“You’re not angry at me for flogging your son with 200 military canes?” Qiao Mu questioned coldly, without a hint of expression on her small stoic face.
“He deserves to be punished for offending the crown prince consort.”
Although the crown prince consort was still expressionless, Lightning, Hui Feng, and the others who were standing behind her could sense that her imposing manner had relaxed somewhat, and they involuntarily let out a long sigh of relief.
The State Duke of Qing’s eldest son Shi Guangfeng cast his third brother a glance, and when he saw that his brother’s butt was already bleeding red, a faint reluctance involuntarily flitted past his eyes.
He stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Qiao Mu, announcing resolutely, “This humble one, as the older brother, is also at fault for not strictly disciplining his younger brother, causing him to rudely offend the crown prince consort. Guangfeng is willing to be flogged with the remaining military canes in place of his younger brother.”
Qiao Mu’s cold gaze settled on Shi Guangfeng, observing this man who was not particularly handsome, but whose entire body was brimming with righteousness.
Shi Guangfeng was a famous and distinguished young general in the army, already having been conferred with the title of the General of Military Might at 28 years old.
Qiao Mu’s gaze caused the hearts of everyone from the State Duke of Qing’s Estate to be up in the air.
Shi Guangfeng’s wife Madam née Su, in particular, was tightly gripping her handkerchief and gazing worriedly at her husband at this moment.
After a long while, just as everyone was practically unable to breathe from holding their breaths for too long, Qiao Mu suddenly raised her hand. “Stop.”
In reality, the two minor soldiers had already been drenched in cold sweat when the State Duke of Qing’s family had come over.
They were also under a lot of pressure to flog Shi Guangjin in front of the State Duke of Qing and the General of Military Might.
Upon hearing the crown prince consort’s command, they hastily lifted up their military canes before returning to the team standing behind Hui Feng.
“State Duke of Qing, do you know why I punished your third son by flogging in front of everyone?” Qiao Mu flicked her finger and pulled out that listening talisman, directly playing out Shi Guangjin’s original words for the State Duke of Qing’s family to hear.
“Bastard! Bastard!” The State Duke of Qing was so livid that he fumed with rage.
This bastard was actually his biological son? He had served the military his entire life for the kingdom and the people, yet how was he the father of such a little bastard who didn’t know what was good for him?
What had he done to incur this?
“Your son had charged over in his carriage, intending to knock over my family’s carriage, which had my parents and siblings all inside. I had once vowed to the heavens that I would pay back in kind whomever wanted to harm my family in even the slightest. State Duke of Qing, in consideration of the crown prince’s position, and in consideration of your and the General of Military Might’s prestige, I’ll let him off today.” Qiao Mu’s icy voice made people feel as if they had descended into hell.
“You have to properly discipline him after bringing him back. If he runs into me next time, I will have him dead!”
The State Duke of Qing felt his heart tremble from these last few words. The General of Military Might also raised his head abruptly, looking at this little lady who, although young, had a shockingly imposing manner.
Including the onlookers, there were more than a hundred people who were present in this huge space.
Yet no one dared to utter a sound. The State Duke of Qing didn’t even dare look straight at the crown prince consort’s eyes, which were as frigid as snow.
Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from beyond Huabei Gate.
A steed that flew over at lightning speed arrived before Qiao Mu and the others in a split second.
Crown Prince Mo flipped off the horse and flitted to Qiaoqiao with a whoosh. He then extended his arms and carried her up before examining her up and down. “Qiaoqiao, what happened? Did you get hurt?”
Everyone gave a dry laugh.
Why hadn’t they ever known that His Highness was blind?
Shi Guangjin was lying there, drenched in blood, yet the first thing you ask the crown prince consort after rushing over is whether she had gotten hurt…