Chapter 557 - His Highness’s Means
Chapter 557: His Highness’s Means
“It was my fault for misunderstanding the Princess Consort,” Elder Wu clenched his fingers so hard that his knuckles turned white as he said this. This was the first time in his life that he felt so humiliated!
Helian Wei Wei gave him a glance casually, “It’s not a misunderstanding, it’s framing. It’s better for Elder Wu to not accuse anyone next time before you have solid evidence.”
Elder Wu gritted his teeth and the word “yes” slipped out between his thin lips.
Helian Wei Wei smiled nonchalantly as she took the cup of tea from his hands. However, she did not drink it but instead handed it over to the eunuch beside her as her lips curled into a smile, “I’ll hand this to you. A cup of tea that was offered by Elder Wu is hard to come by.”
No matter how seasoned Elder Wu was, his face still went pale when he saw Helian Wei Wei’s action. How dare she pass the tea that he offered to a eunuch!
She was clearly humiliating him!
Elder Wu took a few deep breaths; he had clenched his hands so tightly that nerves were popping on the back of his hands!
He will let her have her way for now.
When the army charges in later, Baili Jia Jue will be caught in a dilemma, and when he is charged with the crime of treason, he would like to see how Helian Wei Wei and the Third Prince will be able to smile then!
Malice was written all over Elder Wu’s perceptive old eyes as he thought of this. He then straightened his back and was about to retreat.
“Hold it.” Baili Jia Jue raised his narrow eyes before pacing toward Helian Wei Wei. His tone was temperate, “Elder Wu, I shouldn’t have to teach you what you should do when you apologize to the Princess Consort, right?”
Elder Wu’s face transformed yet again but this time round, it was far more genuine and gloomier than before!
“Third Prince!” The Emperor who realized what Baili Jia Jue was about to say exclaimed crossly in a low voice.
Yet, Baili Jia Jue did not even bother to spare the Emperor a look as he lowered his gaze at Elder Wu. His tone was chilly when a word escaped his lips, “Kneel.”
“Third Prince!” The Emperor stood up with a thud!
It was then that Baili Jia Jue turned his attention to the Emperor. Nevertheless, the imperceptible smile and abstinence air around him was no different from before, “The royal families were honored since ancient times. Yet, if Your Majesty lets Elder Wu have his way for being rude, then where should we position the dignity and honor of our royal family? Or does Your Majesty think that the position of the Elder Compound is higher than that of the royal family?”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and turned to Elder Wu, “Elder Wu, the Third Prince is right. You, just kneel.”
“Your Majesty!” Elder Wu wanted to retort.
However, the Emperor paid no heed to him and with a simple wave of his hand, he had conveyed his decision.
If one were to select who understood the Emperor the most in this world.
It would unmistakably be Baili Jia Jue.
The Emperor was extremely cautious about the influences the Elder Compound had over the royal family and had always wanted to achieve a balance of give and take.
The extent of his care for the Elder Compound was equal to the restriction that he imposed on them.
Especially in front of the masses.
Naturally, Elder Wu knew the circumstances and he understood without a doubt that he could not turn it down.
If he refused, it would evoke suspicion and offend the Emperor.
Then, he would not be able to execute the subsequent plan!
Elder Wu bite hard into the gum on the back of his teeth and stared at Baili Jia Jue’s face before he slowly, very slowly knelt down…
Nangong Lie smiled bewitchingly next to Elder Wu before extending his arms to pat Elder Wu on the shoulder and said in a low voice, “Elder Wu, I wouldn’t offend the Third Prince if I were you. Those from the Elder Compound really are bold but after getting a smack in the face, this spectacle is truly… pfft, very unsightly.”
Elder Wu’s eyes darkened and his fingers under his long sleeves were still crooked from him clenching his fists too tightly.
Helian Wei Wei too was impressed with the methods that a certain prince had used and no doubt, the latter was toying with people without mercy. Looking at Elder Wu’s face which had turned green from anger, he had probably never knelt to anyone before. It was indeed true that there would always be “meat to savor” every time she follows a certain prince!
Spotting Helian Wei Wei’s contentment, Baili Jia Jue then spoke in a cool tone, “Elder Wu, remember, another blunder and it won’t be just kneeling.”
“Yes,” Elder Wu was awfully reluctant to answer and with a swish of his sleeve, he stood up and strode back to his place but his chest was still heaving.
Elder Zhan who was beside him said lowly, “Old Wu, I think we should hold our plan for the time being. I’m worried that it might not go as planned with the Third Prince being such a handful.”
“No matter how much of a handful he is, it will be impossible for him to escape today.” Elder Wu calmed his breathing and his eyes were glinting with an icy glow, “When they hear the commotion made by the army, the first to be questioned by the Emperor would be the Third Prince. Just wait, this will definitely be a spectacular farce.”
Elder Zhan wanted to see Baili Jia Jue fall miserably too. After thinking it through, their plot was flawless and it was impossible to have any loopholes in it.
Yet, he had witnessed the expected outcome gone wrong. Helian Wei Wei continued to hide her true form with the cost of Elder Wu losing his image.
This made him rethink his decisions.
However, just like what Elder Wu said, with the uproar of the army, no matter whether the Third Prince decides to send out troops or not, it would be disadvantageous for him. He would be a prince that is acussessed of treason and lose his right to the throne!
Taking a little risk means nothing as long as they can drag down the Third Prince!
“Alright, settle down,” the Emperor coughed heavily after finishing.
Seeing this, Eunuch Gao immediately presented a blood red capsule.
The Emperor appeared anxious and seemed desperately in need of the capsule as he took and swallowed it without consuming any liquid in front from the crowd.
It looked like the Emperor was relieved when he heaved a deep breath, “Ah Lie, you and Elder Wu are both outstanding ministers in my War Dragon Empire and should have empathy for each other in the future.” As he said this, he turned to face Elder Wu, “Old Wu, what is next?”
Elder Wu stood forward and his attitude was respectful, “Your Majesty, we just have to wait for the eminent monks to come back after chanting around the palace.”
“Then everyone, let’s wait in this palace.” The Emperor finished his sentence and gave Eunuch Gao a glance.
Eunuch Gao then shouted in a high pitched voice, “Serve the refreshments!”
In a blink of an eye, the palace maids walked in, bringing trays of food. With their long ankle length dress, they made a series of soft footsteps, trying to avoid any form of mistake.
The chanting gradually drifted off and the Emperor held up the teacup in his hands while the people below followed suit with some drinking tea and others consuming snacks.
Little Seven was sitting on the left side of Helian Wei Wei, following her closely like that of a shadow. With a cold look, he bit on his bean paste bun that he brought along like a little tiger.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Helian Wei Wei found it strange, this was not how this little one usually acts…