Chapter 007: The Staff's Responsibility

Mu Wanqing could no longer hold on and fell to the ground. She awaited someone to drag her away, but instead, a steady sound of footsteps approached, accompanied by a faint scent of sandalwood lingering at her nostrils

Chu Qing understood Huo Chen's concerns and did not wish to say more. However, suddenly recalling something, he added: "In a couple of days, it will be the anniversary of the late Imperial Concubine's passing. Does Your Highness have any plans to pay respects?"

Mu Wanqing let out a cold laugh in her heart. At the moment he arrived, she actually had a thought that he would save her, but now that she reflects on it, he is the true villain!

She slightly raised her head and saw the sun shining fiercely, making it difficult for her to open her eyes. The sunlight also illuminated Huo Chen's face, preventing her from clearly seeing his expression

At that time, he was still the prince cherished in his mother's hands. After his mother passed away, his father suspected his lineage, and within the palace, even the servants dared to bully him. He could only endure humiliation and bide his time, presenting himself as weak and sickly, which allowed him to survive until now

Deng Feiyang is the chief instructor, a person of great ambition. It is a good thing to send him out of the capital, and the emperor should also understand the pros and cons of this matter.

"What is a group of people doing in the garden?" Huo Chen furrowed his brows slightly, standing with his hands clasped behind his back

What she owes him will ultimately have to be repaid

Come here! Drag her away! One hundred strokes of the rod!" Mu Yirou said with a face full of anger, pointing at Mu Wanquing.

"Chu Qing." Huo Chen gazed at the small boat on the lake

At this moment, Huo Chen finally came to a halt, but his mind was not occupied with matters of the court; instead, it was filled with thoughts of that woman's brows and eyes, her demeanor, and her gestures.

The personal guard, Chu Qing, had been standing by for a long time and could not help but ask: "Your Highness, is there something troubling the court?"

Just now, the elder sister asked the younger sister to come and hit her personally. Well, the younger sister decided to return everything she had endured over the years to the elder sister! Mu Yirou made Aunt Dou pull her up. This Mu Wanning never regarded herself highly. Her mother was clearly married to her father in a legitimate manner, yet she was overthrown by Lu Xinmei, who came from a brothel, resulting in her having no status in the Xiang residence and being targeted by Mu Wanning. If Mu Wanning had died from hitting a wall, it would have brought her some comfort, but since Mu Wanning did not die and instead seduced Huo Chen, it was just the right opportunity for her to take revenge for the hatred she had accumulated over the years. Her mother was clearly married to her father in a legitimate manner, yet she was overthrown by Lu Xinmei, who came from a brothel, resulting in her having no status in the Xiang residence and being targeted by Mu Wanning. If Mu Wanning had died from hitting a wall, it would have brought her some comfort, but since Mu Wanning did not die and instead seduced Huo Chen, it was just the right opportunity for her to take revenge for the hatred she had accumulated over the years.

Mu Wanqing did not know much about Ying Ji, only that she was the courtesan of Yangzhou, usually solitary and not sociable with Mu Yirou and the others. Ying Ji's plea for mercy made Mu Wanqing feel a glimmer of hope, which gradually spread.

Huo Chen did not glance at Mu Wanqing at all, but cast a quick look at Mu Yirou, who indeed appeared somewhat flushed, and then softly asked, "Does it hurt?"

Mu Yi's eyes suddenly turned red, and she lowered her head to say: "Rou'er doesn't hurt, but..."

Mu Yi, feeling a slight anger, stood up and walked closer

The Shadow Princess scoffed, seeing that Mu Wanqing's cheeks were already swollen and red, her hair disheveled, looking so disheveled, and said: "Slightly? Your face is beaten to this extent, and you still say it's slightly?"

"The prince does this not for himself, but merely to accumulate blessings for the child." The shadow princess gently caressed her belly

Go tell Mu Wanqing that if she is willing to steal the military token for this king, then this king can allow her to survive

Huo Chen waved his hand, indicating that he did not wish to hear any more, and the guard then led Mu Wanqing away.

Mu Yi widened her eyes in disbelief, covered her face, and shouted sharply: "You dare to hit me?! How dare you hit me!"

He appeared calm and said, "I have submitted a memorial, requesting that Deng Feiyang be stationed there. If Father Emperor does not approve, I fear it will not please either side"

"Your Highness, wouldn't that be unfair to her?" Ying Ji said discontentedly from the side

I am here

Huo Chen dismissed everyone, and immediately it became quiet.

The two bamboo baskets remain there

The fifty strokes of the board are difficult for even a strong man to endure, let alone someone as frail as Mu Wanqing. Ying Ji glanced at the gloating Ying Ji and said, "Your Highness, are these fifty strokes perhaps a bit excessive?"

Chu Qing was taken aback, unable to speak for a long time, and ultimately withdrew.

His footsteps are extremely slow, wandering in the shade of the greenery

"Why are you afraid? You can have someone hit me, so why can't I hit you?" Mu Wanqing chuckled lightly, but it caused *Tu* to wince in pain on the cheek.

Ying Ji's face stiffened for a moment: "Your Highness, please observe carefully. Just now, Mu Wanqing also slapped my sister. It truly shows a lack of distinction between nobility and commoners."

Huo Chen frowned deeply: "I hope so."

Mentioning his mother, Huo Chen visibly paused, his usually masked expression revealing a hint of pain. His mother was originally a distinguished young lady from a prominent family in Suzhou, who encountered the Emperor by chance by the lakeside and was subsequently honored as the De Concubine, enjoying continuous favor thereafter. However, two years ago, she died under mysterious circumstances and was also accused of having an illicit affair.

Mu Wanqing's legs had gone numb, yet her mind remained clear. She grasped Mu Yirou's hand and, with a swift motion, slapped Mu Yirou across the face.

Mu raised his hand gently and struck down fiercely

Huo Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Then it shall be thirty"

"Come here, drag that wretched woman away and give her fifty strokes of the rod," Huo Chen said淡淡地, his expression showing no signs of emotion. At this moment, his demeanor was so cold that it reminded Mu Wanqing of last night when they had been intimate. Today, he was unexpectedly so heartless. Did he not see that she was being beaten even more severely?

The peach blossom petals on the ground trace out two lines

The suffering he has endured over the past two years, he will repay one by one

Mu Wanqing's heart had grown cold, and she fixed her gaze on Huo Chen, unwilling to look away.

She actually did not beg for mercy

Her pair of clear, autumn-like apricot eyes fixed intently on Mu Yirou, are they sisters? Are they biological sisters? Mu Wanqing felt as if the entire world had become chaotic.

This is Ying Ji who also stepped out: "Your Highness, it is Mu Wanqing who is arrogant and disregards others, asking her to pick sesame seeds but not to choose, and moreover, she has repeatedly contradicted my sister, which is why my sister has slightly punished her."

Huo Chen ordered, and there were already guards stepping forward, intending to drag Mu Wanqing away

Mu Yi Rou saw Huo Chen's sudden arrival, and her heart skipped a beat, fearing that he would blame her. Upon noticing the shadowy figure beside Huo Chen, who was strikingly beautiful yet had a slight bulge in her abdomen, indicating that she was already pregnant, she hurriedly walked to Huo Chen's side and bowed, saying: "Your Highness, Rou'er was merely handling some minor matters"

She is not a pushover; she can pick up jade and pearls, and she can also choose sesame seeds, but she will never allow others to insult her in such a manner