Your Majesty, the Good-for-Nothing You Exiled to the Frontier Has Become Emperor! - Chapter 3:

Chapter 3: Holding Someone Accountable

“Where is Cao Feng, heir of the Zhenbei Marquis?”

A sharp, shrill voice rang out along the long street.

The crowd that had gathered to watch Cao Feng jump from the building turned their heads, fear spreading across their faces.

The onlookers quickly stepped back and made way.

An elderly eunuch with graying hair strode forward proudly until he stood before Cao Zhen and his son.

Behind him followed more than ten cold-faced men dressed in black. They were the dreaded Black Guard, whose very name struck fear into people’s hearts.

Cao Zhen rose to his feet and shielded Cao Feng behind him.

He stared at the eunuch and his group, his pupils narrowing and his expression grave.

If it is fortune, it is not disaster. If it is disaster, it cannot be avoided.

What was meant to come had finally come.

“Eunuch Gui.”

Cao Zhen cupped his hands toward the elderly eunuch.

Eunuch Gui gave a slight nod.

“Marquis Cao.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Cao Feng standing behind Cao Zhen.

“Grand Secretary Pei of the Inner Cabinet and His Highness the Sixth Prince have impeached the heir Cao Feng during court, accusing him of arrogance and lawlessness, setting fire to the Esteemed Scholars Pavilion, assaulting a prince, and twenty other serious crimes.”

“Your Majesty is furious! His Majesty has ordered this old servant to personally apprehend the heir Cao Feng and throw him into prison for questioning, to quell public outrage.”

Cao Zhen sighed inwardly.

This unfilial brat.

He had truly torn a hole in the sky this time.

But he was still his son.

If he were taken into the Black Guard’s prison, his life would likely not be spared.

“Guards! Seize him!”

Eunuch Gui waved his hand. The sharp-eyed Black Guard stepped forward to make the arrest.

“Wait!”

Cao Zhen stepped forward and cupped his hands again.

“Eunuch Gui! My son committed arson and assault. His crimes are undeniable. But for the sake of the Cao family, who for generations have shed blood for the Great Qian Empire, with more than twenty martyrs fallen in battle, allow me to take this rebellious son into the palace first to personally plead guilty before Your Majesty. If His Majesty decrees punishment, it will have nothing to do with you.”

Eunuch Gui glanced at Cao Zhen and considered for a few seconds before stepping aside.

The Cao family’s military achievements were illustrious. Zhenbei Marquis Cao Zhen was one of the ten great military marquises of the Empire, his reputation well known.

Though the heir Cao Feng had caused great trouble, Eunuch Gui still had to give Cao Zhen face.

“Many thanks, Eunuch Gui. I will never forget this favor.”

Accompanied by Eunuch Gui and the Black Guard, Cao Zhen led Cao Feng into the Royal palace.

It was Cao Feng’s first time entering the Great Qian Royal palace.

Everywhere he looked displayed Royal grandeur.

The towering, massive palace walls coiled like a slumbering dragon, encircling layer upon layer of palatial buildings.

Within the palace, red walls and glazed tiles gleamed. Carvings of mythical beasts on the pillars were lifelike, exuding royal majesty.

Cao Feng looked around in astonishment.

No wonder this is where that old emperor lives.

The palace is magnificent. It’s ridiculously luxurious.

This is an eye-opener.

Cao Zhen and his son were brought to the entrance of the solemn and imposing Hall of Diligent Governance.

Moments later, the shrill voice echoed from inside.

“By decree of Your Majesty! Summon Zhenbei Marquis Cao Zhen and heir Cao Feng to audience!”

Cao Feng withdrew his wandering gaze.

Cao Zhen, who had dominated battlefields without fear, now appeared somewhat tense.

He glanced at his son.

“This is sacred Royal ground. Watch your words and conduct.”

“Once inside, I will explain and plead for mercy. You must not speak nonsense and invite further disaster.”

Cao Feng nodded.

He still wanted to enjoy a comfortable life.

He had no desire to continue courting death.

Step by step, Cao Feng followed behind Cao Zhen and entered the solemn Hall of Diligent Governance.

Upon stepping inside, he swept his gaze across the hall.

The vast chamber held at least several hundred civil and military officials.

Some were veteran generals who carried the aura of iron and blood. Others were noble aristocrats radiating wealth and status.

The rest wore embroidered robes and jade ornaments, each with extraordinary bearing.

Hundreds of eyes turned in unison toward the Cao father and son.

Their expressions varied.

Some looked gleeful, some sympathetic, others shook their heads in regret.

Damn.

Why are they all staring at me?

I’m not some beauty.

Under the weight of those scrutinizing gazes, Cao Feng felt as if he had stepped into a national examination hall, his heart tightening.

Among the officials, Cao Feng immediately spotted the Sixth Prince Zhao Yong, whose arm was bound and hung around his neck.

Zhao Yong glared at Cao Feng with venomous hatred, as if he wanted to devour him alive.

He was a dignified prince.

Yet he had been beaten by a playboy from a marquis residence.

What humiliation.

How could he hold his head up in the future?

If the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence were not exterminated today, his hatred would never be appeased.

“Your guilty subject Cao Zhen, together with my worthless son Cao Feng, pays respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live forever!”

Cao Zhen, who had never feared heaven or earth, now knelt before Emperor Zhao Han, pulling Cao Feng down with him.

Facing the full court and the emperor seated high above, he felt deeply uneasy.

The hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

Cao Feng slightly raised his head and sneaked a glance forward.

On the dragon throne sat a middle-aged emperor with an imposing presence, studying him.

Their eyes met.

Cao Feng hurriedly lowered his head again.

Damn.

Those eyes are terrifying.

“Royal Father!”

The Sixth Prince Zhao Yong, his arm still bound, stepped forward.

“I bear no grudge against Cao Feng. Yet he not only set fire to my Esteemed Scholars Pavilion, he also brutally beat me! I may not be talented, but I am still of royal blood. How can I allow an outsider to humiliate and assault me? I ask Royal Father to uphold justice, execute this man, and defend the dignity of the royal house!”

Zhao Yong had already impeached Cao Feng earlier during court.

Now that Cao Feng stood present, he stepped forward again to press his case.

After hearing his son, Emperor Zhao Han’s eyes flickered with displeasure.

Useless fool.

As a prince of the Great Qian Empire, being beaten outside was already humiliating enough.

Yet this sixth son felt no shame and dared to demand justice openly?

How did I give birth to such an embarrassment?

Zhao Han shot him a stern glare.

Under that Royal gaze, Zhao Yong stumbled backward in fright and hurriedly retreated into the ranks.

Kneeling on the floor, Cao Feng cursed inwardly.

Damn you.

The first thing you do is accuse me and demand my execution?

That’s ruthless.

I’ll remember this.

Before Cao Feng could defend himself, Cao Zhen’s voice rang through the hall.

“Your Majesty! I have failed in disciplining my son, resulting in his vile acts of arson and assaulting a prince. All blame lies with me…”

Emperor Zhao Han glanced at Cao Zhen, who was bowing deeply, and sneered inwardly.

Oh?

Now you admit you failed to discipline your son?

Where was that realization before?

That unruly brat has caused chaos in the Royal Capital for years. Did you think this emperor was blind or deaf?

For the sake of your family’s loyalty, I turned a blind eye.

But now that brat has grown increasingly reckless.

Bullying commoners was one thing.

Now he dares to lay hands on my own son.

And beat my sixth son until his face was bruised and swollen.

This is intolerable.

He did not merely beat my sixth son.

He slapped my face. He slapped the royal family’s face.

If he dares to beat my son today, tomorrow he might dare to strike me, the emperor.

Such a trend cannot be allowed to grow.

Even if you, Cao Zhen, are a meritorious Zhenbei Marquis.

Today, I will not spare that lawless little bastard Cao Feng.