Beating Your Son Requires Severity

Outside the palace, the two shifty-eyed fellows were still counting money together.

The two carts of watermelons had exceeded Fang Zheng's expectations, unexpectedly bringing in nearly two thousand taels.

However, there was too much deception involved. It wasn't a sustainable business.

Before the two could rejoice for long, Guo Tianyang approached with his small shuffling steps.

With a smiling face, he said. "Your Highness, Lord Fang, His Majesty requests your presence."

Indeed, the inevitable had come!

Fang Zheng took a deep breath and looked at Li Yuanzhao.

You're bored enough to come sell melons, earning just a few coins but inviting a scolding!

What's the point? Waiting until you become emperor to confront your ministers?

Now you're here deceiving people with melons. It's a bit of an Ah Q mentality.

But Li Yuanzhao appeared fearless.

He immediately called to some guards nearby, and several guards quickly ran over.

"Hold this silver for me!"

Then he said to Fang Zheng. "Old Fang, just watch. Imperial Father is attracted by money. I'll bribe him in a moment!"

"I've had my fun today, so I don't need this money! If something goes wrong, remember to cover for me!"

"We should have thought of an explanation first..."

That's my damn melon! Fang Zheng looked at Li Yuanzhao sideways.

Hearing the two conspire loudly, Guo Tianyang's face wrinkled in displeasure. "Your Highness, this old servant is still here."

"Keep your mouth shut!"

"......"

After tidying themselves up, the three, accompanied by palace guards, went to meet Emperor Jing.

But as soon as they crossed the threshold into the great hall, Li Yuanzhao's straight back instantly curved a bit.

His entire demeanor also appeared more dejected.

Fang Zheng was dumbfounded.

He really can't change his nature!

How many beatings has he taken? Has this acting become ingrained in his blood?

Before entering the hall, he was so cocky, but after crossing the threshold, he's a different person!

In the hall, Emperor Jing faced Fang Zheng and the Crown Prince.

Sitting on his throne, one hand resting on a thick black cane, he emanated authority.

The moment he saw the cane, Li Yuanzhao's pupils shook with fear, and he hunched over even more.

Fang Zheng lowered his head in shame.

Who would have thought? His Majesty still keeps that thing. It looks well-used.

What a sin... what a sin...

"You two have some nerve." Emperor Jing slowly began. "Tell me, why set up a stall in the palace?"

Li Yuanzhao kept his head lowered, not daring to make a sound.

He muttered something, knowing he was in the wrong, too nervous to speak loudly, then turned to look at Fang Zheng.

Too green. Still inexperienced!

Fang Zheng immediately stepped forward and said loudly. "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. The Crown Prince had good reasons for selling melons."

"His Highness often travels to Banshan District and wanted to personally experience the people's lives. But fearing he might disturb the common folk, he chose to set up in the palace. This shows his love for the people and his empathy."

"Secondly, the melons sold today are truly rare. As they say, 'Happiness shared is happiness doubled.' The court officials have worked hard and achieved much, and the Crown Prince wanted them to taste these delicacies. He hasn't even tried them himself but offered them to share. This truly shows his generosity and noble character."

"Thirdly, the reason for selling them is that His Highness sees Your Majesty working tirelessly every day from early morning court sessions until late, governing diligently. So he wanted to contribute in his small way to ease Your Majesty's burden. Today's proceeds were intended for the imperial treasury."

"Today's earnings total one thousand six hundred and fifty taels, all here, for Your Majesty's consideration!"

After speaking, Fang Zheng glanced at the palace guards.

The guard understood and opened the money box, revealing silver notes and some loose silver inside.

Guo Tianyang took it and placed it on the imperial desk.

Li Yuanzhao immediately felt relieved.

As expected of Old Fang, he's truly skilled at making things up! This should be fine now!

Emperor Jing merely glanced at the silver on the table, then lowered his gaze to look at the two below, slowly walking down with his cane in hand.

Seeing he didn't speak, Fang Zheng couldn't help but swallow.

This is bad. Judging by this reaction, it didn't work!

Definitely didn't get away with it...

Thinking this, he couldn't help glancing at Li Yuanzhao.

At this moment, Li Yuanzhao still had his head lowered, smiling carelessly!

Feeling Fang Zheng's gaze, he also turned his head and gave a thumbs up...

The next second!

A black shadow swung hard onto Li Yuanzhao's thigh!

"Ahh!!" A scream instantly echoed throughout the hall.

Then came another blow, and another... each strike landed with full force.

The sound of the cane hitting flesh reached Fang Zheng's ears, making his whole body shiver...

However, Li Yuanzhao was tough enough. Though he screamed in pain, he didn't change his posture!

He had years of experience. His father always aimed for the fleshy parts when striking.

Changing position could easily lead to accidental injury, so it was better to maintain his current stance.

Fang Zheng watched with wide eyes. This was the first time he had witnessed His Majesty beating his child.

Truly impressive... worthy of royal education, not holding back at all.

But he couldn't just stand by and watch Li Yuanzhao get beaten, so he quickly went to pull Emperor Jing back.

"Your Majesty!! Enough, enough! Anger harms the body. Please calm down!"

"Get away! Don't stop me. This rebellious son is out of control! Is setting up a stall in the palace something a Crown Prince should do?"

"Setting up a stall is one thing, but to find others to cover for him! Look at the lies you two told. You shameless creatures!"

"If I don't teach you a good lesson today, you'll forget your place in the future!"

Emperor Jing swung his arm, sending Fang Zheng stumbling.

Li Yuanzhao instinctively began to argue back. "Son was thinking of Your Imperial Father's treasury! I won't give you the money then! I was wrong!"

"Silence! You dare to argue back?" "Ah!"

The enraged emperor was clearly not someone to mess with, and Fang Zheng also retreated.

He hid behind a pillar, trying to appear as small as possible.

Beside him, Guo Tianyang seemed used to such scenes, standing calmly at his side.

Fang Zheng asked in horror. "Does His Majesty always beat the Crown Prince like this?"

Guo Tianyang nodded. "He wasn't this severe before. It seems he's been hitting harder since you entered the palace."

"Brother Guo, don't talk nonsense!"

After striking four or five more times, Emperor Jing's anger had diminished considerably.

He threw down the cane and ordered. "Take the Crown Prince to the Eastern Palace and confine him for three days!"

Li Yuanzhao didn't make a sound, staggering toward the exit. Fang Zheng quickly went to support him, calling out. "This subject takes his leave!"

"Stop! Did I say you could go?"

Whoosh! The color drained from Fang Zheng's face.

This isn't right! The emperor's temper seems odd today. He wouldn't normally beat the Crown Prince over something so minor, at most just scold him. What's happening? Will I get beaten too?

Li Yuanzhao weakly whispered. "Old Fang, take care. This is my fault. I'll treat you to a meal another day! I'm leaving first."

"If Imperial Father beats you, don't move at all. Try to position your buttocks toward him..."

After speaking, he limped away, accelerating his exit from the scene.

It's over. The target left, and I've become the target?

Beat me? I'm a subject, not a son! He won't really beat me...

Fang Zheng stared in disbelief at Li Yuanzhao's retreating figure, then slowly turned back.

He stood in place, not daring to make a sound.

Emperor Jing returned to his seat, saying nothing, just looking at Fang Zheng.

After a long silence, with Emperor Jing still not speaking but looking down at something on his desk, Fang Zheng cautiously asked. "Your Majesty... has something troubling happened?"

Emperor Jing looked up. "I ordered a reexamination of the Ministry of Revenue's accounts. The reports just submitted show no problems."

"I was already vexed enough! If you two scoundrels have nothing to do, get back to your quarters!"