Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 235 - 219: Slapping Prime Minister Xun Across the Face

Chapter 235: Chapter 219: Slapping Prime Minister Xun Across the Face

Opening the box in public, it was thought that what emerged would win the admiration of the Miao King; who could have expected it to be a resounding slap?

This slap was a brutal one, delivered boldly before the citizens of the Capital City, squarely landing on Prime Minister Xun’s face.

Prime Minister Xun, a man of high status, deeply respected by the people, had never faced such humiliation before.

His hands, hidden within his broad sleeves, clenched tightly into fists.

The gathered crowd, meanwhile, stood dumbfounded.

Who could explain these events? Was the Miao King offering a goodwill gift, or was it a blatant show of dominance?

Prime Minister Xun maintained his composed expression as he ordered firmly, "Someone, carry the Princely Heir inside."

"Yes, sir!"

Two guards from the Prime Minister’s Mansion stepped forward, preparing to lift the half-dead Xun Yu.

Prime Minister Xun corrected, "The box! Carry the box!"

The guards froze momentarily, then quickly lifted the box and carried it back into the mansion.

Prime Minister Xun’s gaze landed on Ruan Qing, calm yet teeming with hidden fury beneath the surface: "Tell your Miao King that I accept this grand gift."

Ruan Qing felt the immense killing intent, yet his eyes betrayed not a shred of fear.

The warriors of Miaojiang live and fight for their King, a noble death bringing no regrets.

"Disperse, disperse!"

The Steward of the Prime Minister’s Mansion quickly dismissed the gathered crowd.

Ruan Qing also led his men away.

Xun Yu was carried back to his room, and before long, Dean Yang was summoned to the mansion.

Upon seeing Xun Yu’s pitiful state, Dean Yang was taken aback.

As a physician, one glance told him that these injuries were the result of a beating.

But Xun Yu was the son of Prime Minister Xun—who in the Capital City would dare lay a hand on him?

Prime Minister Xun said, "Dean Yang, I must trouble you to treat my son."

Dean Yang bowed slightly, set down his medicine box, took out a clean pair of scissors, and carefully cut away the garments that had stuck to Xun Yu’s body with dried blood.

After a thorough examination, Dean Yang’s back was drenched in sweat.

Prime Minister Xun asked, "Dean Yang, what is the condition of my son?"

Dean Yang set down the scissors and bowed again to the Prime Minister: "Reporting to the Prime Minister, the Princely Heir has not suffered any grave injuries and his life is not in danger."

Yet the suffering he endured was likely intense.

To put it plainly, he had received the most painful beating while sustaining the lightest injuries—but this was unlikely an act of mercy; it was likely a torment designed to break his spirit.

Dean Yang stayed in the room to treat Xun Yu’s injuries.

Prime Minister Xun went to his study.

Two advisors, upon hearing news of Xun Yu’s injuries, immediately went to the study to admit their guilt.

Advisor Gongsun spoke with remorse, "It is we who have caused harm to the Princely Heir. Had we not advised him as we did, he wouldn’t have gone to the Governor Mansion to meet the Miao King!"

Prime Minister Xun’s gaze froze momentarily: "The Miao King was at the Governor Mansion?"

"Prime Minister, those Miaojiang people left early in the morning. Judging by their direction, it seemed they went to the Governor Mansion. If anything happened..."

Shangguan Ling had just entered the study when he saw the two advisors on the ground, bowing their heads. He stopped speaking mid-sentence.

Advisor Gongsun asked in astonishment, "Lord Shangguan, what did you just say? The Young Master of Miaojiang and his men... they’ve all gone to the Governor Mansion?"

Prime Minister Xun, expressionless, replied, "Liu Qingyun—she is Bai Zheng."

Advisor Gongsun’s face turned dramatically pale: "What? She’s Bai Zheng, then Lu Yuan must be..."

They had done much to win over the Miao King, treating the Miaojiang people as if they were Emperors.

They had thought victory with Miaojiang was assured, but their calculations had missed this one crucial fact—Lu Yuan was the Miao King’s biological grandson!

"This..." Advisor Gongsun, enraged, stamped his leg in frustration. "Ah!"

-

The Miao King entering the Capital City, beating Xun Yu, delivering a humiliating show of power to the mansion, and being revealed as Lu Yuan’s grandfather—this series of explosive revelations spread through the streets in less than a day.

The entire Capital City was in an uproar.

Rumors swirled everywhere, and Lu Yuan was once again thrust into the center of attention.

The people of the Governor Mansion had grown accustomed to this; even without the Miao King, their master was already capable of stirring turbulence in the Capital City single-handedly.

The difference this time was that the Governor Mansion didn’t need to face it alone.

Word of the events quickly reached the Imperial Palace.

The Supreme Emperor paused mid-brush upon hearing the eunuch’s report: "Understood, leave."

"Yes, sir."

The little eunuch retreated respectfully.

Eunuch Fu, visibly startled, cautiously went out to make inquiries himself.

"Supreme Emperor, it’s true."

The Miao King had truly beaten up Xun Yu! The Miao King truly was Lu Yuan’s grandfather!

Suddenly, another eunuch reported, "Your Majesty, the Miao King’s guards request an audience."

The Supreme Emperor ordered, "Summon them."

Ruan Ling and Ruan Qing, twin brothers, divided their duties—Ruan Qing delivered the gift to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, while Ruan Ling brought a grand gift from the Miao King to the Supreme Emperor.

Remembering the Miao King’s rather brutal greeting for Xun Yu, the Supreme Emperor hesitated briefly and glanced at the enormous chest: "Please tell me, this doesn’t contain one of my sons, does it?"

If memory served him right, he’d narrowly avoided killing Lu Yuan himself not long ago.

Ruan Ling bowed and said, "Your Majesty jests. The Miao King and the Governor Mansion hold unwavering loyalty to the court. What’s inside is a collection of fine gifts personally chosen by Miaojiang for Your Majesty!"

The Supreme Emperor nodded toward Eunuch Fu.

Eunuch Fu, summoning his courage, opened the chest.

Ruan Ling declared, "Ten Red Ganoderma, ten ginseng kings, ten Bone Healing Ointments, ten Antidote Pills, ten bottles of Anti-Aging Pills, one pair of Thousand-day Drunk Orchids, and one Heavenly Fragrant Bean Curd."

Upon hearing the latter items, Eunuch Fu drew in a sharp breath, and even the Supreme Emperor’s expression showed a trace of surprise.

The earlier items were already rare enough; to think the chest also contained the legendary Thousand-day Drunk Orchid and Heavenly Fragrant Bean Curd.

These two treasures of Miaojiang—although the Supreme Emperor had ruled for so many years, it was his first time seeing them.

Miaojiang had been pledged to the court for years, yet only now had they brought such treasures forth. It was clear they were trying to bolster Lu Yuan’s reputation.

The Supreme Emperor mused, "The Miao King is truly thoughtful."

Ruan Ling added, "The Miao King asked me to convey to Your Majesty: at long last, you’ve borne yourself a worthy son."

What does he mean ’at long last’? Was this implying all his other sons amounted to nothing?

Though true, the Supreme Emperor still had his dignity to consider.

For the sake of the generous gifts, he bit back his irritation: "When the Miao King finds some time, have him visit me at the palace. I will introduce him to Xi’er."

Ruan Ling replied, "They’ve already met, and even shared a cell together."

The Supreme Emperor: "..."

-

All afternoon, Lu Yuan remained in his room, correcting Zong Zhengxi’s assignments and reviewing petitions. He did not step outside and thus remained unaware of the drama unfolding beyond his walls.

It was only as he approached the palace gates that he noticed the odd stares from the civil and military officials.

He furrowed his brow: "Is there something on my face?"

"N-No, no, no!"

The Minister of Revenue fled as though escaping danger.

Lu Yuan understood that his infamous reputation typically made officials wary of him, but to tremble in fear like this seemed excessive.

"Cabinet Minister Yang."

"Cough, cough! I have an eighty-year-old mother and a three-year-old grandson—I must take my leave now!"

Cabinet Minister Yang adjusted his official hat and tugged at his robes, scuttling away quickly.

"What’s going on?"

Lu Yuan furrowed his brows in confusion, clasping his hands behind his back as he walked toward the palace gates with his usual air of disdain.

"Grandson!"

The Miao King appeared out of nowhere, striding flamboyantly from a nearby path.

Lu Yuan froze briefly, then asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"

With his hands clasped behind his back, the Miao King cleared his throat and said, "I’ve come to pick you up after court."

Lu Yuan turned his head away, snorting coldly: "I’m not a child; I don’t need an adult to pick me up after court."

The Miao King tilted his eyes upwards, hesitated before reluctantly revealing a hidden object, then handed it to him as if coaxing Bao Shu: "Candied hawthorn!"

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