HRPM – Chapter 239 Caught in the Act (4)

But Jin Luoluo had threatened him before. Now that he had finally caught her weakness, how could he not take the opportunity to curb her arrogance a little and make her think twice before threatening him again?

The emperor put on a stern act and said, “You dared to strike your imperial uncle from a lower position. That offense alone is enough to have your head chopped off! Hmph, you may escape death, but you won’t escape punishment. Fifty strokes of the paddle!”

Jin Luoluo’s eyes widened. “Fifty strokes? Your Majesty, you might as well just chop my head off! You already understand exactly what happened. I didn’t really hit the imperial uncle at all. You’re obviously abusing your authority for personal revenge.”

The old emperor was really petty too—he was still holding a grudge over the last time she threatened him.

“You dare object to the emperor’s command?” The emperor deliberately put on airs this time.

Jin Luoluo was furious. Was she really going to be beaten with fifty strokes? The old man was being far too ruthless!

Suddenly, Xiao Luo spoke. “Imperial Brother, let her go! Fifty strokes are too damaging for a young woman. You once promised me three requests. I will use one of them now to plead on her behalf. Please spare her.”

Eh? Even the emperor had been trapped into owing him three promises? Jin Luoluo instantly felt a sense of shared misery with the emperor.

Still, she was quite grateful for Xiao Luo’s quick thinking. At least he had saved her this time.

“You’re using one of your promises to save her?”

The emperor sighed faintly, and for some reason, a trace of melancholy rose in his eyes.

“Seventeenth Brother, all these years you’ve never once asked me for anything. You could have used those three promises to obtain the greatest power in the world, endless wealth, or anything else. I truly never expected your first request would be for something so insignificant.”

Insignificant? Fifty strokes would practically take half her life! That damned old emperor really treated human life like dirt.

Xiao Luo looked calmly at the emperor, his words carrying deeper meaning.

“Imperial Brother, what each person considers important is different. The things the world treasures most carry little weight in my heart. I only wish to find things that are simple and pure. A life that is too complicated does not suit me.”

This was his indirect way of reassuring the emperor, making it clear that he truly had no interest in power or the throne, allowing the emperor to lower his guard against him.

Naturally, the emperor understood Xiao Luo’s meaning. Being emperor inevitably meant living with suspicion—especially toward those around him who were exceptionally talented and held great power.