Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Rong Zemin read the petition that Xu Wenhai had written to punish Liang Wu for the wrong he did to Yin Na.

"Brother Nianzu, did Brother Sheng not announce the punishment on General Wang's sister already? It is clear that Liang Wu will be executed according to the Emperor's ruling," Rong Zemin pronounced.

"However, Brother Zemin, Liang Wu's father, was a reputed Imperial Minister," stated Nianzu. "Also, a problem has risen, Third Brother," he added.

"What kind of problem, Brother Nianzu?" Rong Zemin asked.

"Huo Jin got into a physical fight with Liang Wu," Nianzu asserted. "General Wang earlier informed us that Liang Wu almost killed Huo Jin," he asserted.

"What?" Rong Zemin exclaimed. He did not think that the matter would increase to such a level.

Huo Jin, being born as a slave could never raise his hand on a person above his rank, especially from the noble class. Moreover, Liang Wu was free to punish Huo Jin.

"Brother Nianzu, Liang Wu did not go physical with Miss Yin Na. It was verbal abuse and Huo Jin ended up punching Liang Wu, which undermined Liang Wu's capabilities in front of the people. So, we cannot give an execution order against him," Rong Zemin deduced.

Nianzu agreed with the words of the Third Prince. It was no longer a matter between Liang Wu and Yin Na but between Liang Wu and Huo Jin. Noble classes rules could not be changed merely for Huo Jin.

"Your Highness, pardon me for intruding between you two, but the Former Imperial Minister, Liang Zifan is here," Eunuch Chung informed the two Princes.

"Send him in," Rong Zemin ordered.

Eunuch Chung bowed and took gradual backward steps. After a few minutes, Liang Zifan came inside and bowed before them.

"It is strange to see Master Liang in the Palace at such a late hour," Rong Zemin stated.

"Forgive me for disturbing the two Princes at such a time. However, I have to come because of my son," Liang Zifan affirmed.

"Please take a seat, Master Liang Zifan," Nianzu told him in his polite tone, who took the seat and thanked them.

"My son made a mistake by saying abusive words towards General Wang's sister. I am truly apologetic to Miss Yin Na for my son's behavior. However, my son got punched by a person who used to be a slave. I have served this Empire for half of my life, and never such treatment was given to me as I faced today," Liang Zifan put forward his complaints.

Both the Princes were perplexed to hear it.

"What happened, Master Liang Zifan? Who mistreated you?" Rong Zemin asked.

"General Wang wants to arrest my son because Liang Wu attempted to kill Huo Jin, who is a mere slave. I am afraid that a mere slave's life isn't worthy in front of my son's reputation. Liang Wu is ready to take the punishment for being abusive with Miss Yin Na, but he should not be punished for hurting Huo Jin."

"We belong to a noble class and if a slave will treat us this way, then that's not a great thing. I have no complaints against General Wang, but I am not happy with the way a noble class man's son is being treated. Therefore, I urge the Princes to pass the order to let go of my son," Liang Zifan requested to the two Princes, who looked at each other.

"Huo Jin is not a slave, Former Minister Liang Zifan." They heard Ying Lili's voice and promptly stood up from their respective seats.

"Your Majesty, you here?" Rong Zemin was puzzled to see Ying Lili.

Ying Lili halted at the center of the hall. Behind her Eunuch Xing-Fu and Court Lady Xu were standing.

"You should have come to me to plead for your son's life," she said with a firm expression, looking at Liang Zifan, who did not like the way she spoke.

"Your Majesty, for verbal abuse, a person cannot be executed," Liang Zifan opined with a tiny smile on his lips.

"This is up to the Empress to decide," Ying Lili reminded him.

"Your Majesty, Brother Nianzu and I will resolve this matter," Rong Zemin intervened between them. It appeared to him that Ying Lili was in anger, which was not right for her.

"Third Brother, I am alright," Ying Lili said and showed them the Imperial token. "His Majesty has handed this to me. It means that I can make the decisions on the matters concerning the Empire in his absence," she pronounced.

"Huo Jin's slavery status was already nullified by the Emperor for his extraordinary help to the Empire. So, calling him a slave is opposing the Emperor's decision," Ying Lili stated, gazing at Liang Zifan.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for my previous words. However, I plead with you to not punish my son. Liang Wu will never repeat such a mistake," Liang Zifan quickly turned back from his previous statements. He knew that arguing with the Empress would not bring anything good.

"What about the mental stress that your son provided to Miss Yin Na? What about Huo Jin's life, who was severely wounded?" Ying Lili demanded the answers from Liang Zifan.

"Your Majesty, I will give the floggings to him," Liang Zifan asserted.

Ying Lili chuckled. "I have informed you of the repeated offense your son has done against the women in the Brothel house. I do not think that he should be forgiven easily. I won't announce a death sentence to Liang Wu, but I won't either give him an easy punishment," Ying Lili pronounced with a stern expression on her face.

Liang Zifan got a little nervous.

"Her Majesty is known for her kindness. Can she not forgive my son once?" Liang Zifan requested her again and bowed his head more.

"Your Majesty, if my son will repeat such a mistake ever again in the future, I will kill him with my own hands," Liang Zifan affirmed.

Rong Zemin and Nianzu glanced at Liang Zifan, who made such a bold statement.

"That is not needed, Master Liang Zifan. You should set an example for the people. Your son must respect the people around him. Huo Jin's life is as important as your son's life is! I am disappointed that a former minister is telling me to ignore the wrongdoings of his own son," Ying Lili said with displeasure.

"The punishment will surely be for both Liang Wu and Huo Jin. Liang Wu's punishment will be severe since he committed two crimes at once. Liang Wu is stripped of the title of his official rank and for two years he is debarred from giving the Civil services exam. Also, for two years, Liang Wu cannot use his family name to show off his strength," Ying Lili announced the punishment for Liang Wu.

Liang Zifan had not expected such a punishment for his son. But other than accepting it, there was no other way.

"I accept, Your Majesty. Thank you for sparing the life of my son," Liang Zifan said humbly. He was also ashamed of his son's acts.

"Huo Jin's punishment will be announced after he recovers from the injury," Ying Lili announced.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Rong Zemin and Nianzu acknowledged the decision of the Empress.

Liang Zifan took his leave after getting humiliated because of his son.

"Sister Lili, how did you—"

Before Rong Zemin could complete his words, Ying Lili interrupted, "Brother Zemin, Brother Nianzu, you should have brought this matter to me."

"We did not want to trouble Sister Lili," Nianzu replied.

"It was an important matter, Brother Nianzu," Ying Lili reminded him.

"Did the Princes see Huo Jin?" Ying Lili asked them.

"I will go to meet him in the morning, Sister Lili," Nianzu affirmed.

"Huo Jin is close to Sheng Li. Brother Nianzu, give my best wishes to Huo Jin. Also, take the Royal Physician with you," Ying Lili requested Nianzu.

"Of course, Sister Lili. I will do that," Nianzu said.

Ying Lili thanked him and then shifted her gaze to Rong Zemin.

"Did any message come from Sheng Li? Brother Nianzu has told me previously that he is safe and sound, but I am still a little worried. Also, I would like to know about the First Prince, General Xiao, and the Commanders," Ying Lili said while looking for the answer in his eyes.

"Sister Lili, currently, I have not received any message. They are fine in Changying. It is not easy for anyone to harm them," Rong Zemin said.

"I know, Brother Zemin, but I cannot help but worry a little," Ying Lili said as she rested her hand on her belly.

"Sister Lili must go back to the Northern Palace," Nianzu advised and gazed at Court Lady Xu, who came forward and told Ying Lili to come with her.

Eunuch Xing-Fu also requested Ying Lili that they should return to the Northern Palace.

"I will after meeting Sister Xue," Ying Lili said when the two Princes decided to accompany her to the chamber of Princess Xue.