Chapter 2542: Entering the Palace
"Once this matter settles down, the Old Master will no longer favor that little cheap person, give me...!"
Saying this, the Eldest madam paused, making a decisive gesture.
The two old maids behind her nodded in unison, saying, "Madam, rest assured, we know what to do."
"Mm, withdraw now, I’m weary."
"Yes."
The servants withdrew one after another.
Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.
The Emperor was reviewing memorials to the throne when a little eunuch hurried in to report, "Your Majesty, the richest man Gu Ruochen requests an audience."
The Emperor looked up in surprise and asked, "Why has he come?"
Lately, the Emperor had been so busy with matters concerning Wei Country that he was unaware of external happenings.
Little Eunuch: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Old Master Gu’s concubine was beaten, causing a sensation throughout the city, and Old Master Gu cannot swallow his anger, so he’s come to file a complaint."
The Emperor furrowed his brow and said, "Who has such audacity to even dare strike Old Master Gu’s woman?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, there are rumors outside. It seems to be the Princess Consort of War Prince."
"It’s her."
"Yes."
"Good, very good!"
"Your Majesty, do you mean...?"
"Quickly invite Old Master Gu in." For the first time in days, the Emperor smiled.
"Yes!"
Shortly after, the little eunuch led the enraged Old Master Gu inside.
Before the little eunuch could speak, Old Master Gu had already knelt on the ground in grievance, "Your Majesty, you must grant justice to this old man!"
Feigning ignorance, the Emperor asked, "Old Master Gu is wealthy beyond compare, what grievances require me to grant justice?"
"It’s War Prince’s excessive bullying; he... he has bullied my women!"
"What? Impossible, in the War Prince’s Mansion, beauties abound, how could he bully Old Master Gu’s woman?"
The Emperor purposely twisted the meaning of "bully."
Old Master Gu hurriedly shook his head and gestured, explaining, "This bullying is not that bullying."
But the more he explained, the more confused he became, eventually losing track of what he was saying.
The Emperor found it amusing internally, yet outwardly feigned ignorance, asking, "Old Master Gu, what are you saying? I don’t understand."
Old Master Gu, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, looked foolishly at the Emperor, for a long time before finally squeezing out a sentence, "Your Majesty, Princess Consort of War Prince beat my woman."
"Oh! After all that talk, so that’s the issue!"
"Indeed, I’m furious, Your Majesty, you must grant justice, War Prince’s bullying is excessive."
"Wasn’t it said to be Princess Consort beating? How did it involve the Prince?"
"War Prince was present too; he indulged his wife’s aggression, my beloved concubine was beaten so badly, and they worried if Princess Consort’s hand was hurt, isn’t this outrageous?" Old Master Gu became increasingly furious.
The townsfolk discussed the incident, all agreeing that War Prince doted on the Princess Consort overly, as she beat someone, he not only did not intervene but worried for her hand’s condition?
His business spreads across The Four Kingdoms and cannot be casually bullied. If the Emperor fails to deliver justice, he’ll pull his business out of Moli Country, causing substantial losses which the Emperor wouldn’t risk.
Old Master Gu pondered from various angles, certain that the Emperor wouldn’t dare side with War Prince’s Mansion, hence deciding to file the complaint.
After all, his business in Moli Country generates significant tax revenue annually.
The Emperor’s lips curled in a satisfied smile, turning to the little eunuch, saying, "Dispatch someone to War Prince’s Mansion to invite the Princess Consort, stating that Noble Consort Wang needs her."
"Yes!"