Chapter 2268: What Do You Mean?

The Third Prince remained completely oblivious to Su Huai’s actions in Hangzhou City!

Even after the Su brothers returned to Jiangning, the Third Prince remained unaware of the events unfolding in Hangzhou City. Neither he nor his courtiers had any inkling of what had transpired.

Summoning the Su brothers, the Third Prince’s first inquiry was about Su Huai’s anticipated return.

The Su brothers were taken aback. Hadn’t their father indicated he was still engaged in battle in Hangzhou City?

Dismissive of such mundane queries, they pressed the Third Prince for siege ladders and catapults, crucial to their strategy. With these tools, they asserted, they could finally eliminate Zheng Sangge and exact vengeance upon Huaixi.

The Third Prince blinked in confusion.

“What do you mean? Vengeance?”

Clearly exasperated by Su Huai’s mess, he sought only to mitigate the damage promptly. Siege weapons? Turning the tables? These were not priorities.

Hadn’t he issued a decree to withdraw the troops?

After a frustrating interrogation of the Su brothers, the Third Prince discovered that not only had Su Huai failed to withdraw, but he had also conscripted civilians and plundered their wealth. Shocked and incensed, he nearly collapsed in disbelief!

“Outrageous! Outrageous! Your Su family has truly overstepped! Have you no regard for me? This is beyond belief!”

The Third Prince roared furiously, sweeping memorials to the ground.

The Su brothers appeared shocked and bewildered, unable to comprehend the Emperor’s outburst.

The Su family had always been loyal and had fought diligently for the Emperor. How could their actions be seen as audacious? Why was the Emperor so incensed?

The Third Prince, his anger unabated, demanded coldly, “I ordered a retreat. Did you receive my imperial decree?”

Elder Brother Su nodded firmly. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

His confidence only seemed to infuriate the Third Prince further, who erupted once more, “If you received it, why did you not retreat? What is Su Huai’s intention?”

“We cannot retreat, Your Majesty,” the second Su brother retorted angrily. “To withdraw after one defeat would only embolden Huaixi! Moreover, Zheng Sang has slain two of our uncles. If we do not seek vengeance, we betray our own blood!”

Elder Brother Su nodded in agreement. “Exactly.”

The Third Prince’s expression turned incredulous.

After a prolonged discussion, it was clear they still did not take him, the Emperor, seriously at all. How could they prioritize personal vendettas over imperial decree?

Observing the defiant demeanor of the Su brothers, the Third Prince found himself unable to muster anger.

There seemed no way to make them understand. He understood their motivations, yet they failed to grasp his intentions.

Suppressing his frustration, the Third Prince spoke icily, “I’ll say it again. There’s no room for debate. I will issue another imperial decree: you must retreat immediately! Release all forcibly conscripted civilians and return all looted wealth! You are officials of the Imperial Court, not marauders who pillage and plunder!”

The Su brothers’ expressions shifted uneasily.

References to their past as bandits stung, and their standing in court had suffered for it. Now, to be reprimanded so publicly by the Emperor only added to their discomfort and shame.