Upon hearing her reply, Duan Yang gave a cold laugh. Her crimson lips parted slightly, and her words were sharp and piercing. "You ignorant thing, you're tired of living. Who gave you the audacity to slander the King?"

Yuan Yun trembled slightly, her face filled with panic and fear. She cursed herself inwardly for getting carried away by a little flattery, forgetting that this was ancient times where a single word could cost you your head, not modern times with freedom of speech.

Duan Yang gave her a cold look, and when she spoke again, her voice was a little softer, "Judging from your appearance, you don't seem like someone who dares to do anything. Could it be that someone is behind this? Tell me, and I'll spare your life."

Duan Yang's words carried both coaxing and certainty; when life and death are at stake, no one would risk their own life for someone else.

"Your Excellency, it was Yuan Yun who misspoke. I hope Your Excellency will forgive me." Yuan Yun weighed the situation and realized that regardless of whether she followed Duan Yang's words or not, her life was in danger. The only thing she could do now was to grit her teeth and accept it. She could only hope that her body was strong enough to get through this ordeal.

Duan Yang was extremely displeased with her words and shouted sternly, "Fine. Guards, beat this lowly servant girl to death with a stick. Consort Su has not disciplined her properly; give her ten strokes as punishment."

Yuan Yun was shocked and opened her mouth to retort, but unexpectedly, a palace maid stepped forward, covered her mouth, and dragged her out.

The faint sounds of flesh being struck and a woman's screams could be heard from outside the hall. Shi Lan reached out and gently massaged Duan Yang's tense shoulders to ease her anger.

Qi Rui, who had been pretending to be invisible for a while, stepped forward and said obsequiously, "Your Excellency is wise; such a lowly servant deserves to die."

Duan Yang glanced at her coldly and said impatiently, "Alright, you can leave now. Come back to serve me later."

As soon as Duan Yang finished speaking, Qi Rui couldn't help but shrink back. Shi Lan noticed her movement and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. It seemed that Qi Rui had been having a hard time lately.