Chapter 240

Chapter 240: Unaware of Life and Death

As Sheng Zhi Wan finished speaking, a simple medical cart slowly rolled out from the clinic.

Its wooden wheels groaned heavily against the stone pavement.

Qi Fei Rui did not understand Sheng Zhi Wan’s intentions, but instinctively sensed that whatever happened next shouldn’t be seen by the surrounding crowd.

Yet, it was already too late.

Sharp gasps echoed among the onlookers.

“Oh heavens!”

“What… what happened here?”

“This is dreadful!”

When Qi Fei Rui clearly saw the person lying on the cart, even her elegant, moon-like face paled with fright and disgust. She stumbled back two steps.

“What…what is this?” She tried to avert her gaze.

But at once, Sheng Zhi Wan commanded sharply, “Liu Shang, let Second Young Lady Qi see clearly!”

A small yet immensely strong hand immediately seized Qi Fei Rui, forcing her gaze upon the horrifying sight of the person’s back.

“No, no!” Qi Fei Rui screamed, desperately trying to lean backward.

Yet Liu Shang held her firmly from behind. Unable to escape, she could only, after being gripped by overwhelming fear, tightly shut her eyes.

“You…let Rui’er go!” Duke Qi fared no better.

He had stood stunned since the cart appeared and only regained his senses at his daughter’s scream.

He stepped forward, attempting to pull Liu Shang away.

However, Sheng Zhi Wan ruthlessly kicked Qi Shu Lang, who lay limp like a dead dog, on the ground.

“Agh!” Qi Shu Lang howled in pain.

“So, Second Young Master Qi isn’t unconscious after all. Good. Why don’t you tell Lord Duke and Second Young Lady Qi exactly what happened here?” Sheng Zhi Wan gazed down coldly at him.

Qi Shu Lang’s lips trembled, his eyes seething with hatred, yet he stubbornly remained silent.

Sheng Zhi Wan sneered, “Since Young Master Qi won’t say, perhaps you should re-enact it clearly for the commoners.”

“According to the laws of Sheng Kingdom, one who commits violence must suffer it themselves to atone. Surely even Imperial Father would agree.”

Then, Sheng Zhi Wan instructed the angry Ting Lan, “Prepare a carriage and fierce horses!”

“Yes!” Ting Lan replied without hesitation.

“No! No!” Qi Shu Lang’s pupils shrank in terror. He could hardly bear even a dozen whiplashes, let alone being dragged—

“I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” Qi Shu Lang screamed hoarsely, his voice nearly tearing his throat. “It was me! I had him dragged behind horses!”

His confession drew collective gasps from the crowd.

The commoners who had previously accused Sheng Zhi Wan stood stunned, staring at Qi Shu Lang on the ground.

How old was he?

Dragged by horses… was he trying to torture a man to death?

No wonder the injured man’s back was stripped of skin, raw and bleeding, embedded with stones and debris—

Compared to that, Qi Shu Lang was hardly suffering at all!

“Why?” a commoner muttered in confusion.

No one could fathom such cruelty from a child barely ten.

His own ten-year-old brother waited eagerly at home for meat buns—but this Duke’s second young master had already started killing!

The injured man stirred weakly.

“Wait…I think I recognize him. Isn’t this the fool who knelt outside Duke’s mansion yesterday with his elderly mother?”

“He was dragged inside, and his mother died hitting her head against the ground.”

“I never thought today he’d end up like this…”

“Did Duke’s mansion intend to kill him and silence him?”

“What silencing? I heard that His Majesty punished Duke’s mansion at court this morning for yesterday’s incident—just three months’ salary.”

An official’s servant explained the situation.

The crowd grew silent.

Three months’ salary for a human life?

“Then why torture him again? He’s just a fool!”

“Why else? Clearly for revenge! Look at the young master’s eyes!” Ting Lan pointed out.

Immediately, the crowd saw Qi Shu Lang’s hateful glare—unnatural and vicious for his age.

“We… perhaps we shouldn’t linger here. What if Duke’s mansion seeks revenge on us?”

“Yes, yes…” the commoners murmured, stepping back fearfully.

Qi Shu Lang’s murderous gaze had frightened them thoroughly.

Qi Fei Rui felt dizzy. She stared at Qi Shu Lang’s face, desperately seeking any hint that he was coerced.

Yet there was none.

Absolutely none!

How could this happen…

Qi Fei Rui pulled herself free of Liu Shang, who saw no further reason to restrain her.

Without hesitation, Qi Fei Rui slapped Qi Shu Lang hard across his face.

“Second Elder Sister!” Qi Shu Lang glared furiously.

“Rui’er…” Duke Qi tried to interject.

Qi Fei Rui, deaf to their voices, slapped Qi Shu Lang’s other cheek fiercely. She then turned to face Sheng Zhi Wan, whose eyes mocked her silently.

She inhaled deeply, clenched her teeth, and stated clearly, “Today’s incident is Shu Lang’s own doing! Duke’s mansion thanks Princess for disciplining him and preventing him from causing greater harm.”

“And then?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked, watching her closely.

Qi Fei Rui met her gaze head-on. “What does Princess want?”

“What I want?” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly, her black jade eyes sparkling with interest as she studied the girl before her.

“Does Second Young Lady Qi mean that I can do as I please?”

Qi Fei Rui tightened her fists. “As long as Princess’s demands are reasonable—”

“Life for a life, debt for a debt. Since Young Master Qi intended murder for revenge, wouldn’t it be fitting to have him meet the same end?” Sheng Zhi Wan softly suggested.