Chapter 320 - 320 Killing Two Birds with One Stone

320 Killing Two Birds with One Stone

Seeing that the two guards were motionless again, Princess Tao Ran immediately scolded with a dark expression.

“Are you deliberately stalling for time to cover up for Duke Lang? What benefits did you receive from him? How dare you help him like this!”

The two guards hurriedly shook their heads in denial. “No, no! Absolutely not!”

Princess Tao Ran wanted to change out the guards who were carrying out the punishment, but the two guards were afraid of taking responsibility and refused. Just as Princess Tao Ran lost her temper and wanted to severely punish the two disobedient guards, Wei Huai’en finally returned.

He conveyed the emperor’s intentions to Princess Tao Ran.

“His Majesty said he wants to see you. Please follow me.”

Hearing this, the corners of Princess Tao Ran’s mouth curled up into a triumphant smile.

She knew that her father would definitely not punish her for a lowly eunuch. When she saw her father later, she would definitely complain and teach Xiao Juan and Wei Huai’en a lesson!

Princess Tao Ran looked at Xiao Juan and raised her chin slightly.

“I’ll give you one last chance. As long as you change your mind and marry me, I’ll help you plead with Father.”

Xiao Juan ignored her.

Princess Tao Ran did not receive the response she wanted, and the hatred in her heart immediately surged.

When he was young, she was the only one by his side. She protected him for ten years and loved him wholeheartedly.

All she wanted was for him to be like her. To have only each other in their world.

But Xiao Juan had betrayed her. He had married another woman, but she had been left where she was.

The deeper her love for Xiao Juan back then, the deeper her hatred for him now.

Princess Tao Ran took a deep breath and said slowly, “Alright, since you don’t know what’s good for you, don’t blame me for being rude to you.”

She would rather destroy a man she could not have than let another woman have him.

Princess Tao Ran walked towards the study with the help of the palace maids.

What she didn’t notice was that after she turned around, Wei Huai’en’s gaze suddenly turned cold and his eyes were filled with malice.

He sneered inwardly. She was just an unloved cheap princess but she had really treated him like a dish.

“I’ll let you be arrogant for a while longer today. When it’s time for the wedding in the future, you’ll cry!”

Xiao Juan happened to catch the change in Wei Huai’en’s expression at this moment.

He did not know what Wei Huai En was going to do, but he could guess that Princess Tao Ran was definitely going to be unlucky next.

On the surface, Wei Huai’en looked kind and smiled at everyone. He seemed to be a good person, but how could someone who had climbed from a young eunuch to his current position really be a good person?

Xiao Juan’s ruthlessness could be seen on the surface.

Wei Huai En was different.

His ruthlessness was all hidden in the dark, making it impossible to guard against him.

Usually, when the old cabinet ministers entered the palace to discuss matters, they would be polite to Wei Huai’en. No one dared to underestimate the most trusted eunuch beside this emperor.

Only Princess Tao Ran relied on her status and did not take Wei Huai’en seriously, thinking that he was really just a lowly eunuch.

As soon as Princess Tao Ran left, the two guards heaved a sigh of relief.

They quickly finished ten rounds, then hurriedly threw the court staffs and apologized to Duke Lang.

“Please forgive us, Your Highness. We were just following orders. We were really forced to do this.”

Xiao Juan did not feel much pain. He knew that they had shown mercy and said calmly.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t blame you.”

The two guards heaved a sigh of relief. “Your Highness is really magnanimous!”

Xiao Juan left the palace on foot as usual.

At this moment, Princess Tao Ran was crying to the old emperor in the study.

“Father, Xiao Juan and Wei Huai’en ganged up to bully me!

Xiao Juan had clearly bullied me, but Wei Huaien still spoke up for Xiao Juan.

“The two of them are in cahoots. Father, you have to stand up for me!”

The old emperor said helplessly.

“You always say that Xiao Juan bullied you, but you can’t produce evidence. What can I do? Even if I’m the Son of Heaven, I can’t convict someone without evidence.”

Princess Tao Ran wiped her tears and said angrily.

“What evidence do you need for such a thing? He had already done everything. Did he still want to deny it? Either he marries me or he dies!”

The old emperor advised, “Xiao Juan is a duke, not some Tom, Dick, or Harry. His life and death cannot be determined with just a few words from you.”

“If you can’t come up with anything to try and incriminate him, then calm down and stop fooling around.”

“Do you know that your reputation is already terrible now? Do you still want to get married in the future?”

Princess Tao Ran did not feel that there was anything wrong with her actions.

“I’ll only marry Xiao Juan in my life. What does what others think of me have to do with me?!”

The old emperor’s head ached at her impenetrable appearance.

At this moment, he could not help but think of Wei Huai’en’s suggestion.

He only had two daughters. Regardless of how deep their relationship was, they were at least his flesh and blood. He could not bear to marry them to a foreign country.

However, now that Princess Tao Ran was desperate for a man, her reputation in the capital was completely ruined.

It was almost impossible to choose a good consort for her in the future. But she was a girl after all. It was impossible for her to never get married.

After thinking about it, marrying her far into the Chen Nation was the most suitable choice.

This way, he could successfully marry her off and improve the relationship between the two countries. He had solved two problems at the same time. It could be said to be killing two birds with one stone!

Thinking of this, the old emperor made a decision.

But he did not say this thought directly. Instead, he comforted her gently.

“I know what you mean, but this is a serious matter. I have to think about how to deal with Xiao Juan.

“Go back first and recuperate well. Don’t cause any more trouble.”

Princess Tao Ran believed her father’s words and thought that he would really deal with Xiao Juan. She felt reluctant. After all, that was the man she loved deeply.

But then she felt happy.

Who asked him not to know what was good for him? He deserved to die!

“Thank you, Father. You’re so good to me. I’ll take my leave first.”

“Go back, go back.”

Wei Huai’en sent Princess Tao Ran out.

Before leaving, Princess Tao Ran even looked at Wei Huai’en disdainfully.

The meaning was self-evident.

Wei Huai’en was calm and did not look embarrassed at all. He kept a smile on his face. He waited until she was gone before he stopped smiling.

The young eunuch behind him complained softly, “That Princess Tao Ran is too much. She actually doesn’t take you seriously at all.”

Wei Huai’en replied casually, “Don’t worry about her. She’s just a little girl who doesn’t know anything.”

With that, he casually flicked his horsetail whisk, as if shaking off some insignificant dust.

He then asked, “How’s the progress on Ah Liao’s side?”

The young eunuch reported truthfully.

“Young Master Wei Liao has already found some clues according to the clues you gave. Imperial Concubine Yue’s death back then is very likely related to Empress Wen.”

Wei Huai En looked thoughtful.

“Empress Wen?”