"From today, the two princesses must live in Yu Xi District, and there they must live a simple life as ordinary people."
The princesses immediately screamed pitifully, "Fu Wang! Yu Xi District is a small village! How can we live there?!"
"Precisely. I want you to leave the luxury of being princesses and live like ordinary people. So that you won't be too arrogant with your status, and can learn to be humble and modest."
"Bu... but, Fu Wang... living in a small village... sleeping in a hut... where there are mice, cockroaches, and other nasty animals..." Tears started to run down the cheeks of the scared princess. "I... can't, Fu Wang... I'm scared!..."
"Oh, that's nothing. Later you will go there on foot, and when you get there you have to work alone to make ends meet. Draw your own water, wash your own clothes, cook... you will do it all by yourself, because I won't give maids for you. Oh, also take off your comfortable clothes, and instead, wear clothes made of sack materials, like the commoners usually wear."
"What?! Clo... clothes made of sack material that can make the skin itchy!?" Another princess also cried. "Fu Wang... please, no..."
Zhu Su ignored his daughters who were starting to sob. "Okay, that's final. You must leave here and go to Yu Xi tomorrow."
The princesses now fell down and began to kowtow. Apologizing and crying for help.
"Fu Wang... please forgive us! We have got it into our head! We realize our mistake, so please, don't send us there, please?..."
"We are your own daughters, Fu Wang. Your flesh and blood! And we are weak women, how can we live in such misery?! So Fu Wang, please don't send us there..."
"We won't endure that, Fu Wang... we will die! Do you want to see us die?!"
Zhu Su clicked his tongue, very irritated. "Ah, you just exaggerate! Stop that, I don't want to hear anything from your mouths! Get out of here!"
"Fu Wang!" A princess crawled fast until she was right in front of Zhu Su. She hugged her father's legs, sobbing very hard. "Fu Wang! Please forgive me! I beg you, please forgive me! I promise, I will not repeat it again!"
Another princess touched her forehead to the floor. "Fu Wang! Please forgive us, please have mercy!"
Several officers and loyal court ladies came forward, also begged for forgiveness. "Your Highness, may you concern at the blood ties between you and your daughters, and may you cancel the sentence!"
"We ask for the willingness from Your Highness!" The whole room began to kneel down.
The pitiful princesses' sobs, as well as pleading for forgiveness from all the officials and court ladies, indeed disturbed Zhu Su so much. He was initially not the type who could bear to hear moans and sobs. And moreover, the princesses were his own daughters nonetheless. He also realized, the punishment was quite hard to be endured by his two daughters who were preoccupied with luxury, perhaps what his daughters said was true, they would die quickly...
No. They just make excuses. It can't be just because they are women then I may allow them to live in indulgence, they must be punished according to their mistakes, and more... they must be educated properly, so that they can grow up as noble and righteous human beings.
Therefore, Zhu Su chose to shut his heart. He took a deep breath, put on an apathetic face, and even started to close his eyes, as if refusing to see the "suffering" her two daughters were experiencing.
"Fu Wang! How can you do this?! You know, everything we do, we do it only to get your love and attention!"
"That's true! Fu Wang, you never care for us. We try hard to learn everything we must learn as perfectly as possible, we try hard to be the daughters that you like, try hard to make you care and love us... but you still never care for us, and even busy with your activities! Do you know, Fu Wang? We really miss your love!"
"And now, you can have the heart to punish us this way!"
The princess, who busy kowtowed previously, now looked up, stared at Zhu Su thoroughly. Her eyebrows furrowed with anger, and also sadness. The same with another princess who hugged Zhu Su's legs, now looked up, casting a demanding gaze at Zhu Su.
And Zhu Su himself, got flabbergasted. "What do you mean?! As if I never love you?!..."
"You never, indeed! You are only busy with state affairs, or your research projects. You aren't like other Fan Wangs who often play with their families, you are only busy with your own business."
This time, Zhu Su was clammed up. Putting aside the ego that intended to shout hundreds of justifications, he had to admit that his daughters were right. He was often apathetic with his family, especially since he got busy with this new research project. He only focused on his activities and paid no attention to his family. When he worked, he could work until late at night, and the next day all his time was also spent on the project. This project had been running for months, it meant that he had neglected his daughters also for months...
But, not just because I don't really care for them then they are free to do whatever they like, right?! Not because of that reason then I must cancel this sentence. They are wrong, after all, they must be penalized according to the law!
On the other hand, Hu Nayin was touched as she heard the justification of these princesses. She indeed realized this Zhu Su's flaw. It was just because she adored and loved Zhu Su so much, the flaw escaped her sight and she was not bothered by it. Moreover, they were working on the same project so they could meet up at any time. But these Jun Zhus are different from me, they don't participate in their father's project. They must feel neglected and lonely. I know the feeling very well. Same with me, if I am abandoned by someone I love very much, it'll be so suffering for me.
"Your Highness," Finally Hu Nayin spoke up her mind. "Please excuse me for giving such an opinion, but... I hope you may cancel the sentence for Jun Zhu."