Chapter 55 Kneeling
Back in the tent, Li Yuanzhao had just sat down in the main seat when he coldly said, "Kneel down."
Chen Yanqing was stunned for a moment, not understanding why she had suddenly become so angry when she had just smiled and said she was coming to pick him up.
But he didn't dare ask any more questions and knelt down on the carpet with a thud.
But his spine was straight.
Li Yuanzhao coldly looked at the person on the ground, his gaze falling on the man's left arm, which was wrapped in bandages.
She couldn't help but think that if the assassin's blade had been even slightly faster last night, and if he hadn't been able to dodge that fatal blow, it would have saved her a lot of trouble.
pity……
He survived, by all accounts.
She even dared to flirt with Shen Churong right under her nose, plotting to leave her.
If she hadn't used the term "male concubine" to dispel Shen Churong's feelings for him, he probably would have succeeded.
During this time, she meticulously planned and gradually trimmed his feathers.
He made Su Qingci, who was determined to marry him, look down on him; he made Liu Jinzhang, who was fond of him, pay no attention to him; he made Xiao Duo, who was sworn to be loyal to him, resent him; and he caused all his supporters to turn against him...
But he can still bounce around like this; I really underestimated him.
"Looks like you've gotten quite bold these past few days," Li Yuanzhao finally spoke. "You even dared to try and win over Shen Churong. What? You feel wronged following me?"
Chen Yanqing's heart tightened; she was actually so angry because he wanted to leave.
So, she actually wanted him to stay by her side forever?
An indescribable joy welled up inside him, and he wanted to say something.
But when the words reached my lips, they tasted quite different.
Looking at Li Yuanzhao's cold eyes, he suddenly recalled the scene of her and Lin Xue'an mingling together, and blurted out, "Doesn't Your Highness have Young Master Lin serving you? I... I'm afraid that if I stay by Your Highness's side, I'll just be clumsy and make you angry."
The grievance hidden in his words even made him feel that something was off.
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao suddenly laughed, "Jealous?"
Chen Yanqing's face flushed instantly: "I wouldn't dare!"
"Dare not?" Li Yuanzhao stood up and walked up to him, looking down at him. "I think you're very bold; there's nothing you wouldn't dare to do."
She leaned down and pinched his chin. "But... you're different from him."
Chen Yanqing's heart skipped a beat, and she held her breath.
“He’s nothing but a plaything.” She tightened her grip slightly, making his jaw ache. “You are more special to me.”
I really want some of you to die.
Chen Yanqing's heart was beating so fast that even her breathing became erratic.
The pain in my jaw was so clear, yet it felt like something had burned my heart, sending a strange tingling sensation through me.
What's wrong with him?
Feeling resentful when she ignores you, jealous when you see her favoring others, and surprisingly feeling... joy when you hear her half-jokingly calling someone "special"?
These fragments spun like a revolving lantern, finally settling on her face, which was now so close to hers.
This face doesn't seem particularly special, but it has sharp eyebrows and upturned eyes, exuding ambition and arrogance.
But the more he looked at her, the more pleasing she became; even the blatant scheming in her eyes seemed to possess a fatal attraction.
It seems that he... has fallen for her?
This realization struck Chen Yanqing like a thunderbolt, startling him.
This is absolutely absurd!
How could he fall for this unpredictable woman who treats human life like dirt and has no femininity whatsoever?
But his heart seemed to want to break free, beating louder and louder, so clearly in the silent tent that even Li Yuanzhao frowned.
"What are you looking at me for?" She released her grip on his chin, her tone tinged with impatience. "Look again, and I'll gouge your eyes out!"
Chen Yanqing then realized her loss of composure, hurriedly lowered her head, and tightly gripped her palms, trying to suppress her frantic heartbeat with pain.
Li Yuanzhao straightened up, straightened his robes, turned around and sat back in the main seat. "Your restlessness has truly disappointed me."
Chen Yanqing remained kneeling on the ground. Upon hearing this, his heart sank, and a bad premonition instantly arose within him.
What did she mean by that? Could it be... that she's going to abandon him because of his betrayal?
The thought had barely crossed my mind when it was seized by a strong sense of panic.
Just a moment ago, he was thinking about escaping, but now he was so afraid of being abandoned by her.
He hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, I just chatted with General Shen today because we shared similar interests. I absolutely had no intention of currying favor with General Shen, and I would never dare to leave Your Highness!"
"You're quite the smooth talker, thinking I'm easy to fool?"
Chen Yanqing then realized that he could not hide it from her, so he could only bow his head and apologize, "Your Highness, I will never dare to do it again. Please forgive me."
Li Yuanzhao looked at his tense back and said, "If everyone were like you, coming and going as they please, would they think this place is a vegetable market?"
Chen Yanqing hurriedly kowtowed, "From now on, I will have no disloyalty whatsoever, and will be loyal to Your Highness without exception!"
Li Yuanzhao said "Oh," and then added, "Is that so? Then let me see your loyalty."
Chen Yanqing looked at her, puzzled.
Li Yuanzhao said calmly, "Since you have made a mistake, you must be punished. Neglecting your duties and currying favor with others are serious crimes. However, considering your merit in protecting me, I cannot bear to punish you severely. I will only punish you with fifty strokes of the military rod."
Fifty strokes of the military rod!
Chen Yanqing's expression changed drastically.
He was still recovering from serious injuries, and had old wounds on his back. Fifty strokes of the military rod would either kill him or leave him severely injured.
But……
As long as I can stay by her side, I am already fortunate.
Let's fight!
He gritted his teeth and said, "I... accept the punishment."
Li Yuanzhao nodded in satisfaction and called out to the outside of the tent, "Someone come here."
Two guards entered in response.
"Drag him away and give him fifty lashes. If you miss a single lash, you will be held responsible."
"yes!"
Before being escorted out by the guards, Chen Yanqing couldn't help but look back.
Li Yuanzhao was sipping his tea with his head down, not even sparing her a glance.
He closed his eyes, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
At least he now knew her feelings, and she didn't send him away.
That's enough.
Soon, the dull thuds of military batons striking flesh echoed from outside the tent, one sound after another, particularly clear in the quiet morning.
Inside the tent, Li Yuanzhao put down his teacup and counted the beats with great interest.
Even if she can't kill him, she has plenty of ways to make him suffer.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com