After Transmigration, I Snag a Stunning Bigwig as My Husband
Chapter 110 Severe Punishment

Chapter 110: Chapter 110 Severe Punishment

The Old Duke Chong showed neither anger nor joy.

He neither sided with Duke Chong nor favored outsiders.

So it remained unclear whether he was satisfied with Su Chong’s attempt at compensation.

Recalling Mrs. Tang’s advice to be respectful, made Su Chong’s head ache.

He reminisced about coaxing his younger sister back at Qingyun Mountain after upsetting her.

Most often, he chased after her, coaxing her, sometimes even crying on the bed with his back to her.

But the Old Duke Chong was facing him, so the situation was different.

Regardless, he decided to give it a shot.

Su Chong sat at the bedside.

The steward of Duke Chong’s Mansion’s face changed, scolding, "Insolent! Who allowed you to sit so close to the Old Duke’s bed...?"

Before he finished speaking, the steward of Duke Chong’s Mansion swallowed his words.

Because he saw a shocking scene.

The Old Duke raised his hand.

Though it was only halfway, it fell back down with exhaustion.

Even this small gesture had consumed all the Old Duke’s energy.

But it was enough to shock the people of Duke Chong’s Mansion.

Witnessing this scene, Su Jin’s nose tingled, and she had a strong urge to check his pulse.

Mrs. Tang’s request for Su Chong to apologize, though perplexing, made Su Jin favorably inclined towards the Old Duke since he did not side with his son.

The steward of Duke Chong’s Mansion was stunned, taking a long time to react.

The Young Master of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion sat on the bed, and yet the Old Duke raised his hand; he hadn’t acted thus even for the Emperor!

Could it be that the Old Duke was extremely angry?

The steward was about to act when a duck-like voice announced, "The Emperor is here!"

Everyone in the room was momentarily stunned.

At the same moment, Su Chong had just extended his hand to clasp the Old Duke’s hand, not knowing what impelled him to do so as if driven by some mysterious force.

Yet when the announcement of the Emperor’s arrival came, he released his grip and stood aside.

No one noticed that as Su Chong released his hand, a tear rolled down the Old Duke’s cheek.

In the northeast corner of Duke Chong’s Mansion.

Inside the Buddhist Hall.

A madam knelt on a cushion.

She was around thirty-six or thirty-seven, in solemn attire, appearing thin and focused in her devotions.

Outside, a maid in a pale green dress ran in.

"Madam, madam, there’s good news!"

Even before the maid was seen, her voice was heard.

The madam turned her Buddha beads, saying, "This is a place of tranquility, no loudness allowed."

Her voice was gentle and tender.

The maid was not afraid of her and said, "Just now, the Old Duke raised his hand!"

The madam paused, turned her head, her eyes filled with uncontrollable joy, "Truly?"

The maid nodded vigorously, "How could I dare to deceive you about such a significant matter?"

"The Young Master of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion came to apologize on behalf of Marquis Dongxiang, and the maids in the mansion said the Old Duke raised his hand in anger to hit him," the maid said indignantly.

"And the Emperor has come too. Should Madam take a look?" the maid inquired.

The madam raised her hand, and the maid quickly helped her up.

The madam set down the Buddha beads, stood up, and walked out.

...

The Emperor had always respected the Old Duke Chong, and upon hearing he was angered into spitting blood, he personally came to visit.

Upon entry, the kneeling crowd greeted him.

The Emperor lifted a hand and said, "Rise."

Su Jin swiftly stood up, raising her head to meet the Emperor’s gaze.

The Emperor’s eyes showed a hint of surprise, glancing quickly at Su Chong and Xie Jingchen, he frowned, "Why are you at Duke Chong’s Mansion?"

"My mother sent me to apologize to the Old Duke on behalf of my father," Su Chong replied.

"Is it truly to apologize?" the Emperor questioned.

"..."

Su Chong felt exhausted.

Nobody believed he was genuinely here to apologize; why did his mother insist he come?

Xie Jingchen looked at the Emperor, his gaze shifting to Su Jin.

What exactly was the relationship between these siblings and the Emperor?

Su Jin was twice spared punishment at the Buddhist Hall by the Emperor’s intervention.

Now that the Emperor had arrived, Su Chong naturally wouldn’t have to stay overnight at Duke Chong’s Mansion.

The Emperor’s visit was a blessing for Su Chong, as he was struggling to find someone suitable to speak with.

Su Chong looked at the Old Duke Chong and said, "My mother might have sent me to see if the Old Duke is truly that gravely ill."

"The Old Duke Chong was so enraged by my father he spat blood, and though officials accused my father, I find upon visiting Duke Chong’s Mansion, it’s not quite so," Su Chong said.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, "Continue."

Su Chong looked at the Emperor and then lowered his head.

"With the Old Duke lying in prolonged illness, unable to move or speak, he needs rest the most. Duke Chong reported to the Old Duke about my father seizing five hundred horses, inciting his anger, causing him to harm his health and spit blood. Isn’t this unfilial?" Su Chong questioned confidently.

The Emperor’s brows furrowed more tightly.

He hadn’t considered this before.

Su Chong continued, "Emperor, as you’ve seen, the Old Duke is like this. Knowing his son was bullied, he is helpless, besides spitting blood."

"My father was angered into spitting blood; this is Duke Chong’s household matter, yet it’s become widely known. The Old Duke Chong, once renowned, now in such a state, where is his dignity?"

"..."

"To provoke officials to impeach my father, forcing the Emperor to harshly punish him, Duke Chong unscrupulously uses the critically ill Old Duke in such an unfilial manner, disappointing the Old Duke. Please, Emperor, grant stern punishment," Su Chong said loudly.

"..."

Duke Chong, having just entered, happened to hear these words.

His face turned shades of purple and blue.

The Emperor looked at him and said, "Though impeaching Duke Chong here is untimely, Su Chong isn’t wrong. Even you are fainting from anger, let alone the gravely ill Old Duke."

Duke Chong knelt to admit his fault.

A nearby servant knelt and said, "Emperor, calm your wrath; it is all my fault. I gossiped and complained to the Old Duke."

"Was it also you who spread news of the Old Duke’s blood-spitting?" Su Chong asked.

"Yes, yes, it was me."

The Emperor waved a hand, "Take him out and beat him to death."

The servant’s face turned pale as he begged for mercy.

Unsuccessfully, as two guards came over and dragged him out.

As for Duke Chong, the Emperor didn’t let him rise, leaving him kneeling on the ground.

The Emperor sat by the sickbed, taking the Old Duke’s hand, saying, "Old Duke, rest assured. When Marquis Dongxiang returns to the capital, I will certainly punish him severely for you."

It was only after the Emperor spoke that the Old Duke blinked three times in a row.

The Emperor, who visited the Old Duke annually, naturally understood the meaning of his blinks.

Blinking twice meant agreement.

Blinking three times meant disagreement.

The Old Duke disagrees with punishing Marquis Dongxiang severely?