"An'an? What are you doing here at this time?"

Princess Qu Ling looked at An An with great surprise.

At this time, he was already discussing the flood situation with a group of ministers.

She knew the flood situation was extremely serious, and that it was a test the emperor had given to An An, so she seized the opportunity to act.

But why is An An here?

"Uncle Wanli, Aunt, are you alright?"

An'an came over and asked with concern if everyone was alright, but her gaze remained fixed on Shen Liuliu.

His eyes were glued to the screen.

But he remembered that he couldn't let Liu Liu attract too much attention, so he didn't ask her anything.

"We're alright, it's just that the county magistrate got beaten up..."

Shen Wanli's hands and feet were ice-cold, and his mouth was full of bitter taste.

He couldn't imagine what would happen if the magistrate really died because of this; the sins on his family would be truly indelible!

"Someone, go and invite Mr. Cao Yu here, quickly let him take a look at Lord Zhang."

"yes."

"Don't worry, Mr. Cao Yu is a master healer, he will definitely not let Lord Zhang get into any trouble."

An An comforted Shen Wanli with a few words, then said to the crowd, "Everyone, please rise."

The group looked at each other in bewilderment.

Who is he?

He said he'd let me get up, so I got up?

Are you sure that princess won't cause trouble?

Shen Qianli and his family stood up without hesitation.

Then Shen Qianli discovered that Zhou Yushu had helped his daughter stand up early in the morning!

Shen Qianli glared at her unfilial son-in-law!

Did they stand up the moment An'an appeared? They didn't even bother to call out to them!

Unfilial son-in-law!

Faced with the crowd who were unwilling, or rather, dared not get up, An'an did not say much. Instead, she took a deep look at Liu Liu and found that the girl still had rosy lips and white teeth and was very healthy before turning around to face Princess Qu Ling.

"What, does the princess not need to bow to me?"

An An asked in a cold voice.

Princess Qu Ling was alright, but those around her who knew An An's identity immediately knelt down, trembling with fear, as if they were about to die.

"Princess..."

The wet nurse steeled herself and tried to pull at the princess's skirt.

Why are you still so stubborn at a time like this?

Princess Qu Ling broke free, lifted her skirt, and angrily walked up to An An, loudly questioning, "Why are you here at this time? Shouldn't you be in the capital discussing the flood with your ministers?"

This is His Majesty's test for you! As the Crown Prince, how can you be so ungrateful? For the sake of the insignificant Shen family, you're ignoring the test His Majesty has given you?

Mo Lan'an, you are a great disappointment! Go back now! His Majesty has so many sons, even though you are the Crown Prince, you should also…”

Everyone was stunned.

One was that no one expected An An's identity to be that of the Crown Prince.

Another one is this princess. She clearly knows that An An is the Crown Prince, yet she still dares to lecture His Highness the Crown Prince like this?

Isn't this a blatant disrespect for His Highness the Crown Prince?

The tone... if the two weren't the same age, one would almost suspect it was a mother scolding her son.

Shen Liuliu murmured, "Is she really only ten years old?"

The Shen family members all nodded in agreement.

Mo Lan'an interrupted her coldly: "Enough, this is my business, what does it have to do with you? Besides, whether it is the Shen family or the people of Qingyang Town, they are all people of our dynasty! How can their lives and deaths be a trivial matter?"

"But you, as a princess of a kingdom, instead of thinking of benefiting the people, you actually use your power to treat the people of an entire town like dirt? What is the law in your eyes?"

"Then what does His Majesty mean to you? Mo Lan'an, go back right now, do you hear me?"

Princess Qu Ling was so anxious she jumped up and down.

The person she is to marry is the Crown Prince. If Mo Lan'an disregards the Emperor's will and is insecure about his position as Crown Prince, wouldn't she have to go through the trouble of choosing a new Crown Prince?

“Princess Qu Ling, you are utterly obstinate! Today, Princess Qu Ling disregarded the law, beat officials without cause, insulted the people, and even murdered Shen Pengfei to frame the Shen family! The evidence is conclusive!”

Now, I order that he be publicly flogged thirty times! Then he shall be escorted back to the capital to await further judgment!

Princess Qu Ling's identity is too special.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, some people are just different.

If it were any other powerful or influential person, he could have executed them on the spot according to the law! But Princess Quling could not…

"good!"

Someone in the crowd started cheering, and soon a chorus of cheers followed.

The saying "Emperor shall be subject to the same laws as commoners" is merely a formality. The powerful and the common people understand this principle.

As for ordinary people, they were not injured, and seeing the arrogant and wicked princess being beaten was incredibly satisfying!

"You dare? Mo Lan'an, I am Princess Qu Ling!"

Princess Qu Ling panicked. She screamed loudly to cover her fear: "If you touch me, my father will never let you get away with this!"

"So what if you're a princess? You've broken the law. Even if you weren't a princess, but a duchess, I would still punish you today!"

After speaking, Mo Lan'an turned to the crowd and bowed deeply, expressing his apology: "According to the law, she should be beheaded and displayed to the public, but Princess Qu Ling's status is special, and I must bring her back to the capital for a trial in a grand hall before I can convict her. Today I owe you all an explanation... I'm sorry!"

As the crown prince, he cannot give the people a fair chance!

He was truly ashamed!

But His Highness the Crown Prince bowed to them... This deeply moved the people present.

"Your Highness, you mustn't!"

"That's right, Your Highness. We know you must have your own difficulties."

"Your Highness is alright, we are alright."

The fact that the simple, honest people could forgive those humiliations just because of His Highness's bow made Mo Lan'an feel even worse.

But he also knew that now was not the time to grieve for Qiu Yue. He waved his hand, and Zhui Feng immediately sent people to escort Princess Qu Ling to the high platform!

"Let me go! Let me go!"

"Mo Lan'an, Mo Lan'an, how dare you treat me like this? I am your fiancée, our honor and disgrace are intertwined!"

"Let go... Ah!"

After one slap after another, Princess Qu Ling was unable to say anything and could only scream in pain.

Everyone was utterly shocked.

This incredibly domineering princess is actually the Crown Prince's fiancée?

This is... really pitiful?

Shen Liuli blinked and couldn't help but look at Mo Lan'an.

Wait, it's actually his fiancée?

What kind of taste do you have?

But An'an shouldn't be so blind, so it was arranged by his family? Does that mean there's no way to call off the engagement?

Tsk tsk, so pitiful.

Mo Lan'an kept his eyes on Shen Liuliu. When he saw the look in Shen Liuliu's eyes, he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

This little girl...

Just out of pity?

Well, no rush. Xiao Liu is still so young. He'll be fine when he grows up. He can wait.

Soon, the thirty strokes of the cane were finished.