Chapter 29: Punishment and Reward
"Your Majesty, please cancel my engagement with Princess Xiao Nalan, and marry Princess Xiao Yiran to me." Xie Xunfeng said with a bow.
"Father, if you cancel my engagement with Xie Zhizi, I will hit my head against the throne and die today."
Before Xiao Shentian could speak, Xiao Nalan had a fearless expression on his face.
"Father, think twice! If you really cancel the engagement between Nalan and Xie Zhizi, and instead betroth Xiao Yiran to him, then this scandal will ferment among the people! This will be detrimental to the reputation of our royal family!" Xiao Wenyan said.
"Your Majesty, please think twice! This marriage contract was personally decided by Your Majesty. If you change it at will, it will undermine Your Majesty's dignity. What's more, only if Xie the hostage marries the eldest princess can the people of the Great Zhou pay attention to this hostage. If he marries the third princess, it will be nothing but a joke in their eyes." At this time, Wu Guozhang stepped forward and bowed.
These words also touched Xiao Shentian's heart.
The reason why he made Xie Xunfeng and Xiao Nalan engaged was because he was attracted by the power behind Xiao Nalan.
If it was changed to Xiao Yiran who had no foundation at all, this engagement would no longer have any value.
"What you said makes sense, my dear ministers. Thank you for the hostage! I only said I would give you a reward. How can you ask me to change my marriage contract? If a ruler of a country changes his orders every day, how can he be trusted by the world? You should think of a reward."
In fact, Xie Xunfeng had guessed this ending ever since Xiao Nalan said she didn't agree to break off the engagement with her.
"I only want the third princess! If Your Majesty can't satisfy me, then I don't want this reward!" Xie Xunfeng said this again, imitating the original owner's silly look.
Seeing this, Xiao Shentian laughed and said, "Okay, then I'll keep it for you. When you have made up your mind, tell me!"
After saying that, he looked at Xiao Nalan and Xiao Yiran with a cold gaze again.
"Xiao Nalan, no matter what your starting point is, the things you have done are outrageous to both humans and gods. I order you to be confined to Kunning Palace and copy the Mo family's precepts a thousand times!" Xiao Shentian said sternly.
Seeing this, Xiao Nalan couldn't help but feel secretly happy. He looked at Xiao Yiran provocatively and said to Xiao Shentian, "Your son will accept the punishment."
Xiao Shentian looked at Xiao Yiran and said, "Xiao Yiran, you knew that Xie Jizi was engaged, but you didn't know how to avoid it, causing such a misunderstanding. I will punish you to work in the Cining Palace and let the Empress Dowager teach you a lesson."
After Xiao Yiran heard what Xiao Shentian said, he was delighted and immediately knelt on the ground and said, "I accept the punishment!"
Xiao Nalan said to Xiao Shentian, "Father, this is not a punishment at all! Didn't you say it? We are guilty of the same crime? Xiao Yiran should also be confined to Kunning Palace!"
Xiao Shentian frowned and said, "Then how about I confine you to the Cining Palace as well?"
Xiao Nalan showed a bitter look on her face and refused repeatedly.
After Xiao Shentian finished speaking, he glanced at Xie Xunfeng.
He even winked at Xie Xunfeng...
Seeing this, Xie Xunfeng also understood what he meant.
The emperor still gave him the reward.
The punishment for Xiao Yiran seems to be a punishment, but in fact it is a reward.
You know, Empress Dowager Showa of Daxia was famous for being kind, gentle and easy to get along with.
Not only that, the Queen Mother also has a powerful background.
If Xiao Yiran can win the favor of the Empress Dowager, then the Empress Dowager will become Xiao Yiran's greatest helper!
Finish this matter.
Xiao Yiran and Xiao Nalan were both taken away.
Xiao Shentian's face darkened, and he changed the subject and said to everyone, "Are you curious about why I am not in the carriage today?"
No one responded.
Xiao Shentian frowned and continued, "Today, I was assassinated seven or eight times on my way back! I didn't expect that I would return victorious from the battlefield. But I didn't expect that I would be in danger again and again on my own land! Even at the foot of the imperial city, it was not peaceful! Chen Dezhao, tell me, how did you defend Longyang City? As the prefect of Jingzhao, are you busy helping my princes and princesses deal with private affairs all day long!"
After hearing this, Chen Dezhao was terrified, knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I deserve to die!"
Xiao Shentian frowned and said, "If it weren't for Xie Jizi today, you really deserved to die! You don't even need to be the prefect of Jingzhao anymore! Go back and coax your virgin daughter."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me... Your Majesty, please forgive me... I am willing to make amends for my crime..." Chen Dezhao was so scared that he begged for mercy again and again.
However, Xiao Shentian seemed not to want to see him anymore. He waved his hand and asked the black armor guards to take him out.
Xiao Shentian glanced at everyone with a cold gaze and said, "Come! Who can come out and help me catch these assassins? Let me see who wants to kill me?"
The princes all lowered their heads.
The officials did not dare to look the emperor in the eye.
They all knew that investigating this matter would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Anyone who dares to assassinate the emperor is a death warrior.
They also dared to come only after they were fully prepared...
Seeing that no one spoke.
Xiao Shentian said coldly, "Weren't you all very opinionated when you were meddling in my household affairs just now? Why are you all silent now?"
At this time, Xiao Wenyan came out.
Xiao Shentian said with some surprise, "Wen Yan, I am worthy of being the eldest prince. Are you willing to come out and set an example?"
"Your Majesty, investigating cases is not my forte! However, I would like to recommend someone. I think he will be able to do the job." Xiao Wenyan showed a hint of cunning on his face.
Without even waiting for him to speak, Xie Xunfeng could already guess with his toes that he was going to cause trouble for him.
Xiao Wenyan and Xiao Nalan are indeed brother and sister, they are really good at finding faults.
"Oh? Who is it?" Although Xiao Shentian knew it in his heart, he still pretended to be stupid.
"It's Xie Xunfeng, Xie Jizi! First of all, Xie Jizi has the ability to predict danger in advance, and he had reasons and evidence when he found these witnesses just now. I think Xie Jizi is a very good candidate." Xiao Wenyan said.
As soon as Xiao Wenyan finished speaking, many people started laughing.
After all, everyone knew that Xie Xunfeng's performance today seemed very smart, and he seemed not to be stupid anymore.
But they all heard it.
Xie Xunfeng has Xiao Yiran guiding him behind the scenes.
Now, Xiao Yiran has been transferred to the Cining Palace.
Without Xiao Yiran's guidance, Xie Xunfeng would probably become a fool again.
"Xie the hostage? The eldest prince recommended you so much? Are you willing to help me investigate this assassination case?" Xiao Shentian looked at Xie Xunfeng and said.
"Your Majesty, what benefits can you give me?" Xie Xunfeng asked Xiao Shentian.
His words caused another round of laughter.
Sure enough, without Xiao Yiran's guidance, his stupidity was clearly revealed.
Xiao Shentian said, "What benefit do you want?"
" If I find out about the assassination, let Xiao Nalan and I break off our engagement!" Xie Xunfeng said firmly.
