Chapter 126 Punishing Li Qingzhu with a Cane

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

Prince Yun stumbled back several steps, only managing to stay upright thanks to the forceful support of those behind him.

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess's expression also changed sternly.

"The royal bloodline must not be allowed to be poisoned by others."

"Regardless of the misunderstanding or dispute, today Li Qingzhu, the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion, acted recklessly and caused the death of a royal heir! She has committed such a grave mistake and must not be let off lightly!"

"Guards, drag Li Qingzhu away and give her ten strokes of the cane and twenty slaps, as a warning to others and to mourn the death of the imperial grandson whom she murdered before he was even born!"

With such a heavy accusation leveled against them, who on the scene would dare to raise any further questions?

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

Li Qingzhu was utterly devastated.

She had no strength left in her body and couldn't even shout. She could only look at Prince Yun, hoping he would give her a second glance.

But Prince Yun is currently harboring resentment towards her, so how could he possibly want to see her?

Only then did Li Qingzhu truly begin to regret her actions.

She really shouldn't have acted impulsively and caused Cao Rou'er to fall off the platform...

With such a charge attached to her, after today, Li Qingzhu will be completely disgraced in the entire Jinling, and will have nowhere to stand again!

How will she ever have the face to show her face again, or see anyone?

She might as well be dead... she might as well really be dead!

Li Qingzhu stared blankly ahead. Only after being firmly pressed onto the stool did she seem to suddenly come to her senses.

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

Of everyone present, only Li Kechuan still felt sorry for her.

Li Kechuan slid his wheelchair quickly and awkwardly to Li Qingzhu's side. With a blow, Li Qingzhu let out a scream.

"Shut her up!"

The eldest princess grew tired of listening and pointed at her, scolding her sternly.

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

Li Kechuan watched this scene unfold, yet he was powerless to do anything about it.

He couldn't even stand up and pounce on Pearl.

He could only clench his fists tightly, tears streaming down his face in heartache.

“Zhu’er…”

Li Qingzhu groaned pitifully, her body still soaking wet, yet she was about to suffer the caning.

Overwhelmed by humiliation, fear, and excruciating pain, she fainted after only three blows.

Seeing this, Li Kechuan finally disregarded his dignity, stood up on one leg, and pounced on Li Qingzhu.

"This humble subject is willing to take the punishment in place of my sister! I beg the Princess and His Highness Prince Yun to spare her!"

Such a tragic scene moved many people, who felt sorry for them.

However, no one dared to stand up for them.

Li Kechuan's willingness to go all out shows that he has completely abandoned his dignity.

His robes fluttered empty beneath one of his legs, and perhaps this sight stung Prince Yun's eyes, for he waved his hand in response.

"Fine... Consider it an indebted debt I owe to your General's Mansion!"

"From this day forward, I sever all ties with your Li family. We have no further connection and owe each other nothing!"

Prince Yun flicked his sleeves, resolutely uttered these words, and then turned and strode away.

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

Fortunately, at least he saved Pearl today...

He can still save Pearl!

Although Li Qingzhu had already fainted, the princess still ordered that although the caning could be waived, twenty slaps to the face were unforgivable.

Therefore, Li Qingzhu was taken away temporarily, and she was to be slapped after she woke up.

The farce ended in this way. Although Prince Yun lost his concubine's unborn child, Li Qingzhu could not escape punishment today.

Moreover, this marked the beginning of a falling out between her and Prince Yun.

A perfectly good banquet turned into such a mess that it was impossible for it to continue.

The noble ladies were arranged to leave the princess's residence one by one, but Li Qingluo was stopped by the maidservant beside the eldest princess.

"Second Miss, please wait. Second Miss, our Eldest Princess requests your presence."

Li Qinglu knew from the start that she couldn't possibly leave today, so she had made preparations in advance.

She looked at Que'er beside her, who nodded while holding the box, "Miss, everything is ready."

The two left with the princess's head maid under the gaze of the noble ladies, naturally sparking another round of gossip.

"What does Princess Chang want to see her for? Could it be that she wants to punish Li Qingzhu again for what happened?"

"Impossible! The Eldest Princess isn't one to be indiscriminate in rewarding or punishing. Last time, it was Li Qingluo who saved Princess Nanping's life!"

"That's right, and the eldest princess doesn't seem like the type to hold a grudge against others."

"But they are all daughters of the Li family, and they should all suffer together. If they are to be punished, their entire families should be punished. They are of royal blood, and Li Qingzhu dared to do such a stupid thing!"

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

"Whether it was intentional or not, what does it matter? If we really want to investigate, the entire General's family could be executed..."

The wind blew by, and these words frightened Li Qingya and Li Qingyu, turning their faces pale.

Like saplings in the cold wind, they were now swaying precariously in the wind and rain, finally realizing the chill of winter in Jinling City...

Li Qingluo followed them into the main hall of the princess's residence.

The palace was naturally incredibly luxurious, filled with all sorts of rare treasures, gold and bronze artifacts, things that Li Qingluo had never seen or heard of before.

However, she only glanced at it before lowering her eyelids and no longer looking around.

The hall was filled with incense and charcoal fire.

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

Li Qingluo unconsciously became more energetic and followed the head maid all the way up to the pavilion, then turned into a side room.

"Second Miss, please come in."

Li Qingluo entered the room and saw Prince Su, Duan Rongshi.

She was slightly startled.

She thought she really had come to see Her Highness the Princess.

This is the princess's residence. Li Qingluo never expected that the princess would allow this to happen.

She sent her head maid as a cover and even cleared out the attic in the main hall for her fifth younger brother to receive guests.

At this moment, Prince Su stood by the window, overlooking the garden view of the princess's residence.

Therefore, not only can you see the garden view from the waiting platform in the entire Princess's residence, but you can also see everything in the garden from the main hall and pavilion.

Then wouldn't he have already seen everything that happened in the garden?

I wonder if Prince Su and Princess Su noticed her little actions.

"This humble woman, Li Qingluo, pays her respects to Your Highness Prince Su."

Li Qingluo knelt down to greet him, and Duan Rongshi turned to look at her: "Miss Li, there's no need to be so polite, please rise."

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

"Your Highness, this is but a humble skill of mine; I have made a fool of myself in it."

Prince Su did not open the box immediately. Instead, he pressed the lid and stroked the black jade thumb ring. He looked up at her and said, "The dignified Princess's residence has become the execution ground for your General's Mansion's power struggle. Do you really not take the royal family seriously?"

"Is it arrogance or ignorance?"