Return of the Swallow

Chapter 423.2: Cause and Effect

“Since there is no great affliction, it would be good to go home and rest.” Li Qitian nodded worriedly.

Pang Xiao stood up with his wife in a princess carry, addressing the imperial physician when something suddenly struck him. “Since you took my wife’s pulse, this prince will have to trouble you to take care of my wife’s health in the future.”

A simple request was enough to enable the physician’s heart to settle back in its chest. Because the prince wished for him to take care of the princess consort, as furious as the empress dowager might be, she wouldn’t dare hurt him.

The prince purposefully said this because he’s worried that I might wrapped up in this after speaking the truth. He wants to save me.

The physician quickly bent in a bow. “Understood, this old man will do everything in my power.”

Pang Xiao nodded, then turned back to look at the empress dowager and teary Li Helan.

“This prince would really like to know what precisely took place here. She was perfectly fine when entering the palace, but somehow fainted of shock after a conversation in the Palace of Serene Piety? And just what did the Princess of Anyang spew in her drunken rage?”

In his fury, his threatening tone loomed over the group like thunderclouds over city walls. Even the emperor felt a sense of menacing oppression. The two women didn’t dare meet Pang Xiao’s vicious stare at all.

In an effort to alleviate the atmosphere, Li Qitian bid the servants to prepare the carriage and turned to give the physician clear orders to take care of Qin Yining.

With his reply of acknowledgement, the imperial physician left the palace with the newlyweds.

It wasn’t until their figures vanished into the distance, and the hall devoid of all palace servants, that Li Qitian finally furiously flung over a table.

Crockery smashed onto the floor in an ear-piercing mess, further adding to one’s frustrations.

“What happened here?! Didn’t We say that Pang Zhixi is Our right hand man that We are to make heavy use of? You turn straight around and bully his wife at the drop of a hat! Just what are both of you thinking?! Are you here to hold Us back or embarrass Us??”

“Royal brother, you’ve misunderstand. It really is that I had a bit to drink earlier and lost control of my emotions. That née Qin showed absolutely no respect to me. If she really did faint from anger, that’s on her.”

“How dare you quibble with Us??” Li Qitian snorted dismissively. “Do you think everyone’s blind and dumb? You’ve insulted Our two right hand men, just what kind of straits do you wish to throw Us into?! We value Ji Lan highly and wanted to be one family, which is why he was chosen to be your prince consort. What’s bad about Ji Lan, hmm? With his accomplishments in keeping the Tartars in line, stunning capability and appearance, you tell Us in what way he’s inferior to you!”

Li Qitian had always doted on Li Helan and rarely lost his temper with her, especially when outsiders were present in the form of Ji Zeyu.

Stunned by the interrogation, the princess replied with trembling lips, “Not at all. Royal brother, you’ve misunderstood. The prince consort’s misunderstood as well, I don’t meant that at all.”

“That’s right, Anyang isn’t that kind of girl at all. You’re Anyang’s blood brother and watched her grow up. You know what kind of person she is.” The empress dowager hastily stepped forward to pacify the raging emperor.

Li Qitian was about to explode from rage. He ignored the fact that his own mother was in front of him. “If it wasn’t for you spoiling her and not disciplining her at all, would she be like this now?? Turning resentful of the world just because you can’t have what you want, thinking everyone in the world owes her this—not only can you not share Our worries, but you add to them at every turn. What use have We for a sister like you!”

“Your Majesty!” Color drained from the empress dowager’s face. Did Li Qitian want to kill Li Helan?

She tugged on Li Qitian’s hand. “Your Majesty, don’t be impulsive. Lan’er is your blood sister.”

“Yes, she is Our blood sister, but what has she done for Us? Nothing, and wrecks plans whenever possible!” Li Qitian marched over and jabbed at Li Helan’s nose. “You don’t bother with living your life after receiving your prince consort and try to stir up trouble everywhere. You even have the courage to clash with an official ordained madame—for none other than her husband! Won’t you want to die of shame if word of this gets out? You may not be, but even We are embarrassed on your behalf!”

“Royal brother!” Li Helan stared incredulously and choked up. “Royal brother, how can you talk to Lan’er like this?”

“And are We wrong? You know the answer to that. From this moment onwards, you get the hell back to your manor and are grounded. You will copy ‘Lessons for Women’ everyday until Our satisfaction is reached. If you display good behavior and revert to your mature, biddable self, then We will let you out. Otherwise, you will copy ‘Lessons for Women’ for the rest of your life, do you hear Us!?”

Li Helan swayed, as if she’d been struck by lightning. Ji Zeyu looked down, seemingly having not seen at all. Then again, he wouldn’t lift a hand to help her even if she was by his side.

“Royal brother, Lan’er doesn’t want to, Lan’er doesn’t want to!”

“What, you want to defy an imperial decree?” Li Qitian’s expression darkened.

The princess shuddered from fright. She really could tell now that her brother was a ruthless sort. He didn’t care about past history at all. If it benefited his position, she’d probably already be six feet under.