A beating with the paddle

"Zhao Yuankun?" The crown prince was taken aback before remembering this person.

Because the family had separated, Zhao Yuankun harbored deep resentment towards the old lady and Zhao Yuanxun. When he entered the Office of the Grand Steward, he did not mention that he was from the Earl of Suiping's Residence.

Of course, even if he doesn't mention it himself, everyone knows his identity.

However, Zhao Yuanxun had no power or influence, possessing only the title of Earl. The people in the Office of the Grand Steward did not take him seriously at all, let alone his half-brother Zhao Yuankun.

Later, Zhao Yuankun proved himself capable and distinguished, which finally caught everyone's attention. However, people focused on his personal abilities and did not regard him as a son of a noble family.

Yesterday, Jia Songlin was dismissed and demoted. Although it was caused by the conflict between Zhao Ruxi and Jia Junze, the focus of the powerful figures in the court was only on Jia Songlin himself, speculation about his master, and vying for the position he vacated. They paid little attention to the two children who acted as the catalyst.

Therefore, the Crown Prince and his advisors did not connect Zhao Ruxi with Zhao Yuankun.

Now that he knew that because of the relationship between the uncle and nephew, he had been framed for no reason and had lost a high-ranking official of the third rank, the Crown Prince was furious.

"Give him thirty lashes and tell him to get lost," he said.

If it weren't for someone watching him, fearing they might use this as leverage to impeach him, he would have wanted Zhao Yuankun dead.

"Yes." The eunuch Eunuch Fu, replied and withdrew.

Inside the room, the person who reported continued, "Furthermore, this was done by the Third Prince. That Jia Songlin is one of the Third Prince's men."

"Third Brother? Fine!" the crown prince gritted his teeth. "We'll see."

Zhao Yuankun had made an appearance before the Crown Prince recently and thought he would be promoted, but to his surprise, nothing happened and his superiors were dissatisfied with him. He also harbored some resentment towards the Crown Prince, but he kept it buried deep in his heart and dared not show it at all.

The power struggles of the previous dynasty were beyond his knowledge, as he couldn't even get close to the crown prince. When the crown prince's men came to arrest him, he was still in his room copying documents.

"What are you doing? What are you doing?" Seeing two guards approach him, they grabbed his arms without a word and dragged him out roughly. Zhao Yuankun sensed something was wrong and struggled desperately, "I am an official of the Office of the Grand Steward, a rank-holding official of the imperial court! You can't treat me like this..."

The guards ignored his shouts.

Once outside, Zhao Yuankun saw the eunuch named Eunuch Fu. His superior, Li Bo, was bowing and scraping as he spoke to Eunuch Fu, his attitude extremely obsequious.

Zhao Yuankun's heart sank when he saw it.

Because of his recent rise to prominence, Li Bo, who previously held no particular liking or dislike for him, began to treat him with contempt. Zhao Yuankun also knew that Li Bo, in order to climb the ranks, frequently flattered Eunuch Fu, and sent him lavish gifts, hoping that he would speak well of him to the Crown Prince. It could be said that the two were in cahoots.

Was he framed by Li Bo?

Seeing the guards pin him to the bench, with two men beside him holding boards—clearly about to subject him to corporal punishment— Zhao Yuankun panicked even more. He cried out, "Eunuch Fu, what wrong have I committed? Even when the court carries out executions, the prisoner must know what crime they have committed! Please inform me, Your Excellency!"

Eunuch Fu glanced in this direction.

He had no personal grudge against Zhao Yuankun. No matter how capable Zhao Yuankun was, he could not threaten his position as a eunuch. However, he was extremely loyal to the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince lost a great general because of Zhao Yuankun. In addition, Li Bo, who had always been filial to him, kept speaking ill of Zhao Yuankun. Therefore, Eunuch Fu had no good feelings towards Zhao Yuankun and did not want to say a word to him.

Besides, how could these people be expected to discuss the power struggles between the Crown Prince, the Emperor, and the other princes in the imperial court?

He made a "hit" gesture to the guards.

The guards understood and immediately picked up the paddle, striking the victim repeatedly.

"Eunuch Fu, Eunuch Fu..." Zhao Yuankun, unaware that today might be his death day, had completely disregarded everything and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Eunuch Fu, I am the younger brother of Zhao Yuanxun, the Earl of Suiping; Fifth Miss Zhao, who studied under Master Mister Kumu and created a painting technique, and was ordered by the Emperor to teach painting to officials of the Court of Judicial Review, is my niece. Please, Eunuch Fu, spare me for the sake of my brother and niece."

He usually hated the people from the eldest son's family the most. But now, the eldest son's most capable father and daughter had become his support. If Li Bo really framed him, Eunuch Fu should be able to spare him after hearing the name "Mister Kumu".

Upon hearing that Zhao Yuankun was reckless and had even brought up his troublesome niece, Eunuch Fu stopped talking to Li Bo and came over.

He looked at Zhao Yuankun and sneered, "Now you know that you're in this situation thanks to your capable niece. Don't blame His Highness the Crown Prince. He's been terribly harmed by you two. It's only because the Crown Prince is merciful that he could have taken your life."

He waved his hand. "Beat him! Beat him hard. Leave him only a breath of life, nothing else matters."

Upon hearing this, the guards became even more ferocious.

Officials were allowed to have a personal attendant with them when working in the government office. They could send their attendants to run errands or deliver messages.

Zhao Yuankun naturally brought his personal attendants with him. Although the attendants were not allowed to enter their office, they would stay in a room at the back of the room so that their master could find them if needed. Sometimes they could even help their master inquire about information from each other.

Zhao Yuankun's personal attendant, A Qi, had already run out of the house when he heard his master's call.

He was quick-witted, only a few years younger than Zhao Yuankun, and experienced in many things. Upon hearing Eunuch Fu's words, he knew his master was in trouble, so he quickly ran out and found an official named Zhao Wen who had introduced Zhao Yuankun to the Office of the Grand Steward, and told him what had happened.

He then slipped a purse into Zhao Wen's hand, knelt down, and kowtowed, saying, "Please, Lord Zhao, save my master."

Because they shared the same surname, Zhao Wen, and both had experienced suppression by their stepmothers, and because Zhao Yuankun was intentionally flattering him, the two had always had a good relationship. Later, when Zhao Yuankun divided the family property, he offered Zhao Yuankun a large sum of money to help him find a job, and Zhao Wen readily agreed.

His official rank was not low, and Zhao Yuankun was unaware of what was happening above him, though he had vaguely heard about it.

Hearing that it was Eunuch Fu's doing. How could he dare to plead for Zhao Yuankun? Besides, he was the one who introduced Zhao Yuankun; he himself couldn't escape responsibility, and he was afraid others would remember this. If he went to plead for Zhao Yuankun, wouldn't he be courting death?