The Ye Yuan couple gasped, their young daughter’s birthday banquet had spiraled into this scene.
Beside them, the Ye Feng couple seemed pleased and nodded in agreement, eager for quick execution.
Ye Fu wanted to speak but was stopped by Ye Family’s stern gaze; when the Old Mrs. Ye was angry, no persuasion would work, best to hold back. After all, daughters married out are like water spilled, this counts as Ye Mansion’s family affair, and it’s inappropriate for the elder daughter to step forward at this juncture.
The Little Traitor quietly pulled Li Qian aside, whispering in his ear.
When Qiu Yu approached the hall with a stick, Li Qian stepped forward, saying, "Upon visiting today, the rules of Ye Mansion seem quite ordinary."
Old Mrs. Ye had not seen him before and treated him like a wayward friend of Ye Zhi: "Step aside, at this moment, no one’s pleas will make a difference."
She signaled Qiu Yu to hand her the stick.
A family punishment was about to unfold; the stick was slender and sturdy, clearly painful on impact.
"I wonder, what penalty is there for insulting or attempting to assault an imperial prince?"
These words, gently spoken, yet drifted clearly into everyone’s ears.
Old Mrs. Ye also paused from the stick, staring intently at the young boy before her: "What did you say?"
Ye Family eyed the young daughter: Is your classmate a prince? You never mentioned.
The young girl shrugged innocently: You didn’t ask.
The youth in white, frost-faced, stood in the center of the hall: "I am Li Qian, the Eldest Prince, specially invited by Lord Minister’s young daughter to attend the birthday banquet, yet unexpectedly faced insults and threats from your mansion’s people, even attempted disregard for a prince."
"I am not well-versed in law yet, but this crime seems heavy, doesn’t it?"
This—insulting or assaulting an imperial prince—in any aspect, is indeed a serious offense.
Ye Mansion, famed for loyalty, would be mocked if news spread.
The Old Mrs. Ye remained silent.
"Does the Old Mrs. Ye know my mother, Noble Princess Consort Xiao?"
This—who doesn’t know Noble Princess Consort Xiao, who often clashed fiercely with the Empress in the palace, and whose father is a current great minister.
A blatant threat.
Old Mrs. Ye suddenly realized she was still seated, having forgotten to salute the prince, hurriedly rose to kneel: "This old woman pays homage to the Eldest Prince, I nearly offended His Highness due to ignorance, pleading His Highness for mercy."
"Homage to His Highness."
Seeing Old Mrs. Ye salute, the others followed suit.
The Little Fairy, being the Thirteenth Princess, was exempt from such courtesy.
Li Qian supported Ye Zhi with one hand, Shen Chen with the other, preventing them from saluting.
The idea of Ye Zhi and Brother Shen Chen bowing was laughable.
Facing everyone, he declared: "Rise."
Only then did those relieved comply and stand.
"So, Old Mrs. Ye, how will you handle this matter? I’m quite eager to know; otherwise, I may have to consult my mother on what crime such insults and assault on a prince could involve."
Xiao Li Qian rarely leveraged his power in the palace; now, at Ye Mansion, he was using it for his Sister Ye Zhi.
Old Mrs. Ye calmly began: "Qiu Yu, bring Ye Haoming and Ye Qingqing here, to kneel and apologize to the Eldest Prince."
Qiu Yu left to execute the order.
She continued: "Ye Feng, your son and daughter showed such arrogance and discourtesy, this family law shall be executed by you today; this old body will observe here, do not be lenient, they must learn a valuable lesson."
Placing the stick on the table.
Ye Feng replied with trepidation.
In the presence of the Eldest Prince, he had to provide an account, lest Noble Princess Consort Xiao escalated the matter to the Emperor, which was no trivial matter.