Chapter 32 The Punished, Unfortunate Couple
Fresh blood dripped continuously from the blade, accumulating into a small dark red puddle on the ground.
The Turk stood frozen in place, his body like a wooden stake that had lost its support, only his throat spasming violently, emitting a chilling "hoarse" sound.
His cloudy eyes were wide open, the whites of his eyes bloodshot, filled with disbelief, shock, and the bewilderment of someone on the verge of death, staring intently at the deadly blade between his chest and abdomen.
Behind him, Xiao Qiyu twisted his wrist sharply and suddenly drew his knife.
Blood gushed out like a spring.
The Turk's body swayed violently, he staggered two steps, and finally could not hold on any longer. He fell to the ground with a thud and was silent ever since.
The person died...
Xiao Qiyu killed him.
A drop of warm blood splattered on Cui Ying's cold cheek. Her amber pupils suddenly contracted, and in her clear almond-shaped eyes, she clearly reflected Xiao Qiyu's expressionless profile as he sheathed his sword.
From childhood to adulthood, Cui Ying had seen Xiao Qiyu in countless different forms.
A cold, stern reprimand; a furrowed brow in deep thought; a sarcastic, mocking tone—
But I have never seen Xiao Qiyu like this before, with a chilling killing intent emanating from him and eyes as cold as a deep, icy pool.
It was also the first time she had ever witnessed Xiao Qiyu kill someone.
Xiao Qiyu actually killed someone.
Cui Ying felt completely exhausted, her hands and feet were cold, and she lay stiffly on the spot.
Everything in the world fell silent at that moment. All that remained in Cui Ying's vision was the face of that boy, so close yet so strangely unfamiliar, devoid of any emotion.
...
At sunset, the imperial court urgently ordered the Northern Garrison Command to conduct a thorough investigation into the case of Turks infiltrating the capital.
As night fell, the front of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence was brightly lit, as bright as day.
A blazing torch was stuck in the stone seat at the entrance of the outer study, and the leaping flames cast long and short shadows of people under the corridor.
"Smack!"
"Smack!"
The whip tore through the air, striking flesh with a sharp, piercing sound, one after another, which was particularly jarring in the quiet night, startling the roosting birds on the distant treetops into flight.
Xiao Qiyu knelt upright on the cold bluestone ground, his upper body naked. A leather whip covered with vicious barbs lashed his broad back repeatedly, and blood quickly soaked through the torn fabric, winding down the bulging muscles of his spine.
Hot beads of sweat rolled down Xiao Qiyu's taut jawline, but even so, his brows never furrowed and his body never swayed.
Xiao Heng, dressed in a black flying fish robe, stood with his hands behind his back in the shadows under the corridor.
Facing his beloved cousin, whom he had raised single-handedly, Xiao Heng stared intently at the falling whip, his voice cold and sharp: "Do you know what you did wrong?"
Another crack of the whip fell.
Xiao Qiyu's body trembled violently, and a suppressed, heavy gasp escaped his throat. He forced out the words through his clenched teeth, enduring the excruciating pain: "Reporting to Third Brother—"
"Call me Lord Xiao." Xiao Heng's voice was icy cold, utterly devoid of warmth, interrupting his address.
A vein throbbed on Xiao Qiyu's forehead. After a moment of silence, he changed his words and said, "Reporting to Lord Xiao, this humble official should not have killed someone without the instructions of his superiors."
Xiao Heng's gaze swept over his bloodied and mangled back, his voice remaining completely calm: "To suddenly appear in the capital and kill a barbarian without interrogation or investigation is a grave offense. His Majesty, considering your youth and first offense, will not pursue the matter further, but—"
His voice suddenly became more serious: "You were personally recommended by me to enter the military command. Even if no one in the court dares to hold you accountable, I must punish you today on behalf of the court and His Majesty. Otherwise, how can we silence the public opinion in the court and the country? What will my Xiao family be able to say in the capital in the future?"
Xiao Qiyu's breathing was heavy, and sweat mixed with blood slid down his back, but his voice was unusually clear: "Reporting to Lord Xiao, this humble official understands."
Xiao Heng's eyes were cold. He said no more, but gave the order to the chief executioner: "Continue the beating. Fifty lashes, until it's over."
The next moment, as the whip cracked again, the girl's clear voice suddenly appeared in Xiao Heng's ears: "Third brother, hit me if you want, I'm willing to take the punishment in place of Xiao Qiyu!"
Illuminated by the blazing firelight, Cui Ying, now dressed in women's clothing, strode quickly across the courtyard, her skirt embroidered with intertwined branches sweeping across the damp night ground with each step.
She walked straight to the study door and knelt down beside Xiao Qiyu with a "plop," her back straight and her almond-shaped eyes bright as stars.
Xiao Qiyu's tense expression finally relaxed slightly. He suddenly turned his head to look at her and roared sharply, "What are you doing here? Get back here!"
Cui Ying looked up and glared at him: "What are you yelling at me for? Shut your mouth!"
Turning back, Cui Ying composed herself and met Xiao Heng's scrutinizing gaze with an open expression. She said to Xiao Heng, "If I hadn't gone out to play today, I wouldn't have encountered that Turk, and Xiao Qiyu wouldn't have killed someone to save me. The whole thing started because of me, so there's no reason why he should take all the blame while I'm left completely innocent. I'm willing to take the remaining lashes for Xiao Qiyu."
Xiao Qiyu panicked instantly. The man who had remained unfazed even after being whipped dozens of times was now babbling incoherently, looking anxiously at Xiao Heng: "Third—Lord Xiao, don't listen to her nonsense! With her physique, she won't last more than two blows before she's dead!"
Cui Ying tied up her dark hair, which was draped behind her waist, with a gold hairpin, as if preparing for a whipping. Upon hearing this, she glared at him and said, "Don't underestimate me. Twenty lashes are more than enough for me."
Xiao Qiyu stared intently at her movements as she tidied her hair, his gaze sweeping over the section of her snow-white neck exposed to the firelight, which appeared exceptionally fragile. He was so angry that the veins on his forehead throbbed, and he wanted nothing more than to pounce on her and bite her in rage. His narrow eyes were deep and unfathomable as he spoke, threatening her word by word: "I'll say it again, you get back here."
Cui Ying not only didn't leave, but also raised his head to the chief judge and said, "Come on."
Xiao Qiyu: "Cui Ying, are you trying to anger me to death?!"
On the other side, Xiao Heng observed the two unfortunate lovers with great interest. His originally tense and heavy mood was greatly relieved by their bickering. He even had the mood to deliberately scare them. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Officer, listen to my order. Divide the remaining whips equally between these two. Since they are husband and wife, they should be beaten together."
Xiao Qiyu went mad: "Lord Xiao!"
Just then, Granny Meng came over surrounded by a group of maids and walked up to Xiao Heng, saying, "Third Young Master, the Old Madam invites you."
Xiao Heng's expression immediately became respectful. He glanced at the poor little mandarin duck and set off with Granny Meng to the Bodhi Hall.
As soon as Xiao Heng's figure disappeared into the night, Cui Ying immediately sprang to her feet. Ignoring the soreness and numbness in her knees, she hurriedly reached out to support the swaying Xiao Qiyu, her tone lighthearted with relief: "Let's go! With Grandmother's intervention, the rest of the whipping will definitely be spared. We're going to leave anyway, so let's hurry back to Qiyun Pavilion now."
Xiao Qiyu was about to shake off her hand, but upon hearing this, he paused slightly, his handsome face covered in sweat showing a look of astonishment: "How do you know that Grandmother will definitely plead for me?"
Immediately, a thought that inexplicably made him feel uneasy surfaced, and he stared sharply at Cui Ying: "Wait, you came here kneeling, not to get beaten up with me?"
Cui Ying rolled her eyes at him, her face saying, "You wish!"
“I won’t let myself get beaten,” Cui Ying blinked, her bright eyes gleaming like amber gems in the firelight. “Grandmother and I have already discussed it. I’ll stall for time so she can send Granny Meng to call away Third Brother, and then I’ll rescue you.”
Otherwise, if Xiao Qiyu had received those fifty lashes, he would have been bedridden for at least six months.
Still somewhat stunned by Xiao Qiyu's gaze, which was filled with mixed emotions, Cui Ying, with a righteous and chivalrous air, seemed like a chivalrous elder brother. He patted his chest and said, "No need to be moved. You saved my life. Come on, come back with me. The imperial physician is already waiting for you at Qiyun Pavilion."
Xiao Qiyu snapped back to reality, the complex emotions in his eyes instantly replaced by stubbornness. He forcefully shook off Cui Ying's support, straightened his swaying back, and said in a hoarse, bloody voice, "No, I haven't finished receiving the punishment I'm supposed to receive."
Seeing his stubborn and unyielding attitude, Cui Ying's patience finally ran out. A hint of helplessness and decisiveness flashed in her eyes. Without further ado, she raised her hand and delivered a clean and swift chop to Xiao Qiyu's unsuspecting nape.
Xiao Qiyu turned his head and looked at Cui Ying.
Their eyes met, and nothing happened.
Xiao Qiyu: "..."
Xiao Qiyu: "What are you doing?"
Cui Ying: "?"
Something's wrong. Is she not strong enough? Or is her posture wrong? Why isn't he dizzy yet?
But it doesn't matter, she came prepared anyway.
Cui Ying met Xiao Qiyu's suspicious and bewildered gaze, his expression gradually darkening. He then pointed to the back of Xiao Qiyu's head: "Look! A Turk!"
Like a frightened bird, Xiao Qiyu knew it was impossible, but still couldn't help turning around and fixing his gaze on it.
Taking advantage of the moment, Cui Ying pulled out a handkerchief that was already soaked in sleeping potion from his sleeve and covered Xiao Qiyu's mouth and nose with it.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
