Chapter 172: Money Talks
Family was her bottom line...
He never expected a mere child to say such words, and it struck a chord deep within him.
’Loyal, unafraid of trouble... just like the temperament of his Zhan family!’
Qian Fanji froze. The scene at the Drunken Immortal Inn flashed through his mind. It seemed that from the moment he’d spoken his first words to her, the child’s expression...
...had held mockery, disdain, and perhaps even a hint of disappointment.
Family was her bottom line, and on that day, he had crossed it.
Mr. Li also fell silent. A child who could say such things was clearly no ordinary person. No wonder General Xiang doted on her so much.
This fiery demeanor of hers truly resembled General Xiang in his youth.
Prime Minister Gao’s miserable screams echoed endlessly. Mrs. Gao, unable to watch, shrieked and fainted on the ground. Gao Yunyue had cried her throat raw.
One lash after another...
By the time more than thirty lashes had been delivered, Prime Minister Gao had already fallen unconscious to the ground.
"Miss Xiang, the man has fainted. Let’s stop here, shall we? The Emperor is still waiting in the palace," Mr. Li said, a hint of anxiety in his voice.
"There are six lashes left. Continue."
"Miss Xiang, after six more lashes, I’m afraid he really won’t make it."
"Whether he lives or dies is his own fortune. If the Emperor chooses to investigate, I will bear the responsibility." Ye Qianning showed no mercy. ’It would be better if he died. If I had returned to the manor a day later, Fourth Granny would be dead.’
Hearing this, the guard administering the whipping raised his arm, and the whip fell once more.
Mr. Li sighed to himself. ’This child is so stubborn.’
Zhan Yi stepped forward and pulled Mr. Li out the door. "Mr. Li, why has the Emperor summoned us so late at night?"
"Well... that’s not for us to say," Mr. Li replied.
"Then what was the Emperor’s expression?"
Mr. Li thought for a moment and shook his head. "How could this servant dare to guess the Emperor’s thoughts from his expression?"
Zhan Yi received no reassuring news and grew more concerned. Although the Zhan family were relatives of the imperial clan, they hadn’t pursued official careers and held no positions, so they couldn’t enter the palace at will.
"Mr. Li, it’s been a long time," Gu Lao said, following them out.
"Greetings, Gu Lao." Mr. Li bowed.
"Mr. Li." Gu Lao smiled and pressed a massive Luminous Pearl into his hand.
Mr. Li was startled and quickly tried to refuse. "I can’t accept this, I can’t!"
"Mr. Li, why be so formal with this old man? I remember when you first entered the palace, I used to give you sweets all the time. Many years have passed in a flash. Now that Mr. Li has risen to a high position, you look down on the little things this old man offers?"
"No, no! This servant remembers all of Gu Lao’s kindness. It’s just... this is too valuable," Mr. Li continued to refuse.
"In a way, I can be considered your elder. You can’t refuse a gift from an elder. To do so would be to look down on this old man," Gu Lao said with a straight face.
"This servant thanks Gu Lao."
With things put this way, it would have seemed ungracious for Mr. Li to refuse any further.
"No need for formalities. By the way, why did the Emperor have you make this trip so late?" Gu Lao asked.
"Sigh. Miss Xiang made such a scene, bringing men to storm the Prime Minister’s residence. By now, every household in the Capital City probably knows about it. The Emperor only just found out and immediately had this servant come to invite the two of them to the palace for an audience."
"Why did he only just find out?"
"It’s because of an urgent report from the border. It seems the barbarians attacked the border garrison. I hear there were many casualties. The eight-hundred-li express message arrived this morning. The Emperor and General Xiang were discussing it all day and only finished late tonight."
Hearing that Xiang Minghou was also in the palace, Gu Lao felt much more at ease. He then asked, "When the Emperor sent you, was he pleased or angry?"
Mr. Li thought for a moment. "He didn’t seem very annoyed. But Gu Lao, rest assured, the Emperor is very fond of Miss Xiang. Just a couple of days ago, he was still talking about her, saying how well-behaved and sensible Miss Xiang is."