Chapter 137: Punishment on Behalf

Zhuang Wei understood what was going on and used clever tricks to make Yan Yu dizzy without her noticing.

Yan Yu was about to speak when he suddenly lost his balance. When he held his forehead with his hand, his body had already fallen towards Ning Yunxi.

Ning Yunxi helped in time and expressed concern in a low voice.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

She dared to take action herself while he was still conscious, and secretly increased the dosage to make him faint.

Yan Yu was extremely dizzy and could hardly speak, but she still held on to the last bit of consciousness and responded weakly.

"It must be my brother's men... take action..."

"Don't worry about the people's will... let Lin Mu... save you..."

He barely managed to finish his words before he lost consciousness and fainted.

Only Ning Yunxi could hear his occasional whispers.

The words "It doesn't matter what the people think" said without hesitation, which touched her heart.

Zhuang Wei deliberately gave Gu Mengzhen a look, indicating that it was he who helped Uncle Huang solve the problem.

Gu Mengzhen understood, smiled with satisfaction, and immediately continued the conversation.

"Is my royal brother drunk?"

Having said that, he looked at Gao Jing and gave orders.

"Help King Dijin to rest."

Gao Jing was unable to react in time and was still in a daze. Suddenly, upon hearing these words, he came to his senses with a start and bowed in response.

"Yes, I obey the order."

After saying this, he stood up from his seat, walked away quickly, carried Yan Yu on his back, and walked towards the sedan chair.

At the same time, I felt strange in my heart.

Why did the prince suddenly get drunk?

He was drinking tea.

Is the tea not clean?

No, no.

The prince is a man of medical expertise, so how could he not see if there was any impurity?

That means pretending to be drunk.

Yes yes.

The people outside the palace are boiling with resentment. If the prince insists on protecting him, he will surely lose the support of the people. But if he does not even say a word to plead for him, not only will his reputation be in jeopardy, but his loyal ministers may also be discouraged, making them mistakenly believe that they will not be able to get any protection if they serve him.

The prince's move is indeed brilliant!

After thinking like this, Gao Jing was gradually drifting away.

Lin Mu sat quietly at the table and noticed the eye contact between Ning Yunxi, Zhuang Wei and Gu Mengzhen. He felt puzzled but said nothing.

Having solved Yan Yu's troubles, Gu Mengzhen was secretly proud and turned to signal Fang Zhixuan.

Early this morning, after Fang Zhixuan entered the palace, he ordered someone to deliver a message to inform his younger brother of what was needed next so that he could act according to the plan.

Fang Zhixuan nodded slightly in response, then stood up, bowed, and made a righteous proposal.

"The world is in turmoil and full of complaints. I, a humble official, have something to say and must offer my advice."

"Your Majesty, please think twice. Huichuntang's disregard for human life should not be treated lightly."

"Just putting Princess Yuexi in silence on the Bronze Platform is not enough to appease the people's resentment."

"In my humble opinion, he should be slapped fifty times and severely punished as a warning to others!"

Gu Mengzhen showed an expression of hesitation and heartache, and was stunned and a little panic-stricken.

"This this……"

"Xi'er is so precious, isn't it too harsh for her to be humiliated in public?"

"Fifty slaps on the face is too severe a punishment. After all, she is the princess appointed by Emperor Jin Wang Yu. I am considering my brother's reputation and it is difficult for me to do so."

Fang Zhixuan insisted on his own opinion and kept making suggestions.

"How can the emperor only care about the face of King Dijin and put the anger of the people aside?"

"If the people are suspicious and mistakenly believe that the court is deliberately protecting the aristocracy and disregarding the law, how can the emperor live up to the efforts of the previous emperors and how can he explain to the people of the world?"

"Among the people that the eunuch just announced, there is one named He Wo. I remember him as clearly as if he were still fresh in my memory."

"In his early years, during the provincial governor's examination, He Wo stood out with his outstanding talent and was granted special favors."

"It happened that his parents were seriously ill and in danger of death. He Wo heard the bad news and was unable to take up the post. He gave up his fame and rushed back."

"Since ancient times, it has been difficult to be both loyal and filial. However, he was able to present a proposal for farming and to take care of his parents. He was a loyal and filial person, and for a time, he became famous in Shengjing."

"The Yuesheng Dynasty ruled the country with loyalty, filial piety, integrity and righteousness as its foundation. Moreover, He Wo's letter is so touching and moving, how can we ignore it?"

"A loving crow repays its parents, and is willing to beg for lifelong support. Let me ask you about the matter of Huichun Hall. If it were you, the people present, who are the only ones who are being raised by your parents, would you be indifferent and indifferent to the pain of your baby's illness?"

"The issue of medical disasters is of great importance; calming the people's grievances cannot be delayed."

"I hope the emperor will take this seriously and severely punish Princess Yuexi!"

His words were passionate and touching. Before he had even finished speaking, many ministers and distinguished guests stood up and knelt solemnly.

"Wei Chen seconded the proposal!"

"Your Majesty, please make a wise decision!"

Ning Hanwang and Mu Rong looked at each other, then left their seats and knelt down together.

Thinking of his reputation, he pleaded perfunctorily.

"Xi'er is innocent, I hope the emperor will see clearly!"

Feeling their indifference, Ning Yunxi felt depressed but did not show it.

Then kneel down politely.

"Your Majesty, the people have grievances, and I should cooperate."

"If the doctor's misfortune is true, Your Majesty should deal with it impartially; if it is a misunderstanding, although I have been humiliated, I have been cleared of all charges and have no complaints."

"Your Majesty, please reward and punish, and don't be lenient!"

Gu Mengzhen sighed helplessly and signaled Ning Fengzhe with his eyes.

"Ugh."

"OK then."

"Xi'er is very understanding and righteous, which comforts me."

"If there is any injustice, I will tell you in advance. I really wronged you."

Ning Yunxi's lips curled up with a touch of emotion.

"Your Majesty, I am overwhelmed. Thank you for your grace."

Seeing that Ning Fengzhe didn't move, Gu Mengzhen lost his patience and urged him with his eyes.

"Please ask Mr. Zhuang to carry it out personally to show your seriousness."

Fang Zhixuan bowed in response.

"Yes."

As soon as he answered, a palace servant came quickly with a wooden board and presented it with both hands.

Fang Zhixuan took the wooden board and walked to Ning Yunxi.

The situation was urgent. Gu Mengzhen, with a hint of anger, coughed heavily as a reminder.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Ning Fengzhe had no choice but to leave the table and kneel beside Ning Yunxi, trying to hide his reluctance with an impassioned speech.

"As the eldest brother, I have the responsibility to discipline my younger sister. I am willing to take the punishment on behalf of my younger sister. Please allow me to do so, Your Majesty!"

Fang Zhixuan smiled to himself.

Ning Yunxi acted along and shook her head in horror.

"no!"

"Your Majesty, please understand. My elder brother has never participated in the Huichun Hall incident. How can he be punished on his behalf?"

"It is difficult to offend the public, so I am willing to bear the responsibility!"

Ning Fengzhe's sharp eyes turned into warm spring-like ones in an instant when he looked at Ning Yunxi.

"Xi'er, shut up. How can you bear fifty slaps on the face?"

"Today, I took the blame for you. If you feel bad, remember not to do it again next time. Got it?"

Ning Yunxi burst into tears and felt heartbroken.

"No... Big Brother, please don't be like this. I'm so touched."

Ning Fengzhe knelt beside her, clearly witnessing her poor acting skills, and frowned, but he still tried hard to act like a harmonious brother and sister.

"Xi'er, be obedient."

"From childhood to adulthood, I have been with you through all the punishments."

"Today will be no exception."

As he said this, he kowtowed deeply to Gu Mengzhen.

"If Xi'er were punished, he would only suffer the pain of a collapsed nose and blue lips; if his relatives were punished on his behalf, they would suffer the pain of being torn apart."

"The former, while tormenting the body, is lighter than a feather; the latter, piercing the heart, is heavier than a mountain."

"Hanhua is loyal and faithful, and I am sincere and devoted. Even though I am shallow, I am willing to do this."

"Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Gu Mengzhen responded in a deep voice.

"it is good."

"Everyone knows that Xi'er values ​​her family, so it is appropriate for Ning Aiqing to take the blame on her behalf."

Fang Zhixuan rubbed his nose with his hand, hiding the smile on his lips, and took a step forward to stand in front of Ning Fengzhe.

"Master Ning, I apologize for the offense."