Chapter 179: An Outrageously Adorable Grand Theory
The Beili Emperor was stunned by her words. If he hadn’t heard it with his own ears, he never would have imagined it came from the mouth of a six-year-old child.
"That’s right! She’s a true daughter of the Xiang family." Xiang Minghou went from shocked to excited. She was exactly like him in his youth.
He had also gotten into his fair share of trouble as a child. His philosophy was: ’don’t mess with me, and I won’t mess with you.’ But if you started it, he’d make sure to beat you until you were screaming for your mommy.
The Beili Emperor, still lost in thought, was startled by the sudden outburst. He glared at him, displeased. "Is this how you teach a child?"
"What else am I supposed to do? If someone bullies her, you want her to just stand there and take it? A person has to have some fire in them!" Xiang Minghou was getting worked up.
The Beili Emperor knew Xiang Minghou’s temperament. He sighed, looked down at the child, and said, "While that may be true, you shouldn’t have beaten the Prime Minister of a nation into such a state. I hear it’s still uncertain if he’ll live or die."
"He deserved it. I’m not an unreasonable person. I hit him exactly how he hit Fourth Granny—not one blow more, not one blow less. If his life is hanging in the balance, so is Fourth Granny’s." Ye Qianning felt no remorse whatsoever.
"How can Fourth Granny be put on the same level as the Prime Minister?"
"Put on the same level?"
"It means ’to compare’," the Beili Emperor explained.
"Oh, you’re right, he can’t be compared to Fourth Granny. Fourth Granny is simple and kind. She loves to help people and doesn’t hold grudges. The Prime Minister is the opposite. He has terrible character; he’s rotten to the core. For a worthless fruit, not only did he try to have me assassinated, but he also beat Fourth Granny half to death. I don’t know how poor the Prime Minister must be that he can’t even afford a single fruit and has to resort to such violence. A man like that is unfit to be a nation’s Prime Minister and be trusted by the people. Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?" Ye Qianning’s words were a mix of scorn and sarcasm.
The Beili Emperor was taken aback by the question, momentarily unsure how to respond.
’That fruit was the Two Rites Symbiosis. Only someone who didn’t recognize it would so brazenly call it worthless.’
’Though it’s twisted logic, she has a point. Prime Minister Gao was in the wrong...’
"The fruit is in Your Majesty’s hands now, so why doesn’t he dare to come and beat you? He’s just a classic bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong. I wasn’t afraid of those people before when I didn’t have a father, and now that my dad is the Great General, I have even less reason to be. Does he think I’m a pushover? I’ll show them I’m tough as nails." Ye Qianning puffed out her cheeks, still fuming, and added, "Even if he’d died, he would have deserved it. And he has the nerve to go crying about it? Why didn’t he cry when he was beating someone else? Crying only after you get a taste of your own medicine... How pathetic."
The Beili Emperor’s head throbbed. He hadn’t expected the little child to launch into such a long, uninhibited tirade.
"You’re not afraid of me?" he asked.
"Nope," Ye Qianning answered crisply.
"Why not?" the Beili Emperor asked, even more puzzled.
"Because you’re nice to me."
"...I’m nice to you? How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Because you didn’t just beat me up first."
"Just for that?" the Beili Emperor asked, not understanding.
Ye Qianning nodded emphatically. "Back in Nanyuan, when they cursed me and bullied Fourth Granny, I would fight back. Their parents would always beat me without ever asking for the reason. But you, Your Majesty, you asked me if I was right or wrong and listened to my side of the story. That proves you’re a good person who can tell right from wrong."
The Beili Emperor’s confusion vanished instantly. Hearing her reason softened his heart. The child had lived a hard life; it was understandable that she had a bit of a fierce streak.
’A pretty child like her would surely be bullied if she had a meek and gentle personality.’
For some reason, the Beili Emperor looked at her overly plump frame and asked curiously, "So, no one can beat you in a fight?"
Ye Qianning snorted, her bright eyes showing a trace of defiance. "Those weaklings? I could just jump on them and crush them until they’re foaming at the mouth."
The Beili Emperor: "..."
Xiang Minghou: "..."
Mr. Li: "..."
An image formed in all of their minds.
The Beili Emperor came to his senses and burst out laughing. "HAHAHAHAHA! You little girl, so there are benefits to being chubby!"
Ye Qianning pushed at the flesh on her body with both hands, her expression solemn. "Of course. This fat isn’t for nothing. When I follow my dad to the battlefield in the future, it can block a blade. A full stab would just be a flesh wound."
The Beili Emperor was once again stunned by her witty remark, and when he recovered, he laughed even harder. "HAHAHAHA... *cough, cough, cough*..."
Mr. Li quickly handed the Emperor a cup of tea, unable to hide the smile on his own face.
’Miss Xiang is really something else,’ he thought. ’She caused such a huge incident, yet she managed to amuse the Emperor so much. His Majesty hasn’t laughed this happily in a long time.’
Xiang Minghou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’You can’t just get fat to take a stabbing on the battlefield, you silly girl!’
"What are you laughing at, Your Majesty?" Sensing she was being mocked, Ye Qianning’s expression turned sour.
"Hahaha... Nothing, nothing. I think you’re right." It was the first time the Beili Emperor had ever heard such a wonderful argument.
Having received his approval, a bright smile spread across Ye Qianning’s little face.
"Your Majesty." A Hidden Guard suddenly appeared.
"How is Prime Minister Gao?" The smile hadn’t yet faded from the Beili Emperor’s face.
"The Imperial Physician has examined him. His injuries are severe, but his life is not in danger. He will survive," the Hidden Guard reported.
"Since his life isn’t in danger, I will not pursue this matter further. Speaking of which, Prime Minister Gao was at fault to begin with. Let this be a warning to him. Mr. Li, tomorrow, take some medicinal salves and tonics to the Prime Minister’s residence. I will grant him half a month’s leave." The Beili Emperor looked nothing like the man who seemed ready to eat someone alive just moments ago.
Now, his eyes were full of mirth, and he was clearly delighted.
Hearing this, however, Ye Qianning lowered her head. ’That bastard is tough. Forty-one lashes, and he still didn’t die. The wicked truly do live long.’
"Fatty girl, what’s wrong?" The Beili Emperor noticed the change in the little one in his arms and looked down to ask.
Ye Qianning looked up, fiddling with her fingers. "He’s still alive, but my Fourth Granny is about to die. The Imperial Physician already told us to prepare for her funeral."
"Is it really that serious?"
"Mhm. I’ve learned some medicine from the village uncle. Fourth Granny is just barely hanging on. If we had some top-quality medicinal herbs, maybe she could get better. Since Your Majesty is rewarding the Prime Minister with so many good things, I’ll go to the Prime Minister’s residence tomorrow to take some as compensation for Fourth Granny," Ye Qianning said.
When the Beili Emperor heard that this girl was planning to go to his house, he immediately stopped her. "Don’t go to his residence demanding things. I will reward you with something even better. I guarantee it will save your Fourth Granny’s life."
"Really?" Ye Qianning’s eyes lit up.
"Of course." The Beili Emperor chuckled and turned to Mr. Li. "Go and fetch the Life-Prolonging Pill."
"Yes." Mr. Li was aghast.
’The Imperial Family’s Life-Prolonging Pill is a supreme-grade elixir. The Emperor wouldn’t even take it out for a gravely ill Concubine, yet now he’s giving it to treat a country granny.’
’It seems the Emperor truly dotes on Miss Xiang. In all his years in the palace, not a single Prince or princess has ever dared to nestle so brazenly in the Emperor’s arms.’
’I’ll have to stay on this child’s good side from now on.’
Xiang Minghou also knew of the Life-Prolonging Pill. The Emperor was being so generous that he felt uneasy, a hint of worry hidden in his eyes.
’I already knew about ancient medicinal pills,’ Ye Qianning thought. ’One from the Imperial Family’s collection is bound to be top-grade. I can take it back and study it.’