Chapter 44: Tang Chuying is Beaten

The jade token was crystal clear and sparkling, clearly made of high-quality jade, shining brightly. Tang Chuying found the token particularly blinding, like a death warrant!

Tang Youze’s expression was serious; there was no doubt that the woman in front of him was the leader of Wanhuagu!

He never expected that the divine doctor everyone wanted to befriend was right in front of him and was also Tang Chuyao’s adoptive aunt!

Why wasn’t she Tang Chuying’s adoptive aunt? What a pity!

However, it didn’t matter; after all, Tang Chuyao was still the young lady of the Wen Yongbo’s residence, and this connection with Wanhuagu would reflect on the Wen Yongbo’s residence!

“The person who brought the prince before the leader is none other than Tang Chuyao!”

“So the one who saved the prince is the young lady Tang Chuyao, not you!”

Hua Wanshu looked at Tang Chuying as if she were an ant, her expression emotionless.

Gu Qingchen waved his hand at Ye Feng, “Just do as the second miss says!”

“First, give her thirty blows with the rod, and then demote her to slavery!”

“No!”

“Please, my lord!” Tang Chuying cried out, her face pale with fear.

Ye Feng directly dragged her away and stuffed a piece of cloth into Tang Chuying’s mouth.

“Woo…,” Tang Chuying was dragged out.

Mei Yiniang kept bowing to Gu Qingchen, “My lord, spare her!”

“Ying’er is still young and doesn’t understand; please show mercy, my lord!”

Tang Chuyao twitched her lips; young? She was a year older than her! How could she be considered young?

Gu Qingchen coldly glanced at Mei Yiniang and said, “Since Mei Yiniang is pleading, then just watch the punishment from the side!”

“What does the lord think?”

After being called upon, Tang Youze immediately stood up and bowed, “I leave it to the lord’s decision!”

Gu Qingchen shot him a sidelong glance and did not speak further.

He stood there, too embarrassed to sit down, when suddenly, muffled groans from Tang Chuying came from outside, followed by Mei Yiniang’s cries, “Ying’er, my Ying’er.”

However, Mei Yiniang was held back by others and couldn’t get close to Tang Chuying.

With the cloth stuffed in her mouth, Tang Chuying couldn’t shout, only muffled groans escaped her.

Thirty blows with the rod, if struck heavily, could kill someone, but the person administering the punishment was very skilled, able to make Tang Chuying suffer immensely without taking her life!

At first, Tang Chuying could still make some sounds, but soon she lost consciousness.

Before long, the thirty blows were completed, and Tang Youze stood there stiffly, enduring Mei Yiniang’s heart-wrenching wails.

Mei Yiniang broke free from the restraints of those around her and rushed to Tang Chuying’s side, afraid to touch her body. The sight of Tang Chuying covered in blood nearly made Mei Yiniang faint.

She hoarsely shouted, “Quick, go summon the house doctor!”

No one moved. Mei Yiniang looked at Gu Qingchen sitting in the room and hurried inside, kneeling before him with a “thud,” “My lord, Ying’er knows she was wrong. Can we please get a doctor to check on her?”

“If this goes on, she will lose her life!”

Gu Qingchen nodded; he had no intention of taking Tang Chuying’s life!

After all, she was about to marry Gu Huaifeng. If she died now, what would Gu Huaifeng do if he came to pester the little one?

Immediately, a servant was sent to summon Zhang Hong.

When Zhang Hong arrived and saw the scene before him, he was initially shocked, then nervously bowed to Gu Qingchen before going to check on Tang Chuying’s injuries.

Tang Chuying’s injuries were severe; without several months of rest, she wouldn’t be able to walk.

Soon, the young servant carried Tang Chuying back to her Ziying Pavilion, with Mei Yiniang following to take care of her.

Hua Wanshu quietly watched this with Tang Chuyao before saying to Gu Qingchen, “Since the prince has already found his lifesaver, then this valley master will take my leave!”

Gu Qingchen nodded slightly.

Hua Wanshu gently met Tang Chuyao’s gaze, “Yao’er, if you have any issues, you can come to your aunt!”

“If anyone tries to bully you, your aunt will be the first to refuse!”

After saying this, she cast a glance at Tang Youze, who was startled by her look and said nothing.

Tang Chuyao smiled and watched Hua Wanshu leave. In her own home, the people supporting her were actually two individuals with no blood relation!

It was truly ridiculous!

Seemingly sensing the bitterness in Tang Chuyao’s eyes, Gu Qingchen interrupted her thoughts, “Since Miss Tang is my lifesaver, I will immediately go to the palace to ask the emperor to grant us a marriage!”

What? Last night’s plan didn’t include this aspect!

However, a hint of worry flashed in Tang Chuyao’s eyes. Since ancient times, emperors have been suspicious. Gu Qingchen was already outstanding; if he received the support of the general’s residence, would it displease the emperor?

Gu Qingchen noticed her concern and gave her a reassuring look before striding away…

Tang Youze watched Gu Qingchen’s departing figure, lost in thought. Reflecting on Gu Qingchen’s words before leaving, he turned to Tang Chuyao.

“Yao’er, since you have such an opportunity, why didn’t you tell your father?”

Tang Chuyao concealed the mockery in her eyes and then said earnestly, “Father, could it be you forgot?”

“I fell into the water some time ago and hurt my head; I don’t remember many things…”

Tang Youze scrutinized Tang Chuyao, seeing that she didn’t seem to be lying, and then shifted the topic, “It doesn’t matter; after all, you will marry into the regent’s residence sooner or later. For now, just prepare for your wedding!”

Feeling it was inappropriate, he added, “If you need anything, just speak up; your father will definitely help you achieve it!”

Tang Youze felt like a caring father, but Tang Chuyao was completely dismissive.

She merely nodded slightly and smiled faintly, “Then thank you, Father!”

Tang Youze was very pleased with Tang Chuyao’s attitude and turned to leave…

Previously, she had worked hard to please these so-called family members, but she couldn’t warm their hearts!

Now, without doing much, she easily gained Tang Youze’s favor; it was truly ironic!

Tang Chuyao didn’t linger any longer and returned to her courtyard with Dijuan.

What surprised her was that she actually saw Gu Qingchen inside the room. Wasn’t he supposed to be in the palace?

Tang Chuyao quickly closed the door and had Dujian guard at the entrance.

She stepped forward and whispered, “What are you doing here?”

Gu Qingchen was sitting at the table drinking tea. Upon hearing her, he grabbed Tang Chuyao’s hand and pulled her onto his lap.

Tang Chuyao struggled to get up, but Gu Qingchen pressed her firmly in his embrace, his deep, husky voice whispering in her ear, “Don’t move!”

Sensing the change in his body, Tang Chuying didn’t dare to move recklessly.

Her ears turned bright red as Gu Qingchen held her slim waist, constantly rubbing it, making Tang Chuyao feel a tingling sensation all over…

“Why are the young lady’s ears so red?” Gu Qingchen’s warm breath brushed against Tang Chuyao’s ear.

Tang Chuyao felt that he was doing it on purpose!

She replied irritably, “Why do you think?”

Gu Qingchen chuckled softly, stopping his movements but pulling her closer, “Were you worried about me just now, young lady?”

Tang Chuyao thought about Gu Qingchen’s purpose for going to the palace and couldn’t help but feel a bit worried.