Su Yingxue bit her lip. She didnât respond to Su Qingzhiâs words, but the outcome she desired would certainly come!
âCome, bring the vine whip to this old man!â
Su Qingzhi stood up, his hair and beard all white, yet his authority remained profound, âNo one in the Marquisâs Manor dares to lay a hand on you as the Ninth Princess Consort, so it shall be I, this old man, who personally teaches you a lesson! Although you are the Ninth Princess Consort, you are also my granddaughter, and I have the right to discipline you!â
Su Wei quickly handed the family whip to Su Qingzhi. This object had fallen on Su Yingxue before, but it was the first time that Su Qingzhi would do the whipping.
Su Han threw herself onto Su Yingxue and hugged her, âGrandpa, Yingxue has not been feeling well recently. Please allow Hanâer to share the lesson with her!â
She held Su Yingxue tightly in her protection.
However, Su Qingzhiâs first stroke fell upon Song Chengyi.
The manâs body was unmoving, his spinal column standing firm and mountainous.
Su Qingzhiâs thick brows furrowed, âAll of you, get out of the way!â
He was to discipline one person, yet two others had come to offer their protection.
Song Chengyi said nothing, as he was not yet a member of the Su family, and it was not his place to comment on the affairs of the Marquisâs Manor.
But with him present, Su Han could not suffer even the slightest harm.
âSister, please step aside! Grandpa is teaching me a lesson, and even as the Ninth Princess Consort, I must bear the responsibility,â Su Yingxue said as she pulled Su Hanâs arms from around her and pushed her into Song Chengyiâs embrace.
As Su Qingzhiâs vine whip seemed to come down again, Su Han nervously grabbed Song Chengyiâs hand.
A surge of energy rippled through the air, and Su Qingzhi felt a powerful inner strengthâthe whip did come down but was firmly caught in someoneâs hand.
Chu Yihan, dressed in a moon-white robe embroidered with dragon patterns, appeared before everyone, exuding a tremendous pressure, and instinctively everyone knelt down, âGreetings, Your Highness, the Ninth Prince!â
Su Qinghe, who had harbored many opinions regarding Su Yingxue just moments before, now seeing Chu Yihanâs protection, felt even more displeased in his heart. However, he would not voice his opinions in Chu Yihanâs presence.
âAll rise.â
Chu Yihan spoke indifferently.
He did not rush to help Su Yingxue up, but looked at Su Qingzhi, âThe Old General runs his household with strict discipline, which is faultless, but this Princeâs princess cannot be injured in front of me. If the Old General wishes to punish, this Prince will take the punishment on her behalf.â
Su Yingxue looked up in surprise, âYour Highness?â
He had lost a notable amount of weight over the past few days, and his jawline had become even more coldly defined.
Yet, as before, he was protecting her.
Su Yingxue couldnât help but reach out and hook her finger around his, which Chu Yihan then clasped in his hand.
Su Qingzhi let out a low sigh and threw the vine whip aside, âEnough! Your Highness serves the country and its people; who am I to punish you!â
Chu Yihan pulled Su Yingxue to her feet.
Having knelt for a while and then standing up, Su Yingxue felt a wave of dizziness and nausea, and as she fell into Chu Yihanâs embrace, she felt somewhat sick.
She covered her mouth and retched outside.
âWhat is it?â
Chu Yihan wrapped his arm around her waist, gently patting her back and soothing her in a gentle voice.
Her body had always been strong; she had never felt unwell before.
Now, her complexion did not look good, causing worry.
âYour Highness, Iâ¦â
Su Yingxue spoke and retched again.
If she had only suspected something in the past few days, with Chu Yihanâs arrival, she was now quite certain.
Sheâ¦
âUghâ¦â
She kept vomiting, emptying the acid in her stomach.
âMo Qi, bring Saint Ruan here!â
Chu Yihan frowned and ordered, his gaze shifting to Su Qingzhi, âOld General, since Yingxue is unwell today, this Prince will take her back now.â