Nan Zhiyun was naturally afraid, but she simply wouldn't speak up for herself. She didn't know what she was thinking.
Yu Jingchen looked at the刑杖 (xingzhang - punishment rod) held by the person next to him. Nan Zhiyun noticed Yu Jingchen's gaze, and then heard him say, "Bring it here."
The person holding the 刑杖 brought it over to Yu Jingchen. This type of 刑杖 was as thick as Nan Zhiyun's arm. If it were to strike her, Nan Zhiyun's body certainly wouldn't be able to withstand it.
Nan Zhiyun watched as Yu Jingchen's hand moved towards the 刑杖, her body trembling violently. She was terrified of this; she had experienced it before, so subconsciously, she was fearful of this object.
"Thirty is too light, you won't remember. One hundred is too heavy, you can't bear it..." Yu Jingchen seemed to be contemplating what amount would be appropriate.
"Your Majesty... Consort Shu must surely know her mistake. A few words should suffice..." Seeing that Yu Jingchen truly intended to act, Xing Lai felt anxious for Nan Zhiyun. It wasn't for any other reason, but he knew that if His Majesty's strike were to fall, Consort Shu's body would undoubtedly be unable to endure it.
Later, after His Majesty's temper subsided, he would likely feel heartache and regret. At that point, they would be the ones to suffer...
"Go fetch the 竹笞 (zhuchi - bamboo slip)," Yu Jingchen commanded again.
竹笞? Xing Lai probably understood. He gave a look to the person below. When Nan Zhiyun heard that they were to fetch the 竹笞, she also recalled her previous experience of being caned. Whether it was the 刑杖 or the 竹刑 (zhuxing - caning), both were things she couldn't bear.
Soon, the people below brought the 竹笞. The 竹笞 here were made of bamboo, like a flat board, and also some made from bamboo roots. They were quite painful when striking someone, but significantly lighter than the 刑杖. The former might be four fingers wide; the ones they brought were similar to a ruler. One was an inch wide, and the other was two inches wide.
Nan Zhiyun felt uneasy, but Xing Lai was less worried than before. Looking at His Majesty, he didn't seem like he was truly intending to be ruthless.
Yu Jingchen glanced at the objects they had brought, his brow furrowing, but he said nothing.
"Choose yourself, or shall I choose for you?" Yu Jingchen's self-address remained "I," but Nan Zhiyun, consumed by fear, likely didn't notice.
Nan Zhiyun lowered her head and remained silent. She didn't want to choose, but if she didn't speak, there was nothing she could do. Yu Jingchen didn't have that much time to waste.
He directly looked at the two 竹笞 that the people beside him had brought and selected the narrower one, about an arm's length long.
"If you don't choose, then I'll have to choose for you," Yu Jingchen's words sounded emotionless.
Nan Zhiyun shivered, but she lacked the courage to defend herself, let alone resist. Her current attitude truly provoked Yu Jingchen. Recalling today's events, the anger within Yu Jingchen burned hotter. If she was afraid, why didn't she say so? She was like this when she was injured, and she was like this now.
"Are you truly not afraid? Truly willing to accept punishment?" Yu Jingchen asked again. If Nan Zhiyun had been afraid and pleaded for herself, he wouldn't have needed to use this.
But... Nan Zhiyun was always so stubborn.
"Yes," Nan Zhiyun answered, though trembling with fear. This time, she had truly provoked Yu Jingchen.
"You willingly accept this punishment yourself. Don't blame me for not giving you a chance." Yu Jingchen didn't want to ask any further. He looked at the object in his hand and then swung it forcefully through the air.