Font Size:
The Imperial Uncle was indeed at home, and he had indeed arranged for many people to block the front courtyard. However, they never expected that Princess Pingyao would act so unconventionally, directly ordering her men to capture their daughter and leading a large group of elite soldiers straight into the residence.
With Qin Zhilan in her grasp, a few slaps were enough to make her obediently lead the way to the ancestral hall, saving time from any entanglement with them and showing everyone the swift and decisive efficiency of Princess Pingyao’s actions.
Qin Yumo was helped out by someone, and when he raised his eyes, he saw his father, who had always been high, leading people to stop outside the courtyard, clasping his hands tightly, staring at Princess Pingyao with anger and embarrassment, his face was full of anger and did not dare to speak, wishing he could shoot daggers at her with his eyes.
“I was merely anxious to see my son, so I ordered someone to bring Yumo back to reminisce about our father-son bond. Was it necessary for the Princess to make such a big fuss?” The Imperial Uncle said angrily, “As the Imperial Uncle, don’t I even have the right to see my own son?”
“Reminisce about father-son bond?” Princess Pingyao sneered and turned to call Qin Yumo over, “The Imperial Uncle’s way of reminiscing is to have him detained in the ancestral hall and subjected to private punishment? If I had arrived a moment later, would I have been waiting to collect his corpse?”
The Imperial Uncle’s face was grim: “He has brought shame to our ancestors, so it’s only right that he should suffer some family punishment!”
“You took my Prince Consort away without my consent and subjected him to private punishment. It’s only right that I, in my anger, should act without grace.” Princess Pingyao said, coldly surveying her surroundings. “Today, I will take Madam Qin away, and I will also take Qin Zhilan. Anyone who dares to stop me, I will walk over their corpse!”
The Imperial Uncle said coldly: “You can take Qin Yumo away, but the others must stay!”
“The Imperial Uncle is being unreasonable.” Princess Pingyao sneered. “When you ordered someone to take Qin Yumo away, did you bother to inform me?”
With that, she called out, “Zhan Feng, Zhan Yu!”
“At your command!”
Princess Pingyao ordered: “Clear the way ahead. Anyone who blocks our path will be killed without mercy.”
“Yes.”
Two lean and tall black-clad men held long swords. Although the swords were not drawn, as they stepped forward, the guards of the Imperial Uncle’s residence instinctively stepped aside.
Seeing this, Madam Qin’s face turned a mix of green and pale: “Master, Master!”
“Father, save me! Father, save me!” Qin Zhilan was so frightened that her eyes turned red and her face turned pale. She struggled continuously, trying to break free from the female guard who held her: “Let me go! Let me go!”
Princess Pingyao stepped out, and Qin Yumo silently followed beside her. No matter how Madam Qin and Qin Zhilan struggled and cried for help, it was to no avail.
When they reached the front courtyard, rows of black-armored guards stood there, a sight that struck fear into the hearts of those who saw them.
Madam Qin was terrified, unable to believe that Princess Pingyao had brought so many people with her.
For the sake of Qin Yumo, had she mobilized all the troops left to her by the late Emperor?
Princess Pingyao walked out the door as if no one else was around. She ordered someone to help Qin Yumo into the carriage first and then followed him.
Then, the Imperial Uncle raised his hand, signaling the guards to step forward. However, as soon as the Qin family guards took a step, the iron-armored guards drew their swords and sabers in unison, forcefully blocking the Qin family guards outside the encirclement.
For a moment, the atmosphere was tense and chilling.
Madam Qin and her daughter were pushed out the door and forcibly taken away.
The carriage slowly moved forward, with four female guards following on either side. Behind the carriage, female guards escorted the Qin family mother and daughter, and behind them were the imposing black-armored elite soldiers.
There were many onlookers along the way, but no one dared to step forward.
Inside the carriage, there was silence.
Princess Pingyao sat on the couch, her gaze falling on Qin Yumo’s pale face: “If sitting is uncomfortable, you can lie down.”
Qin Yumo’s face was extremely pale, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat.
However, at this moment, he pressed his lips together lightly, feeling a warmth in his heart: “In my life, this is the first time I’ve been protected like this.”
Princess Pingyao frowned: “This isn’t the first time I’ve protected you.”
“Yes, it’s not the first time.” Qin Yumo nodded. “But today is different from before.”
Although it was protection last time, it was more about taking him back to show off and retaliate with a bit of borrowed prestige. That was the first time Qin Yumo had seen his stepmother suffer a setback.
This time, however, it was a genuine rescue from danger.
“Does it hurt?”
Qin Yumo was silent for a moment before lowering his eyes and saying, “I’ve gotten used to it.”
Princess Pingyao didn’t say anything more.
The carriage soon returned to the Princess’s estate. Princess Pingyao and Qin Yumo got out of the carriage one after the other. Behind them, Madam Qin looked at the majestic and imposing Princess’s estate before her and felt uneasy. Her feet felt rooted to the spot, unable to take another step.
“Princess, I am… I am Yumo’s elder. Today, I only took him to the ancestral hall to pay respects to our ancestors. The family law is a Qin family tradition, I did not intentionally abuse him, Princess—”
“Madam Qin is too noisy.” Princess Pingyao turned to look at her, her tone calm, “You were quite imposing when you acted as the mistress of the house. You should continue to maintain your dignity now, instead of shouting like a coward.”
“Princess—”
“Rest assured, I am not an unreasonable person.” Princess Pingyao said with a faint smile. “Once we arrive at the Princess’s estate, I will first examine the injuries. For every blow Qin Yumo received, your daughter will receive double.”
After saying this, she raised her hand and ordered, “Take them inside. Right outside my courtyard, prepare the spring bench. I’m very interested to see how deep their mother-daughter bond is.”
“Yes.”
Upon returning to the bedchamber, Princess Pingyao ordered Qin Yumo to remove his clothes so she could inspect his injuries.
A servant went to fetch some ointment.
However, the ointment was just a backup. Before they had even returned from the Imperial Uncle’s residence, someone had already been sent to summon the imperial physician.
Qin Yumo’s clothes were removed one by one, revealing his slender back. On his originally fair skin, shocking wounds had swollen up, some already bruised and purplish, a sight that was particularly alarming.
The air in the bedchamber was cold and biting.
Qin Yumo turned to look at Princess Pingyao and, seeing her grim expression, said softly, “I’m used to it. It’s no big deal.”
Princess Pingyao looked at him expressionlessly: “Lie on the bed. Let the imperial physician take a look later.”
“Yes.”
Princess Pingyao turned and walked out, leaning against the doorframe, looking at Madam Qin, who had been forcibly brought into the courtyard, and sneered coldly: “Madam Qin’s hand is quite heavy.”
“Princess, you must understand!” Qin Zhilan hurriedly defended her mother, “It’s only natural for a mother to discipline her son! Even though my second brother is a Prince Consort, he will always be a concubine’s son of the Qin family. My father and mother have the right to discipline him. The Princess should not deprive my mother of her rights for this reason, nor should she retaliate—”
“Bind Qin Zhilan.” Princess Pingyao said calmly. “I believe in fairness. Find a rattan whip and give Qin Zhilan thirty lashes first. Since Madam Qin insists on treating the Prince Consort as her own son to discipline, then she should treat her daughter equally.”