The cruel little princess

He knelt on one knee and asked respectfully, "What else do you want, Your Majesty?"

A playful arc appeared on the corner of His Royal Highness Prince Jin's mouth. He looked like a curious child seeking new answers, or a chess player planning an ingenious game.

He slowly said, "How did you think of Lao Wu? Or, what excuse should we find to beat him up?"

When An Er heard this, he was stunned at first, then he sighed helplessly, raised his head, and said calmly and steadily: "Your Highness, His Royal Highness Prince Rui's princess once had a very fierce dispute with our princess.

Princess Narui, with a heart as vicious as a scorpion, secretly instigated someone to falsely accuse the princess's herbal medicine shop of poisoning.

Although there is currently no conclusive evidence that can directly prove that she was the one who did it, after our painstaking investigation, all the clues point to Princess Rui without exception.

Before, General Shen was thousands of miles away at the border, unable to reach out and support the princess.

But now, General Shen has returned and is in the capital.

He loves his sister very much, and he must be extremely angry when he sees his sister suffer such injustice.

So, isn't it perfectly normal for him to find any excuse to vent his anger on his sister? "

An Er's analysis was clear and logical, and everyone nodded silently after listening to it.

In the hall, Shen Zijin stood tall and straight with an imposing bearing.

He raised his chin slightly, his eyes revealing uninhibited and heroic spirit, and said loudly: "Okay, everyone, don't worry about it anymore.

Even if it was His Royal Highness Prince Rui, what could he do?

This general has always acted with openness and integrity. If I want to beat him, I will beat him. Why should I look for a reason?

Why bother picking an auspicious day?"

After saying this, he waved his hand casually, as if to say that everything in the world was not pleasing to his eyes, but just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning.

But Shen Duanfang thought more long-term.

He thought to himself that this matter might not be a big deal, and the emperor might even be delighted when he knew about it.

Today, the Shen family is in the limelight in the court and is honored. Occasionally, they make mistakes, not too big or small. The emperor takes this opportunity to reprimand them and suppress the excessive momentum. For the Shen family, this may not be a bad thing.

After everyone finished their discussion, the topic naturally turned to the crucial issues of troop deployment and logistical support.

Wang Gang's eyes sparkled, and he made a suggestion with anticipation: "General, in my opinion, we can use sweet potatoes to make sweet potato vermicelli.

This is the perfect thing to fight hunger and fill your stomach!

Today, the production of sweet potatoes is quite considerable and the planting area is also very wide.

If you simply rely on steaming or boiling to eat, the consumption rate will be too slow, and once too much is stored, it will easily deteriorate when the weather gets hot.

However, if it is made into vermicelli, these problems can be easily solved."

Shen Youyou's eyes rolled, and inspiration suddenly struck her. She crisply replied, "And instant noodles, let's make them together too..."

When marching or fighting, instant noodles are extremely convenient to eat; all you need is hot water."

Although Shen Zijin was completely confused about the novel things like instant noodles that his sister and Wang Gang talked about, this did not prevent him from keenly realizing that they were doing this to ensure that they would have a safe supply of food and grass when they went to battle in the future.

As soon as he thought of this, a happy smile instantly appeared on his stern face, like the warmth of ice and snow melting in spring.

He sat contentedly aside, patiently listening to everyone's discussion, his hands folded leisurely in front of his chest, one leg casually crossed over the other, swaying slightly.

His thoughts drifted away, wondering where in the capital he could find the best place to catch His Royal Highness Prince Rui and give him a good beating.

The plan of finding a reason to rush to the border was finally finalized after everyone's discussion and consideration.

His Royal Highness Prince Jin immediately led his men and, like a wound-up clock, began the intensive preparations without stopping.

Princess Fukang officially embarked on her journey back to Qinglong Kingdom on the second day of the first lunar month.

Looking back, the grand scene was like a gorgeous but short-lived fireworks display. People on both sides of the street cheered and the sound was like a tide. General Shen personally led the guards to escort them. They were majestic and the ceremonial procession was grand, showing respect and honor.

However, now, the return journey seems so lonely and desolate, just like a lone leaf falling quietly in the autumn night.

Without the enthusiastic support of the people and the reassuring presence of General Shen, they marched forward quietly.

Only the Minister of Rites Wu Jianxian stood silently by the roadside, with a complicated look in his eyes, watching the convoy moving farther and farther away until it disappeared at the end of the road, leaving only emptiness and silence.

Time flies, and the afternoon of the fifth day of the New Year arrives quietly.

The streets and alleys of the capital are still filled with the atmosphere of the New Year. The faint smell of gunpowder and the strong smell of the New Year are intertwined in the air and have not yet completely dissipated.

At this seemingly ordinary yet with a hint of a different atmosphere, Shen Duanfang looked solemn, walked with firm steps, and slowly knelt outside the emperor's study while carrying a bundle of thorns on his back.

The emperor was originally enjoying the fragrant tea, planning to resume the court meeting on the eighth day of the first lunar month to enjoy the afterglow of the Spring Festival.

However, he did not expect that a "Cheng Yaojin" would appear halfway, and such a scene would appear before his eyes. He could not help but feel surprised in his heart. On such a good day, why did this person leave his family to enjoy the happiness and instead kneel here?

It's really puzzling.

Helplessly, the emperor thought of the relationship between him and Lao Jiu as father-in-law and son-in-law, sighed slightly, and said, "Forget it, just meet him reluctantly."

So, under the guidance of eunuch Xiao Xizi, Shen Duanfang slowly entered the imperial study.

The emperor looked up and saw him carrying a bundle of firewood to apologize. He was stunned at first, and then he couldn't help laughing.

"Shen Aiqing, please get up quickly!

It's New Year's Day, and you are not at home reuniting with your family, but coming to me instead. Why is that?

Is there anything that can't be discussed in detail until the court session?"

The emperor's voice was filled with a hint of doubt and ridicule.

Shen Duanfang, however, seemed to have not heard the emperor's words. He knelt on the ground, covered his face with his hands, and burst into tears: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

This old minister feels very miserable, Your Majesty!

The crying was so sad, like a cuckoo crying blood, which was very moving.

The emperor was confused by his sudden action and became more and more puzzled.

This……

What is going on?

He hasn't even explained the reason for this, and he's already complaining like this. How can I help him resolve his problems, or make a judgment on this matter?!

"Don't worry, my dear. If you have anything to say, just say it. If you have truly been wronged, I will seek justice for you!"

The emperor's expression became serious, and his words showed the majesty and dominance of an emperor. He looked at Shen Duanfang firmly, waiting for his next words.

"emperor!……"

Shen Duanfang slowly lowered his hands that were covering his face, and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with his rough palms. There was a hint of embarrassment on his face, but more of it was deep helplessness.

His lips trembled slightly as he spoke: "Your Majesty, this old minister is too ashamed to face Your Majesty.

The old minister neglected to discipline his son, causing him to act recklessly in the capital, like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins, and act lawless.

Just today, he was so audacious that he engaged in a violent brawl with His Royal Highness the Prince of Rui in the street. In the chaos, His Royal Highness the Prince of Rui was injured in the arm."

Shen Duanfang's voice was choked with sobs. He paused for a moment, as if trying to calm his inner turmoil.

Then he continued to cry and said: "When I heard about this, I was extremely worried and quickly asked the imperial physician to come and treat me.

Fortunately, the imperial physician informed me that His Royal Highness Prince Rui's injuries were not serious. However, even so, my heart still felt as if weighed down by a huge rock, filled with guilt and resentment.

After the rebellious son returned home, the old minister was furious and without hesitation ordered his men to punish him with thirty military sticks to serve as a warning to others.

I, an old minister, know very well that my son has committed a heinous crime, which is unforgivable!

But please, Your Majesty, please be lenient with my son, considering that I have fought bravely for the country over the years, and have shown my unwavering loyalty."

After saying that, Shen Duanfang looked determined, and without hesitation, he touched the ground with his head. His forehead hit the cold ground heavily, making three dull and loud "dong dong dong" sounds.

Each sound seemed to be a cry of inner pain and self-blame, echoing in the silent imperial study, which moved people.

The Emperor was also surprised when he heard that the Fifth Brother was injured. "When did this happen? How come I didn't know about it yet?"

At this moment, I heard another burst of sad crying outside...