly as he was whipped.

The soldiers carrying out the punishment had long been holding back their anger; they put all their strength into every lash, showing no mercy!

The surrounding area was also packed with countless onlookers.

Everyone saw that the previously arrogant Eunuch An was now covered in blood and begging for mercy without stop.

They all felt incredibly satisfied, their faces beaming with joy!

The soldiers ate grass roots at the frontier, shedding blood and sweat, while these eunuchs enjoyed peace and comfort in Shengjing, yet they still wanted to ride on their heads!

They had long been fed up with these eunuchs!

After the fifty lashes were finished, Eunuch An lay paralyzed on the ground, his muscles and bones damaged, shivering and unable to stand up again.

Xiao Moting shouted coldly.

"Eunuch An, go back and tell Xiao Rui that the military merits were won by me and my soldiers; he cannot snatch them!"

"If he wants the spoils of war, he can come to the Northern Frontier Camp and get them himself!"

"As for the injuries you sustained for violating the Military Order..."

Xiao Moting glanced coldly, a trace of sarcasm flashing in his eyes.

"Since there is Black Jade Broken Bone Ointment in the palace, and it is specifically for the use of you noble people, I will not treat your wounds."

"Someone, send Eunuch An back to the palace for treatment!"

Han Guiying was full of anxiety, "Prince, my father's illness..."

"Senior Sister, do not worry." Xiao Moting softened his tone and turned to instruct the soldiers, "Bring the wardrobe over."

He had punished Eunuch An with fifty lashes and sent this group of eunuchs out of the camp precisely because he did not want them to linger and risk leaking the secret of the wardrobe.