Chapter 150: Chapter 150: I’m Very Loyal

A voice suddenly called out from behind the Chi Long Curtain, “Go and ask him if he knows his mistake. If he does, We shall not pursue this matter further. He may return and peacefully prepare for his wedding to the young lady from the Song Residence.”

“Yes…”

Lu Shunfu turned around and began cautiously, “Prince Qing…”

Zhou Cangyan lifted his gaze, his eyes dark and bottomless. “If I may be so bold as to ask the Holy Emperor, which young lady from the Song Residence?”

“Oh, my… Your Highness, you… you’re not…”

’He’s just feigning ignorance!’

’Isn’t the Holy Emperor’s meaning clear enough?’

’This whole chaotic situation could be resolved with a simple nod from Prince Qing.’

’The Holy Emperor’s dignity would be preserved, General Song would be placated, Prince Ling would no longer face criticism, and Miss Song would still be a Princess Consort and thus have no further complaints…’

’As for Prince Qing, they are both General Song’s daughters, so what difference does it make which one he marries? As long as the imperial edict has not been officially announced, he wouldn’t be losing face.’

All of it, everything, just required Prince Qing to admit his mistake.

From within the curtain, the Emperor’s voice was stately and severe. “Who else could it be? Song Xilan, of course!”

Zhou Cangyan laughed. “Surely the Holy Emperor is mistaken. The one I asked to marry is the Song Family’s second daughter, Song Lianhe!”

“You—”

The curtain was abruptly thrown aside. Emperor Cheng Xiao strode out, with a nervous Chun De following behind him. “Holy Emperor…”

“Prince Qing! Do you have any idea what you’re saying!”

Emperor Cheng Xiao tried to suppress his fury, his voice lowering slightly. “This entire affair was started by your recklessness. Have you considered how you will answer to General Song, how you will answer to Us?”

Zhou Cangyan remained kneeling on the cold ground. He tilted his head up slightly, his gaze wild and untamed as he scoffed, “I merely admire a woman. Why must I answer to anyone else for it?”

Emperor Cheng Xiao was incandescent with rage. He ground his teeth and clasped his hands behind his back, his thumb fiddling with his White Jade Ring.

“So, you intend to defy an imperial decree?”

“Holy Emperor!”

Chun De cried out in alarm, turning quickly to look at Zhou Cangyan.

But Zhou Cangyan just smiled nonchalantly. “If the Holy Emperor says it is so, then it is so.”

“Biwu!” Chun De began, wanting to plead for him, but Emperor Cheng Xiao had already exploded in fury. “Beat him! Beat him severely! Beat him until he admits his mistake!”

Lu Shunfu acknowledged the order and turned to instruct the palace attendants to carry out the punishment.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

The whip struck Zhou Cangyan’s body, but he remained kneeling stoically. Despite his pale face, his back was ramrod straight, and he didn’t move an inch.

Chun De was frantic with worry. She turned and gave Fang Xiu a meaningful look.

Fang Xiu nodded and discreetly withdrew.

Just then, a palace attendant announced, “Holy Emperor, Princess Cheng Hong requests an audience.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng Xiao’s expression softened slightly.

He had met Song Lianhe before in the garden of the Prince Qing Mansion and knew she was an eloquent speaker. More importantly, he knew she had adored Ziyin since childhood. There were many amusing stories about her circulating in the palace, a testament to her infatuation.

’So, could she be here now because she caught wind of the news? That she might be able to marry Prince Ling again, and she has come to express her gratitude?’

Emperor Cheng Xiao glanced at Zhou Cangyan again, the corners of his lips turning up slightly. “Admit her.”

Soon, Song Lianhe was led before the hall.

Lady Cao and her daughter accompanied her from behind.

From the moment Song Lianhe stepped through the hall’s doors, her eyes never left the man kneeling in the courtyard.

The palace attendants were still carrying out the punishment, lashing him forcefully, one strike after another.

Under the moonlight, his pale skin seemed coated in fine silver dust, emitting a soft, clear glow.

She stared at him so intently that she failed to watch her step. Suddenly, she tripped on a stair and stumbled forward. Thankfully, Cao Ying reacted quickly and caught her.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Thank you, Sister Cao.”

When she lifted her head again, she unexpectedly met the man’s teasing gaze. She froze, her heart feeling as if it had taken a heavy blow, leaving a numb weight behind.

He parted his lips slightly, and she somehow understood the phrase he mouthed: *Be careful.*

Song Lianhe clenched her fists. The faint pain from the unhealed wounds on her palms helped clear her mind.

She fixed her gaze on the man, took a deep breath, and gathered her spirits. Step by step, she walked to the foot of the dais and bowed gracefully. “Cheng Hong greets the Holy Emperor and the Empress.”

Lady Cao and her daughter bowed as well.

“Cheng Hong, why have you come?”

Emperor Cheng Xiao’s tone was much warmer, carrying an air of, “Just say you like Prince Ling, and We will make it happen for you.”

Song Lianhe rose to her feet. Hearing the sound of the whip behind her, her gaze grew even more determined. She spoke, word by word, “Replying to the Holy Emperor, Cheng Hong has come to offer her thanks.”

As expected. Emperor Cheng Xiao smiled, sitting in his chair. “Oh?”

Chun De, however, frowned. ’Has she learned that the Holy Emperor intends to marry her to Prince Ling, and so she rushed to the palace to give thanks, afraid His Majesty might change his mind?’

Chun De’s gaze, as she stared at Song Lianhe, grew sharp.

Song Lianhe pressed her lips together, then suddenly declared in a loud voice, “Thank you, Holy Emperor, for bestowing upon Cheng Hong a marriage to Prince Qing!”

After speaking, she once again performed the grand court ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

Chun De was quite surprised, staring at her blankly.

’If she truly had feelings for Prince Ling, this would have been the perfect opportunity. Not only could she become the rightful Princess Consort Ling, but she could also use the chance to get rid of Song Xilan!’

’And yet… she came this time for Biwu…’

Chun De looked again toward Zhou Cangyan. It seemed as though some warmth had returned to his pale face. His light-colored eyes were fixed, unblinking, on the woman kneeling before him.

In that instant, Chun De seemed to understand something.

Emperor Cheng Xiao’s expression changed abruptly. He gripped the armrests of his chair and said slowly, “Cheng Hong, have you thought this through?”

“Holy Emperor, Cheng Hong wished to come and offer thanks yesterday, but an unexpected incident occurred at home… Just now, I heard that Prince Qing incurred the Holy Emperor’s wrath because he was implicated by me. Although he and I have not yet performed the wedding ceremony, thanks to the Holy Emperor’s grace, I have long since considered him my husband. As such, we are one. He is being punished in my place today, so how could I possibly abandon him?”

As she spoke, she removed her coronet and outer ceremonial robes, leaving her in only a white inner tunic. She then walked over to Zhou Cangyan’s side and knelt. The palace attendants carrying out the punishment stopped, looking on in confusion.

“I will share in the punishment His Highness is receiving! I pray the Holy Emperor will grant this.”

A slight tremor ran through Zhou Cangyan’s brow. He turned his head to study her closely.

Others might not have been able to see it, but he could see it clearly.

The young woman’s body was trembling uncontrollably, her eyelashes fluttering nonstop. In her white clothes, she looked even more slender and frail.

He lowered his gaze and smiled.

’So obviously terrified of death.’

Emperor Cheng Xiao’s face shifted through several expressions as he glared fiercely at the pair kneeling before the hall.

Her arm was suddenly grabbed. Song Lianhe froze and looked up at him.

“Get in front of me.”

Zhou Cangyan’s voice was a bit hoarse. He wasn’t made of iron; how could he be unfazed after more than thirty lashes?

Yet he still pulled her into his arms, shielding her in front of him. “There. Now it counts as you taking the punishment for me too.”

Watching from the side, Cao Ying’s eyes shone. She clutched at her chest, truly moved.

’This feeling… it’s even more moving than being loved yourself!’

’I’ve decided! I will represent all that is right in this world and protect true love!’

Leaning against the man’s chest, Song Lianhe was startled and struggled. “How can this be? I came here to take the beating for you!”

“Take a beating? You?”

The man chuckled, his lazy laughter almost bewitching.

“Don’t you laugh!” Song Lianhe, flushed with embarrassment and anger, glared at him. “I’m very loyal!”

Watching the couple kneeling together from afar, looking so deeply in love, Zhou Junlin clenched his jaw, his gaze clear and cold.

’Song Lianhe…’

’Has she really had a change of heart?’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep