Unfortunately, Shang Xiye's men were all very loyal to him. If he hadn't personally handed over the tiger tally, they wouldn't have obeyed anyone else's orders.

It was then heard that many people were gathered outside the hunting grounds, petitioning for the release of Wang Qiang.

Shang Xiche recalled the threat of the broken sword that night, and his anger surged even more fiercely.

But Wang Qiang hadn't done anything wrong; he just happened to be in a hurry and delivered a beautiful woman who witnessed his disgraceful behavior. If he disregarded public opinion and beheaded her, he would truly give the world grounds for criticism.

That afternoon, Wang Qiang was released from prison after receiving twenty lashes.

Then, Wang Qiang went to the grave of his newly deceased concubine that very night and wept bitterly. It is said that he cried so bitterly that even the woodcutter who was returning home late from gathering firewood was moved to tears. He told everyone he met, "Lord Wang is truly a good man of deep affection and righteousness."

Faced with the city's overwhelming praise, Wang Qiang remained silent.

What a great man!

Who on earth was the damned bastard who stole the wealth he had amassed from the people throughout his life as an official?!

In a tavern not far away, the two heinous culprits were drinking by the window on the second floor.

"Why did you release this corrupt official? You even spent all the money I gave you on releasing him!" Ji Fengming was very puzzled by Hei Xiao's actions.

"Firstly, his crime doesn't warrant death; secondly, I love doing anything that can make that dog emperor unhappy, no matter how small. Anyway, that money originally belonged to the people of Tongyou City." Black Owl casually took a sip of wine.

A drop of crystal-clear wine slid down his rosy lips, reflecting the intense sunlight, making him incredibly alluring.

Ji Fengming suddenly remembered something someone had said and muttered it to himself.

"What did you say?" Black Owl didn't hear him clearly for a moment.

"It's nothing. I just said Brother Hei did a great job. Let's drink!" Ji Fengming smiled broadly and clinked his wine jar against Hei Xiao's.

Princess Zhaoping was unconscious for two days and one night before finally waking up.

Recalling the angry and resolute look on Shang Xiye's face when he slapped her, tears streamed down her face.

"Princess, you're awake!" Sijuan, who was guarding the bedside, exclaimed in surprise.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress, who were resting and drinking tea in the outer room, heard the noise. The Empress Dowager got up and came in to see what was wrong, and the Empress, not wanting to stay out, followed her in.

“Aunt…” Princess Zhaoping cried even harder when she saw the Empress Dowager, her voice choked with sobs.

"The imperial physician examined her and said the injury wasn't serious. With proper rest for ten days to half a month, she would recover completely." The Empress Dowager sat by the bed, lovingly taking Princess Zhaoping's hand and gently patting the back of her hand.

“Aunt, I never meant to harm her child. I really didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t know how… her child just disappeared.” Princess Zhaoping cried, choking back tears. “Aunt, do you think Brother Xiye hates me now?”

"Princess, please don't be so sad. You have a close relationship with the Ninth Prince. He would never distance himself from you because of an outsider with a shady background. It's just that he needs to maintain his image in front of others. Otherwise, if he really gets angry with you, wouldn't you be dead already? How could you survive under his control? And you only need to recover for ten or fifteen days," the Empress said with a forced smile.

"Really?" asked Zhaoping County Chief.

She knew, of course, that her brother Xi Ye was the most powerful war god in the Great Zhao Dynasty.

"Of course it's true," the Empress Dowager nodded in affirmation, and then said another piece of news that made Princess Zhaoping ecstatic: "Moreover, you and the Ninth Prince are already engaged. You must not be so reckless in the future. When the time is right, what is yours will eventually be yours."