"Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince was injured while saving me. I don't understand why he's being blamed." Just as everyone thought it would remain quiet, Xia Tian Meng stood up, looking straight at Emperor Wei with a complex expression that was hard to decipher, "Everything started because of me, I hope Your Majesty will mete out punishment."

  Even a simple movement like bowing and kneeling can be done with a sense of elegance and fearlessness.

  He looked at her with a slight headache, seeing only the straight back that was sticking out. Only then did he realize that Meng Ya was never someone who would just hide behind others and wait to be protected.

  The Emperor gazed at Xia Tian Meng, his dark and profound eyes filled with a sense of oppression. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "The Second Prince failed to protect his younger brother, as punishment, his salary will be halved for half a year, and he is forbidden from leaving the mansion for a month!"

  After finishing speaking, he turned around to look at Lan Xuanfan who was preparing to pull out the arrow for Nan Jiu and said: "If there's anything that needs 'medicine' materials, just go to the palace to take them."

  Nan Yi Xiu felt a sense of bewilderment for the first time, not because he was punished, but rather because he looked at Wei Wuji and then at Xia Tianmeng, who was kneeling silently. He didn't understand why his father, who had praised Xia Tianmeng several times before, would be so cold towards her now, as if she wasn't the excellent daughter-in-law he had in mind!

  He noticed the strange natural phenomenon and also thought of Nan Qi, who had been paying attention to Wei Wu Di. His heart was even more complicated and puzzled. He remembered how his father emperor treated Xia Tian Miao when he was young in the palace, which was almost completely different from now.

  ————

  "Hehehe - a bit higher! Higher!"

  At the age of six, Nan Qi had just returned to the palace from school. Because she remembered that her mother's favorite peony 'flower' was in bloom, she went to the imperial flower garden, wanting to pick a peony 'flower' for her queen mother. As soon as she entered through the east gate, she heard the clear and crisp laughter unique to girls.

  For a moment, he was somewhat perplexed. He remembered that although his father had two princesses, they were not favored due to their mother's lowly status. So who was this person laughing so freely in the imperial garden?

  He let out a soft "hiss", ignoring the eunuchs' attempts to stop him, and secretly hid under the peach blossom tree, where he saw the person sitting in the pavilion on the lake.

  That was the father emperor he had never seen before, smiling like a kind father. He held in his arms a four or five-year-old little girl, wearing a light yellow silk skirt, with a delicate and pretty face, and when she smiled, there were two dimples.

  She was hugging her father's neck, giggling: "Hehehe - Uncle Emperor, a bit higher! I want to reach the 'flower' above!"

  Sitting on the stone chair, silently sipping tea, Xia Tai Shifu followed the girl's pointing finger upwards and couldn't help but burst out laughing: "My child is ambitious! I'm afraid even if your uncle the Emperor were to lift you up, he still wouldn't be able to reach the auspicious clouds above the eaves!"

  Nan Qi only then realized that the 'girl' was actually Xia Taishi's daughter, and seeing how much Xia Taishi doted on his daughter made her feel incredibly envious.

  Then he saw that the emperor had actually used his light skill, allowing the 'girl' to touch the corner of the eaves. She clapped her hands and laughed happily: "Uncle Emperor is the best! So amazing!"

  The emperor carefully placed her on the ground, full of tender love, gently stroking her hair, and smiled: "Meng Meng is still so lovely and moving, with a demeanor that has followed you, I'm afraid in the future, many young men will be infatuated!"

  The summer teacher who was teased by his father could only slightly raise an eyebrow: "I don't expect her to marry anyone, as long as she can be safe and smooth, I will be at ease." His eyes were filled with unspeakable tenderness and worry.

  The Emperor stretched out his hand to hold onto Xia Taishi's shoulder, comforting him: "You're just thinking too much, with me here, Mengmeng will definitely be able to enjoy all the glory in the future."

  Xia Taishi looked at his lovely daughter and slowly revealed a smile: "I hope so."

  That was when he remembered how his father had especially doted on Xia Tian Miao with unprecedented tenderness and pampering.

  Although he didn't understand why.

  He also asked his mother, but the answer he got was that he was not diligent in his studies and was punished by being forced to copy out the "Three Character Classic" ten times.

  After that, he buried this doubt deep in his heart.

  There are always differences between people.

  ————

  "Qingxu is able to care for his younger brother, and they are close as siblings. This is not in vain for the emperor's cultivation."

  Nan Qi Hui Shen, facing the intimidating gaze of Emperor Wei, slightly cupped his hands: "This is the duty of your son." Regardless of whether Father Emperor was satisfied with him for loving and caring for his brothers, he would always take care of Xiao Er and Lao Jiu.

  "Uh—"

  Lan Xiao Fan drew out an arrow with a "whoosh", and even his own forehead was covered in sweat, feeling that this time he had used up all his "jing" energy.

  The wound only oozed a little dark blood and then stopped. Lan Xiao Fan carefully scraped out the rotten flesh with a sharp knife.

  Nanjue furrowed her brow tightly, as the movement behind her caused all the muscles in her body to tense up.

  Wei Ai frowned: "Why didn't you use Ma Fei San to relieve Xiao Jiu's pain?" This kind of brutal flesh-cutting isn't something anyone can endure!

  Lan Xiao carefully scraped off the rotting flesh, replying: "This piece has already been eroded by poison, applying any medicine will be useless. I can only hurry up, so as to let him suffer less!" She also knew the pain of scraping off flesh, but this was the most effective way!

  "Be careful!" Nang Jiu suddenly gasped, opening her eyes wide. The dark eyes were still filled with confusion and panic.

  "Old Nine!"

  "Xiao Jiu!"

  "Old Ninth!"

  Three loud shouts brought Nanjiu back to his senses, and he slightly turned his head to notice the severe pain on his back. He understood what Lan Xuanfan was doing and gritted his teeth to endure it.

  Waiting to see the Emperor of Wei walking quickly, he 'exposed' a look of surprise: "Father?" Hurriedly regaining his composure, "Your son pays respects to Your Majesty! Forgive your son for not being able to rise to greet you!"

  Wei Ai patted his shoulder and nodded: "It's alright. Xiao Jiu, take good care of yourself and never let something like this happen again! Let the Emperor worry about you!"

  Nan Jiu was visibly moved and hastily said, "Letting the Emperor worry is my fault!" As he spoke, Yu Jiao saw Xiatian Meng kneeling there and looked at Weixie Emperor in shock, "Your Majesty! What's going on with Miss Xia?"

  Wei Ai's eyes gazed deeply at him for a moment before he slowly spoke: "She said you were hurt because of her..."

  Nan Jiu hastily explained, not even caring about the wound on his back as he tried to get out of bed: "Your Majesty! It's not Miss Xia's fault! I was careless and that's why I got hurt! Please don't make things difficult for her!" How could he bear to see her being punished for his own sake?

  The Emperor saw him grasp his wrist, staring at his eyes and asked: "You know that Xia Tian Meng is the tacitly approved crown princess, why did you sacrifice yourself to save her?"

  Nan Jiu Meng's body stiffened, his hands grasping the edge of the bed frame clenched into fists. He lifted his head and fixed his gaze on Wei Xie Emperor, saying: "Your Majesty, I am fond of her."

  As if he hadn't noticed the sudden silence in the room, he continued to speak: "Your Majesty, I am sorry to my elder brother. But...I really like her."

  He raised his head and met Xia Tian's shocked eyes, forcing a faint smile: "I don't want you to be heartbroken, I don't want you to bear the blame."

  Just because he likes her.