Yu Jingchen had never been soft-hearted before, and whatever little compassion he had left was reserved for Nan Zhiyun. Yet, this woman, who had no fear of death, had crossed Nan Zhiyun and spoken words that Yu Jingchen detested. This was nothing short of seeking death.
Nan Zhiyun had not expected things to escalate to this point, but she would not plead for mercy. Just moments ago, this woman had plotted to frame her.
"Fifty slaps to the face, then send her back to her estate for the Lu family to deal with as they see fit. I will send someone to the Lu manor to verify the death. If there is any discrepancy, the Lu family will be guilty of harboring a criminal, and I will not show leniency." Yu Jingchen's decree sealed Lu Ruo Ruo's fate. She was truly beyond saving.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Lu Ruo Ruo continued to cry out.
"Execute the punishment immediately!" The sound annoyed Yu Jingchen. His subordinates stepped forward and struck Lu Ruo Ruo several times.
"Start again, not with your hands, but with instruments," Yu Jingchen was not satisfied. He then ordered wooden paddles for slapping to be brought, and they rained down on Lu Ruo Ruo's face.
Nan Zhiyun watched from the side, a chill running down her spine. It wasn't out of soft-heartedness, but a touch of fear, as she herself had experienced similar torment in the past.
Nan Zhiyun turned her head away, unable to watch any longer. She buried her face in Yu Jingchen's neck and held him close.
Yu Jingchen knew she was afraid. He gently stroked her back to comfort her, then carried Nan Zhiyun away. Behind them, Lu Ruo Ruo could no longer utter a sound, only the relentless thud of wooden paddles striking her face, a terrifying ordeal.
Lu Ruo Ruo's presence there was no mere coincidence, and Yu Jingchen understood this. He firmly believed in collective punishment, and thus, the Consort Xian was also dealt with.
However, her punishment was not as severe. Yu Jingchen, citing the crime of leaking imperial whereabouts, demoted Consort Xian to a mere Talent, ordering fifty lashes and the hundred-time transcription of palace rules as a minor reprimand.
Yun Peng Palace
Si Ying entered from outside.
"Your Ladyship, His Majesty has just decreed the punishment for Consort Xian. She is now merely Sun Talent, and His Majesty has also ordered fifty lashes," Si Ying reported.
"Since it is His Majesty's will, those carrying out the punishment would certainly not have held back," Yan Qing idly stirred the tea leaves in her cup.
"Yes, I have already sent someone to inform them," Si Ying knew that Consort Xian's assistance to Lu Ruo Ruo had thoroughly angered her mistress.
"Sun Talent has not learned the palace rules, and His Majesty has already ordered her to transcribe them. However, I observe that she has also not learned the Women's Virtues well, and is so impetuous. Transcribing Buddhist scriptures would also benefit her in cultivating her mind. Therefore, have someone inform her to transcribe the Women's Virtues and Buddhist scriptures, one hundred times each. If she truly wishes to repent, she must show sincerity, so let her transcribe them kneeling. Tell her that I will have someone monitor her daily to ensure she completes them on time." Yan Qing's eyes were indifferent, as if this were no significant matter.
"Yes," Si Ying responded.
"But... Your Ladyship, will His Majesty suspect you?" Si Ying was still somewhat worried.
"Why would he suspect me? I haven't done anything. It was merely someone mentioning that Consort Shu was in the imperial garden. What does that have to do with me? Did I instigate it? I haven't even seen Sun Talent or that Lu Ruo Ruo in days..." Yan Qing set down her cup and examined her hands.
Her freshly dyed fingernails were a vibrant crimson. How beautiful they were. If they were stained with actual human blood, they would surely be even more striking. Her hands, it seemed, would only look truly captivating when they were stained with blood.