Capítulo 1620: Chapter 1595: The Fight

The Emperor was also quite furious, but he managed to suppress himself, drinking tea angrily while the ministers below started brawling as their arguments reached a peak.

State Duke Zhao was hot-tempered; Zhao Liulang, his youngest son, was very favored. He sent a note back saying that he was sunburned to the point of peeling, and he dared not go home during his next leave, worried that he might scare his wife. After all, he had only been married for half a year.

Hence, State Duke Zhao angrily shoved one of the censors who had impeached him.

This action was like poking a hornet’s nest. They were labeled as censors, but who among them was truly so weak and scholarly that they couldn’t even truss a chicken?

Who hasn’t learned the Six Arts during their studies?

Some censors had even been on the battlefield.

Lord Tang, the head of the censors, came from the Ministry of Justice; fighting, no, warring, was no hard task for them.

So when pushed, the censor immediately retaliated forcefully.

The Emperor on the dragon throne reached out to stop it, but the situation below had already exploded like a lightning-induced fire, the two men immediately resorted to blows, punching and blocking, kicking and countering as in a wrestling match.

Lord Tang didn’t want to watch them quarrel today, so he didn’t show up. Without their superior’s restraint, the censors were furious upon seeing State Duke Zhao dare to brawl openly in court, and they all rose to attack him.

State Duke Su and others were spectating, occasionally fanning the flames and supporting State Duke Zhao. Seeing State Duke Zhao being besieged, they were immediately displeased.

“Do you aristocratic children really think we nobles are vegetarians?”

“It’s one thing to scold us and fault-find all the time, but now you’ve hit their child and started fighting with the adults…”

So everyone immediately joined the fight, swinging their fists.

The Emperor on the dragon throne was so shocked that he jumped to his feet, his beard nearly flying up to his nose in anger. But after a while of raging, he slowly sat back down, watching them fight with a stern face.

In the end, it was unclear whose boot flew by and struck State Duke Zhao directly on the head. Boot soles are usually wooden…

Not only those inside but even Manbao and Mingda, who were peering through the window, clearly heard a thud. Zhao Guogong’s eyes went blank as he fell backward with his eyes wide open.

At last, everyone stopped. The Emperor angrily slapped the armrest of the throne and shouted, “Still won’t stop?”

Everyone hurriedly stopped; State Duke Su and a nearby censor quickly supported State Duke Zhao, looking anxious, “State Duke Zhao, are you alright?”

The Emperor quickly descended from the throne, squatted before him, and asked, “State Duke Zhao? Someone, summon the imperial physician…”

Manbao outside the window was waiting for this and immediately replied, “The imperial physician is here.”

She hiked her skirt and ran inside. The guards who were watching her symbolically stopped her, but let her through after Princess Mingda pulled Zhou Man along.

The Emperor doted on Princess Mingda and never stopped her from entering places like the royal study or the front hall.

Mingda led Manbao inside.

A group of perspiring, rugged men felt somewhat embarrassed seeing the two delicate girls running in. A minister directly asked, “When did the princess arrive?”

“Oh my, is this the time for that question? Quickly let the imperial physician look at State Duke Zhao…”

Manbao saluted the Emperor, who waved her over to quickly examine State Duke Zhao lying on the ground.

Manbao approached and took his pulse, immediately saying to the onlookers, “Gentlemen, stand back a little and let State Duke Zhao breathe.”

State Duke Zhao wasn’t just knocked unconscious; he was likely heat exhausted as well.

Once the others dispersed, Manbao pinched his philtrum. Zhao Guogong’s leg stretched out in pain, drawing a breath before he slowly opened his eyes and breathed heavily.

Manbao reached into her waist pouch, took out a small needle bag, containing only ten needles she carried for emergencies.

She picked up Zhao Guogong’s hand, pricked a point on his thumb web, and inserted two needles at his head. Without leaving them in long, she twisted them and withdrew, but Zhao Guogong felt much better, breathing smoothly, his head not as dizzy.

Manbao had someone fetch a cup of warm saltwater, adding a little salt for him to drink.

After drinking, Zhao Guogong felt his weak limbs recovering slightly. He felt the throbbing on his head and asked, “Whose shoe was it?”

State Duke Su, barefoot, said, “Mine.”

Seeing everyone looking over, he quickly defended, “Though the shoe is mine, it wasn’t I who threw it.”

A censor, aggrieved, stepped forward and said, “I threw it, but it was State Duke Su who hit me first, so I retaliated. My aim happened to be good, but State Duke Su dodged it.”

State Duke Su immediately got angry, saying, “Wang Ji, you throw things and don’t allow people to dodge?”

“Enough!” the Emperor furiously said, “Do you loyal ministers want another round? Fighting in court, what kind of conduct is this? If you are capable, draw a line and go to the martial grounds for a real match!”

Guchong, who was passing water on the side, couldn’t help but cough softly, reminding the Emperor to speak cautiously.

The Emperor fell silent for a moment, realizing he had misspoken, became even angrier, feeling it was because they had enraged him.

Manbao whispered weakly, “Your Majesty, I see the officials are sweating profusely; if they don’t drink water, more might faint soon.”

Mingda immediately tugged the Emperor’s sleeve playfully, “Father, don’t be angry. Being angry harms your health. The officials surely know they’re wrong now; let’s first serve the officials water, or if they faint, it’ll still be you who worries.”

The Emperor felt Mingda was indeed thoughtful, always so considerate.

The ministers agreed that Princess Mingda was indeed excellent, just like the Empress, sensible and courteous, so they all lowered their heads, expressing shame.

The Emperor’s expression softened, instructing Guchong to bring water and serve tea to everyone.

Guchong responded, promptly ordering the eunuchs to brew tea.

State Duke Zhao was helped to a seat to half-recline, while the other ministers, their robes disheveled, sat in their places without much regard for appearances.

The Emperor let out a sigh of relief and, seeing Zhou Man put the needle bag away, remembered to ask, “What are you two doing here?”

Mingda rolled her eyes and immediately said, “Father, it’s so hot today, and I was worried about you, so I brought Lord Zhou Junior to see you.”

The Emperor knew there was some exaggeration in the words, but couldn’t help feeling happy. Holding Mingda’s hand, he asked, “Still the most considerate daughter. Where’s your Third Brother?”

“Third Brother went climbing.”

The Emperor glanced at the glaring sun outside, a little worried.

Manbao quickly said, “Your Majesty, rest assured, the mountain is much cooler than here, and there’s shade from the trees; Prince Gong won’t get sunburned.”

Not quite true, though the mountain is cooler, that’s when one is sitting or laying still. Try climbing up continuously?

The notion of not getting sunburned by the trees’ shade is deceitful. If he wasn’t sunburned, why did he darken?