Chapter 7: Little Rascal
Xiao Lizi followed Emperor Yongning's palanquin, eager to watch the commotion.
This was the first time in so many years the Emperor showed interest in such an event.
Especially at a time like this.
The Emperor was focused daily on his unfortunate daughter lost among the common folks, and because he couldn't find her, his temper was rather odd and easily turned to anger.
No one dared provoke him casually.
Yet now, whether it was Liu Pin suddenly appearing and risking her life to stop his palanquin, showing sincere concern for him, or maybe that slippery prankster child caught his attention, slightly abating his temper and sparking an interest in the spectacle?
The answer was unknown, only Emperor Yongning himself knew.
Xiao Lizi couldn't guess, so he cautiously attended to all matters.
The palanquin quickly arrived at the tree.
The Emperor watched a group of people stacked together, crying out, his lips barely lifting before he pressed his fist to his mouth and coughed a few times, then instructed, "Xiao Lizi, send someone to separate them."
The Imperial Chef and a few assistants, upon seeing the Emperor's palanquin approach, were initially scared that their outrageous state might earn the Emperor's blame. But hearing his mildly helpless yet not angry words, they breathed a huge sigh of relief.
They spoke in unison, "Thank you, Emperor."
However, the next moment, Emperor Yongning added, "Then give each of them thirty lashes."
Those fools, with so many of them, couldn't even catch a little prankster, instead leaving themselves so 'gracefully' mocked.
Ha, a punishment was truly deserved.
The punished were stunned, "......"
Even when dragged away to be lashed, they hadn't understood why the Emperor's demeanor changed so swiftly?
Truly, serving an Emperor is like serving a tiger!
Once these people were dealt with, Emperor Yongning finally had the time to focus on the little prankster who had fooled everyone.
Not far away, that little prankster was dressed in ragged clothes, covered in flour all over, especially on his head and face, making it impossible to discern his appearance, but it was vaguely clear he was a boy.
He looked quite sturdy.
At this moment, holding a chicken drumstick in his hand, seeing the Imperial Chef and others taken away for punishment, he took a bite of the drumstick and raised an eyebrow at Emperor Yongning, who 'avenged' him.
There was a touch of defiance in his eyes!
As if blaming Emperor Yongning for dealing with those people, hindering his ability to further prank them.
Emperor Yongning was puzzled, wondering where this child came from in the palace, only to see his defiant demeanor.
Emperor Yongning: "......"
He... he was actually being challenged by a little prankster?
"Someone, quickly, someone, catch that little prankster for me," Emperor Yongning gritted his teeth angrily, "Today, I must teach him a good lesson."
Xiao Lizi, seeing Emperor Yongning's murderous intent, wished to advise, "Emperor, it's just a child, not worth getting upset over. You must take care of your health."
But he could only think it.
With the Emperor's stance, it was clear he couldn't be dissuaded.
The surrounding Imperial Guards stepped forward to catch the boy, but that little prankster was not only unfazed, he even cheekily turned his backside to the Emperor's palanquin, boldly clapped twice, and then ran off.
"This little rascal." Emperor Yongning was so furious his forehead veins throbbed, his throat tinged with a metallic taste, "Chase, quickly chase, you must catch this rascal for me, or I'll have your heads."
The Imperial Guards, hearing this life-threatening order, chased with even greater vigor.
But...