Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 212: Not Even Comparable to My Own Rebellious Child

Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Not Even Comparable to My Own Rebellious Child

Prince Gong, Ji Teng has come inside to pay respects.

Commander Yan entered the hall, his face unable to hide his panic. Prostrating himself on the ground, he knelt down.

"Your servant is guilty."

Emperor He narrowed his eyes, his gaze inscrutable as he surveyed the room before finally falling on Commander Yan.

It was Emperor He himself who had promoted Commander Yan.

When the late Emperor was still alive, Commander Yan was the first to discern the times and swore allegiance to him, having come through a path of bloodshed and violence.

Back then, Commander Yan was loyal, but what about now? Secretly in frequent contact with Crown Prince Ji Zhui, his ambition was clearly evident.

How could Emperor He not be wary of this!

The Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince could fight each other to death, which was just a balancing of powers, but he wasn’t dead yet. How could he tolerate a minister colluding with a Prince?

Emperor He had long been displeased.

Now, the Yan Family had just formed a marriage alliance with the Duke Wei Mansion.

Did the Yan Family girl have no other prospects?

He couldn’t help but deeply ponder and be suspicious: did the Yan Family also intend to curry favor with the Crown Prince by willingly marrying their daughter into the Wei Family, or was it that Duke Wei had made such a crucial move that forced the Yan Family to consent?

With a grim expression, Emperor He took the strong tea from the case table, intentionally brushing the lid over the teacup in a manner that was clearly meant to embarrass Commander Yan.

Prince Gong’s eyebrows twitched.

Understood.

Before coming here, he had been informed by Cui Yun, unaware of what had happened. But Ji Huo was always a troublemaker; how could his father not know.

He subconsciously assumed Ji Huo had gotten into trouble again.

Prince Gong glared fiercely at Ji Huo.

"Cui Family boy, I am here and so is the Emperor. Whatever this unfilial son has done, just speak up, I can take it."

Ji Huo: ???

"Father, those words I do not like to hear."

"Shut up! You’ll be dealt with later!"

"Prince Gong." Cui Yun stepped forward, his voice cold yet full of polite formality.

Cui Yun stood with his hands behind his back, speaking in the most even and indifferent tone: "Today’s matter involves a great deal. The Cui Family dares not shirk its responsibility to shield anyone, hence we can only ask Prince Gong and the Third Prince to come to the palace."

Only to hear Ji Huo command with a wave of his hand: "Bring the person in!"

Soon, Yan An was carried in.

The bearers, all servants of the Yan Family, now had trembling legs as they put Yan An down on the ground and knelt down.

On the stretcher, Yan An was not only disheveled in clothes but also had lost his jade crown, and one side of his face was swollen. His eyes were tightly shut, still unconscious.

Emperor He continued to drink his tea.

Prince Gong: "This—"

"Ji Huo! You did this!"

"Yes, I did it."

Ji Huo had no notable qualities, but what he did, he would never bow his head and deny.

Ji Huo: "However, he fainted from shock upon hearing he was to be taken to the palace, you can’t blame that on me."

"It’s not the first time I’ve hit him! Yan An is asking for it! Not to mention this time, last time he got to the girl I had my eye on first. What right has he to compete with me, the Princely Heir?"

Saying this, he became angry.

Over the years, aside from Cui Yun, he rarely suffered losses in front of others.

Why should Yan An?

His family background couldn’t compare with his, nor could his appearance.

Yes, Ji Huo might be unlearned, but he was still a thousand, no, a hundred thousand times better than Yan An.

How dare such a petty person as Yan An vie for his woman!

Prince Gong scolded: "Outrageous, the imperial study is not a place for you to clamor!"

Ji Huo, who had already been reassured by Cui Yun, showed no fear.

"Uncle Emperor." He addressed him.

"Such matters, indeed, should not be brought up to taint your ears."

Emperor He gave a smile that was not quite a smile.

Prince Gong’s heart wasn’t in great shape.

"But I really can’t hold it in anymore, I must speak my mind on this occasion."

"Yes, I do fancy beautiful ladies, and indeed, there are quite a few concubines and lesser wives in my household. But they are all with me willingly; I would never force anyone. No matter how absurd I might be, that’s something I would never do."

He attracted girls with his ability (status and position). Was there anything wrong with that? Those who followed him were not kept outside, he would bring them into his mansion and give them a proper status.

"I’ve never hidden it. I am indeed infatuated with beauty, for which my father has scolded me as outrageous many times."

"But how many young masters in Shengjing are more forthright than me? Many keep concubines in secret, visit brothels, yet they pretend to be pure and aloof from worldly vanities."

This bunch of hypocrites would then privately criticize with righteous indignation: Ji Huo truly disgraces the Prince Gong Mansion, knowing only to take his pleasure under women’s skirts.

Ji Huo looked down at Yan An on the ground.

He couldn’t help but be sarcastic.

"He forcefully abducted a common girl, shamelessly violated her, and after he was done, he left behind several ingots of silver and walked away with a flick of his sleeve."

"He’s the son of the Commander’s Mansion, how could ordinary folks stand up to him?"

After such an incident, they could only resign to fate. The girl, filled with resentment, hanged herself. Ji Huo was so furious at the time that he knocked out one of Yan An’s teeth.

This matter actually wasn’t all that significant. After all, there are plenty of cases of exploitation by the powerful and wealthy.

"Over these years, Yan An has relied on his status to commit many atrocities! Under the Emperor’s nose, the uninformed might even think his surname is Ji!"

Ji Huo fearlessly confronted Commander Yan.

"Are you aware of this? I recall that it was your Madam who intervened to settle the matter, spending some silver to buy a life."

Commander Yan: "Your Majesty, forgive me! Your humble servant—"

Ji Huo was very displeased and interrupted him: "I’m the one asking you, why are you calling me ’Uncle’?"

"My ’Uncle’ loves his people as his own children. Could it be that he would speak for you?"

He was brazenly arrogant.

Prince Gong, for once, did not get angry.

He suddenly felt immensely gratified.

After all! At least Ji Huo, compared to Yan An, had not lost his conscience, surely the result of his earnest teachings.

Prince Gong finally found something to praise Ji Huo for. He rarely nodded in agreement, even putting the real purpose of his visit to the back of his mind, and then clicked his tongue in disapproval.

He asked from his lofty position.

"Commander Yan, what is the deal with you? I originally thought Yan An was a good kid."

"His sister is so virtuous and well-behaved, how could it be that from the same mother, Yan An amounts to this sort of trash? He doesn’t even measure up to my wayward son?"

Emperor He: ...

He wasn’t in a hurry to find out what Cui Yun was here for; Prince Gong’s si ck ening Commander Yan was just to his satisfaction.

Ji Ge stifled a laugh.

Cui Yun looked on dispassionately.

Meanwhile, Ji Teng remained silent as if he didn’t exist in the hall.

It was obvious Prince Gong didn’t care for Commander Yan’s response. After asking his question, he happily continued.

"I almost forgot, Lady Yan was brought up and taught by the Old Madam herself, but not your son."

He paused for a moment.

"Indeed, the Old Madam is advanced in years, she can’t have the energy to look after two individuals. When the young man steps out of line, your Madam does not strictly discipline him and is busy cleaning up the mess, even the best seedlings will be ruined and lead to disaster. You’re always busy with your official duties, but you can’t neglect to oversee your household."

Prince Gong spoke as if giving heartfelt advice.

"How could your son possibly amount to anything in the future? I hear he’s your only legitimate son."

"What a pity."

"Ji Huo is also my only legitimate son, yet he doesn’t commit grave sins like murder or arson. Not to boast, but he does maintain his principles in everything."

Prince Gong: Thrilled!

In the future, whoever dares to mockingly say that Ji Huo is a waste in front of him.

He can hold his head high and respond.

—The Yan family has one that’s even worse!