Chapter 126

Prince Yun's face changed drastically: "What did you say? My child——"

Prince Yun staggered back several steps, and only the person behind him, grabbing him firmly, kept him from falling.

*** heard the words and his face also turned grim.

"How can the imperial bloodline tolerate being poisoned by others?"

"Regardless of what misunderstanding or dispute it is, today the eldest daughter of the Jiangjun Fu, Li Qingzhu, has acted outrageously and caused the death of an imperial heir! Having committed such a grave fault, she cannot be let off lightly!"

"Seize her, Li Qingzhu, drag her away, administer ten strokes of the cane and twenty slaps, to warn others and to console the imperial prince whom she killed before he was even born!"

With such a huge accusation leveled, who on site would dare to question it any further?

Li Kechuan could only watch helplessly as Li Qingzhu was dragged away.

Li Qingzhu felt as if her soul were about to leave her body.

She had no strength left, couldn't even shout, and could only gaze at Prince Yun, hoping he would glance at her once more.

But Prince Yun now resented her in his heart—how could he be willing to look at her?

Only then did Li Qingzhu truly begin to regret.

She really shouldn't have acted on a momentary impulse, bringing Cao Rou'er and falling from the high platform…

With such a charge laid upon her, after today Li Qingzhu will have her reputation utterly destroyed throughout Jinling, with no place left to stand!

How could she ever face anyone again afterward?

She might as well be dead… better yet, truly dead!

Li Qingzhu stared blankly ahead, and only after being pressed firmly onto the stool did she seem to suddenly regain her senses.

"No… don't hit me… no—save me—save me, brother, brother——"

Among everyone present, only Li Kechuan still felt pity for her.

Li Kechuan hastily and awkwardly rolled his wheelchair to Li Qingzhu's side, and as a cane strike fell, she let out an anguished cry.

"Stuff her mouth!"

*** grew tired of hearing it, pointed at her and shouted angrily.

A filthy cloth was immediately stuffed into Li Qingzhu's mouth.

Li Kechuan watched this scene, yet could do nothing.

He couldn't even manage to stand up and lunge toward Zhu'er.

He could only clench his fists tightly, tears streaming from his heartache.

"Zhu'er……"

Li Qingzhu moaned with a wailing "wu wu wu", her body still drenched, yet she was to endure the caning.

Under the combined humiliation, fear, and intense pain, she fainted after only three strokes.

Seeing this, Li Kechuan finally disregarded his dignity, propped himself up on one leg, stood, and lunged onto Li Qingzhu.

"This commoner begs to take the punishment in place of my sister! I implore *** and Your Highness Prince Yun to spare her!"

Such a tragic scene also moved many to feel sympathy for them.

Yet no one dared to step forward to speak for them.

Li Kechuan's such self‑sacrifice also meant he had completely abandoned his dignity.

His empty trouser leg fluttered beneath him; perhaps this sight also pained Prince Yun's eyes, so he waved his hand.

"Forget it… just consider it as this prince owing a debt to your Jiangjun Fu!"

"From now on, this prince and your Li family are severed, with no further ties, owing nothing to each other!"

Having said that decisively, Prince Yun flicked his sleeve and strode away.

Li Kechuan bowed his head, his eyes filled with resentment and hatred.

But fortunately, at least today he managed to protect Zhu'er…

He can still protect Zhu'er!

Although Li Qingzhu had already fainted, *** still ordered that while the caning could be waived, the twenty slaps must not be forgiven.

Thus, Li Qingzhu was temporarily taken away, to receive the slapping punishment after she awoke.

The farce ended with this result; although Prince Yun mourned the loss of his concubine's unborn child, Li Qingzhu could not escape alive punishment for today's deed.

Moreover, from this point on she and Prince Yun were considered to have turned against each other.

Such a splendid banquet ruined by this incident naturally could not continue.

The noble ladies from each household were being escorted out of the princess's mansion one by one, but Li Qingluo was detained by a maid attending ***.

"Miss Second, please stay. Miss Second, we have been summoned by *** to come over."

Li Qingluo already knew she couldn't leave today, so she had prepared in advance.

She glanced at Que'er beside her; Que'er nodded while holding the box, saying, "Miss, everything is ready."

The two followed the chief maid of *** out amid the gazes of the noble ladies, naturally sparking another round of gossip.

"What does *** want to see her for? Perhaps he intends to reprimand her again over Li Qingzhu's affair?"

"Surely not? *** isn't one who clearly distinguishes rewards and punishments. Last time Li Qingluo saved the life of the Nanping Commandery Princess!"

"Exactly, and *** doesn't seem like the type to take out his anger on others."

"But they are both daughters of the Li family; naturally, if one suffers, all should share the blame—if punishment is due, the whole household ought to bear it. After all, that is imperial bloodline, and Li Qingzhu dared to do such a foolish thing!"

"Perhaps she didn't do it on purpose."

"Whether intentional or not, what difference does it make? If we really pursue this, the entire Jiangjun Fu could be buried alongside—there's nothing impossible about that."

As the wind blew, these words frightened Li Qingya and Li Qingyu, turning their faces pale.

They were like saplings in a cold wind, now shaken by wind and rain, on the verge of collapse, finally realizing the chill of winter in Jinling City…

Li Qingzhu followed along into the main hall of the princess's mansion.

Inside the palace, naturally it was extravagantly luxurious; all kinds of rare treasures, golden bronze ware—these were things Li Qingluo had never seen nor heard of.

However, she only glanced once, then lowered her eyelids, and did not look around any further.

Incense burned inside the hall, and a charcoal fire was lit.

Upon entering the hall, a wave of fragrance and warmth instantly dispelled all fatigue and lethargy.

Li Qingluo unconsciously became more spirited, following the senior maid upstairs to the attic, then turning into a side room.

"Second Miss, please come in."

Li Qingluo walked into the room and saw Prince Su Duan Rongshi.

Her heart gave a slight start.

She had thought she was really coming to see ***Your Highness.

This is the Princess Manor, yet Li Qingluo never expected the Princess to actually allow this to happen.

They sent her personal senior maid as a decoy, and even gave her this younger brother the attic above the main hall to use for receiving guests.

At this moment, Prince Su stood by the window, looking down over the garden scenery of the Princess Manor.

Thus, the entire Princess Manor is not only the moon platform that can view the garden; the attic above the main hall can also see everything in the garden clearly.

Then wouldn't he have already taken in everything happening in the garden?

It was unknown whether Prince Su and the Princess Your Highness had noticed her little movements.

"Commoner Li Qingluo pays respects to Prince Su, Your Highness."

Li Qingluo performed the salute and knelt; Duan Rongshi turned to look at her: "Miss Li, no need to be so polite, rise."

After the two sat down, Li Qingluo handed the box in her hand to Prince Su.

"Your Highness, this commoner's petty skill is merely an embarrassment."

Prince Su did not immediately open the box, but instead pressed the lid and rubbed the black jade ring, lifting his eyes to look at her and said: "Such a grand Princess Manor, today it has actually become the dueling ground for your Manor of Generals—do you truly not place the imperial family in your eyes?"

"Is it arrogance or ignorance?"