Xianyang Palace, Western Wing Hall.
“Princess, as you instructed, we taught Zhao Cheng a lesson. There are no external wounds, only some physical discomfort, and we delivered the message.”
“Well done. Have our people keep a close watch on the Prime Minister’s residence. Report any movement to me immediately.”
“Yes.” The Hidden Guard acknowledged and withdrew.
Qinghe entered carrying a freshly brewed pot of tea, speaking softly: “Princess, you should have taught Zhao Cheng a lesson long ago. But… might Minister Zhao realize it was us?”
Ying Qingyue picked up her teacup and took a sip of the hot tea. “I’m merely a minor princess after all. How could I possibly have such capabilities?” After saying this, she blinked.
“Besides, there are plenty of people who can take the blame for us.”
Seeing this, Qinghe couldn’t help but chuckle.
Someone probably wouldn’t be sleeping well tonight.
Meanwhile, a completely different scene was unfolding at the Prime Minister’s residence.
Zhao Gao had just finished handling important court matters when he received news that his younger brother Zhao Cheng had been injured. Assuming he had caused trouble again, Zhao Gao hurried to his courtyard.
When he pushed the door open, he found Zhao Cheng lying face down on the bed, grimacing in pain. His brocade robe had been changed, and though there were no visible wounds on his exposed arms and legs, large patches of bruises covered his skin.
“How did you get beaten up like this?!” Zhao Gao’s voice rose sharply, filled with disbelief and anger.
Hearing his brother’s voice, Zhao Cheng’s pent-up grievances and resentment surged instantly. His eyes reddened as he spoke with a sob: “Brother, I… I was beaten up by someone!”
At these words, Zhao Gao’s brow furrowed deeply as he stepped forward, looking down at Zhao Cheng on the bed with a scrutinizing gaze. “Beaten up? Tell me the truth – did you provoke someone you shouldn’t have outside?”
Zhao Cheng nearly jumped up from the bed in agitation at these words, but the movement aggravated his injuries, making him gasp in pain as tears nearly fell.
“Brother! I really didn’t!”
“Didn’t say anything?” Zhao Gao sneered, clearly unconvinced. “With your temperament, I bet you couldn’t keep your mouth shut and provoked them first?”
Zhao Cheng waved his hands frantically, his voice trembling with tears: “I didn’t! I really didn’t!”
But obviously, Zhao Gao didn’t believe him.
“The person who beat me said… said I had provoked someone I shouldn’t have…” As he said this, Zhao Cheng remembered how he had been confined because of the Sixth Princess, and now shortly after, he had been beaten by mysterious assailants.
How could he not believe this had something to do with Ying Qingyue?
“Brother, you must get justice for me!”
“It must be because the Sixth Princess yielded her carriage to me today, and now she’s sent people to take revenge on me!”
“Ying Qingyue?” Hearing this name, Zhao Gao’s frown deepened, but he didn’t immediately believe it. Instead, his face darkened as he questioned: “Are you sure you haven’t offended anyone else?”
Zhao Cheng looked utterly miserable, lying on the bed as he complained bitterly: “I really haven’t provoked anyone else! Other than offending the Sixth Princess today, I haven’t done anything! Brother, you must avenge me!”
Zhao Gao stared at Zhao Cheng for a long moment, and seeing that he didn’t seem to be lying, his expression gradually darkened.
The Sixth Princess? How could that be…?
She’s just a minor princess after all.
Could it be other court rivals deliberately causing trouble, trying to frame the Sixth Princess to disrupt the situation?
Zhao Gao shook his head. Who would be foolish enough to choose such an unreasonable scapegoat? So perhaps someone was taking advantage of the chaos to get back at him?
Considering this possibility, Zhao Gao frowned, then turned and left with only one sentence: “Keep this matter quiet. Focus on recovering from your injuries first. I will investigate the rest.”
Though unwilling to accept this, Zhao Cheng knew his elder brother’s temperament and could only suppress his frustration as he responded, “Understood.”
The next day.
In the main hall of Xianyang Palace, civil and military officials stood in two rows, the atmosphere solemn and dignified.
Ying Zheng sat high upon the Dragon Throne, his gaze sharp as he scanned the ministers below.
Zhao Gao stood near the front of the civil officials’ line, his expression calm, though his mind was secretly calculating. He had already sent people to discreetly investigate the incident of Zhao Cheng being beaten last night, but no leads had been found yet.
This matter absolutely could not be mentioned in the court session, lest it give others grounds for criticism.
As he was pondering this, he suddenly heard someone step forward from the ranks—it was Chancellor Li Si.
Li Si bowed respectfully, his voice steady yet clear as it carried throughout the hall: “Your Majesty, I have a matter to report!”
“Yesterday, a servant from my residence passed through the marketplace and witnessed Zhao Cheng, the brother of the current Chief of the Gentlemen of the Palace Zhao Gao, galloping wildly on horseback through the busy streets. Not only did he collide with pedestrians, but he also nearly overturned the stalls of commoners, inciting public outrage.”
“Such behavior is unbecoming of an official’s family member and undermines the authority of our Great Qin Law. I implore Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent instantly, and the gazes of all the officials turned sharply toward Zhao Gao.
Zhao Gao’s heart sank—it had come, as expected.
He had originally thought Zhao Cheng’s reckless riding was a minor incident and had already secretly sent people to appease the frightened citizens. He hadn’t anticipated that Li Si would seize upon it as a vulnerability.
Zhao Gao stepped forward and also bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, I have heard a little about the matter Chancellor Li Si mentioned. It is true that my younger brother Zhao Cheng acted inappropriately yesterday, and I have already reprimanded him severely.”
“However, he accidentally fell and injured himself on his way home yesterday and is currently confined to bed to recover. Once he has healed, I will personally bring him to apologize to the citizens and accept punishment according to the law. I dare not show any leniency!”
Ying Zheng sat on the Dragon Throne, lightly tapping the armrest with his fingers, his gaze shifting between Li Si and Zhao Gao without immediately stating his position.
Yet Li Si, living up to expectations, opened with a major move: “Your Majesty, I have heard that the Eighteenth Young Master was also among the entourage at the time. He witnessed Zhao Cheng’s reckless riding from start to finish but did not intervene, instead showing an expression of indulgence.”
As these words were spoken, the silence in the hall was instantly broken. The officials’ expressions varied, and even Zhao Gao’s face changed abruptly.
Li Si did not pause and continued, “As a prince, the Eighteenth Young Master should set an example for the people and strictly abide by the law. However, not only did he fail to restrain Zhao Cheng, he seemed to tacitly approve of his actions. Such a trend must not be allowed to continue.”
“Moreover, Lord Zhao, as the Eighteenth Young Master’s tutor, is responsible not only for teaching him knowledge but also for guiding his moral conduct. Now that the young master witnessed a violation of the law without discouraging it, Lord Zhao can hardly escape blame for this.”
These words struck at the core, pointing out both Huhai’s misconduct and tying it to Zhao Gao’s “responsibility for instruction.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Gao’s heart tightened, and he hurriedly defended himself: “Your Majesty, Chancellor Li Si’s words are mistaken! Although the Eighteenth Young Master was traveling with my younger brother yesterday, it was only a chance encounter.”
“The young master is still young and may have been flustered by the situation, failing to intervene in time—it was not indulgence. As his tutor, I will certainly provide strict guidance. How could I teach him to disregard the law?”
Ying Zheng’s gaze suddenly fixed on Zhao Gao, his eyes profound and inscrutable. “Zhao Gao, since you are Huhai’s tutor, you must take responsibility for his words and actions. Even if Huhai did not directly participate, his failure to prevent a violation of the law is indeed improper.”
After speaking, he turned to Li Si, “Li Si, you have always advocated for the Legalist school, emphasizing the parallel importance of law and moral education. Since you have raised this matter, share your views on how it should be handled.”
Li Si bowed and replied, “Your Majesty, I believe the Eighteenth Young Master should be confined to reflect on his mistakes for three days, studying the ‘Qin Legal Code’ to understand the authority of the law.”
“As for Minister Zhao, in his role as a mentor, he must submit a self-reflection letter to Your Majesty, examining his responsibilities in guidance.”
“Regarding Zhao Cheng, let it proceed as previously decided: after his injuries heal, he shall apologize and accept punishment. This approach will serve to admonish the prince, clarify the teacher’s accountability, and uphold the law, thereby earning public acceptance.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao felt discontent in his heart but knew he could not refute it at this moment.
Li Si’s words consistently centered on law and moral education, leaving Zhao Gao no choice but to clench his teeth and bow. “I… obey the decree.”