C53 Chosen 2

"Bring in the punishment," Ding Yuv said coldly, glancing at Imperial Tutor Hee without a hint of emotion.

Imperial Tutor Hee, well-acquainted with his superior's methods, quickly instructed the Yamen Runner behind him. The runner turned and headed to the back room, returning with a large handful of coarse salt. Without a word, he evenly sprinkled it across Mrs. Zhao's back.

"Ah—" Mrs. Zhao screamed in agony, her cries piercing the air like a slaughtered pig. In the crowd, her cowardly son trembled uncontrollably but didn't dare call out to his mother, fearing he'd be implicated. Meanwhile, Sunn Hexiang was drenched in cold sweat, terrified that Mrs. Zhao might not hold out and would end up exposing her.

In the hall, Tiange slowly approached Mrs. Zhao. "I'll say it again: if you reveal who's behind this, I'll withdraw the charges and protect you."

Mrs. Zhao's face was ashen with pain, her back muscles spasming. She turned her head with great effort to look at her son, tears streaming down her face more fiercely. Tiange followed her gaze and noticed the young man's evasive eyes.

A mother's love often spoils the child.

"Ahem," Ding Yuv cleared his throat, and Imperial Tutor Hee immediately understood, signaling the Yamen Runner. The runner obeyed, placing a white cloth over Mrs. Zhao's back before using a dense bamboo brush to 'thwack' against her back.

“Ah... ahhh—” Mrs. Zhao's screams were heart-wrenching, but she dared not speak.

Killing someone is one thing, but Feng Tiange finally witnessed Ding Yuv's methods. If he could be this cruel in front of everyone in the courtroom, one could only imagine what he might do behind closed doors.

“Who is it?” Ding Yuv's eyes narrowed, and even Feng Tiange felt a chill from his expression.

Mrs. Zhao, in excruciating pain, clutched the dark gray marble floor, her fingernails breaking and bleeding. She looked once more at the crowd, where her son was holding his ears tightly, too scared to lift his head.

“No... no one instructed me...” Mrs. Zhao was too weak to wail anymore, her eyes filled with despair.

Ding Yuv said nothing further, but the yamen runner understood and stepped forward, ripping the white cloth from Mrs. Zhao's back.

“Ahhh... pfft—” Mrs. Zhao couldn't bear it any longer and bit her tongue to end her life.

The courtroom fell silent. The harsh punishment made the onlookers shiver, reminding them to stay on the right side of the law.

In the crowd, Sunn Hexiang saw Mrs. Zhao take her last breath, and the anxiety that had gripped her heart finally eased.

“Mrs. Zhao falsely accused County Princess Chu Yue. Her death is her just deserts. If Eldest Miss Feng wishes to pursue the matter further, she may file another complaint, and I will investigate thoroughly,” Ding Yuv said calmly, looking at Feng Tiange with an impassive expression.

Feng Tiange knew this wasn't the best time to deal with the second household. Continuing the investigation was pointless. "I only seek to clear my mother's name. As for those behind this, I hope the blood spilled here today will serve as a wake-up call."

Ding Yuv nodded and was about to strike the gavel when Feng Qing, sitting nearby, suddenly stood up.

"I have a few words to say," Feng Qing announced, walking heavily to the front, facing the crowd gathered outside the hall.

"County Princess Chu Yue is my wife, the mistress of the Marquis Mansion, and the only woman I've ever loved. I respect and cherish her, and I won't allow anyone to slander or defame her like this vile woman did," Feng Qing declared, his eyes cold and piercing. "Anyone who tries will be making an enemy of the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion."

After speaking, Feng Qing turned and left the courtroom, his retreating figure exuding a sorrowful and poignant sadness.

Ding Yuv raised the gavel again, but a clear, melodious voice suddenly rang out from a corner, "Mrs. Zhao is dead, so what about her crime of trespassing in the Imperial Academy?"

Feng Tiange's mouth twitched. So, are you suggesting we punish a corpse or what?

Alright, Feng Tiange's issue wasn't with punishing the dead, but rather with Rong Qi not realizing his timing was a bit off.

Sure enough, the gavel struck with a resounding crack.

In an instant, the hall cleared out, leaving Rong Qi feeling as if a flock of crows had just flown over his head.

Ignoring Rong Qi, Tiange turned and walked out of the courtroom.

"I'm here representing the Academy, after all. It's really not right for Ding Yuv to disregard me like that," Rong Qi said, catching up to Tiange, a bit annoyed.

"Well, it does take courage for someone not from this country to file a complaint with the Ministry of Punishments," Tiange replied, stopping to look at Rong Qi. "Thirty lashes."

Rong Qi blinked. "Actually, it's not a big deal if he ignores me..."

Tiange rolled her eyes at him, then resumed walking.

This time, Rong Qi was unusually compliant. Without asking if Tiange minded, he followed her directly into the carriage.

Inside, Tiange sat silently across from him, her clear eyes fixed on Rong Qi's face, growing more intense and inscrutable by the moment.

"Okay, I'll get off," Rong Qi said, feeling that Tiange was no more charming after her transformation—though she hadn't been particularly charming before, either.

"Why was the third martial trial delayed by half an hour?" Tiange asked, her tone cool, her gaze frosty.

Rong Qi, realizing it wasn't a big issue, straightened up with a sense of righteousness. "If there's anything I can do to help you, I will."

“Because of you?” Feng Tiange laughed, unable to hold back.

“You don't believe me?” Rong Qi was upset. Did he look like he was joking?

Feng Tiange wasn't sure how to believe him. “You don't have to say anything if you don't want to.”

Rong Qi was genuinely angry. “Stop the carriage, I want to get out!”

The carriage came to an abrupt halt, fulfilling Rong Qi's wish. Only after the carriage disappeared from view did he realize the futility of arguing with someone who doesn't know how to compromise. She really takes things seriously...

Inside the carriage, Crescent looked at her mistress in confusion. “Miss, why do you dislike Prince Rong?”

Dislike? Maybe.

First impressions are crucial, and once they're set, they're hard to change.

“I just saw the Second Madam with a young man in the alley,” Crescent said, changing the subject when her mistress remained silent.

Feng Tiange had seen it too. “Just a clown.”

For some reason, Feng Tiange suddenly thought of Feng Qing's demeanor in court and his desolate figure as he left. Why did Princess Chu Yue leave back then? Is she still in this world...

In a dark alley, the young man who had been too scared to call for his mother outside the courtroom was now cornering Sunn Hexiang, demanding money.

A hundred thousand dollars? Sunn Hexiang couldn't possibly come up with that much money, and even if she could, why should she?

"Ma'am, have you thought about what would have happened if my mother had mentioned your name in court just now? You'd probably be locked up in jail by now!" The young man sneered, showing no trace of grief for his deceased mother.

"Don't talk nonsense! I have nothing to do with that matter!" Sunn Hexiang retorted loudly, trying to maintain her composure.

"If you had nothing to do with it, why did you bring me to watch the trial? You think I didn't see you threatening my mother behind my back? I'm telling you, if you don't give me a hundred thousand dollars today, I'll go to court and spill everything about you and my mother!" the young man threatened fiercely.

"Don't you dare!" Sunn Hexiang warned in a panicked voice.