Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
âYes, Your Highness.â Su Yingxue suddenly became obedient.
She intentionally sat next to Wu Hongtao, who was kneeling obediently. It looked as if he was kneeling before her. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Wu Hongtao was seething with anger but didnât dare to act recklessly in front of Chu Yihan. He could only cover his bruised ego with his hand.
Liang Jin sought Chu Yihanâs guidance. âYour Highness, with your presence here, do you find any flaws in my handling of the case?â
Chu Yihanâs face turned stern, and his eyes were as cold as stars. âI donât understand when Lord Liang, who has served as the capital governor for so many years, started making such careless decisions.â
Liang Jinâs heart trembled, and he quickly prostrated himself. âI have been remiss. I humbly request Your Highnessâs guidance, and I will correct my mistakes promptly.â
Chu Yihan naturally exuded an aura of nobility and dominance. Liang Jin, Wu Hongtao, and Su Dingheng didnât dare to challenge him. They remained on their knees, bowing as if they were in the Taichi Hall, attentively listening to the emperorâs decrees.
âLord Liang, in both cases you handled, the root cause lies with Wu Hongtaoâs lack of discipline and instigation. Yet you plan to take the rescuer and the provoked individual into custody. Does that make any sense?â Chu Yihanâs voice grew colder, and his pressure intensified.
Although Liang Jin felt the pressure, he had no choice but to speak the truth. âYour Highness, although Miss Su is the rescuer and was provoked, she is also at fault for causing harm. Moreover, she knew that Lord Wu is an appointed official of the court, yet she assaulted him in public. This cannot be considered innocence.â
Wu Hongtao saw an opportunity to defend himself. âThatâs right, Your Highness! This Su Yingxue intruded into my residence and assaulted me in public. It was truly going too far!â
Chu Yihan nodded. âI heard that when Lord Wu went to the clinic, he brought more than twenty guards with him?â
Wu Hongtao wanted to gain sympathy from Chu Yihan, so he continued, âThatâs correct! All of my twenty guards were injured! Your Highness, just look at my face. Itâs swollen from Su Yingxueâs slap!â
âDo you still have the audacity to complain to me?â Chu Yihan reprimanded with a cold voice. âAs an official of the imperial court, you have recklessly harassed a weak woman and brought numerous guards with you, only to end up battered and bruised! Wu Hongtao, how is it that I was unaware that there is such a useless person in the court? What purpose does the court serve by providing a salary to worthless individuals like you?â
Wu Hongtao was stunned into silence.
Su Yingxue was also momentarily stunned. She propped up her face, her beautiful eyes filled with puzzlement.
She wanted to ask Chu Yihan, âYour Highness, isnât your bias a little too obvious?â
She couldnât help but let out a laugh.
However, Chu Yihan didnât perceive it that way. His voice remained cold and deep. âAs an official of the imperial court, you have brought disgrace upon the court. Today, I shall punish you with a hundred cane strikes. Lord Liang will bring you back to the Capital Prefecture for the execution.â
âA hundred cane strikes!â Wu Hongtao collapsed onto the ground.
Wasnât this tantamount to taking his life?
Liang Jin also felt that a hundred cane strikes were excessive, but Chu Yihan was the Ninth Prince, and he was above everyone else. Even the emperor might not refute his words.
Therefore, Liang Jin didnât argue and instead tactfully responded, âI will comply with the decree. However, Your Highness, I must ensure Lord Wuâs safety, or else the case cannot be tried in the future.â
âLord Liang, you shall make that decision yourself.â Chu Yihan ceased further questioning.
âAs for Miss Su, Your Highness, what will be her fate? If you have no specific instructions, I will bring her back to the Capital Prefecture,â Liang Jin stated as he stood up.
âShe doesnât need to accompany you back to the Capital Prefecture. I will personally watch over her until the court hearing takes place,â Chu Yihan replied with an unchanged expression..