Section 9

"What did you say? Say it again!"

Emperor Qing's brow furrowed as he asked in a low voice.

"Replying to Your Majesty, Ye An and the Fourth Prince clashed outside the palace gates. Ye An was severely injured, and Chief Manager Hong could not stop the Fourth Prince!"

The eunuch repeated himself, his voice trembling.

"This..."

The court erupted into a chaotic clamor.

"What is the Fourth Prince trying to do? Hasn't he always been indifferent to worldly affairs?"

"Ye An is a seventh-rank expert, yet he was severely injured? How is that possible?"

"Chief Manager Hong is a ninth-rank expert, yet he couldn't stop the Fourth Prince?"

Everyone whispered among themselves, their faces filled with disbelief.

Fan Jian was also stunned.

He thought to himself.

"When did this Fourth Prince become so powerful?"

He looked at Lin Ruofu, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

"Chancellor Lin, did you know about the Fourth Prince's strength all along?"

Lin Ruofu shook his head with a look of utter confusion.

"Lord Fan, I truly did not know!"

"Hmph, I presume you wouldn't dare deceive me."

Fan Jian gave a cold snort and ignored Lin Ruofu.

"Summon the Fourth Prince to the hall!"

Emperor Qing said in a deep voice.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The eunuch took the order and left.

A moment later, Li Chengping walked slowly into the Imperial Study.

A faint smile played on his face, as if what had just happened hadn't occurred at all.

"This son greets Imperial Father."

Li Chengping bowed, his voice calm.

"At ease."

Emperor Qing said indifferently.

"Chengping, do you know your crime?"

"This son does not know."

Li Chengping looked up at Emperor Qing and said with an innocent face.

"What crime has this son committed?"

"You..."

Emperor Qing was choked by Li Chengping's words, and his expression immediately turned sour.

"You assaulted a court official outside the palace gates, and you still dare to say you're innocent?"

"Imperial Father, this son has been wronged!"

Li Chengping shouted loudly.

"This son only wanted to enter the palace to solve Imperial Father's troubles, but I was blocked by Ye An, who was also disrespectful. In a moment of anger, I lashed out."

"Nonsense!"

Just then, a shrill voice rang out.

Ye An was carried in; he was covered in blood, his face was pale, and he had been beaten into the likeness of a pig's head.

"Your Majesty, you must seek justice for your servant!"

Ye An wailed, his voice hoarse.

"The Fourth Prince, he... he actually dared to beat your servant and... and crippled my legs. I... I don't want to live anymore!"

A wave of commotion rose within the court.

"This Ye An is in such a miserable state, isn't he?"

"To be beaten like this by the Fourth Prince, how humiliating!"

"He deserves it. Who told him to be so arrogant and overbearing normally? He finally kicked a steel plate this time, didn't he?"

The crowd whispered, their faces showing expressions of schadenfreude.

Li Chengping felt a surge of satisfaction looking at Ye An's wretched state.

"Lord Ye, those words are incorrect."

He gave a light chuckle and said.

"When did this Prince beat you? This Prince only lightly touched you, and you fell down on your own. You can't blame this Prince for that."

"You... you're lying!"

Ye An trembled with rage. He pointed at Li Chengping, stuttering 'you' for a long time without being able to speak.

"Enough, stop arguing!"

Emperor Qing said impatiently.

"Chengping, do you know about the Northern Qi matter?"

"This son does not know."

Li Chengping shook his head and said.

"However, this son is willing to share Imperial Father's burdens."

"Oh?"

Emperor Qing raised an eyebrow and asked.

"How do you intend to share my burdens?"

"This son heard Chancellor Lin's strategy outside the doors. This son volunteers to be the envoy to Northern Qi!"

Li Chengping's words were shocking.

"What?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar once again.

Chapter 9: The Fourth Prince is Truly a Divine Being!

Everyone looked at Li Chengping in shock, thinking they had misheard.

"You... what did you say?"

Emperor Qing was also stunned.

He hadn't expected Li Chengping to make such a request.

"This son volunteers to be the envoy to Northern Qi!"

Li Chengping repeated himself, his voice firm.

"This..."

The court erupted into chaos again.

"Is the Fourth Prince crazy? He actually wants to go to Northern Qi as an envoy?"

"Northern Qi is a dragon's den and a tiger's lair. If he goes, can he even come back alive?"

"Now this will be a good show!"

The crowd discussed fervently, their faces showing the anticipation of watching a spectacle.

Lin Ruofu was also dazed.

He thought to himself.

"What on earth is this Fourth Prince up to? Is he trying to win my favor? But this is too high a price to pay, isn't it?"

He looked at Li Chengping, a trace of unease flashing in his eyes.

"This..."

Fan Jian was startled and instinctively looked at Emperor Qing.

He hadn't expected Li Chengping to dare speak such wild words in front of Emperor Qing.

"Nonsense!"

Before Emperor Qing could speak, Fan Jian could no longer restrain himself.

"Your Highness, do you know what you are saying?"

"Northern Qi is a land of tigers and wolves. By going there, aren't you seeking your own death?"

Li Chengping smiled.

"Lord Fan, are you questioning this Prince's decision?"

"Or are you saying that those of my Imperial bloodline are all useless trash?"

"You..."

Fan Jian was choked by Li Chengping's words, and his face instantly turned ugly.

He hadn't expected Li Chengping to be so sharp-tongued, turning the tables on him.

"Enough!"