MCSCPM -Chapter 299 The Whipping

She nodded gently. “Go without worry. I’ll wait for you.”

He still gazed at her unwillingly before turning and leaving the residence in his long robe.

Yin Qingyue watched his back—he was her anchor in another life, and perhaps in this life too, she could never be without him.

After Chu Jingcheng left, the palace guards went ahead into the palace.

Outside the imperial study, Eunuch Sun was already waiting. Seeing him arrive, he bowed. “Your servant greets Prince Jing. The emperor is waiting inside.”

Chu Jingcheng’s face was expressionless. Coldly, he said, “I understand,” and then stepped inside.

As soon as Chu Jingcheng entered, Lady Lan Rao appeared. She had already heard the news that the prince had been summoned and worried he would be punished, so she rushed over.

Eunuch Sun blocked her. “Your Highness, it’s better not to enter. The summons is for Prince Jing, and the emperor is angry. It would be improper for you to go in.”

Lan Rao was clever and found his words reasonable. She peered inside, hesitated, and said, “Very well. I’ll wait outside. If anything happens, please have the eunuch inform me.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Eunuch Sun replied, bowing, then went in with his dust whisk.

Meanwhile, Chu Jingcheng was kneeling before his father, his expression cold and unreadable.

“Father, I acted recklessly. I am willing to accept punishment. Please, punish me as you see fit.”

Chu Helian stared at him, his gaze severe, face icy. He seemed to be restraining his anger, letting out a restrained breath before asking calmly, “Prince Jing, tell me honestly: Do you value the people of the realm more, or Yin Qingyue?”

“Father…”

“You must answer truthfully, without the slightest falsehood,” Chu Helian’s voice was stern.

Chu Jingcheng raised his head, his expression stubborn, and answered without flinching, “As a prince, it is my duty to care for the people of the realm. Even if it means dying for them, it is worth it. Regarding Yin Qingyue and Mei’er’s death, she is heartbroken and must investigate thoroughly. As a prince, how could I witness a crime and remain idle?”

“Are you lecturing me?”

“I dare not,” he said firmly, showing no fear.

Chu Helian could not help but admire his son’s courage, yet his anger surged. Slamming the table, he shouted, “I don’t think you dare not, I think you have ten guts defying me!”

Chu Jingcheng remained silent, his icy demeanor like a sharp blade.

Fuming, Chu Helian leaned back, brow furrowed, and bellowed, “You give me such a headache. Over a mere girl, you abandon your county duties. This makes the people of the realm laugh at us!”

“I believe every life is equal, regardless of status. Even a beggar’s life matters. And this involves Shangguan Jiaoran, General Shangguan’s daughter. It cannot be treated lightly,” Chu Jingcheng replied.

“You still argue! Don’t let small matters ruin the greater purpose. Haven’t you read your Confucian classics?”

“I cannot treat the small as small. Matters of the realm cannot be compared,” he said calmly.

“Bold!” Chu Helian roared. “Guards!”

The guards outside entered.

Chu Helian commanded, “Bring the whip! Punish Prince Jing with twenty lashes—no less, not one!”

The guards hurried to fetch the whip, standing in order, ready to strike at the emperor’s command.

Outside the study, Lan Rao’s heart raced. Eunuch Sun immediately ran out.

“Your Highness, the emperor is going to whip Prince Jing.”

Lan Rao panicked and rushed in. Seeing a guard raise the whip, she quickly stepped forward, grabbed the arm, looked at the emperor, and knelt.

“Your Majesty, Prince Jing is injured and cannot endure the whip. Please spare him!” she pleaded.

Chu Helian’s anger flared further. “No one is allowed to plead. Otherwise, I’ll punish you too!”

“Your Majesty, I beg you. Prince Jing is your son. You cannot strike him!”

“He returned to the capital without regard for the people’s safety. He must be punished.”

“But he is already injured. If whipped, he may not survive. I beg you, for the late Virtuous Consort’s sake, show mercy!” Lan Rao said.

At the mention of the Virtuous Consort, Chu Helian’s expression darkened. “No. No one may intercede. Even for the Virtuous Consort, he will be punished today.”

Chu Helian’s decree left no room for argument. “What are you waiting for? Whip him!”

The guards obeyed, raising the whip. Lan Rao hurried to Prince Jing’s side, shielding him, tears in her eyes. “If you must strike him, strike me too!”

Chu Jingcheng was slightly surprised. Though he could see Lan Rao wanted to protect him, her sincerity seemed genuine.

He pushed her aside, his expression cold. “Consort Lan, I need no help. You should leave.”

“But you’re injured. If struck again, you’ll—”

“I can endure this minor injury,” he said.

“Prince Jing, do you realize what you’re saying?” Lan Rao worried.

Chu Jingcheng said nothing. He was ready to endure the punishment and pushed her aside to prevent her interference.

Chu Helian commanded, “Take Consort Lan out. If she resists, strike her too.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The guards quickly moved her outside, but she still cried out, “Your Majesty, Prince Jing is injured! Spare him!”

Once outside, Chu Helian ordered the guards, “Prince Jing has erred. Strike him twenty times—no less!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The guards raised the whip and struck. One lash after another fell on Chu Jingcheng.

He gritted his teeth, saying nothing, enduring both the whip’s pain and his previous injuries.

Chu Helian watched, pained yet resolute. Prince Jing had ignored the people’s safety and deserved punishment. The heavier the lash, the stronger Chu Jingcheng’s resolve. He accepted it willingly.

Seeing his son endure, Chu Helian turned away until all twenty lashes were delivered.

The guards reported, “Your Majesty, twenty lashes have been administered.”

Chu Helian turned back, seeing his son sweating but still standing. Prince Jingcheng’s endurance was impressive.

“Jing’er, these twenty lashes were deserved. As a prince, how could you abandon your county for a mere girl? This act disregards the people and shames the royal family.”

“I… I am not wrong,” Chu Jingcheng said.

At this point, arguing was futile. Chu Helian, though angry, was too weary to continue scolding. He waved his hand. “Enough. Take Prince Jing to rest. He must remain in the palace for now. If he leaves, you will answer for it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the guards responded.

The guards helped Chu Jingcheng up.

Previously, twenty lashes would have been minor for him. But now, injured from the county and rushed to the capital, his body could not endure.

The lashes fell hard. Even the strongest would falter.

The guards, anxious, said, “Your Majesty, Prince Jing has fainted!”

Chu Helian’s face turned urgent. “Summon the imperial physicians immediately!”

Chaos erupted. Guards carried Chu Jingcheng to rest while others ran for the doctors.

Soon the physicians arrived, taking turns examining him and administering medicine.

Chu Helian asked, “How is he? Is it serious?”

The chief physician answered truthfully, “Your Majesty, Prince Jing was already injured. The lashes worsened his condition. I fear—”

“Fear what?”

The physician knelt, head lowered. “The wounds are inflamed. While not life-threatening, he will need time to recover. He will not heal quickly. Your Majesty can rest assured; I will carefully care for him until he is fully well.”

Hearing this, Chu Helian relaxed slightly, though he remained a mix of anger and worry, looking at his son on the bed.

Lan Rao, waiting outside, rushed over. “Your Majesty, how is Prince Jing? What did the physicians say?”

Chu Helian sighed. “He is fine, but he will need rest.”

Lan Rao exhaled but frowned. “Your Majesty, though he erred, seeing your son suffer strikes the heart of a father.”

“What are you implying?”

“I mean, Prince Jing was already injured. Though he acted wrongly, he did ensure Leng Yi remained in the county. Regarding Mei’er’s case with General Shangguan, his return was unavoidable.”

Chu Helian glared at her, serious. “So Consort Lan believes his actions were justified?”

“No, Your Majesty. But sometimes matters must be considered from a broader perspective.”

“I don’t fully understand, but I must. In any case, he has been punished. I will not punish him further. You may return to your quarters.”

Lan Rao understood his temper and said no more. Exiting the palace, she met Consort Liu. Naturally, Liu had also heard of Prince Jing’s punishment.

Seeing Lan Rao, Liu said, “So, Prince Jing was injured seriously enough for you to come see him?”