Liu Ying blinked and asked tentatively, "Really?"
"Insolence!"
Liu Xie's face immediately darkened, and he scolded her, "Do you really think I was praising you? When has General Zhao ever bullied the servants? You are the Eldest Princess, yet you bully eunuchs. Is that how you should behave?"
Liu Xie's tone was stern, nothing like his usual manner as a doting father.
Liu Ying was his child, and as the Eldest Princess of the Great Han, her status was exceptionally exalted. But without proper teaching, she would only cause endless trouble in the future.
He ordinarily had no time to discipline her, but since he had caught her today, he had to show his authority as her father.
Liu Ying pouted without a word, tears welling in her eyes, looking utterly pitiful.
The eunuchs and palace maids beside them felt sorry for her too. The eunuch who had just been struck said quietly, "Your Majesty, this servant is actually fine. The princess was only playing..."
Before he could finish, Liu Xie cast an icy look at him.
Frightened, the eunuch hastily knelt on the ground, trembling.
"Come with me to see your mother!"
Liu Xie withdrew his gaze, coldly delivered those words, then turned toward Lü Lingqi's palace.
Liu Ying lowered her head, wiped away her tears, and followed closely behind.
Liu Xie took long strides, and she struggled to keep up, but he paid her no heed and simply kept walking.
Soon, father and daughter arrived at the Pepper Chamber Hall.
Lü Lingqi and Zhen Mi were both there. They were startled at first to see Liu Xie, but soon noticed Liu Ying following behind him, tears still streaking her face.
"Your Majesty, what happened?"
Zhen Mi rose and asked, surprise on her face.
Lü Lingqi, however, proved herself