Chapter 206 Because I am the Empress
Even if Princess Ping'an was usually arrogant, she would not dare to be unruly in front of the Empress.
Although reluctant, he still knelt down and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Despite her deep concern for Song Zhuran and her anger towards Princess Ping'an, Empress Song Zhuyi stood dignified and composed, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of mild anger.
“Ping An, the Empress and the Emperor both knew you were arrogant and domineering, but we never knew you didn’t care about human lives.”
"The second floor isn't particularly high, but it's not particularly low either. If you fall from there, you'll be crippled even if you don't die."
Princess Ping'an was indignant and lowered her head to explain, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I did not know this was your sister on Christmas Eve."
"What angers me is not that you pushed Ranran down, but that you don't value human life. Even His Majesty and I cannot easily kill someone."
"What? As a princess of Dongling Kingdom, you enjoy the support of the people of Dongling Kingdom, and now you're going to kill someone so easily over such a trivial matter?"
"Is this how the Grand Princess usually educates you?"
As expected of a queen, all the foreshadowing beforehand was for the final sentence.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the teahouse began to feel dissatisfied with the Grand Princess.
"Your Majesty, these are just the lives of a few ants. Are you really going to make things difficult for me over this?" Ping An protested. "Or is it because I had a conflict with your sister today, and you're taking revenge for personal reasons?"
"I have already apologized to you. I didn't know that she was your sister."
The Empress sighed softly, "It seems that if you are not punished today, it will be difficult to quell public anger."
"I didn't concern myself with things that happened in the past, but I'm determined to take charge of this matter today."
"What does Your Majesty mean?" Ping An looked up in surprise. "Why is Your Majesty punishing me?"
"If anyone should be punished, it should be my cousin, the emperor."
"Just because I am the Empress, and the role model for women of Dongling Kingdom," the Empress said confidently. "Today, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of the Grand Princess."
At this moment, Song Zhuran also recovered, her face pale, and she leaned weakly against the table, "Sister."
The Empress turned around and looked at Song Zhuran anxiously, "Ranran, how are you?"
Song Zhuran gently shook her head, "It's nothing, I was just a little anxious and made my sister worry."
"Your Majesty the Empress speaks so sweetly, but it's all because I offended your sister," Princess Ping'an said sarcastically, watching the scene unfold before her.
"There's no need for you to inflict such a great punishment on me."
No matter how gentle and good-tempered the Empress was, she would never allow anyone to embarrass her in such a public place.
Even the emperor himself would give me some face in front of so many people.
“Princess Ping’an has shown utter disregard for the law and ignored me.” The Empress coldly ordered, “Guards, give her twenty strokes of the cane in public.”
"To serve as a warning to others!"
Princess Ping'an never expected that the Empress would actually dare to punish her, especially in public.
"Your Majesty." Jiang Wan Ning knew that the Empress was angered by Princess Ping An. If she were to be punished in public, the Grand Princess would certainly not let it go.
The purpose today is not to provoke the Grand Princess.
"Today's matter is also because of Young Master Xuan, so why don't we let Young Master Xuan take charge?"
Jiang Wan Ning slowly said, "If Xuan Gong is an imposter as Princess Ping An said, then it doesn't count as the princess causing trouble."
"Of course, it's a different story if the princess kills people at will. Why not send her to the palace for the emperor to decide? I believe the Grand Princess won't say anything then."
The Empress, who had been enraged, calmed down after being reminded by Jiang Wan Ning.
If she were to publicly punish Ping An with a cane today, twenty zhang long, his clothes would be stuck to his skin, and the cane would be on his buttocks and lower back.
If things go smoothly, it will definitely become a topic of conversation and a laughing stock in the capital. The Grand Princess will definitely not let it go.
If the punishment were carried out in the palace, it wouldn't be seen by everyone, and even if the Grand Princess wanted to make a scene, she wouldn't dare to say anything.
The Empress turned to look at the curtain on the stage, "Go and bring Young Master Xuan out."
"Sister..." Song Zhuran said weakly, "Let's just leave it at that."
"It was also because I was too impulsive."
The Empress, unusually, ignored Song Zhuran and instead coldly ordered the guards behind her, "Didn't you hear what I said?"
She knew why Jiang Wan Ning had summoned her today.
She was just now trying to justify her sister's actions, trying to convince herself otherwise.
If Ranran hadn't spoken up this time, she would still have been willing to believe it, but the result was too disappointing...
A hint of anxiety and surprise flashed in Song Zhuran's eyes, before she could speak again.
The guards had already leaped down and pushed the curtain aside.
"Your Majesty, there is no one here."
Young Master Xuan has long since disappeared.
Song Zhuran's chest sank slightly, and she relaxed completely.
Princess Ping'an smirked, "Hmph, they must be afraid of being exposed by me and running away."
"With Miss Song's protectiveness, anyone who didn't know better would think that you, not me, are on good terms with Young Master Xuan."
Song Zhuran's face was deathly pale as she angrily pointed at Princess Ping'an, "How could a woman like you utter such foul language?"
Ping An didn't care at all. "I just have a good relationship with Young Master Xuan. What's wrong with me admiring his talent and insight?"
Her mother, the Grand Princess, was always like this; if she saw a good-looking person on the street, she would kidnap them without hesitation.
In the end, those men still obediently served their mother, doing whatever she asked, and some even hoped to be favored by her.
Although she was as bold as her mother, she also had her differences.
That is, she was only loyal to Young Master Xuan. She fell in love with Young Master Xuan even when they had never met and only communicated through letters.
She only met him briefly later, but he left a deep impression on her.
"Since this person has escaped, I will not punish you with a cane," the Empress said calmly.
Just when Princess Ping'an thought everything was over, the Empress continued, "However, we cannot simply absolve you of all your crimes like this."
"If this happens, and all members of the royal family follow suit, where will the people of the world turn to for justice? How will they continue to trust the imperial family?"
"Considering that you are a woman, the caning will be changed to a slap."
If hitting someone on the buttocks doesn't look good, then slap their face.
Shen Ruzhi wished she could give the Empress a thumbs up.
Princess Ping'an's eyes widened. "Your Majesty, have you thought this through? What if my mother finds out..."
“I am the Empress, and this world belongs to the Emperor, not your mother.”
"What? Or are you trying to say that your mother, with her military power, is able to disregard imperial authority?"
"I..."
"Your Majesty is right!"
"Well said!"
Princess Ping'an was usually arrogant and many people disliked her. Now, seeing her being reprimanded by the Empress, they felt very happy, and some people couldn't help but take the lead in shouting.
"Guards, carry out the execution!"
"Wait!"
Just as the two guards were about to step forward, a loud female voice came from the doorway.
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