"None of you were hit that hard, so why should I get a severe punishment?" ’He wasn’t an idiot.’

"What are you talking about? We’re all in the same boat, so you have no room to talk. If you don’t like it, go take a proper ten whacks from the military club, then come back and complain." Ye Qianning had wanted to trick him into taking the beating. ’He’s surprisingly quick on the uptake.’

Sang Qi just grumbled and didn’t say another word.

Ye Qianning and Nanxiang’s three strikes were over in a flash. The two of them stood up and even stretched their limbs.

Princess Changyang immediately ordered someone to pick her up. Even though she wasn’t really hurt, they had to keep up appearances.

"Oh, my dear little one." Gu Lao wanted to hold her but found he didn’t quite have the strength.

"Great-grandfather, why did you come to the palace too?"

"Well, I had... some matters to attend to. Oh, my, look at this swollen little face. I hope it doesn’t leave a scar." Gu Lao raised his hand but didn’t dare to touch her. The little girl was already quite chubby, and the swelling made her features look completely different.

Ye Qianning touched her face. It hadn’t been obvious just a moment ago, but now it probably looked like she’d been stung by a swarm of bees, complete with blue and purple bruises. She was practically unrecognizable.

"Let’s go. We’re going home." Xiang Minghou walked over and picked up the little girl.

Seeing her father’s grim expression, Ye Qianning didn’t dare to say a word and simply let him carry her toward the palace exit.

Zhan Yi and the others all followed suit.

After taking his ten strikes, Sang Zhi stood up, his gaze fixed on Ye Qianning’s direction.

Ye Qianning waved at him, feeling a little worried.

As if sensing his disciple’s thoughts, Dean Chen had been standing still. When Sang Zhi got to his feet, he walked to his side. "Eighth Prince, let’s go."

Sang Zhi nodded.

Seeing her master accompanying the little stick-in-the-mud, Ye Qianning felt much more at ease.

"Dean Chen, what are you doing?" Sang Qi blocked their path.

"The Eighth Prince has some essays he hasn’t finished. Even if he can’t attend Lou Mountain in the future, he should at least complete his remaining work," Dean Chen said.

Sang Qi looked resentful upon hearing this.

"The academy’s term will begin in a few days. Your Highness the Crown Prince, you must be sure to focus more on your studies."

"Yes, Dean."

Dean Chen nodded and led Sang Zhi away.

Sang Qi stood rooted to the spot for a long time. It seemed that anyone associated with Ye Qianning didn’t like him very much.

In the past, whenever Dean Chen came to the palace, he had always focused exclusively on his studies...

As Xiang Minghou carried Ye Qianning on the path out of the palace, Zhan Yi’s wife sobbed continuously behind them.

"We can never let Pangtuan come to the palace again."

"Sigh... I was so afraid something would happen, and it did. Look at how her face was struck," Zhan Yi sighed.

It was an eye-opening day for Gu Lao. "They say all the imperial princesses are taught proper etiquette, but deep down, they’re nothing but arrogant. They don’t have a single shred of courtesy."

"Gu Lao, are you only just realizing this now?" Qian Fu asked.

"I’ve known for a long time. I just didn’t expect the children of the Imperial Family to be even worse." Gu Lao felt that even children from the countryside had better manners.

"It’s not a good place," Qian Fu said slowly.

Indeed, it was not a good place.

Everyone wanted a place within its walls, but only after getting in did they realize how difficult it was to get out.

Hearing this, Gu Lao and the others all turned to look at Xiang Minghou. Resigning from his post would not be easy. He would likely face a difficult time in the imperial court tomorrow.

The group exited the palace gates and boarded their respective family carriages.

Only after the Xiang family’s carriage had turned onto the street past the palace gates did Ye Qianning finally break the silence.

"Father, are you really going to resign?" ’Of course, deep down, she hoped he would.’

’Serving a ruler is like living with a tiger. Imperial power is truly terrifying.’

Xiang Minghou nodded. "Mm."

"Then who will guard the border?"

"Didn’t the Sixth Princess say it? If Beili loses one General, there will be others. With tens of thousands of people, they won’t miss your father."