mtl008 Chapter 925 Pleading for Mercy
Chapter 925 Pleading for Mercy
But the emperor just stared at him coldly.
"Once the river breaches its banks, farmland, villages, and people will all suffer. Is this what you call a mere punishment?"
Prince Jin tried his best to defend himself.
"Your Majesty, I only... I only asked them to put on a show."
The emperor gave a mocking smile: "Do you even believe what you're saying? You still think you can deceive me? If it were anyone else, they would have been dead countless times already. You rely on your royal blood to commit all sorts of evil deeds, becoming more and more unscrupulous each time. Do you really think I won't punish you?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I was wrong, but I didn't really mean to hurt those people. I may be a little shallow, but I'm not malicious at all. Your Majesty knows me best. Please forgive me this time for being a little willful. I was just too worried about Yaoguang. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
As he spoke, he crawled over on his knees and grabbed the emperor's trouser leg.
The emperor raised his foot and kicked him aside.
He pondered what crime he should charge Prince Jin with so that he could learn a lesson.
This time, we definitely can't let them off easily.
Princess Yaoguang has been spoiled rotten since childhood, and now she has gone mad over a piece of land. Prince Jin, as her father and in charge of the entire palace, lets his daughter do whatever she wants.
However, there was one person in Prince Jin's residence who was quite favored by him.
That was Chu Yaohan.
Chu Yaohan was born with exceptional talent and intelligence. He was a sensible and reasonable person, and could be considered the emperor's most favored nephew.
He believed that Chu Yaohan was not involved in this matter, and if the Prince Jin's mansion was severely punished, Chu Yaohan would also be implicated.
This was one reason why the emperor hesitated.
Qiao Lian'er stepped into a restaurant, where Chu Yaohan had left an invitation and was waiting for her.
In the private room, Chu Yaohan stood by the window, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with unease.
He knew that Qiao Lian'er was definitely not an easy person to get along with, and he didn't know if he could afford her conditions.
By the time he realized something and turned around, Qiao Lian'er had already sat down, calmly holding her teacup.
Chu Yaohan mentally prepared his explanation before sitting down opposite her.
“The fact that Princess Zhenguo is willing to come is already a great honor,” he said.
"Does the Crown Prince want me to spare Prince Jin?" Qiao Lian'er asked.
“Princess Zhenguo speaks frankly. My father has done such a wrong thing and should have come with me to sincerely apologize to Princess Zhenguo. However, he has already been summoned to the palace by the Emperor. The Emperor is also very angry about this matter and will severely punish my father.”
Qiao Lian'er said, "Prince Jin has repeatedly provoked me. I never bothered him before. Later, when the Da Nu Kingdom invaded, I waited for the right moment according to the plan. At such a time when everyone was in a state of panic, Prince Jin wanted to disrupt the overall situation. That's why I had to teach him a lesson. I guess I've done more than enough."
Chu Yaohan said with remorse, "Princess Zhenguo is righteous. It was Father who did not know the importance of things and caused trouble. My request to see Princess Zhenguo is not just to apologize. If Princess Zhenguo is willing to let Prince Jin off lightly, you can make any request. As long as I can do it, I will not say a word."
Seeing Chu Yaohan's sincere attitude, Qiao Lian'er didn't want to be too aggressive. After all, there were still normal people in the Prince Jin's mansion.
She said slowly, "I really haven't thought about the conditions. In my mind, if Prince Jin did something wrong, he should receive the punishment he deserves, and that would be the end of it."
Chu Yaohan felt a chill in his heart upon hearing this. If it were true, then the Prince Jin's mansion would likely be doomed. He wasn't afraid of her making demands; he was afraid she wouldn't want anything at all.
He could only lower his voice and plead.
"Please, Princess Zhenguo, be lenient. I will remember your kindness in saving my household, even if it comes with conditions."
Qiao Lian'er sighed.
"To be honest, I don't really want anything. If I had to say what could move me, Yuquanzhou would be one of them."
She glanced at Chu Yaohan as she spoke, and Chu Yaohan listened silently, as if he could accept any request.
The fact that they were even willing to cede land suggests that the emperor's punishment might have even more severe consequences.
For example, being demoted in rank is the most fatal thing for a royal, symbolizing a direct fall in status and class.
It doesn't matter if the land is less; as long as the title remains, they are still a noble royal family. But if the title is lost and they are reduced to a marquis or earl, then they are no different from ordinary subjects.
If Prince Jin is sent to guard the border again, then from now on, life will be hard.
Qiao Lian'er smiled.
"However, the Emperor will not allow me to take another fertile fiefdom. Even if you are willing, the Emperor will not be happy if I make this request."
"Here's what we'll do. I'll go to the palace. Remember this, consider it a debt you owe me. I'll ask you for it again when I need it later."
Chu Yaohan was stunned for a moment. He would repay it later. As long as the Prince Jin's mansion stopped causing trouble, it would be lighter than he imagined.
This was Qiao Lian'er's concession.
It turns out that it wasn't because I offended her that she became completely heartless.
He came to see Princess Zhenguo this time with a sincere apology, and Princess Zhenguo did so because of his attitude.
"In that case, I thank Princess Zhenguo very much." Chu Yaohan solemnly clasped his hands in thanks to Qiao Lian'er.
After careful consideration, the emperor made up his mind.
Just as he was about to speak, a eunuch came to report that Princess Zhenguo had arrived.
Prince Jin was filled with unease, unsure whether Qiao Lian'er's arrival was a good thing or a bad thing, and also wondering if Han'er had persuaded her, and if so, what conditions she had offered in exchange.
When Qiao Lian'er entered the main hall, she saw Prince Jin kneeling on the ground, looking trembling with fear. He shrank back like a mouse seeing a cat when he saw her.
"I was just about to punish Prince Jin when Lian'er arrived. Why don't you sit down first, and we'll talk about it after I've punished him?" the emperor said.
Qiao Lian'er said, "This humble woman has come precisely for the matter of Prince Jin."
The emperor snorted: "He's over thirty years old, yet he's so naive and foolish, actually sending people to your fiefdom to do such an absurd thing. Luckily, Vice General Zhou caught him, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."
"Your Majesty, I believe that Prince Jin's motives were despicable, but they did not cause serious harm. He should be punished, but there is no need to punish him severely. I am willing to give Prince Jin a chance. As long as he does not offend me again, I can forgive him this time. Please be lenient, Your Majesty."
The emperor seemed somewhat surprised: "But letting him go like this would be unfair to you. Or did Han'er come to you? What did he offer in exchange?"
It's really not easy to get Qiao Lian'er to let someone go.
Prince Jin's ears perked up as well.
He didn't believe that Qiao Lian'er wouldn't care at all, so he could only pray in his heart that it wouldn't be Han'er who gave up Yuquan Prefecture.