Chapter 14: Accidentally Whip the Emperor

Ziling's face burned with a searing pain. She had been caught eavesdropping, and despite her attempt to remain composed, she couldn't help but tease them in return. It seemed like she had a good relationship with Gu Yunfeng.

Introduced by Gu Yunfeng, Ziling learned that the man was the Crown Prince of Jingguo Marquis, Xiao Che.

Gu Yunfeng looked at him and asked, "How did you come to the Duke's residence?"

Xiao Che cleared his throat and said, "I heard some rumors on the street and felt uneasy. I came to check on you, you know?"

Ziling forcefully pulled at the corners of her mouth and silently walked a few steps away.

Since it was just idle gossip and Xiao Che seemed concerned, it was obvious that it wasn't something good. It would be better for her not to listen, to avoid any awkwardness.

If she blushed later, people would be surprised, thinking, "This female bandit can actually blush."

If she didn't blush, people would exclaim, "She's indeed a female bandit with thick skin."

As Ziling turned around, she heard a voice from behind. She almost stumbled to the ground, only to hear Xiao Che ask Gu Yunfeng, "Is it true that your innocence is gone?"

"Nonsense," Gu Yunfeng replied angrily.

Xiao Che's shoulders trembled. "There are rumors on the street that you were forcefully taken by a female bandit. And the rumors originated from the Duke's residence. They say that you were unconscious last night and the female bandit took advantage of you, doing whatever she pleased. They described you as thin and exhausted..."

Gu Yunfeng's face turned dark as a pot bottom, and a chilling aura emanated from him.

Xiao Che stopped speaking and sighed. "But what I saw was completely opposite to the rumors. I even rushed here in a panic, fearing that you had been humiliated and might do something foolish..."

Throughout the journey, he had already thought about how to comfort Gu Yunfeng, but what he saw was Gu Yunfeng flirting and laughing with the female bandit. He had known him for so many years, but had never seen him so happy. Could he say he was stunned?

Xiao Che's mood was a bit complicated, a little heartbroken, a little resentful. "So, did that female bandit really have her way with you?"

Gu Yunfeng's temples throbbed, and he gritted his teeth. "You believe those words too?!"

Xiao Che sighed, "You have to stay alert. I'm sure you would resist to the death. After all, it's well-known that she likes you. It's hard for people to believe that you missed such an opportunity. Don't deny it; I won't make fun of you."

Gu Yunfeng almost spurted blood. If it weren't for the fact that Xiao Che had saved his life, he would have kicked him into the lake to cool off.

Ziling stood far away, feeling the gentle breeze carrying a faint fragrance.

Ziling felt the Crown Prince of Jingguo frequently looking in her direction, curious about what Gu Yunfeng had told him.

After a short while, the Crown Prince of Jingguo approached, with Gu Yunfeng a few steps behind, his face even more sour than when he woke up and saw her last night, when he had an unpleasant expression.

The Crown Prince of Jingguo appeared much more expressive, with an excited expression on his face. His gaze carried surprise, scrutiny, and a hint of disbelief. He said, "If you ever have any headaches or fevers in the future, I'll trouble my sister-in-law. These days, when my sister-in-law goes shopping, she must bring my elder brother along to protect you from rotten eggs."

Ziling's eyes trembled fiercely. She remembered the incident from yesterday when she was married off and had rotten eggs thrown at her while sitting in the bridal sedan chair. She had no idea how miserable it would be to go out on the streets. It seemed that if she didn't go out with Gu Yunfeng to show their affection and love, she wouldn't be able to casually go shopping in the future.

Ziling felt annoyed. In modern times, showing affection publicly happened quickly. But in ancient times, it was quite the opposite. After all these waves of showing affection, how could she still request a divorce letter?

While lost in thought, Xiao Che waved his folding fan in front of her. Ziling regained her senses and smiled, asking, "Did the Crown Prince of Jingguo also prepare rotten eggs?"

Xiao Che choked, coughed twice, and said, "I'm a sincere person. If my sister-in-law asks, I'll tell the truth. I prepared rocks."

Ziling "..."

This truth really hit her hard.

Then Xiao Che changed the subject and smiled, saying, "I was just joking with my sister-in-law. With my unparalleled martial arts skills, I can pluck leaves in mid-air and kill without a trace. Why would I need rocks?"

Ziling blinked her eyes and looked at Gu Yunfeng. She heard him say calmly, "He's teaching you how people in Kyoto boast."

Xiao Che waved his hand and said earnestly, "It's not preaching, it's mutual learning. After all, different places have different customs and people's exaggerations tend to be excessive and disgusting. Whereas my sister-in-law's way of boasting is refreshing and elegant. With just a gentle breath, she turns my elder brother into a legend. Such a realm is rarely seen."

A certain someone "..."

Feeling that Gu Yunfeng was about to explode, Xiao Che quickly left, but before leaving, he said to Ziling, "When there are flowers to be picked, you should pick them. Don't wait until there are no flowers and only empty branches."

Previously, Ziling thought that the Crown Prince of Jingguo was a good friend of Gu Yunfeng, but now it seemed that he had more characteristics of a bad influence. Wasn't he encouraging her to take advantage of Gu Yunfeng's illness and seize the opportunity? Otherwise, when he recovered, there might not be such a good chance.

Qianqian stood by and said, "The Crown Prince of Jingguo has ill intentions."

Ziling looked at her and said, "Why aren't you at peace?"

Qianqian replied, "These flowers can't be easily picked. A few days ago, Miss went into the palace and picked a few flowers in the Imperial Garden. It happened to be the ones planted by Princess Changning. If Miss hadn't saved the Emperor, she would have been carried out of the palace that day."

It seemed that Ziling had no knowledge of her previous flower-picking incident in the palace.

"I don't think I have any grudges with Princess Changning, do I?" Ziling casually asked.

Qianqian said, "Of course she holds a grudge. Miss only picked two of her flowers, and she wanted to chop off Miss's hand. Miss gave her a whip, so she definitely hates Miss."

Ziling's legs felt weak. "Who is Princess Changning's mother?" she asked.

"Isn't it the Empress?" Qianqian replied.

Ziling felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Could things get any more complicated?

The current Empress was the maternal niece of the Empress Dowager. She was also the cousin of Princess Nanting. When Princess Nanting gave her a bowl of poison, it wasn't just to retaliate for losing face at the Duke's residence, but also to seek revenge for Princess Changning.

"Why didn't anyone tell me about these things?" Ziling frowned.

Qianqian blinked and said, "Neither the Marquis nor the Madam knew about this. Before entering the palace, Madam warned Miss not to cause trouble, otherwise she would be punished according to the family rules. Miss was afraid of getting scolded, so she forbade the maidservants from telling them. This matter didn't spread outside the palace, and the maidservant forgot about it for a while, only just remembering now."

Seeing Ziling's unpleasant expression, Qianqian comforted her, "Isn't it just giving Princess Changning a whip? When you saved the Emperor before, you accidentally whipped him too. The Emperor wasn't angry at all. The Marquis even secretly told the Madam that the whip made him feel elated. Truly, you are his good daughter."

Ziling "..."

Gu Yunfeng "..."

Ziling rubbed her forehead. She couldn't fathom her adoptive father's thought process anymore. But as for Qianqian, she needed to educate her properly. "Why did you say that in front of him?"

Ziling glanced at Gu Yunfeng, and Qianqian pulled her aside, whispering, "This matter shouldn't be mentioned outside. The maidservant knows that it was the Marquis who instructed the maidservant to inadvertently let it slip to the Young Master, so that he would be mentally prepared. Even the Emperor was whipped, there's no one in this world whom Miss can't whip."

"In the future, when Miss whips the Young Master, he must obediently stand there, not run away or resist. The Marquis also instructed Miss to save face for the Young Master, not to whip his face. You can strip him naked and then whip him, where outsiders can't see."

Ziling "..."

Gu Yunfeng "..."

After a moment of silence, Ziling asked, "When I whip him, should I bring along a few candles?"