In the corner, Wei Ran couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth when he saw Shi Lingkuan lying pitifully on the stretcher.
His left cheek was swollen red, his right was bruised purple, one eye was black like a panda’s, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
All over his body were dozens of distinct shoe prints of varying sizes…
The Empress Dowager frowned at the sight.
Surprisingly, the Empress didn’t react with horror or outrage like everyone expected. She merely raised her elegant brows slightly. “What happened? Why do you look so wretched?”
Shi Lingkuan immediately began sobbing, wiping his eyes with a ginger-smeared sleeve. Tears streamed uncontrollably.
“Sister, you must stand up for me!”
“Just outside White Tiger Gate, I was beaten up.”
“If the guards hadn’t stopped him, I might’ve been beaten to death!”
The Empress Dowager’s face turned cold. “At the gates of the imperial palace, under the Emperor’s nose—who dares act so outrageously and strike a royal relative?!”
Shi Lingwei, the Empress, glanced at her brother, visibly displeased.
She leaned toward the Empress Dowager and whispered, “Mother, don’t be angry. I know my younger brother’s temperament best.”
“He’s always been arrogant and unruly. Every time he causes trouble, he comes running to me for protection.”
“Not long ago, he crippled the son of the Chang’an magistrate in a fight over a courtesan. That matter even made it to court.”
“Grandfather was furious and warned me to discipline him properly just two days ago.”
“Given today’s commotion, I’m sure this is just more thunder than rain.”
“And please, don’t be deceived by appearances—he’s very good at twisting the truth.”
As she finished speaking, she even rolled her eyes.
No one knows a child better than their mother, and no one knows a brother better than his sister.
Being crowned Empress was not just because of noble birth; her refinement and values were far beyond ordinary.
The Empress Dowager nodded after hearing her out. “Then I’ll let you handle this matter.”
Shi Lingkuan glanced up and, seeing the reaction quiet down, began crying even louder.
“Enough,” the Empress snapped.
Shi Lingkuan fell silent instantly.
Her authority was clear and undeniable.
“Explain everything from the beginning. I will not take sides, nor will I let anyone be falsely accused.”
“If anyone lies, I will show no mercy.”
Shi Lingkuan froze slightly, then began sobbing again.
“Outside White Tiger Gate, I saw a stranger and went to ask his name, wanting to befriend him.”
“But he told me to get lost, and when I tried to reason with him, he beat me.”
“Song Qinghe, Guo Baolin, Yang Feng, Zhao Tianliang—they can all testify for me!”
There were eyewitnesses?
Could it be he wasn’t the one who caused trouble this time?
Shi Lingwei was a little surprised, her phoenix eyes flickering. “Then tell me—who hit you?”
A voice rang out from the corner. “Your Majesty, I’m the one who hit him.”
Everyone turned toward the sound, and whispers broke out as they tried to guess Wei Ran’s identity.
He had only visited the palace once when he first arrived in the capital and had been confined to the Prince’s Residence for half a month since. Except for a few royals, no one knew who he was.
Shi Lingkuan pointed at Wei Ran and cried, “Sister, it was him! Empress Dowager, you must give me justice!”
The Empress Dowager looked calmly at Wei Ran. “So it’s the Heir of Prince Min.”
Some noble ladies’ eyes sparkled with interest.
After all, there were very few young noblemen who were both astonishingly handsome and of such high status.
The Empress remained calm and nodded slightly as she stepped down the dais.
She walked to the stretcher and examined the injuries. Her lips curled slightly.
Because she noticed the bruises on Shi Lingkuan’s face were painted on.
The dark eye even had soot smudges from a cooking pot.
The varying shoe prints all over his body clearly weren’t from one person.
Her tone cooled.
“These injuries… all caused by Prince Wei?”
Wei Ran nodded. “That’s right. I beat him.”
The Empress was surprised. These were obviously fake injuries—why would he admit it?
She said nothing more, simply nodded. “Very well. Let the Empress Dowager decide.”
She returned to the Empress Dowager’s side and whispered something in her ear.
The Empress Dowager gave Wei Ran a strange look but then smiled.
“Children scuffle sometimes; that’s quite normal.”
“Your fathers are all esteemed ministers of the Great Li Empire.”
“You young nobles should treat each other with respect. Why hold grudges over petty disagreements?”
“Prince Wei, your father and His Majesty were as close as brothers.”
“Shi Lingkuan is now the royal brother-in-law and addresses His Majesty as ‘brother emperor.’ By rank, he is your uncle.”
Wei Ran’s face twitched slightly. Since when did he get an extra uncle?
That was a bit of a stretch…
Shi Lingkuan’s mouth dropped open. He glanced at Wei Ran, wanting to laugh but didn’t dare. His face flushed red.
The Empress Dowager continued with a smile, “Since he’s your elder, you should show him proper respect.”
“Shi Lingkuan, I must say a few words to you as well.”
“Prince Wei came all the way to the capital alone to study. He has no family here, no support.”
“You, as an elder, should take care of him.”
“How can you let a small conflict escalate and draw such public attention?”
“That’s hardly the conduct expected of a royal uncle.”
Shi Lingkuan blushed with shame and lowered his head awkwardly.
The Empress Dowager continued, “As they say, it’s better to resolve enmity than to create it. And today is a joyful occasion—Princess Wen’er’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
“In my view, you two should shake hands and make peace. Let this matter end here.”
“How does that sound?”
Wei Ran’s eyes gleamed. He immediately cupped his hands. “As you command.”
“But… Empress Dowager, look at my face…” Shi Lingkuan pointed to himself, wanting to push further, but was immediately silenced by the Empress.
Wei Ran’s eyes sparkled. He stepped into the center of the hall, sighing.
“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Empress, it was truly inappropriate of me to beat the royal brother-in-law like this.”
“All blame lies with me.”
“As an apology, I request permission to personally escort the royal uncle to the Imperial Medical Bureau.”
“It’s my duty to care for my elders. Otherwise, my conscience won’t be at peace.”
Wei Ran’s voice carried a note of sincere regret.
Many noble sons and daughters from prestigious households nodded approvingly.
The noble ladies looked at him with admiration. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
Handsome, well-mannered, and so humble—he was rare even among noble heirs.
Shi Lingkuan was stunned.
He scratched his head, chuckling awkwardly and waving his hands.
“Uh, no, no need for that. I can go to the medical bureau myself.”
“Prince Wei has already admitted fault. I won’t press charges.”
He hadn’t expected Wei Ran to take all the blame for his own false accusations—and to return hatred with kindness. That kind of magnanimity made him feel ashamed.
“No,” Wei Ran said firmly. “I was the one who injured you. I must go with you.”
His face was serious and unyielding.
The Empress’s expression grew more confused—she didn’t understand what Wei Ran was planning.
The Empress Dowager, however, was pleased and smiled as she nodded. “In that case, Prince Wei, accompany the royal uncle to the Imperial Medical Bureau.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Wei Ran bowed and then helped Shi Lingkuan up.
Shi Lingkuan chuckled nervously. “This… this really isn’t necessary.”
Wei Ran gave a mysterious smile. “It’s only right. This is my duty—as your junior.”
“Uh… haha, alright, alright. Let’s go to the medical bureau.”
The two left the banquet hall together.
Once outside, Wei Ran smiled and said, “Quite the performance, royal uncle.”
“Now that we’re alone, how about cleaning off the soot from your face? Doesn’t look very dignified like that.”
Shi Lingkuan grinned and nodded. “You’re a good kid.”
“Come on, follow me—there’s a washroom just ahead.”
Familiar with the layout of Fortune and Longevity Palace, he led the way without trouble.
He scrubbed off the paint and soot from his face.
“All clean?” Wei Ran asked.
Shi Lingkuan nodded. “Yeah. Take a look—any spots I missed?”
He pointed to his face.
Wei Ran narrowed his eyes and suddenly punched him hard in the eye socket.
“AHHHH!”
A scream echoed through the palace.
This time, there was no need for makeup—his eye was genuinely black.
Without giving him a chance to react, Wei Ran grabbed a solid wooden ladle from a water bucket and smashed it across his face.
Crack! The ladle broke from the force.
But the effect was excellent—Shi Lingkuan’s face instantly turned purple and swollen.
Dizzy and disoriented, he collapsed.
As he regained awareness, he saw Prince Wei smiling down at him—and then came the kick.
One after another, Wei Ran stomped on him repeatedly.
Shi Lingkuan cried out miserably again and again.
This time, the washroom was empty. There were no witnesses.
After delivering a thorough beating, Wei Ran tossed the broken ladle aside, clapped his hands clean, and walked away without a second glance.