Section 3

There can be various reasons for indulgence, but at this moment, he most wants to prove one thing

Xiao Qi fell silent for a moment and said, "Could we consider an alternative course of action?"

Maple leaves shade a small pond, beside which stands an exquisite little building

The sunlight outside the window was obscured by clouds, and his handsome face appeared somewhat dim. Xiao Qi said: "The wine-offering dance from yesterday confirmed that you have practiced martial arts; she couldn't hit you at all, yet you deliberately allowed her to slap you.

No, I am to blame for her," Xiao Qi turned to the window and said softly, "Back then, in order to save Liu Yu, I caused her to be shot and fall into the icy current. She... was harmed by me.

The sound of heavy slaps echoed, and the room was filled with gasps.

I have heard that the lady's status is even inferior to that of a princess, how could Yan Chu dare to compare herself with the lady's maid? Yan Chu looked at the artist on the ground and smiled, "If the Duke thinks I am being excessive, then he should handle it himself, why bother with my attitude? If one does not have the ability to uphold justice, then one should not pretend to be just. It is not easy to win Yan Chu's gratitude."

Yiru covered her face with her hands and pointed at her with one finger: "You ... ... "

The heart also becomes soft in response

Xiao Qi slowly withdrew his hand and placed it behind his back: "It is my indiscretion to mistake you for her"

Yi appeared pale, and Xie En went down to receive punishment. The fragments were quickly cleaned up, a cup of new tea was placed on the table, and the maidservants gradually exited the door.

Then let it be handled in the same manner

Have you finished speaking? Yan Chu signaled the maid beside her to pour tea

Xiao Qi shifted his gaze back and saw Yan Chu sitting there, coldly observing everything, with the usual faint smile at the corner of her lips

Yi Ru sighed in relief, secretly signaling the maid to thank and accept the punishment, planning to turn back and plead with Liu Yu again

Xiao Qidao: "Drag him down and administer fifty strokes with the rod"

Yi Ru sneered and said, "You are merely a lowly dancer, and yet you become so arrogant. Don't indulge in daydreams. The king's indulgence towards you is merely out of respect for the late queen. Your position in the king's heart is even inferior to that of the queen. I advise you to abandon your delusions, be more content, and learn the rules of the court to avoid embarrassing yourself."

"It is not me, it is her!" The maid, no longer able to care about anything else, pointed at Yiru and cried out, "It was she who ordered me to hit her, Your Majesty, spare me!"

Xiao Qi stared at her and said: "Do not go too far"

Yan Chuan sat calmly in the chair, unmoved by anything

"Your words are disrespectful, and I shall impose a light punishment," Yan said as she sat down on the chair and picked up the teacup. "You must remember, I am a person bestowed by His Majesty to the Duke of Ding. Even if I were a dancer, I would be worth a hundred times more than you, a mere maid. To insult me is to insult His Majesty, a crime that the Duke of Ding cannot bear. I will spare you today, but remember this lesson for the future."

Apart from their temperament, the person before me almost completely overlaps with the figure in my memory, sitting in the same position, possessing the same appearance, reflecting the maple leaves outside the window, stunningly picturesque

Yan Chudao: "She is teaching me on behalf of the lady, I want to hit the lady back, does the prince really think I cannot do it?"

Unexpectedly, she remained so composed, causing the maids to hesitate and refrain from approaching

Singing a heartfelt play also comes at a cost, and at this moment, there are many eyes fixed on the Dingwang Mansion. Yunze, Xiao Qi, to what extent can you indulge?

Xiao Qi immediately said: "One hundred strokes of the rod, sold as an official courtesan"

Witnessing the familiar gesture, Xiao Qi's expression softened as he reached out to pull her: "Xi Luo."

Realizing the situation was not good, Yi resolutely explained: "She spoke offensively to the lady..."

The wild goose clapped its hands and said: "Indeed, it cannot be concealed from the Duke."

Your Majesty! At that moment, the voice of a maid was heard outside the door, and immediately after, the curtain was lifted. Xiao Qi entered, and Yi Ru quickly subdued her demeanor, greeting with the maids.

The furnishings in the room are old yet not lacking in elegance, with south-facing windows that offer a clear view of the pond and maple forest outside. A painting of late autumn maples hangs on the wall, and the removed curtains also feature red maples. Any carved designs on the wooden furniture are in the shape of maple leaves, revealing the unique preferences of the previous owner

Yiru angrily said: "Is this a lesson from the lady? Do I still need to take action myself?"

"I dare not do it again, please spare my life, my lady!" Yiru was so frightened that she broke out in a cold sweat and knocked her head against the ground, "Yiru has served the lady since childhood, I beg the king to consider the lady's sake!"

Yan Chudao: "Who dares to strike at the lady's confidant? If the Duke truly does not wish for me to suffer injustice, he would not show favoritism."

Upon catching Xiao Qi's gaze, Yi Ru shivered slightly and immediately understood the situation, proactively rushing to kneel before Yan Chu, saying: "Yi Ru is blind to the situation, I implore Miss Yan Chu to show mercy and spare me this time."

Unexpectedly, Yan suddenly laughed and said: "Ding Wang is very forgiving, let's just let it go"

Yan initially smiled

A maid, intending to curry favor, indeed came forward, snatched the teacup and smashed it on the ground, slapped Yan Chu across the face, and with an air of authority declared: "Sister Yiru serves the lady, and if you dare to touch her, it is as if you do not regard the lady at all"

Xiao Qi turned to the side and asked again: "Who is it?"

Without a second thought, Yan Chu walked to the window, instructing the maidservants to replace the old ornaments and to rearrange the layout anew

Finally realizing that her fate rests solely on the words of the other party, the maid, unable to contain her fear, repeatedly pleads for mercy. Seeing that Xiao Qi does not respond, she feels even more regret, crying as she kneels before Yan Chu, continuously bowing her head in desperate supplication, occasionally glancing at Yi Ru, hoping for her assistance

Every word in the conversation was laced with sarcasm, yet Xiao Qi did not get angry and said: "Two hundred strokes of the rod, and a suspension of duties."

Yiru did not dare to speak further, and the maid who acted was also frightened, kneeling on the ground to beg for mercy

At such times, Yi Ru dared not speak of love, remaining silent instead

Yan Chu was still sitting in the chair, slightly turning her face and saying: "Is the Duke in a hurry to come and clean up the mess?"

She was looked down upon by her, and Yi felt her face flush with embarrassment; however, what happened next was even more unexpected for her

The wild goose seemed not to have heard, gently lifting the lid of the teacup and blowing on it.

Looking at the fragments of the teacup, Xiao Qi was momentarily taken aback, and then his gaze settled on the face marked with fingerprints, his expression suddenly darkening: "Who is it?"

fool

As a trusted confidant of Liu Yu, I have never endured blows from others. Yi, gritting her teeth, commanded the maid: "Why aren't you slapping her? Tell her who I am!"

Xiao Qi said: "She is already aware of her mistake"

At last, Xiao Qi spoke, saying: "It is I who have caused you to suffer."

Xiao Qi waved his hand, and the crowd no longer dared to be negligent, stepping forward to drag the maid out.

The wild goose raised its eyebrows, gazing at Xiao Qi

After the maids had tidied up the room, Yiru led Yanchu through the door

The wild goose initially praises with politeness and insincerity: "The king's affection is profound"

The common woman expresses her gratitude to the Duke for his protection. Yan Chu took the initiative to stand up and thank him, inadvertently stepping aside a couple of paces.