The eunuch behind Du Yanting flicked his whisk, cleared his throat, and said in a shrill voice, "Lord Pei, His Majesty has a message for you."
Pei Zhiyan moved his lips and wordlessly confronted the people below the hall. But the eunuch spoke on his own, "My lord, His Majesty said that the young lady of the Du family is deeply infatuated with you. Although she has made some mistakes, she has been left alone in the Pei Mansion for three years. It is you who have let her down."
After the eunuch finished speaking, he observed Pei Zhiyan's expression. Seeing that he remained unmoved, he tilted his head and looked at Du Yanting, who was standing in front of the hall. The strong wind blew, outlining his strong figure in the maroon robe.
"My lord, His Majesty also said that the Du family has made many contributions to the court. Even if their daughter has made mistakes, she should not be treated like this," the eunuch smiled. "His Majesty already knows what happened in your mansion. It's just a maid. Now that you're back, it's better not to damage your marital relationship for the sake of a maid."
Pei Zhiyan understood the meaning of Emperor Chengqian. He was afraid of the Du family's salt transportation business. Previously, the Du family deliberately stopped supplying salt to Qingzhou, which led to an uprising there. It was only after sending Marquis Dingyuan Lin Wei to solve the problem and appointing a new prefect that the situation was calmed down. So he couldn't confront them head - on at this time.
Du Lingxuan was overjoyed when she heard this. She walked over and hugged Du Yanting's arm. "Brother, I knew you wouldn't ignore me..."
But Du Yanting just smiled. "You should thank His Majesty. It's His Majesty who shows compassion."
Only then did Du Lingxuan realize that she had said something wrong. She quickly added, "Yes, thank Your Majesty for his mercy."
"Lord Pei, since His Majesty has said so, let's just let this matter go. Don't mention it again," Du Yanting said matter - of - factly and haughtily.
Seeing their confident looks, Pei Zhiyan let out a soft laugh, and his voice suddenly turned cold. "Guards, carry out the punishment!"
Du Yanting's face changed. "Pei Zhiyan, are you going to defy the imperial edict?"
"I can choose not to divorce her, but the crimes she committed must be punished," Pei Zhiyan said in an uncompromising tone.
Du Yanting squinted his eyes slightly. "His Majesty said..."
"I've already taken a step back. If you don't agree, take her back. From now on, the Pei Mansion has nothing to do with her," Pei Zhiyan thought it was ridiculous. Even if he was constrained, he would still make them pay a price. No one would get away easily.
"You're defying the imperial edict!" Du Yanting's eyes were bloodshot with anger, but Pei Zhiyan was calm. "I, Pei Zhiyan, always handle things impartially. If you're not convinced, Lord Du can go to the palace again and impeach me again."
There was a hint of sarcasm in his words. Du Yanting gritted his teeth. He knew that going to the palace again would be of no use. Pei Zhiyan had defied the imperial orders more than once. If they wanted to replace him as the minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the common people would not agree. So he had no choice but to accept this.
"You're going too far!" Du Yanting clenched his fists, grabbed Du Lingxuan's hand, and said, "Sister, come back with me. Our Du family is a noble family. Can't we live without him, Pei Zhiyan?"
"No!" Du Lingxuan shook off Du Yanting's hand and took a few steps back. "Brother, I'm not leaving. If I'm divorced, what will others think of me?"
She gritted her teeth. "It's just twenty cane strokes. I can bear it."
Du Yanting gave her a look of frustration, shook his head, snorted, and turned his back, not looking at her anymore.
The eunuch was just a messenger. Seeing that the situation was not right, he quickly changed his tune and praised, "Lord Pei is just and strict. I'm sure His Majesty won't make things difficult for you."
After saying that, he bowed. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
The eunuch retreated quickly, afraid of getting into trouble. Before he could leave the door, he saw a man being dragged out from the side door. The man was beaten to a pulp, his ragged clothes were soaked in blood, and his gray hair was stained with fresh blood, which was particularly eye - catching.
Du Lingxuan was startled. She let out a scream and threw herself into Wei Qing's arms. When she took a closer look, she found that the man's face was vaguely familiar.
Pei Zhiyan, sitting on the high seat, looked at her playfully. "Don't you recognize him?"
Du Lingxuan pursed her lips. When she saw a few copper coins embedded in the torn part of his clothes, she suddenly widened her eyes. "Daoist Qingshan?! How could he end up like this?"
Wei Qing couldn't bear to look and accused Pei Zhiyan, "Such an old man. What crime has he committed that you would treat him so brutally!"
Pei Zhiyan sneered. "He deceived people out of their money, bewitched people's minds, defiled young children and girls, and caused families to be destroyed. He deserves to die."
Moreover, he had injured Song Ruotang. Pei Zhiyan didn't dare to think about what this old Taoist would have done to Song Ruotang if he had come a little later...
He pulled himself back to reality, tapped the gavel lightly, and said leisurely, "You seem to have a kind heart to care about a death - row prisoner now. You'd better care about yourselves."
As soon as Pei Zhiyan finished speaking, several jailers stepped forward and pressed Du Lingxuan down. Fear instantly filled her eyes. Just as she was about to scream, someone seemed to have been prepared and stuffed a dirty rag, which had probably been used to gag many prisoners, into her mouth.
She only managed to let out a few sobs before she started shaking her head and struggling.
Wei Qing looked panicked but didn't dare to step forward. She just looked at Pei Zhiyan anxiously. "Xuan'er is a young lady. Are you really going to punish her in public? Where will her dignity be?"
"She's not a young lady. She's a criminal," Pei Zhiyan said coldly. Then a big and round - waisted old woman walked over. Expressionless, after the jailers had held Du Lingxuan in place, she aimed at her face, swung her hand, and a shadow flashed. Then a loud slap resounded through the courtroom.
Du Lingxuan was hit so hard that her whole body tilted to one side. Fortunately, the jailers were holding her, so she just leaned a bit and then was held upright again.
The slap made her ears ring, and half of her face was burning with pain. Wei Qing watched from a short distance, heartbroken but helpless.
The old woman's second slap came quickly, not giving Du Lingxuan any chance to catch her breath. Her other cheek was also slapped. She couldn't help but let out a groan, which was interrupted by another slap.
The third slap landed. The pain on her already burning face was intensified, and she almost shed tears. She closed her eyes and felt some liquid flowing from her nose. She didn't dare to think what it was. She just felt extremely ashamed.
The old woman slapped her again. Du Lingxuan only felt a tearing pain at the corner of her mouth. Some liquid flowed down the corner of her mouth. The rough burlap rubbed against the wound on her mouth, making it impossible for her to even cry out in pain.
Du Lingxuan gradually felt dizzy. Wei Qing's figure was blurry in her eyes, and she couldn't hear clearly. Only the loud slaps were extremely clear.
She fainted before she could receive the full twenty slaps. Wei Qing was so heartbroken that she could hardly stand. Supported by a maid, her voice trembled with a pleading cry. "Stop hitting her, please..."