Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Punishment

“Hmph.”

Though Emperor Chong Sheng still appeared displeased, the harshness in his eyes softened slightly.

The Third Prince continued gently, “War never spares all lives, Imperial Father. General Qi ultimately achieved victory. Please do not punish him too severely.”

“As for Miss Meng…”

His gaze fell upon Meng Yang, a hidden impatience flickering briefly, but his words were surprisingly kind: “Miss Meng dedicated herself to healing others. Although she made mistakes, her skills indeed saved many soldiers.”

Meng Yang looked at the Third Prince gratefully.

“Her ‘surgical methods,’ I’ve heard, helped many soldiers whose wounds refused to stop bleeding, saving their lives. In my humble opinion, she has both merit and fault, but her mistakes are not deserving of death,” the Third Prince continued with a gentle smile.

Emperor Chong Sheng let out a sigh, his severe presence easing slightly. He patted the Third Prince’s shoulder affectionately.

Seeing this face, so similar to Consort Yuan’s, even the Emperor’s great anger softened.

“Yuan Hao, your heart is always so kind,” Emperor Chong Sheng finally said, turning to Meng Yang thoughtfully. “Fine. Since Yuan Hao has spoken on your behalf, I’ll spare you the death penalty—but you cannot escape punishment altogether.”

“Imperial Father is indeed benevolent,” praised the Third Prince smoothly.

“Since hundreds of soldiers died because of you, you must personally apologize to each of their families and present them with compensation,” Emperor Chong Sheng declared after a moment of thought.

Hearing this, Meng Yang’s body went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, finally relieved.

[Sheng Zhi Wan!]

[The humiliation today, I will return it to you a hundredfold someday!]

Qi Shu Xian quickly helped Meng Yang to her feet, expressing thanks and gratitude repeatedly to the Third Prince.

With just a few words, Sheng Yuan Hao had successfully made both Qi Shu Xian and Meng Yang indebted to him, and feeling satisfied, he turned to please Emperor Chong Sheng further. “Imperial Father, do you know that Maiden’s Delight Wine, currently the most popular wine in Capital City, was brewed by Miss Meng here?”

“I will have someone deliver a few jars to you later.”

“It’s a wonderful taste.”

Emperor Chong Sheng nodded appreciatively, praising his son, “You are indeed thoughtful.”

Watching the gentle, forgiving demeanor of Emperor Chong Sheng, Sheng Zhi Wan felt a pang of sadness.

In her previous life, she had often suspected that Emperor Chong Sheng, her own father, always treated her coldly, wary and distant, without a trace of familial affection.

Returning to this life, this feeling was even clearer.

Lost in thought, Sheng Zhi Wan barely noticed when Emperor Chong Sheng turned his displeased eyes towards her. “Qing Ning, do you acknowledge your mistake?”

Sheng Zhi Wan gently shook her head. “I do not.”

“You do not?”

Emperor Chong Sheng narrowed his eyes. “Wasn’t Zhang Da Hu intentionally released by you?”

“You knew perfectly well that once that ruthless man escaped, he would spread scandal across the city, arousing anger among the people and shaming the Imperial Court. Yet, as a royal princess, you still aided and encouraged him behind the scenes!”

“Utter foolishness!”

“You made such a fuss over petty matters just to satisfy your anger, allowing commoners to mock the court’s incompetence—is this befitting your dignity as a princess?”

The more Emperor Chong Sheng spoke, the angrier he became, seemingly deeply disappointed with Sheng Zhi Wan.

“Imperial Father is merely worried that I’ve embarrassed the court,” Sheng Zhi Wan said softly. “Yet who will speak for the grievances of those hundreds of soldiers?”

Sheng Yuan Hao shook his head gently.

“Qing Ning, your words are misguided. Soldiers dying in battle is commonplace. Moreover, the Imperial Court already compensates their families. By making a spectacle, you only incite ignorant commoners who cannot understand Imperial Father’s intentions and blindly follow rumors.”

“As the Emperor’s children, we should alleviate Imperial Father’s burdens, not create more trouble.”

Emperor Chong Sheng nodded approvingly.

“If all princes and princesses were as understanding as Yuan Hao, I wouldn’t have so many worries.”

“Thank you, Imperial Father, for your praise,” Sheng Yuan Hao responded humbly. “Though Qing Ning is wrong, she is only a woman with limited experience. Her heart belongs solely to General Qi; otherwise, she wouldn’t have resorted to fasting to force Imperial Father into granting her marriage. Her anger at Miss Meng likely made her lose her composure.”

“A minor punishment will suffice; please do not be overly harsh.”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s expression remained cold as Sheng Yuan Hao spoke freely.

Whether in her past life or this one, Emperor Chong Sheng favored Sheng Yuan Hao above all others. Despite the Crown Prince existing, Sheng Yuan Hao always appeared indifferent to the throne.

Yet, everything from her previous life proved that the Eldest Prince was merely a shield Emperor Chong Sheng raised for Sheng Yuan Hao.

Eventually, the position of Crown Prince would inevitably fall to Sheng Yuan Hao!

But could someone who treated commoners’ lives so carelessly—someone who, in her previous life, even fabricated victories by sacrificing innocent lives—truly deserve such a position?

Sheng Zhi Wan clenched her jaw tightly.

“So be it.”

Emperor Chong Sheng tapped lightly on his armrest. “Qing Ning, as a princess, you must learn tolerance and avoid jealousy. You shall copy the ‘Admonitions for Women’ three hundred times. Until you finish, do not step outside the Duke’s estate.”

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her eyes coldly, responding quietly, “Yes.”

After the three left the Grand Hall, Qi Shu Xian shook Meng Yang’s hand from his arm and quickly approached Sheng Zhi Wan, his face tense with suppressed anger.

“Was Zhang Da Hu truly your doing?” he whispered sharply.

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled mockingly.

“So what if it was?”

“Whatever our issues, couldn’t they have been resolved privately? Why did you have to cause a public scandal? Are you satisfied now?”

Not only had he been humiliated, but Duke Qi’s entire family had lost face.

What benefit had Sheng Zhi Wan gained?

“Oh?”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice dripped with scorn as she finally looked him in the eyes. “Then, tell me—Meng Concubine planned my kidnapping by bandits; how do you intend to resolve that?”

Qi Shu Xian began to reply, but Sheng Zhi Wan interrupted knowingly, “Don’t claim it’s a misunderstanding. You know very clearly whether it is or not.”

Qi Shu Xian’s expression shifted. “I’ll have her apologize to you.”

“Apologize?” Sheng Zhi Wan laughed scornfully.

“If that’s not enough, I’ll have her confined!” Qi Shu Xian quickly added.

Sheng Zhi Wan shook her head decisively. “Kill her! Compared to the disgraceful death she planned for me, ending her life outright would already be merciful.”

“Moreover, her death would also be an apology to the innocent soldiers she killed. Kill her, and I will overlook this matter entirely.”

Qi Shu Xian paused, astonished. “That’s impossible!”

Meeting Sheng Zhi Wan’s openly contemptuous gaze, he drew a deep breath, his voice softening. “She made mistakes, but not intentionally. Besides, you are unharmed, and she’s already been punished by His Majesty.”

“In the future, I promise she will behave herself and never step out of line again…”

“Qi Shu Xian.”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice grew colder. “You are a general. Those soldiers fought and died bravely, believing in your leadership and willing to lay down their lives. Yet now, Meng Yang’s actions have killed hundreds. How can you dismiss that as a mere unintended error?”

“Do not let me despise you further.”

Qi Shu Xian froze, stunned in place.

Sheng Zhi Wan continued walking forward without another glance back.

Meng Yang, anxious seeing them speak alone, quickly tugged at Qi Shu Xian’s sleeve. He turned and saw her eyes filled with dependency and trust, remembered the Third Prince’s favor, clenched his fists briefly, and finally chose not to follow.