Slaps on the faces-2

"This lord has always wanted to meet duke Zhongyong in person. Empress being daughter of the person whom even this lords finds worthy don't you feel you are weak or is there people bullying you??

Though the family laundry is not to be shown but if you are being bullied then feel free to say so. This lord would like to see who are these people who have the guts to bully duke Zhongyong's daughter, the empress mother of the world."

Empress felt her heart was being soothed by a healing balm. She knew this was Yusheng repaying back for the jade she had given. This was Yusheng clearly reminding everyone, even the emperor that she was daughter of duke Zhongyong who still had control over the armies titled by the late emperor.

She was clearly reminding everyone that empress as the main wife had the right to control and punish other concubines. Being given such an opportunity empress immediately reacted.

This palace has shamed one's family. She peeked at emperor seeing that he was not going to get involved then turned around and with solemn and scolding voice also making sure to he heard by all the nobles and royals beside them..

"Noble consort Mu, loosing etiquette, not respecting status, shaming the royal harem and the holy one is to be punished by caning 30 times, then is to head to pray in ancestral hall in full seclusion for a month, feasting on vegetarian dishes, copy female commandments 1000 times, heart sutra 1000 times and law of harem 1000 times."

All these punishments were extremely shaming and hard. The caning is having beaten by a very thin bamboo stick behind the leg below the thigh. Even not loosing skin will still hurt till it bleeds, having been living in luxury being subjected to beating them going to pray where one have to kneel with same wounded legs, eat plain dishes making ones recovery much delayed while writing the commandments till to point of breaking wrist.

Noble consort didn't even got the chance to plead as several maid servants immediately held her and forcefully took her back to start the punishment.

At first, Prime minister and third prince were about to plead for mercy, but seeing how the emperor was totally singing the same tune as Yusheng they held themselves back.

Soon one of the great general, General yan walked the platform and saluted everyone. Without any fear he spoke to Yusheng.

Your lordship this small one wants permission to say few words...Yusheng raised her hand to stop him.."Great general Yan Shiming.. also known as yan the Yama.. this lord knows about your second son's injury... also knows beside this lord no one can treat him but General yan the entire four countries knows this lords price is equal worth.. say to this lord what is the worth of your second son?"

Shocked by Yusheng's knowledge he froze for a moment then he kneeled his head, touched his forehead on the floor.. "my life your lordship worth this ones life"..

Rise.. receiving the order he looks to Yusheng and is greeted by a genuine smile of Yusheng. Again in a daze by such beautiful smile he forgets the words he wanted to say...

"Too high.. your life is too high price and worth General yan.. this lord can't accept it but be at ease for this lord has received the price.. after this competition this lord will come to your manor to treat your son".. replies Yusheng gently.

Not understanding her he simply just sit's there..

"Your pride.. this lord know General yan would rather die than to bow and for you to knowtow só grandly laying down your pride is enough the price for this lord to treat your son"...

Finally understanding her the great general yan after decade had his eyes filled with tear.. with utmost sincerity he gave a salute and went back to his seat.

Sensing the atmosphere was much better Prime minister also made his mind and with his daughter beside him went to Yusheng.

Both father and daughter gave salute.. "this humble one has brought ones daughter to have the blessing of seeing your lordship, for she missed the opportunity on previous banquet.

This humble ones daughter has heard of your lordships brilliance and had this humble one begged day and night to be in your presence, hence taking the courage has come upon"..

With sickly sweet and childish voice..."this little one has heard of your lordship and feels blessed to be on your presence."

Looking at her enemy so close Yusheng wanted to grab that neck and tear it.. acting again seems like you had mastered it long ago... though not killing you now still can give one cut or two thought Yusheng.

Gently nodding her head.. "what is your age? Seems like below this lord is it??"

Hearing her respond both father and daughter were happy inside..

"This little one is 11 your lordship" says Zhou Xuan still childishly with bright smile showing her white teeth.

"Hmm 3 above this lord... prime minister Zhou being yourself so learned how come you haven't taught your daughter well? Being 11 yet such childish nature, it's good that you pamper your daughter but too much pampering is not good.

Though above 3 than this lord in age, the way she speaks is of 3 year old. 11 ....already at the age when family starts to find family's for possible marriage partners.

Seems like your pampering has stopped her growth retaining her at the age of 3. Features are okay, learning not too bad just she still has not shed her childishness.. later make sure to have her taught properly"... advised Yusheng.

First both the father daughter happy, then confused, then shamed and finally angered to the point to have internal injury.

Infront of all the nobilities Yusheng pointed out how Zhou Xuan though 11 hrs old hadn't developed up, her intellect of only 3 yrs old, rather than learning and developing herself as a lady she was still acting like a child.

She also pointed out how she was excessively pampered hinting welcoming her as a bride was akin to bringing a Buddha unable to treat her as a normal daughter in law as she had a pampering father a prime minister.

All the ones with good brains and eyes understood this hint, even though they knew that Zhou Xuan was deliberately acting so to gain favorable impression, they were still shocked to learn that even at small age she could act like so infront of emperor, empress and the lord of valley, which hints that she was cunning and had great acting skills.

Though a beauty and graceful they couldn't deny the fact that she was indeed a pampered di daughter of prime minister also having a noble consort as her aunt, all the people who previously were thinking to have marriage ties patted their chest thankfully as not having done yet, this Buddha they couldn't afford.

Both father and daughter also knew the results would be yet they could only swallow this poison and even had to present humble asking for forgiveness and woodenly go back to their seat.

Though shamed yet they had to remain calm.

This day onwards Zhou Xuan's only marriage prospect would be song hui and no one.

Though she also wanted only song hui but the thought of not being the dream of other boys and having shamed and mask teared she was wanting to kill somebody.