"Wife, you rest, I'll do it!"
As soon as he entered, he heard such big news. Fan Zehao was not one to indulge him. He took a whip and lashed at Fan Xudong, who was bound like a zongzi, again and again.
"Ah... it hurts... Big Brother, it hurts, hurt, go easy." The dazed Fan Xudong immediately sobered up.
Just now, he could still pretend to deal with his sister-in-law. His sister-in-law was soft-hearted, and although she seemed to hit hard, she was actually just tickling him.
But his big brother was different. He didn't care if it hurt or not, as long as he didn't die, he would beat him.
"Big Brother... I was wrong, I'll never dare again!"
Even though he admitted his mistake, Fan Zehao pretended not to hear him. Before long, his body was a bloody mess from the whipping, and only then did Fan Zehao stop.
"Drinking and whoring, huh? Fine, I'll marry you a flower girl right now, and you can drink at home every day until you die. See if I let you out!"
This time, Fan Xudong's heart was about to break. He quickly begged Zhao Jiaqi for mercy, "Sister-in-law, save me, I really dare not do it again, and I will never go there again in the future."
Zhao Jiaqi glanced at him and turned back into the house.
The anger had not yet subsided when Wang Zhanlin, the Emperor's personal eunuch, arrived at the manor. Seeing the scene, he couldn't help but be startled.
"General, what is this?"
"Eunuch Wang, please don't be offended. My younger brother is not behaving well, and I am educating him." Fan Zehao threw the bloody whip in his hand to the butler and said to Wang Zhanlin.
So that's how it was. Wang Zhanlin understood.
He smiled and said, "The Emperor has summoned you to the palace. Prince Xian is also here!"
Fan Zehao raised an eyebrow. Huangfu Xian?
After tidying himself up simply, he followed Eunuch Wang to the palace.
Imperial Study.
The Emperor rubbed his aching forehead. Simple matters were handled so complicatedly. Everyone coveted the dragon chair beneath them, but who could understand the worry of a leader?
Eunuch Wang entered the study and reported, "Your Majesty, the General is here."
"Summon him."
A moment later, Fan Zehao strode in and knelt on one knee, his eyes straight ahead, and paid his respects, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
"Prince Xian said that after you proposed a different opinion on this reception, you then said you had no opinion. What does that mean?"
Fan Zehao cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Xian wants to welcome the envoy from the Zongsheng Kingdom with the highest etiquette. Your humble servant does not agree and explained the reasons to Prince Xian. Later, Prince Xian felt that his decision was very good, so your humble servant has nothing more to say."
The Emperor listened, raised his hand to signal him to rise, and asked again, "I want to hear your explanation. Why can't we use the highest etiquette to receive them?"
"It was the Zongsheng Kingdom that provoked the war between the two countries, which was a waste of resources and lives. If they lost, they should act like a defeated nation. This is like the difference between an elder brother and a younger brother. The Zongsheng Kingdom, which bows its head and attaches itself to our country to survive, why should we treat them with the highest etiquette? Those who don't know might think we are groveling and fawning over them. Wouldn't this be undignified?"
His speech left Huangfu Jintao speechless. He turned to look at Huangfu Xian, who was sitting on a chair, and said coldly, "Prince Xian, what do you think?"
Huangfu Xian immediately said, "Your humble servant believes it is inappropriate. If our great nation treats a defeated country so harshly, who would dare to surrender in the future? It seems that this would make us look petty and not like the bearing of a great nation. Moreover, a high-level reception would also be a show of strength to them."
"So, you mean we must pamper them and welcome them with subservience? That's how we show the magnanimity of our Great Yun Kingdom!"
Huangfu Xian was taken aback. Even an idiot would know that his father was angry. He immediately knelt and explained, "Your humble servant does not mean that!"
Huangfu Jintao said faintly, "I hope so!"
"Prince Xian, do not concern yourself with the reception of foreign envoys. Let Prince Xiaoyao take charge of the matter, and General Fan will assist. You may withdraw."
The two knelt and kowtowed, then got up and left the Imperial Study.
Outside the palace, Huangfu Xian glared at Fan Zehao, "I didn't expect you to sow discord between me and Father with just a few words!"
"Your Highness is mistaken. I am merely stating facts. If Your Highness had not come to the palace to complain, I would not be here."
"Presumptuous! You dare to refer to yourself as 'I' in front of me. This is utter disrespect!" Huangfu Xian wanted to put him in his place and was deliberately picking a fight.
Fan Zehao glanced at him, a fake smile on his lips, and said, "I also refer to myself as 'I' in front of the Emperor, and His Majesty has not called me presumptuous. Yet you say this to me. Your official demeanor seems greater than the Emperor's. I must report this to His Majesty later and ask who I should listen to."
Huangfu Xian did not expect to be cornered by him. "You..."
Seeing his face turn pale with fright, Fan Zehao felt a great sense of satisfaction.
He continued to provoke him, "However, come and lecture me after you ascend the throne. At that time, I will certainly obey. Farewell!"
He spurred his horse and galloped away.
It was getting dark. He should go back to have dinner with his wife and his dear little darling. Thinking of Mengmeng giggling in his arms, he felt that there was nothing in this world that made him happier than that smile.
Everything that happened at the palace gate reached the Emperor's ears word for word.
Huangfu Jintao chuckled and said to Eunuch Wang, "This blunt fellow, he's quite bold to talk back to a prince. He's a stubborn one."
This was the first time Eunuch Wang had heard the Emperor speak of someone like this. He replied with a smile, "General Fan is forthright and cannot hide his thoughts, but he is very loyal to Your Majesty."
"Yes, that's true. I'm just afraid this personality will offend many people!" The Emperor sighed lightly, but there was no hint of regret on his face.
General's Manor.
Fan Xudong lay on the bed. Fan Guangping, as his elder brother, applied medicine to him while lecturing him, "You're so old, why do you still do such unreliable things? I think your sister-in-law is really angry. She just said she wouldn't let you eat."
"Big Brother, why is my fate so bitter? I liked a woman, but she's a princess. I went drinking with Brother Sheng and Brother Kun, but that place was a brothel. I was beaten by Big Brother and Sister-in-law when I got home. I'm more wronged than Dou E and more bitter than Huang Lian."
As he spoke, he began to shed tears, looking so pitiful that Fan Guangping's heart softened.
"You... that... forget the princess. You know our family's situation. Rest well and heal your wounds. I'll sneak you some food tonight."
Fan Guangping placed the medicine by his bedside and left with a heart full of worries.
Dining Hall.
At the dinner table, Zhao Jiaqi asked about Fan Xudong's injuries, "Big Brother, was the second one beaten severely?"
"It's just a flesh wound. I've applied medicine for him. He'll be able to get out of bed in a few days, but..." Fan Guangping found it difficult to speak.
His hesitance made Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao both look at him.
Zhao Jiaqi frowned and asked, "But what?"