He turned back to look toward the doorway.
Dou Qingyi nodded at him.
Lu Qi said, "Royal Grandfather, Father holds deep affection for his children. If he is truly Father's son, I believe Father would not deny him. However, since he is the son of Father's old acquaintance, I, Qi'er, am willing to become sworn brothers with him. For the mistake he committed today, I am willing to bear the punishment on his behalf."
On the surface, these words seemed to offer Lu Yuan a way out, but in truth, they were condemning him.
Lu Yuan wasn't buying it. Turning his head, he retorted, "Oh, sworn brothers? The kind where one ends up with a blade stuck in their gut?"
As he finished, he broke into two dramatic coughs.
Emperor Liang frowned. "Didn't I tell you to speak less?"
Lu Yuan looked aggrieved. "But I can't just let people bully me… Father denies me… Uncle doesn't want me… and now people want to beat me to death…"
Steward Jia trembled violently.
Emperor Liang said coldly, "Which uncle?"
