That very day, Qin Yining heard the news that Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu had fought violently at the gates of the Prince Consort’s mansion, immediately stunning her speechless.

They weren’t children of a few years old – how could they just start fighting like that?

Two legendary warrior-like figures fighting over a woman, and it wasn’t even a contest of martial skills, but rather wrestling together with punches and kicks. Just imagining that scene made Qin Yining feel it was too unseemly to watch.

Weren’t these two afraid that the soldiers of the Huben Army and Longxiang Army would find it hard to accept if they heard about it?

However, Qin Yining didn’t need to think too deeply to guess the general situation.

Whether Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu had agreed to stage a performance, or if he had deliberately provoked Ji Zeyu into a fight, this scene was absolutely what the Emperor hoped to see.

What calculations Li Qitian was making were clear to any discerning person. He was gradually undermining the two great nobles who held military power, sparing no effort in his suspicion of Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu and his indirect weakening of them.

For someone relatively obedient like Ji Zeyu, he would find ways to win him over. For someone like Pang Xiao who had great prestige and was stubborn, he would weaken him through both undermining and attacking.

In any case, the current situation in court should be very much to Li Qitian’s liking.

Sure enough, when Li Qitian heard the palace attendant’s report about the two fighting violently at the Prince Consort’s mansion gates, his eyebrows shot up high.

His finger adorned with a jade ring tapped happily against the armrest of the dragon throne, though his expression appeared incredulous as he frowned and said, “Are you certain you heard the news correctly?”

Grand Eunuch Li Guanwen hurriedly smiled obsequiously, “Your Majesty, how could this slave mishear such a simple matter? This news truly surprised this slave as well. The people outside have already spread the word, everyone is discussing how Prince Zhongshun and Prince Consort Ji flew into a rage for a beauty, and in their anger couldn’t care about either face or dignity.”

This teasing made Li Qitian feel very pleased, and he couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head.

“They’re still young after all, to have such feelings and still be able to fight violently over a girl.” Li Qitian’s eyes showed reminiscence as he said, “I can’t even remember if I ever had such feelings myself.”

Li Guanwen raised his eyebrows, privately wondering what the Emperor was thinking to discuss matters of love with a eunuch like him, when he wouldn’t understand such things. But his mouth was full of flattery.

“Your Majesty is at the prime age for a man, how many women are infatuated with you? It’s just that you’re busy with court affairs and have no mind for such matters.”

Li Qitian smiled and shook his head, “Those mediocre beauties are just fawning over me because I’m the emperor, seeking benefits from my fingertips. I understand this clearly.”

“Oh Your Majesty, you are naturally the ruler of all under heaven, possessing the wealth of the four seas, and at such a vigorous age with imperial dragon majesty – how could you expect women not to fear your dragon nature?”

These words carried several parts reproach, several parts jest, but mostly used a eunuch’s humble status to look up and praise Li Qitian’s majesty as emperor and charm as a man.

Though Li Qitian said nothing aloud, he was extremely pleased inwardly, his mood becoming even better.

“You slave, you understand quite a lot.”

“This slave understands nothing of such matters, merely speaking honestly about what I’ve witnessed with my own eyes.” Li Guanwen appeared trembling with fear.

Li Qitian laughed again at this and spat, “You smooth-talking one, you only know how to say pleasant things to coax me all day long.”

“This slave wouldn’t dare. This slave is utterly loyal to Your Majesty and has always only spoken the truth.”

Li Qitian finally couldn’t help but laugh heartily, “I know of your loyalty. Enough, you go on my behalf to send medicinal materials to Prince Zhongshun’s mansion and the Prince Consort’s mansion, bring along the imperial physicians, and go examine their injuries carefully – don’t let them be seriously hurt.”

Li Qitian stood up, paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, and shook his head saying, “They are both pillars of the nation. The outside hasn’t even started fighting yet, but they’re already killing each other first – it really doesn’t look proper to outsiders. You also scold them a few words on my behalf.”

“Yes. This slave will certainly convey Your Majesty’s care and admonishments.”

Li Qitian nodded with satisfaction, extremely pleased that Li Guanwen grasped the key points he wanted to express. He waved his hand saying, “Go then. Look carefully at their situation and report back to me.”

“By imperial decree.” Li Guanwen’s expression became stern, secretly analyzing what kind of news Li Qitian most wanted to hear, then respectfully withdrew.

Li Guanwen first brought Imperial Physician Ma to the Prince Consort’s mansion.

Ji Zeyu wore a cold expression like an ice sculpture on his handsome face. Facing Li Guanwen, a grand eunuch whom many officials would curry favor with, he merely nodded slightly.

Li Guanwen dared not be negligent, respectfully performed a bow, quickly glanced at the red swelling on Ji Zeyu’s forehead, then lowered his head not daring to look further.

Imperial Physician Ma took Ji Zeyu’s pulse and examined him, then said, “Prince Consort, these are all superficial injuries, nothing serious. Just apply some blood-activating and stasis-removing ointment and massage it in.”

Ji Zeyu responded indifferently.

While Imperial Physician Ma went to instruct the servants on how to use the medicine, Li Guanwen said, “Prince Consort Ji, His Majesty instructed this slave to ask what exactly happened.”

Ji Zeyu snorted coldly, “Pang Zhixi was being excessively bullying and deserved a beating!” After speaking he angrily flicked his sleeves and left.

Li Guanwen stood in place, knowing this was Ji Zeyu’s temperament, not taking his slight seriously. After Imperial Physician Ma finished instructing the Prince Consort mansion’s servants, they headed to Prince Zhongshun’s mansion.

The reception at the prince’s mansion was much warmer than at the Prince Consort’s mansion.

The gatekeeper went inside to relay the message, and soon the mansion’s head steward Xu Weizhi came out to greet them, politely bowing to Li Guanwen.

“Grand Manager Li, please come inside and sit.”

“I wouldn’t dare presume. This servant came by imperial decree and must hurry back to report. May I ask where Prince Zhongshun is?”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Xu Weizhi’s face as he said evasively, “Ah, Prince Zhongshun will be out shortly.”

Seeing this, Li Guanwen became even more curious.

Xu Weizhi led Li Guanwen to the front hall first, keeping him company while urgently sending servants to relay the message inside, whispering instructions: “Tell them that Grand Manager Li from the palace has arrived, and if Madam Pang wants to impose kneeling punishment, she should wait a bit.”

The servant hurried away.

Li Guanwen keenly caught the words “Madam Pang” and “kneeling punishment,” finding it quite surprising.

To think that a domineering figure like Prince Zhongshun would have times when he was punished to kneel at home?

Li Guanwen thought for a moment and suddenly understood.

Who would have thought that upon Madam Pang’s return to Prince Zhongshun’s mansion, she would be so authoritative, and that even a battle-hardened figure like Prince Zhongshun would be so filial, obeying whatever his legitimate mother said.

Li Guanwen clicked his tongue repeatedly. He felt that His Majesty would definitely want to know about Prince Zhongshun’s interactions with his legitimate mother.

Therefore, Li Guanwen immediately put on the full airs of a chief eunuch supervisor and said, “His Majesty also instructed this servant to pay respects to Madam Pang. Why don’t we go see her now?” As he spoke, he stepped toward the inner residence.

Xu Weizhi’s face went white upon hearing this, anxiously scratching his head and ears: “This, this isn’t appropriate. Our prince will be out immediately.”

“Hmm?” Li Guanwen drew out the sound, looking at Xu Weizhi with great authority. “This servant came by imperial decree. Are you planning to resist the imperial order?”

“I wouldn’t dare, this humble one wouldn’t dare.” Xu Weizhi’s body shook as he hurriedly bowed in apology, saying in great panic, “Please don’t take offense, Grand Manager. Since you came by imperial decree, I suppose the masters inside won’t have any complaints either. Grand Manager, please follow me.”

Only then did Li Guanwen nod with satisfaction and follow Xu Weizhi all the way into the inner residence.