NOVEL WEB Chapter 532
A civil uprising, instigated by the Duke of State Protection, was also quelled by him.0
The Young Emperor waited anxiously in the palace for news. It wasn't until the afternoon that Eunuch Huang rushed in excitedly and announced, "Your Majesty! It's resolved! The Duke of State Protection has executed the traitor! Not a single soldier was lost!"0
Jin Cheng let out a sigh of relief, his excitement bubbling over. "And what about Uncle?"0
Eunuch Huang chuckled. "He's reorganizing the troops now. He mentioned that General Pang and others were deceived, so he'll likely discipline them thoroughly."0
Jin Cheng recalled the simple-minded general and scratched his head. "Did the Duke say whether he'd finish his work today?"0
Eunuch Huang shook his head. "He didn't mention it, but it's unlikely. Those matters won't be resolved so quickly."0
"Oh… alright then." Jin Cheng pouted, visibly disappointed.0
However, by evening, the Duke of State Protection entered the palace.0
The Young Emperor, buried in paperwork, looked up in surprise. "Uncle? Is that you?"0
Jin Cheng hastily set down his brush and dashed out, spotting Luo Jingfeng standing in the courtyard, his expression tense and unreadable.0
The little troublemaker beamed. "Uncle!"0
Overjoyed, he flung himself at Luo Jingfeng like a butterfly to a flower, wrapping his arms around him and grinning up at him. "Uncle, you're back!"0
The force of the hug left Luo Jingfeng conflicted.0
After what this brat had pulled, he still had the audacity to act so affectionate. Shameless.0
Luo Jingfeng asked coldly, "Did you eat dinner properly?"0
Jin Cheng's eyes widened guiltily. "It's… it's only evening! The sky hasn't even darkened yet! I—I had lunch!"0
With stacks of memorials to review and lacking Prime Minister Shen's efficiency, he often worked late into the night. But today, without his uncle by his side, he'd completely forgotten about mealtime.0
Luo Jingfeng's face darkened instantly. He grabbed the little rascal by the ear and dragged him inside. "Summon the imperial kitchen! Now!"0
The troublemaker yelped, "Aaaah—Uncle! You can grab my arm, my hand, even my face—but not my ears! What if you ruin my big, clever, adorable ears?!"0
Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "Let's see them break, you little devil. Weren't you so bold earlier? Locking me up? Try it again, I dare you."0
Jin Cheng wailed, "I was wrong, I was wrong! My dearest, most wonderful uncle, please forgive me! Just this once, I swear it'll never happen again! I'll never lie to you again!"0
"Hmph!"0
"Uncle? Uncle! Uncle…"0
"Tch."0
"Jin Cheng loves Uncle!"0
"Save your sweet talk, you little liar."0
"Hehehe… I mean it this time!"0
"Don't believe you."0
"Really, really, really, really!"0
"…Enough. You talk too much. Eat!"0
"Oh, fine… Huh? Uncle, this is delicious! And this! And this one too! The food's the same as always, but with you here, even plain rice tastes like a feast!"0
"………………"0
Dinner left Luo Jingfeng torn between irritation and amusement.0
This little menace was impossible to stay mad at.0
A real handful.0
After the meal, Luo Jingfeng recounted the events outside the city: "Zhao Feng was executed on the spot. As for the others, I left them untouched. You'll decide their fates at court tomorrow."0
In the past, he would've punished all rebels—even the deceived like General Pang—without hesitation. And for Zhao Feng's treason, exterminating his entire clan would've been non-negotiable.0
But knowing his nephew had his own ideas, he'd restrained himself, offering no advice or interference.0
Jin Cheng pondered. "General Pang was misled and didn't cause real harm. He should be punished, but not too harshly—we don't want to demoralize the troops who were unaware… How about a year's salary deduction and fifty lashes? He can handle that."0
Luo Jingfeng didn't even bother responding.0
Even civil officials could endure fifty lashes. For General Pang, a hundred would've been lenient.0
Jin Cheng continued, "Zhao Feng's rebellion is a capital offense. By law, his entire clan must be executed."0
Luo Jingfeng looked up, surprised.0
The law was one thing, but reality was another.0
Executing nine generations meant over a thousand deaths. Could his nephew truly stomach that?0
Jin Cheng smiled sweetly. "Uncle, don't think I'm too soft. I might be a little scared, but it's not like I'm doing the killing myself—that's what executioners and Buyan are for!"0
Luo Jingfeng frowned but nodded. "Fair point."0
Buyan, who had just entered: "……!"0
I should've chopped off my legs, gouged out my eyes, and severed my hands!!0
When Luo Jingfeng prepared to leave—remembering his feverish wife and the chaos at home—Jin Cheng clung to him pitifully. "Uncle, can you stay and sleep here tonight? I don't feel safe. What if you leave and never come back?"0
Luo Jingfeng: "……"0
This little debt collector!!0
Once the lights were out, Jin Cheng clung to his arm, sweet-talking him with endless praise—his uncle's achievements, his looks, his skills, his heroism—like a seasoned flatterer.0
Luo Jingfeng stared at the ceiling, exasperated.0
He despised sycophants. They were insincere, their words empty.0
But his nephew's admiration felt different. His eyes sparkled, his tone earnest, as if every word came straight from the heart.0
Unwilling to admit how much the child's words pleased him, Luo Jingfeng shut his eyes and pretended to sleep.0
Jin Cheng wriggled closer and suddenly confessed, "Uncle… about that land grant decree you asked me to send to Eldest Uncle—I had it intercepted. But don't be mad! You intercepted my memorial first. I was just retaliating."0
Luo Jingfeng rolled over, turning his back. "Do what you want. I won't meddle in your messes anymore."0
Jin Cheng propped himself up, studying his uncle's displeased face in the moonlight. He squirmed his way over Luo Jingfeng until they were face-to-face again.0
Luo Jingfeng: "……"0
This damn bed was too wide. Nowhere to hide.0
He should've brought in a smaller couch!0
Jin Cheng whispered, "Uncle, I'm not being stingy about the land. It's just… he's already settled in Yunnan. Why suddenly demand more? If I give in this time, he'll keep asking for more. What if his territory grows so large he marches north with an army to overthrow me?"0
Luo Jingfeng's eyes snapped open. "Nonsense! Your Eldest Uncle would never do such a thing. How many times must I tell you?"0
Jin Cheng pouted. "But I've never met him. How do I know he's as good as you say? What if he's tricked you, like General Xiaofeng did?"0
Luo Jingfeng insisted, "Impossible!"0
Jin Cheng argued, "How can you be sure? Think about it—he claims he wants the land to grow mushrooms to solve famine. Mushrooms? Really? Does that sound believable? What kind of miracle mushrooms are these?"0