The jade pendant in their hands belonged to the Fourth Prince.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The eunuchs, not expecting anyone to be in such a secluded spot, were startled and about to run away when the guards behind Yan Xinyi rushed forward and apprehended them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xinyi snatched the jade pendant from the eunuch''s hand and demanded, "Where is the Fourth Prince?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When the eunuch tried to evade the question, Yan Xinyi immediately pressed a guard''s sword to his throat: "Speak! Where is the Fourth Prince?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her father had warned her that the time around Concubine Zhen''s impending delivery would be the most dangerous. There were too many in the pce who didn''t want her to give birth safely, so she must protect Concubine Zhen at all costs.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Concubine Zhen had entrusted the Fourth Prince to her care, and she was determined to ensure his safety.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This time, she had been careless. She thought there would be no danger in such a public ce as the Imperial Garden, especially since she had been bringing the Fourth Prince to y here for over ten days without incident.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That''s why she deliberately went to retrieve the ball, allowing the pce servants to turn a blind eye, not wanting to spoil the Fourth Prince''s fun. She had nned to go find him after he finished hiding.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But then Eunuch Jiang Chuan came to fetch them, saying Concubine Zhen noticed it might rain soon and wanted them to return early.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The eunuch, his neck skin broken by the sword, frantically pointed inside: "He''s... he''s in there..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Behind the pile of rocks, the Fourth Princey unconscious. Yan Xinyi quickly scooped him up and ran towards Hexi Pce, not forgetting to call back: "Bring them along, to await the Concubine''s judgment."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Little Man fainted?" Jiang Xinyue sat up abruptly, causing a wave of pain in her belly and an aching sensation in her lower back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan the Imperial Physician had recently moved into a luxurious room in Hexi Pce, which was actually just a side hall that Jiang Xinyue had hastily prepared.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But after all, this was the Imperial Pce! And it was the residence specially arranged by the Emperor for Concubine Zhen, so naturally even the side halls were far superior to Yan the Imperial Physician''s own home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Yan Xinyi returned carrying the unconscious Fourth Prince, Yan the Imperial Physician was sunbathing in the courtyard. He jumped up in rm and hurriedly checked the prince''s pulse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"It''s alright, he just fainted from anger and shock."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ultimately, it was due to his weak constitution. Building up one''s health takes time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue didn''t think it was alright at all. Little Man was now her son, and someone dared to bully him? Did they think she was dead?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Where are those eunuchs? Bring them here," she said coldly. "I want to see who was bold enough to dare bully my son."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The four eunuchs knelt down in unison, ncing at each other, all afraid to meet Jiang Xinyue''s gaze.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What was going on? Wasn''t Concubine Zhen supposed to have adopted the Fourth Prince just to appear kind-hearted, not actually caring about his well-being?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This didn''t seem to be the case at all.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Qian Sheng saw the four men, his teeth clenched audibly, and his pale face flushed red as his hands balled into tight fists at his sides.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue understood immediately. These four weren''t first-time offenders in bullying the Fourth Prince; they were habitual abusers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now that they had fallen into her hands, she wouldn''t let them off easily.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The atmosphere was tense, with no one breaking the silence. At the head of the room, Concubine Zhen sat with her eyes closed, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of her chair, creating a sense of urgency.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The four eunuchs knelt on the ground, exchanging nces, thinking Jiang Xinyue didn''t notice. In reality, she observed everything through narrowed eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The eunuch who had stolen the Fourth Prince''s jade pendant gritted his teeth and put on a sycophantic smile: "Concubine Zhen, this ve..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Eunuch Qian, p his face!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At the coldmand, Jiang Chuan, who had been waiting nearby, quickly ced a ruler in Qian Sheng''s hand and encouraged him with a determined look, as if to say: Go on! Release all the grievances you and the Fourth Prince have endured over the years.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qian Sheng gripped the ruler tightly as he stepped forward, his eyes hardening...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"p! p! p! p..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With his arm swinging in full force, Eunuch Qian''sbat power skyrocketed as he struck the man''s face. After just a few ps, the eunuch was nearly beaten unconscious, barely able to maintain his kneeling position.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With each resounding p, the faces of the other three eunuchs twitched. Though the blows weren''tnding on their own cheeks, they felt their turn woulde soon enough.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Thud!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After more than twenty ps, the eunuch finally couldn''t take it anymore. He copsed heavily onto the ground, spitting out two of his mrs.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the entire hall of Hexi Pce, only Qian Sheng''s heavy breathing could be heard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was exhausted from the beating, his right hand trembling and palm burning hot. But strangely, he no longer felt sickly. Instead, he felt invigorated.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was as if the pent-up frustration in his chest had been dispersed by the beating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qian Sheng bowed deeply to Jiang Xinyue, then retreated to Jiang Chuan''s side, silently staring at the remaining three eunuchs.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Concubine Zhen had closed her eyes again, not saying a word or questioning them. What did she intend?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As time ticked by, when Jiang Xinyue impatiently opened her eyes, another eunuch was trembling violently, the back of his robe soaked through with sweat, turning a deep blue: "Concubine Zhen, this ve... this ve deserves death. This ve shouldn''t have coveted the Fourth Prince''s wealth. This ve..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"p his face!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Without any superfluous words, as Qian Sheng was exhausted, Jiang Chuan rolled up his sleeves and took over.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"p!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This is for you heartless beasts bullying defenseless elders and children!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"p!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This is for withholding Eunuch Qian and the Fourth Prince''s allowances, causing their poor health!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"p!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This is for looking down on others, venting your own frustrations on the elderly and children!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"p!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This is for being rabid dogs, still daring to cause trouble even when the Fourth Prince has powerful backing!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If he couldn''t beat these scum to death, he wouldn''t be worthy of the name Jiang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Isn''t Concubine Zhen carrying out private punishment?" One pale-faced eunuch, his forehead covered in cold sweat, asked with terrified eyes that held a glimmer of hope. "Pce rules state that all concubines and pce servants should be under the Empress''s management. The rewards and punishments of pce servants must be decided by the Empress. Concubine Zhen is setting up a private court in Hexi Pce, which vites pce rules."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue''s gaze fell on him, her lips curling into a contemptuous smile. "So what? Go ahead and report me!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Report to whom?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If they reported to the Emperor, he would surely execute them without asking for details. After all, this was the favored concubine who had survived the witchcraft incident unscathed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If they reported to the Empress, she would certainly inquire about the reasons. Once it involved bullying and beating the Fourth Prince, ording to pce rules, it wouldn''t be as simple as face-pping - it would be a capital offense.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When no one was investigating, they might have escaped punishment. But now that someone was seeking justice for the Fourth Prince, they had no way out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Thud!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The second eunuch also copsed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Thud!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The fourth eunuch next to the pale-faced one also fell, fainting from the sight of the other two eunuchs'' bloodied and swollen faces.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0