Chapter 57 (1/1)

Wanyan Xu's heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly, as he hurriedly descended froon Throne was set up, he heard Wanyan Shuo's furious voice ringing out from beyond the palace hall:　“Who… Who allowed you people to beat hi that, Wanyan Xu was both alarmed and afraid, and he hurried outside The assembled ministers also promptly followed him out Once in the courtyard, Wanyan XU saw that Wanyan Shuo was standing next to the long bench that Su Yi had been tied to for the course of his punishuards that were carrying out the punishment The white prison attire that Su Yi, as still bound to the bench, earing had becoh with perspiration and clearly showed that in the area of his knees, the bleeding flesh had becoled Wanyan Xu's head spun, and he al hi himself in front of Su Yi to take a look at his face, only to see that although blood was dripping from his lips, he had already fainted

“Su… Su Su…” In his heartache, he could onlythat face, which was covered with cold sweat He suddenly heard Wanyan Shuo sob: “Imperial Father… Imperial Father don’t let thes… has been… has been… they have… they have already broken one of his legs”

These words ca Wanyan Xu to snap his head up suddenly to stare at his son Almost stupefied, he could only say: “You… what did you say?”

Wanyan Shuo rubbed away his tears roughly, pointing a finger accusingly at the two palace guards he said with hate: “It’s all because of these two and their skulduggery I listened for such a long ti off When I rushed out to take a look, I saw that it was because these two scoundrels had concentrated all their blows on Mother Empress's knees That's why the sound of the rod i flesh was notout loudly with 'pa pa' sounds I took a close look just now, that’s how I discovered that one of Mother Es… has already been… has already been…”

Wanyan Xu was rooted to the spot, standing stock-still he stared at Su Yi's s, unable to tear his eyes away He found the ee On one hand, he felt like his heart was being ain On the other hand, there was a startling but undeniable rush of satisfaction rising from the bottom of his heart In histhese words in a loop: His leg is broken, his leg is broken, now that it’s broken he can never run away anymore, can’t run away anymore…”

“I his own Irief However, as he looked on, he saw that after his father gave hilance he turned his head to look at the assorted h clenched teeth: “How many more stokes?”

One of the palace guards stood forward and answered: “Reporting to Your Majesty, twenty strokes are yet to be administered”

Wanyan Xu clenched his fists Steeling his heart, he said: “Continue to carry out the punishs anylance for Su Yi as still unconscious on the bench and briskly strode back to the hall

Wanyan Shuo stared with utter disbelief at the retreating backs of his I ministers as they disappeared back into the hall When the sound of the rod striking Su Yi rang again in his ear, he felt his nose twitching as he began to tear up again Suddenly, he rushed over and draped his own body across Su Yi's back and said loudly: “I will bear the re twenty strokes on his behalf, you can hit me instead”

Stuuards ceased theirto strike Wanyan Shuo Wanyan Shuo put on the unreasonable demeanour he usually wore, and said to the eunuchs and palace maids who had come forward to try to pry him off Su Yi: “If any of you dare to touch me, you’ll have to live with the consequences I’ll make sure of it!” His threat scared those people so much that they did not dare to h and soet up, don’t s any more difficult for His Majesty” When he raised his head to investigate, he found that Zi Yan and Zi Nong were standing by his back, and those words had actually come from Zi Yan's mouth

Wanyan Shuo looked at them cautiously, on the alert in case either of them tried to forcibly re to leave Su Yi, Zi Yan said: “Do you really think that the E this because he is heartless and is repudiating the relationshi+p they had in the past? That's a misconception Su Yi's has co his life, His Majesty is already guilty of showing favouritis objections was because none of them wanted to appear to be disloyal if they had caused the Emperor to lose face with their opposition Now, if they see the E favouritis, it will be as plain as day to them that the Emperor is still deeply devoted to Su Yi and that he does not have even the slightest determination to punish him How could the ministers ever countenance that a traitor who deserted the Emperor and fled to plot a rebellion should live on and continue to bewitch the Eement? In that event, even if the Emperor desires to preserve his life, I' hihness the Crown Prince really wishes to save hiuards co twenty strokes”

Wanyan Shuo slowly released his grip on Su Yi and Zi Nong rushed forward to sweep him up in her arms In a choked voice she said: “Your huhness back to his palace” So saying, she left with hi back towards Su Yi as they left Here, the palace guards took up their rods again, after they had carried out the full sentence, they went into the palace hall to report that the deed was done

Wanyan Xu then asked indifferently: “Zi Yan, has a room in the servant quarters been made ready for the Empress?” Zi Yan replied that it was indeed ready Wanyan Xu then sighed and said: “Command a few people to carry him over there, and send for an Iive him some medicine Wait until wait until his injuries have healed before putting him to work” With that said, he looked at the assembled court and said: “Any other business?”

He Jian stepped out fro to Your Majesty, Su Yi did not appreciate your sacred kindness, the crime he has committed --- to deceive the Emperor --- is truly ranted him more leniency than the law allows for Now that he has been reduced to a slave, your loyal minister feels that Your Majesty should draft an Ihout the land that Su Yi has been stripped of his position as the Erant this request” Once he had completed his speech, the rest of the ministers echoed his sentiments unanimously