Mother, I have returned to the throne.

"Brother, I didn't expect your family education to be so strict. One hundred thousand taels of silver is already your family wealth. Now I have to think carefully about it. What if you default on the debt?"

Hearing about the interaction between Situ Jing and Song Yuan, the Third Prince laughed heartily and took the opportunity to belittle.

"I will definitely tell my father about the bet we made later, and have him be a witness to prevent you from refusing to pay!"

idiot!

Hearing Song Qi's self-righteous remarks, Song Yuan secretly rolled his eyes in his heart.

In his opinion, the guy in front of him was clearly doomed to lose, and he even dared to ask Song Youji to be a witness.

Really not afraid of death!

"Don't worry, Third Brother. I may not have any other advantages, but at least I have drugs! If you're really worried, you can tell Father!"

"After all, I'm worried too. My third brother looks like a gentleman on weekdays, but he seems to have a bad reputation among the people."

"Tell Father there's a witness, so that no one can cheat!"

After saying this, Song Yuan was too lazy to continue arguing with Song Qi, so he turned around and left in a hurry.

The sound of horns has been heard at the place where the emperor's sedan chair is arranged. It is obvious that Song Youji is urging the princes to return quickly and prepare for the settlement!

……

After one stick of incense, the emperor left.

With the return of Song Yuan and others, the originally empty venue gradually became lively.

When all the princes return, the final answer will be clear.

Except for Song Yuan and Lao Jiu, the other princes looked at the harvest behind them with a hint of pride on their faces.

In such a comparison, the difference is obvious.

The civil and military officials around also began to discuss the matter.

"What's wrong with the eldest prince? He's powerless, that's all, but we clearly sent people to help him, and in the end, why is there nothing to show for it?"

"Alas, after all, it's still a waste of time!"

"You're going a bit too far. The fact that the eldest prince defeated the barbarians three times is indisputable. And with his poetic talent, he even shocked the imperial city. He can be considered a learned man. After all, no one is perfect, so it's understandable!"

"But His Majesty has already said that if we come in last, there will be punishment. I'm afraid the eldest prince will be in trouble now!"

"That's right. Not only the eldest prince, but even the eldest princess will be implicated. Let's see how Your Majesty will deal with it."

While everyone was discussing, Song Yuan calmly gave Ye Xuan in the crowd a look.

I saw my aunt blinking and nodding at me.

Song Yuan finally let go of the stone in his heart.

He didn't care about winning or losing. After all, ever since Song Youji started planning this hunt, winning or losing was no longer important.

What Song Yuan really cares about is Ye Xuan. Judging from his aunt's expression, she must have successfully dealt with Song Youji's inspection.

In this way, his previous behavior in Fengya Tower could not be considered intentional.

However, Song Yuan did not notice the worry in his aunt's eyes.

Ye Xuan was surprised.

It is understandable that Song Yuan has no hunting skills, but His Majesty had clearly instructed Situ Jing to help before. How could the two of them get nothing together!

Unless... there is another reason for this matter!

As this thought came to her mind, Ye Xuan quickly closed her mouth and stood aside, watching the development of the situation quietly.

"Father, we have gained a lot, please take a look!"

In the crowd, the third prince could no longer suppress his restless heart and was the first to speak. Halfway through his words, he did not forget to belittle Song Yuan.

"But I really didn't expect that in the end, Big Brother and the other two still got nothing. This is a bit unreasonable, isn't it?"

The other princes heard this and continued to attack.

"Father, you said before that if big brother fell behind, he would be punished. Even though you said so beforehand, in the end it still ended like this. I think big brother is clearly deceiving the emperor!"

"That's right, Father. Big brother must be severely punished for such a poor performance!"

For a while, everyone was talking to each other. Among the many princes, there was only the ninth prince who got nothing like Song Yuan.

Even the young Lao Ba joined in the group of people who took advantage of others' misfortunes.

The ones who suffer the most are the royal family members. As a prince, if he is weak, he will inevitably be pushed down by everyone.

Facing such targeting, Song Yuan sneered in his heart.

A bunch of idiots, just wait for death!

"Song Yuan, explain it to me!"

Sure enough, in response to everyone's reminder, Song Youji slowly turned his gaze and looked towards Song Yuan.

"This hunting ground is full of prey. Everyone else has a great harvest, but why haven't you seen even a single rabbit?"

Song Youji said this and glared at Song Yuan fiercely, while the other princes gloated over his misfortune.

"It's fine if you're alone, but I even sent the Grand Concubine to help you, so how come the result is still like this? If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, I'll show you how I punish you!"

"Father, it's not that the Imperial Concubine and I are incompetent, it's just that we're unlucky!"

Song Yuan's face showed a trace of grievance, and he immediately explained: "This is a huge hunting ground, but we can't find any prey. It's not because of our lack of strength!"

"Brother, you lost, so why are you still joking?" Faced with Song Yuan's defense, Song Qi was the first to jump out.

Beside the emperor, Song Qi's biological mother, Concubine Shu, one of the two concubines, even spoke out in support.

"Song Yuan, you've gone too far. I didn't want to say anything to you, but you wouldn't lie, would you?"

"Brother, even if you want to lie, you should find a suitable reason, right?"

"Hahaha, big brother, do you think our father is a fool? You are clearly committing the crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Everyone was talking at once. Beside Song Yuan, Situ Jing's face flushed red, and she had already cursed Song Yuan in her heart.

Aren’t you capable?

If you are really capable, why don’t you speak now?

I've said it before, even if it's just to make up the numbers, bringing back some prey is better than getting nothing!

You won't listen to me!

Now you are being punished and you are also implicating me.

Isn't this just asking for trouble?

However, thinking that they were now on the same front, and in order to have a suitable step, Situ Jing finally stood up reluctantly.

"Your Majesty, Song Yuan was too concerned about his reputation and was unwilling to let me help him along the way. I hope your Majesty can understand that what he said was just a joke!"

Song Youji waved his hand and ignored everyone else, just staring straight at Song Yuan.

"Song Yuan, you are doing this on purpose. Are you going to let the imperial concubine be punished along with you?"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to accept the punishment. What I just said is the truth!" Song Yuan knelt in front of the enemy and said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"If possible, I am willing to accept double the penalty, and even bear the Empress's share!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Situ Jing rolled her eyes in annoyance.

I told you to listen to me a long time ago.

How could it have come to this?

In the end, you know you are wrong, but you still want to be a hero?

You think I will appreciate it? You are just dreaming!

"Your Majesty, everyone is responsible for their own actions. As I said before, I will definitely be punished together with Song Yuan!"

Situ Jing seemed to be going against Song Yuan, following closely behind and kneeling on the ground.

Seeing the two of them being appointed one after another, the surrounding princes almost laughed out loud.

Such interaction can be regarded as a pair of star-crossed lovers.

Let’s see how our father punishes us today!

For a moment, everyone's eyes fell on Song Youji, but they never expected that the final outcome of this farce would be a lot of noise but little action.

"As long as you're willing, take your people and step aside. Remember to punish me first. I'll deal with other things later!"

Is this over?

Seeing that Song Youji clearly wanted to pass over this topic, the other princes suddenly became anxious.

But before anyone could step forward, Song Youji had already taken the initiative.

"General Zhao, you will be responsible for counting the prey of the princes. Listen carefully, there must be no mistakes in the quantity. If there are any discrepancies in quality, you must point them out!"

Seeing General Zhao taking orders and leaving, he walked towards everyone's harvest.

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

After all, this is about his own interests. If he misses the opportunity because of Song Yuan, wouldn’t it be a waste?

Seeing General Zhao counting the numbers very seriously, everyone frowned.

He was afraid that General Zhao had missed one. After all, these were equivalent to his own military merits!