Am I Evil?...

10

The Tian family is a wealthy and powerful official family that served under the Emperor for hundreds of years. They were among the officials who recommended the Emperor to separate powers by creating four King seats, and they were the one who highly encouraged the Emperor to give the North seat, which held the largest land and people, to King Dai.

With so much power and wealth, Tian Shu grew up without any worries. Whatever she longed for, she was able to get without even uttering it out loud. With Tian Shu being the only female within the main branch of the Tian family, when she longed for a sister, one was easily given to her as well.

With people waiting on her around the clock, since the day she was born until now, she had never even experience a cut on her body or shed a tear because of pain.

Thus, when the hot water splashed on her exposed chest and scorched her skin red, after a sudden, uneven intake of air, she fainted without a sound.

...

As Xu Ming sobbed and knelt in front of King Dai, all of the esteem guests have gathered on the side of the grand hall, mumbling amongst themselves about the situation.

"Young lord Juin." A servant timidly called out as he nervously ran after Dai Juin into the large, fancy hall.

As everyone turned their attention to the noise, Dai Juin stopped in front of Xu Ming and coldly stared at him for a few seconds before whipping the side of Xu Ming's head with his cased sword.

"Wu.wu. why did you hit me?" Xu Ming held the side of his head with his left hand and sobbed even louder and more pitifully.

Dai Juin raised his nose up and narrowed his eyes as he lifted up his cased sword again and swung it towards the other side of Xu Ming's head.

After Xu Ming was flung onto the ground again, just as Dai Juin was about to hit Xu Ming again, King Dai sighed and firmly said, "Dai Juin, this is my hall. Show your respect."

...

For as long as Dai Juin could remember, King Dai had never once stopped anyone, even servants and maids, from bullying Dai Yun. So now that he actually has a very legit reason to teach Dai Yun a lesson, he really did not want to stop until Dai Yun is a puddle of blood beneath his feet.

"Father, I just left mother's wing. The physician said that the wound will leave behind scars. This miscreant dare to cause harm onto mother inside of Father's manor. He did not even take into consideration that mother gave him life. How can I let this go! I must give justice to mother." Dai Juin icily spat without shifting his threaten gaze from Xu Ming and tighten his fist around his sword.

Given the way Tian Shu treated Dai Yun in the past few days, Xu Ming would have never guessed that Tian Shu is Dai Yun's birth mother. So he was surprised and internally thanked Dai Juin for letting him know.

"Father is honest and kind. Dai Yun begs father to give Dai Yun a chance to explain." Xu Ming sobbed out as he kowtows pitifully.

King Dai looked from Xu Ming's pitiful form to Dai Juin, and then turn to the esteem guests and sigh. Since Dai Juin is more useful than Dai Yun, King Dai did not want to offend Dai Juin by allowing Dai Yun to speak. Furthermore, this could be used as an excuse to send Dai Yun back to mount Zuzhou. But, there were so many eyes and ears leaning towards him. If he just blatantly ignored Dai Yun side and sentence him. The officials who are consistently yearning for his downfall and King seat would definitely spread unpleasant rumors, that he is not the benevolent and fair King he portrayed.

Sighing, as King Dai thought about what to do, Queen Tian softly spoke with a remorseful expression.

"Your highness, I was present during the incident.

...It was not intentional. 

Sigh. Since Dai Yun is still young and foolish and since Miss Tian is his birth mother, Dai Yun mistakenly greeted her informally. I encouraged Miss Tian to forgive Dai Yun, but Miss Tian wanted to ensure that he won't make the same mistake in the future. So she had him hold two glass bowls and poured steaming hot tea into both. No normal human could possibly withstand such heat. Dai Yun is just a child and was probably surprised by the heat and pain and therefore accidentally dropped the two bowls. Since Miss Tian was near him, the hot water splashed onto her. It is truly unfortunate. Not only is Miss Tian scarred, but look at Dai Yun's hands. They are also badly hurt. Your highness it is my fault. If only I had been firmer, the both of them will not have been hurt."

Xu Ming couldn't help but smirked internally. Tian Mi had said everything that he wanted to say, and she was able to turn the events around to make Tian Shu, Dai Juin, and Dai Yun look bad. She was also able to save her own reputation as a Kind Queen as well.

As Xu Ming secretly chuckled to himself, the crowd were indeed blaming Tian Shu for being cold hearted and ruthless to her own child, scolding Dai Juin for blindly placing blame, and condemning Dai Yun for scarring his birth mother.

"The fault lies with those who refused to listen and instigated the problem further. You have already advised Tian Shu, yet she refused to listen. The fault does not lie with you." The King turned to Tian Mi and calmly spoke.

"This official agrees with his highness. Queen Tian is kind to forgive and take the fault of someone else." An esteem official chimed in.

As Tian Mi shyly cast her gaze down and humbly accept the officials' praises, Dai Juin let out a cold huff and narrowed his eyes.

"Father, what Queen Tian said is not wrong. However, Dai Yun is still guilty of harming is own birth mother. If mother was able, she would be here, pleading father for justice. But since she can't, I am standing on her behalf to implore father to give justice to mother."

"Your highness, what Dai Juin said is accurate. However, I cannot bear it in my heart to sentence Dai Yun harshly for an accident. I beg your highness to show this child mercy." Queen Tian softly spoke.

Everyone in the room again soften their expression at how empathetic Tian Mi was even though the Dai Yun is not her child by blood, and scold Dai Juin for how cold hearted he is towards his own brother.

"What do you think should be done?" King Dai softly asked Tian Mi

With a soft smile on her face, Tian Mi calmly said, "I think that it would be enough to have Dai Yun assist Madame Hue with string binding. It will teach him manners and patience."

The King nodded his head, appearing to think about the suggestion for a bit before smiling and agreeing.

Dai Juin on the other hand, couldn't help but let out an irate huff and glared coldly at Tian Mi then Xu Ming as he marched out of the hall.