Tang Dynasty: Starting at Xuanwu Gate, this prince is better off not being one.

"Twenty strokes of the cane!?"

Li Yu was terrified and almost jumped up from the ground.

He had seen the executioner's cane before. A three-foot-long stick, twenty times on one's buttocks—how the hell would one's buttocks still be usable?

"Shut up!"

After reprimanding Li Yu, Li Er replied, "Your Majesty's decision is certainly wise, but since several boys have been injured, I think it would be better to change the punishment to flogging."

"It was an oversight on my part, brother. We'll do as you say, second brother..."

.........

The boys were carried out, leaving only the three Li brothers in the room.

"Have you two eaten yet? I haven't eaten either. Your sister-in-law isn't here, so sit down and eat with us. I'll have someone heat up the food and bring it over." With no outsiders in the room, Li Jiancheng's tone became much more casual.

"No need, elder brother. My third brother and I have already eaten. We came here today because of those boys." Li Er's refusal was straightforward, and his tone was devoid of any emotion.

Hearing Li Er's words, Li Jiancheng gave a wry smile: "What? Can't you even look at your older brother when you have nothing to do?"

"Big brother..." Li Xuanba, who hadn't spoken until now, couldn't help but feel moved when he saw Li Jiancheng's melancholy expression.

However, before he could say anything, Li Er stopped him, "Of course not, it's just that my brothers are tied up with official duties and can't stay for long."

"If Your Majesty has nothing else, we will take our leave now..."

"..."

Watching the two figures leave, Li Jiancheng felt a pang of sadness.

My second brother is outstanding in both literary and military arts.

If he hadn't come to the Eastern Palace to receive his punishment today, I could have used this opportunity to make a scene before my father.

Although his father, given his personality, would certainly not punish him too severely, he could use this charge of "insubordination" to make his father realize that his power as the second son might be getting a little too big.

Unfortunately, judging from my second brother's behavior today, he probably already knew what I was thinking...

Hearing Li Chengzong's screams from afar, Li Jiancheng couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Was it wrong of her to deliberately guide her son to bully Li Chengqian and his group?

Sigh! When did these brothers turn out like this?

Could it be after the Yang Wengan incident and the Emperor's promise to give the second son the position of Crown Prince?

My dear second brother! It is true that you have made great contributions, but if you are given the position of crown prince, how will your elder brother conduct himself?

As for Xuanba, just because you're close to Yuanji, you'll never associate with your elder brother again?

If you and the second prince hang out together every day, and I don't go looking for Yuanji, how can I hold onto the position of crown prince for long?

"Sigh! I really want to go back to when I was a child..."

.........

"There's no going back!"

Wiping away his snot and tears, Li Yu clutched his backside and snarled, "You three bastards! You made me get beaten up for nothing! Get someone to take me back right now!"

"No!"

Before Li Chengqian could speak, Li Er's voice rang out, "Mr. Sun is at my residence. All four of you, go to my residence first!"

"what?"

Li Yu forgot the tears still on his face. Why did Old Sun run to the Prince of Qin's mansion?

"What? You don't want to?"

Thinking Li Yu was afraid of being reprimanded by Sun Simiao, Li Er laughed and explained, "Don't worry, kid, no one will scold you. You did very well today!"

very good?

Taken aback by Li Er's sudden praise, he thought he had misheard.

Is it because I avenged your three foolish sons?

Seeing Li Yu still scratching his head, Li Er impatiently pointed to his eunuch and said, "What are you all standing there for? You four, come back to the manor with Gou Da!"

After urging Li Yu, he glanced at Changsun Chong, Cheng Chumo, and the others, and instructed Li Xuanba: "Third brother, send them back to their own homes and let their fathers teach them a lesson. They're all quite clever."

.........

The old man left with a group of spoiled brats. Before leaving, he praised his son for being resourceful and having the same flair as him in his youth, which made Li Er roll his eyes.

He also told Li Yu to wait until his injuries healed before going back, so that his mother wouldn't feel sorry for him and then make fun of him...

.........

We can't leave now!

The four boys, their bottoms bruised and battered, were all carried on someone's back as they walked towards the Qin Prince's mansion.

"Your dad isn't actually praising me, is he...?"

Clinging to the back of Old Chen, the head steward of the Prince Zhao's mansion, Li Yu racked his brains for a long time but still couldn't figure out what he had done that deserved praise.

The person carrying Li Chengqian on his back was Gou Da, Li Er's eunuch. When he saw that the young prince wanted to speak with his lord, he thoughtfully moved closer.

"I don't know, but my father always keeps his word. If he says he's praising you, then he definitely is."

Seemingly because his buttocks were a little uncomfortable, Li Chengqian shifted his position slightly.

"That's good……"

Li Yu breathed a sigh of relief and looked down at Steward Chen, who had his back to him, asking, "Old Chen, is my father going to let you stay with me in the Qin Prince's residence indefinitely?"

"yes!"

Butler Chen's face was as bright as a chrysanthemum: "With Old Yu helping Madam manage the household, there's naturally no need for this old servant."

"Does my mother know that I've become like this?"

Butler Chen was a clever fellow. Hearing Li Yu's question, he immediately understood the implication: "Young Master, don't worry. The Prince forbade us to say anything, and the Madam naturally won't know either. She only knows that you went to learn medicine from the old master Sun for a few days."

"That's good..." Li Yu nodded, indicating that he was relieved.

Although her mother agreed to let her go crazy, she thought it was just children playing around. If she saw him injured like this, given her personality, she would probably make a scene at the Crown Prince's residence.

The Dugu family and the Li family of Guanzhong were both among the Eight Pillar Generals of Western Wei. Even though they were fading from the political scene, their power was never to be underestimated. This was one of the reasons why the Crown Prince chose to join forces with the Prince of Qi.

Even if Li Xuanba has a low profile in the imperial court, with the support of the Dugu family behind him, this force cannot be ignored.

"Young master, please forgive this old servant for being nosy. But what's the point of a refined gentleman like yourself arguing with that crude and uncouth brute? What if he gets hurt? How am I supposed to explain this to the madam then!"

"knew!"

Clinging to Butler Chen's back, Li Yu nodded, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Hey Old Chen? I heard Green Robe is from your hometown? How's her family?"

Li Yu has always been very protective of his own people. That's a flaw!

For example, that bastard Li Chengqian dragged me to deal with Li Chengzong. I was extremely unwilling, but in the end I was still pulled along.

"Young master, this old servant lives in the same village as the Green Robe family. Seeing that her family was struggling to make ends meet and sometimes didn't know where their next meal would come from, this old servant took it upon himself to bring her to the Madam's side."

After lifting Li Yu slightly from his back, Butler Chen continued, "Who knew this girl would be so lucky to have caught the eye of Madam, and thus be chosen to serve you..."

.........