Chapter 333: Chapter 334: Prince Jing’s Punishment

The Emperor’s sinister gaze fixed on him, “What exactly happened here? Are these men from your mansion’s Shadow Guard?”

Prince Jing had no choice but to step forward and uncover each of their black veils one by one, seeing those all-too-familiar faces, he clenched his fists inside his sleeves.

These were well-trained Shadow Guards, and to lose them like this caused him considerable anger.

“Reporting to the Emperor, these men in black are indeed from my mansion’s Shadow Guard, but why they are here is completely beyond me. They harbored no thoughts of rebellion. Please discern the truth, Your Majesty,” Prince Jing said as he knelt before the Emperor to prove his innocence.

To be accused of rebellion was a grave crime, which could harshly lead to the execution of one’s entire family! Prince Jing glanced at his disgraceful daughter, barely restraining himself from punishing her right there.

Others might not know what this Shadow Guard was up to, but he knew very well, for he had given it to his daughter during her hairpin ceremony, a team of Shadow Guards meant to follow her commands alone.

The Emperor gently placed the child in his arms on the couch and carefully covered him with a blanket, acting with tender, meticulous care that surprised everyone.

Such treatment from the sovereign of the land was something not even several princes had ever enjoyed.

“Why would you let your mansion’s Shadow Guard burn down my surgery room, Prince Jing? Could it be that you do not wish for my health to improve? Or do you have other intentions?”

Every query from the Emperor made Prince Jing’s heart beat faster, he forced a smile and said, “Reporting to the Emperor, I, I…”

Xia Zhaohe had not anticipated matters would escalate to involve her father.

If her father took the blame, he would be accused of rebellion–no, she could not allow that.

After a long deliberation, with all the evidence against her, to clear her father of suspicion of rebellion, she had no choice but to confess her guilt.

She knelt with a heavy heart, then closed her eyes and spoke softly, “I confess my guilt, and beg the Emperor to administer punishment.”

“Speak. What exactly happened!” the Emperor asked sternly, lowering his voice to avoid startling the child.

Xia Zhaohe looked up, catching sight of Shao He by the Emperor’s side, “Moved by jealousy towards Doctor Shao, I committed such foolish acts, but I truly never intended to actually set fire to the Emperor’s surgery room.”

“This was all my doing alone, unrelated to my father. Please, Your Majesty, do not blame him. I alone should bear all faults and accept any punishment from the Emperor.”

Xia Zhaohe bowed her head, tears glistening as they rolled down her cheeks. She was unwilling, she truly was!

Seeing his daughter like this, Prince Jing felt an immense ache. She was the daughter he had always cherished, fearful that she would suffer the slightest injustice.

“Doctor Shao had never mentioned the importance of that surgery room. You share some responsibility,” Prince Jing was clearly attempting to morally blackmail Shao He.

“Let me be clear, Prince Jing, the mistake is your daughter’s making. Trying to implicate me is unlikely,” Shao He bluntly said.

She now understood why Xia Zhaohe acted so arrogantly–it was because she had a doting father.

They say that spoiling a child is akin to killing a child, and that statement couldn’t be truer.

Realizing his intentions were seen through, Prince Jing approached Shao He.

“I implore you, please spare Zhaohe, won’t you? She is still young and ignorant. I will certainly discipline her more strictly in the future to prevent such mistakes again,” he said and was about to kneel before Shao He stopped him.

“I truly cannot accept such homage from you, Prince Jing.”

“Doctor Shao, they say a doctor has the heart of a parent. Please understand our struggles as parents, who merely wish for our children’s safety. Please give her another chance,” he pleaded.

Shao He, looking at the earnestly begging Prince Jing, realized he might not be a competent father, but he was certainly a good one, simply lacking in how to educate his child and that led to the Commandery Princess becoming what she was today.

“Prince, you seem to misunderstand the gravity of the situation. The Commandery Princess ruined a surgery room meant for treating the Emperor. Compared to the Emperor, my child’s suffering is trivial.”

Prince Jing realized that Shao He was not to be underestimated; she deftly shifted the focus of the issue onto the Emperor with just a few words.

“It was all Zhaohe’s fault and I believe she will learn from this ordeal. Doctor Shao, with your exceptional medical skills, surely nothing will happen to the Emperor,” he said, implying that should anything go wrong with the surgery, it would be because Shao He intended it so.

Prince Jing surveyed the woman before him, who, despite lacking makeup, remained elegantly charming. No wonder the Fifth Prince looked at her differently.

Such a woman was coveted by many, merited alone by her medical skills.

Shao He smiled faintly, “As to how to decide on this matter, we must still listen to the Emperor.”

Prince Jing’s gaze returned to the Emperor.

“Enough, I am aware you harbor no rebellious intentions, but the matter is serious. You are to reduce the Shadow Guards of Prince Jing’s Mansion from five thousand to five hundred. As for the Commandery Princess, she is to be demoted to commoner status and apologize to Doctor Shao.”

“Additionally, considering Prince Jing’s advanced age, I permit him to retire and live out his remaining years at home.”

Knowing this was the best outcome possible, Prince Jing could only kneel to express his gratitude.

Xia Zhaohe, unwilling to accept this outcome, gripped the cobblestone beneath her fiercely, yet she had no other choice.