Chapter 1872: Don't Care About Face, Just Help Him Save Face

The people around were startled and looked nervously at the two.

Many wanted to speak but hesitated; no one dared to advise the Crown Prince. Although the Crown Prince was foolish, he was extremely unreasonable when he became overbearing. The eunuchs and palace maids in the Eastern Palace were often dragged out and beaten dozens of times with sticks simply for offending him while playing games. The fragile bodies of these young eunuchs and palace maids could not withstand such abuse; they were either crippled or beaten to death.

Sometimes the Crown Princess would intervene, but as he was the Crown Prince, she also needed to consider his dignity and authority, so she couldn't stop him every time. Over the years, dozens of palace maids and eunuchs had been killed or maimed. However, no one expected the Crown Prince to lose his temper with Zu An this time, as Zu An's status was nothing like that of ordinary palace maids.

"Why are you all just standing there? Beat him!" Zhao Ruizhi's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he eagerly anticipated seeing someone beaten to a bloody pulp.

Rong Mo, a palace maid who had originally come out to greet Zu An, saw this and her expression changed. She quickly turned around and rushed back to find the Crown Princess. Although she had always disliked Zu An, believing he had usurped her position in the Crown Princess's heart, as the Crown Princess's personal maid, she understood the gravity of the situation. How could she allow the Crown Prince to beat Zu An?

At this moment, the other palace maids and eunuchs looked awkward. Forced by the Crown Prince, they could only gather around Zu An and whisper, "Lord Zu, perhaps we can go outside and put on a show to appease the Crown Prince first?"

Zu An ignored the palace maids and eunuchs beside him. Instead, he took a step forward and declared, "Crown Prince, the imperial court is undergoing significant changes. You should focus on your studies; how can you spend all your days merely playing?" He wasn't even afraid of his invincible father, so how could he fear this fellow? He had originally intended to cooperate to save everyone face, but since the Crown Prince disregarded dignity, he would help him find it.

Having teetered on the brink of death countless times and faced the world's most formidable individuals, Zu An naturally exuded an imposing aura. It was an aura that a fool like Zhao Ruizhi simply couldn't withstand. When Zu An glared at him, he recoiled several steps, stuttering, "I... I..." His previous arrogance was gone; his entire being trembled. Although foolish, his instincts remained, allowing him to instinctively feel fear in the presence of a powerful being.

Seeing the Crown Prince so thoroughly reprimanded that he couldn't raise his head, the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs were astonished. They never imagined that, apart from the Crown Princess, Lord Zu could also control the Crown Prince.

Just then, a young eunuch beside the Crown Prince suddenly stepped forward. "How dare you, Zu An! You are merely a subject, yet you show such disrespect to the Crown Prince! Kneel and kowtow! And are those guards blind? Seize him at once!" He glanced disdainfully at the others nearby, thinking how foolish they were to miss such a golden opportunity. If he helped the Crown Prince when he needed it most, the Crown Prince would surely remember his good deed. Afterward, he would undoubtedly rise in status and become the Crown Prince's most trusted confidant. Soon, everyone in the palace, except for Chief Eunuch Wen and Chief Eunuch Lü, would show him respect. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Chief Eunuch Wen and Chief Eunuch Lü would be insignificant.

Zu An cast a glance at the eunuch, a new face he hadn't seen before. He was likely recently assigned to the Crown Prince's side and was trying to make an impression on his new master. Zu An naturally wouldn't indulge him. "This official is the Crown Prince's Chief Tutor, personally appointed by His Majesty. I oversee all matters in the Eastern Palace and have the duty to instruct the Crown Prince. When I see the Crown Prince straying, I naturally have the obligation to educate him."

"As someone close to the Crown Prince, you not only failed to advise him during his playtime but instead encouraged his arrogance and sought favor through flattery, completely corrupting him. Guards! Drag this treacherous sycophant out and beat him to death with sticks!"

"Yes, sir!" Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun had been seething with suppressed anger. Hearing the command, they immediately entered, seized the young eunuch, and dragged him out. The young eunuch instantly panicked, struggling desperately. "Crown Prince, save me! Crown Prince, say something!" His voice quickly faded, clearly being dragged further and further away.

The other palace maids and eunuchs in the Eastern Palace couldn't help but swallow. They used to think Lord Zu was kind, but this time he had become so formidable. As for the young eunuch, no one sympathized with him. In the palace, those who went to extreme lengths to curry favor never came to a good end.

Zhao Ruizhi was now trembling. He found Zu An's eyes terrifying, as if they belonged to a prehistoric beast ready to devour him. He stammered frantically, "Can't I just... not want the gifts anymore?"

Zu An, however, walked directly to a nearby table and picked up the ruler from its stand. "The Crown Prince should be focusing his attention on governing affairs, yet now he only knows how to play and fool around. To prevent the Crown Prince from becoming too unruly in the future, it is naturally my duty as Chief Tutor to discipline him on behalf of His Majesty." With that, he walked towards the Crown Prince.

"Mama!" Zhao Ruizhi was terrified out of his wits. He tried to flee, but for some reason, his body felt completely controlled, unable to muster any strength. He could only manage to turn around, attempting to run into the inner room. "Linglong, save me... Ah!"

At that moment, Zu An directly struck his backside with the ruler. With a sharp smack, everyone could imagine, just from the sound, how the fleshy part of the Crown Prince's buttocks trembled from the blow. The surrounding eunuchs and palace maids exchanged bewildered glances. Someone dared to strike the Crown Prince? Even Prince Qi hadn't gone this far back then. Yet, no one dared to intervene. The recent fate of that little eunuch who courted death was a fresh deterrent, and no one wanted to invite similar trouble. Moreover, strictly speaking, Zu An was the Crown Prince's tutor, so disciplining him was entirely legitimate.

Many even secretly applauded. These palace maids and eunuchs had suffered greatly under the Crown Prince's tyranny, but they had always been too afraid to voice their anger. Despite their silent cheers, their hearts were in turmoil. They dared not intervene, yet they feared being implicated if they didn't. They could only look pleadingly toward the Crown Princess's bedchamber. In this situation, only the Crown Princess's intervention seemed capable of resolving matters.

Someone was about to go report, when they saw the Crown Princess slowly emerging. She wore a golden phoenix hairpin, its tassels swaying with her every step, creating a clear, crisp sound. The vibrant red flower pattern between her brows accentuated her delicate skin, making it appear even more pristine and flawless. Her exquisite face twitched slightly at the sight before her. Rong Mo had originally reported that the Crown Prince was causing trouble for Zu An, and she had rushed over to intervene. But how had it turned into Zu An single-handedly beating the Crown Prince?

"Linglong, save me, quick!" Zhao Ruizhi had been struck dozens of times, his plump backside bruised and slightly bleeding. As he cried out in pain, seeing Bi Linglong was like seeing a savior.

All eyes fell on the Crown Princess, eager to see her reaction. She would likely be angry. The Crown Prince was her husband, yet he was being reprimanded by another man. Although it was the Crown Prince who was being beaten, her own prestige was also diminished. Of course, Lord Zu was a vital official of the Eastern Palace, so the Crown Princess likely wouldn't be too harsh on him. With the Crown Princess's wisdom, she would surely find a solution that satisfied everyone.

Just then, the Crown Princess spoke. Her voice was clear and pleasant, yet carried an innate coolness and detachment. "Why are you calling me, Crown Prince? Lord Zu is effectively your tutor. When he sees something wrong, he should naturally correct it. In fact, it is my failing; I advised you before, but you wouldn't listen. I should have changed my approach long ago. Now, Lord Zu has done exactly what I've wanted to do all this time."

Hearing her words, Zhao Ruizhi instantly lost his last shred of hope and hurriedly begged Zu An for mercy. "Lord Zu, I was wrong. Please, stop hitting me!"

In front of the Crown Princess, Zu An decided to save her some face. He smoothly placed the ruler back. "As the saying goes, good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice grates on the ear. I hope the Crown Prince learns his lesson and returns to the right path from now on."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Zhao Ruizhi nodded frantically.

Witnessing this scene, everyone in the Eastern Palace was stunned. Everyone had expected the Crown Princess would not heavily reprimand Lord Zu, but they never anticipated her not saying a single word of blame. Instead, she joined him in scolding the Crown Prince. How to describe that scene? It was as if a couple was disciplining their son. It felt strange and out of place, yet upon closer thought, it also seemed perfectly natural. They even felt a certain admiration for the Crown Princess, who indeed seemed utterly selfless and unswayed by personal feelings. Even the most renowned officials of ancient times were no more impartial.

Alas, marrying the Crown Prince was truly like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung...

"Lord Zu, come with me. I have some questions for you regarding what happened in Purple Mountain." After Bi Linglong spoke, she turned and walked towards an inner room, giving Zu An no chance to object. Zu An quickly followed, watching her elegant and slender back. Listening to the pleasant jingle of the jade pendants and tassels on her attire, his heart gradually settled. As if sensing his intense gaze, a faint blush appeared on Bi Linglong's otherwise expressionless face, which she had maintained to uphold her dignity as the Crown Princess.

They soon arrived at her bedchamber. Bi Linglong dismissed the surrounding palace maids. "Lord Zu and I have confidential matters to discuss. Rong Mo, stand guard at the door and permit no one to approach!"

"Yes, madam!" As her personal maid, Rong Mo naturally knew the importance of the situation. Without further thought, she led the other palace maids outside. It was widely rumored that the Emperor had already passed away. At such a time, no one was concerned about adhering to rules and etiquette.

The moment the door closed, just as Zu An was about to speak, a wisp of fragrant breeze enveloped him. Bi Linglong let out a soft murmur and threw herself into his arms. Her fresh, luscious lips pressed against his. Breathing in her sweet scent, Zu An instinctively wrapped his arms tightly around her slender waist. A pair of young lovers, reunited after a long separation, had no need for superfluous words. They simply expressed their burning love, as if desperate to intertwine themselves with each other.

"Don't kiss my neck, it leaves marks..."

Meanwhile, Zhao Ruizhi, after being beaten, grew increasingly resentful the more he thought about it. However, recalling Zu An's intimidating gaze, he naturally dared not confront him. He pondered, thinking he should still ask Linglong for help; she usually stood up for him. But when he arrived at the entrance of her bedchamber, Rong Mo blocked his way.

Zhao Ruizhi immediately became annoyed. "I want to see Linglong!"

Rong Mo replied with difficulty, "The Crown Princess is currently discussing important matters with Lord Zu inside. She is not seeing anyone right now."