Chapter 150 The truth comes out, no reward allowed for Li Nanke
Princess Zhaoning herself said that it was Zhao Wanqing who pushed her, causing her to lose her balance and bump into Li Nanke.
The truth has now come to light!
Empress Xue's face was gloomy, and sparks flew as she glared at Song Hui.
If Zhao Songshi hadn't testified against Li Nanke, she wouldn't have been able to quell her anger and wouldn't have summoned Li Mu and his wife for a confrontation.
"Zhao Song clan, do you know your crime?"
Song Hui was so frightened that her soul almost left her body, and her face turned ashen.
At the time, they only thought that Li Nanke would definitely drown in the Bian River, so they blamed everything on Li Nanke, leaving no one to testify.
It would also make the Empress dislike Li Mu and Song Yi.
Who knew that Li Nanke would actually come back alive!
Song Hui was filled with remorse, but dared not show it on her face. She just kept kowtowing and begging for mercy.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I...I misspoke in my haste, which has caused Your Majesty to misunderstand."
And my daughter... she was so anxious to save the princess that she was afraid the wild cat would bite her, which is why she lost control of her strength in her haste.
"Your Majesty, please forgive my daughter and me this once, for my daughter helped the princess avoid the wild cat."
Empress Xue's chest heaved violently. She had experienced great sorrow and joy that day, and now she was exhausted and angry.
He wished he could vent all his anger on Song Hui.
But reason stopped her in time. No matter what, it is a fact that Song Hui's daughter saved Zhao Ning's life from the claws of a wild cat.
If she punishes Zhao Songshi without distinguishing right from wrong, who will be willing to step forward if Zhao Ning encounters trouble again?
Empress Xue gritted her teeth, barely suppressing her anger, and thought carefully before speaking.
“Zhao Songshi, although your daughter saved Zhao Ning from the clutches of a wild cat, she also caused Zhao Ning to fall into the water.”
"That balances out the good and bad deeds. As for your daughter, I will neither reward nor punish her!"
Song Hui's eyes lit up, and she visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
The next moment, Empress Xue changed the subject.
"But it is true that you framed Li Nanke. So many people were present and heard it with their own ears. I have no choice but to punish you."
Fabricating lies to slander others is punishable by twenty strokes of the cane according to the law of the court. However, this palace will consider Lord Zhao's meritorious service in disaster relief in Changyuan.
"You're spared ten strokes of the cane. Guards, drag Zhao Songshi away immediately."
Upon hearing that she would be punished with ten strokes of the cane, Song Hui collapsed to the ground.
Empress Xue pointed to two palace maids, one fat and one thin, kneeling on the ground.
"And those two palace maids who serve the princess, drag them away and beat them to death!"
The two palace maids were trembling with fear and desperately kowtowed, begging for mercy.
"Your Majesty, spare my life!"
"Princess, spare my life!"
The curtain was lifted, and imperial guards came in and dragged the two men out.
Song Hui suddenly realized what was happening and scrambled toward Song Yi, grabbing her skirt.
With a panicked look in his eyes, he said, "Sister, please plead with the Empress for me. Ten strokes of the cane, and I'll be beaten to death."
Sister, please help me, I beg you.
Song Yi's eyes were red and swollen, and her eyes were filled with undisguised anger.
She said coldly, "Song Hui, Ke'er is your own niece."
You dare to falsely accuse an eight-year-old child? You...you're absolutely wicked!
"I won't plead for you, so give up on that idea!"
"From this day forward, I, Song Yi, will no longer treat you as my sister. There will be no relationship or affection between us whatsoever!"
Song Yi coldly looked at Song Hui and slowly pulled the skirt out of her hands.
The light in Song Hui's eyes dimmed little by little.
A moment later, she suddenly remembered something and reached out to grab Li Mu with longing eyes.
He appeared flustered and spoke recklessly.
"Li Mu, please help me, we've been through so much together..."
Before her hand could even touch Li Mu's clothes, Li Mu jumped up from the ground as if he had seen a plague.
She angrily pointed at Song Hui and cursed, "You harmed my daughter, and you expect my husband and I to plead for you? No way!"
No, not only are there no doors, there won't even be windows!
Song Hui opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but some imperial guards stepped forward and dragged her out.
She glared at Song Yi and Li Mu, her eyes filled with hatred.
Without a word, the Imperial Guards pinned her to the ground.
Immediately afterwards, a heavy blow from the cane struck her buttocks, and a tearing pain exploded instantly, making her want to curl up in agony.
Unfortunately, the Imperial Guards held her down, preventing her from moving. She could only scream and turn her face away.
However, on the left and right sides, there are two palace maids, one fat and one thin, being tortured.
Because the Empress's order was to be beaten to death, the imperial guards carrying out the punishment did not stop at all, and the blows fell one after another.
Some landed on their backs, some on their buttocks, and the screams of the two palace maids echoed from both sides at the same time.
No matter which way Song Hui turned her face, she could see the palace maid's face contorted in pain and her body covered in blood.
However, after a few more blows, the screams of the two palace maids grew fainter and fainter.
Song Hui watched helplessly as two palace maids, one fat and one thin, breathed their last beside her.
The two people's pale faces, bloodshot eyes, and blood gushing from their nostrils and mouths gradually became clear to Song Hui.
Coupled with the burning pain all over her body, Song Hui could no longer bear it, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
The imperial guards reported to Empress Xue that Song Hui had fainted.
Empress Xue waved her hand, "Send someone to send her back."
Then, looking at Li Mu, Song Yi, and Li Nanke who were still standing at the lower end, she pursed her lips, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Li Nanke not only didn't drag Zhao Ning into the water, but also saved her life, so according to the rules, he should be rewarded handsomely.
Given Zhao Ning's unwillingness to suffer losses, she might not be willing to accept any reward from her.
Sure enough, as soon as she mentioned rewarding Li Nanke, Zhao Ning started to throw a tantrum.
“I am a princess, she should save me, and she even bullied me. Mother, you must not reward her.”
Empress Xue frowned. She had really spoiled Zhao Ning.
As Princess Zhaoning spoke, she glared at Li Nanke.
"Li Nanke, if you apologize to me now, I will have my mother reward you handsomely!"
Li Nanke tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a sweet smile.
Feigning curiosity, I asked, "How heavy is it?"
Zhao Ning frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "Hmm, I'll have the Empress Dowager reward you with a chest of gold and silver treasures."
Li Nanke said "Oh," and then said, "Apologizing to a princess is worth this much? Then wouldn't the princess's life be worth even more?"
Zhao Ning looked bewildered. What did that mean?
Shen Cong let out a sneer from the corner.
Zhao Ning looked over, puzzled. "Ninth Uncle, what are you laughing at?"
Shen Cong took the hand warmer that Empress Xue had given him and tapped it on Zhao Ning.
"Your father usually orders his ministers to do things, and he has already paid them salaries, so why do he give them additional rewards?"
"Naturally, it's because the minister has rendered meritorious service."
"Oh? Does that mean the minister needs to apologize to your father, the Emperor, before receiving the reward?"
"Of course not!"
Zhao Ning blurted it out.
Empress Xue realized what was happening and her expression changed immediately.
“Zhao Ning, you must not be so rude. Li Nanke saved your life and has made a great contribution. He must be rewarded handsomely.”
As for your playful banter, as a princess, you shouldn't be so petty about it.
Princess Zhaoning's face fell, and she immediately started kicking her legs and crying.
"Mother, you don't love me anymore. Li Nanke bullied me, and you still rewarded her."
"I don't want to, waaaaaah..."
Empress Xue's head ached from her crying.
At this moment, a palace attendant announced from outside the door, "The heir of the Duke of Xin requests an audience."
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