Princess East Shu lingered, her hands tucked into her sleeves as she gazed coolly at Sang Zhi.

Sang Zhi didn’t look at her, walking straight to Ye Qianning’s side instead.

Ye Qianning sensed the gaze and turned to look toward Princess East Shu. ’Gorgeous, but she has no noble air, only a sinister one. Although, speaking of sinister, her husband is even more so.’

She had made a point to observe him at the banquet. It was as if he practiced some kind of vicious, dark art; even his complexion looked a bit dull. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"So that’s your aunt, huh?" Ye Qianning asked, tilting her head slightly.

"She is not," Sang Zhi replied.

"I didn’t think you looked alike anyway." Ye Qianning shook her head and averted her gaze. "You should stay away from her from now on."

"Okay."

"Let’s go."

Sang Zhi nodded, then turned and bent over the bench next to Nanxiang.

"..."

’Tsk, one is more proper than the next.’

Princess East Shu’s brow furrowed. She gave Ye Qianning a long, hard look before finally turning to leave.

Sang Qi’s face was twisted in a scowl. He snorted coldly and also bent over the long bench. ’It’s only ten strikes. I’m not afraid.’

"Xiang’er."

Princess Changyang could only think of the beating her daughter was about to receive, and she wept with a broken heart.

"Sister, don’t cry. Three strikes is nothing," Princess Heliang couldn’t help but console her.

"But Sister, Xiang’er has been frail since childhood. She won’t be able to bear it."

"Get up. The way I see it, your Xiang’er could take thirty strikes, let alone three," Princess Heliang said with a laugh.

"Sister, what do you mean by that?"

Princess Heliang helped her up and gestured for her to look behind them.

Princess Changyang stood up and turned around, confused.

The guards who had come to carry out the punishment were surrounded by a crowd. The rod meant for the beating had been snapped in two by Xiang Minghou and tossed to the ground.

"General, we are only following orders," the terrified guard said, dropping to his knees.

"A beating is one thing, but if you actually injure her, you’ll face the consequences," Xiang Minghou said coldly.

"That’s right! If you injure my great-granddaughter, I’ll have your life!" Old Master Gu’s expression was ferocious.

Although Zhan Yi and his wife said nothing, their expressions said it all.

Minister Qian, in particular, had an indifferent gaze that sent a chill down one’s spine. The guards lamented inwardly, ’How did we end up with such a thorny assignment?’

"Did you hear me?" Xiang Minghou snapped.

"Yes, yes, of course."

The guards got up, nodding and bowing. They picked up the military rods and walked toward the four people already in position.

The four guards took their places. The rod held by the guard next to Nanxiang was still in two pieces, so he had no choice but to hold the broken half and go through the motions.

Only upon seeing this did Princess Changyang finally relax.

"See?" Princess Heliang said with a smile.

"Is... is this all right? If the Emperor finds out, won’t the punishment be even more severe?"

"Why do you think the Emperor isn’t personally overseeing this? Even if he has no consideration for the others, he must consider the Crown Prince. Ten strikes from a military rod is no small matter."

Princess Changyang understood instantly. The official report would say they received ten strikes, but no one would bother to check if the blows were real.

With the Crown Prince himself being disciplined with the rod at such a young age, what family wouldn’t be forced to keep their own children in line?

Make a mistake, and the military rod would be no joke.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the guards raised their rods and brought them down.

"Oww, that hurts! I’m dying..." Ye Qianning yelped dramatically.

The guard beside her jumped in fright. He looked up, only to be met with several murderous glares. He tightened his grip on the rod. ’I swear I didn’t use any force!’

"PFFT-AHAHAHA!" Nanxiang couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Ye Qianning turned her head. "Don’t laugh! You’ll give us away. If you get their attention, we’ll get hit for real."

"Okay." Nanxiang covered her mouth with her little hand.

The blow that landed on Sang Qi wasn’t heavy either, but hearing Ye Qianning’s yelp, he sneered, "Pathetic."

"Fine, we’re pathetic. You’re the one with all the backbone. If you’re so tough, why don’t you tell the guards to stop holding back?"