At this point, Hua Zirong was already at his limits. He clenched his fists tightly as he watched the events unfold.
“This Prince would never threaten Princess Consort Hao. Since she wishes to see the token of the guard behind me, this Prince will have him present it.” Hua Ziqing answered in his usual gentle demeanor before signalling to the man with the douli.
The man with the douli took out a token from a purse, but instead of being black, it was golden.
Hua Zirong felt the anger in his heart rise to the surface when he saw the golden token. According to Xiliu’s laws, only palace guards were allowed to use such a thing; for the man with the douli to possess one could only mean that Hua Ziqing had his eyes on the throne. I have to hold on and see this to the end so that I can find out what else they are up to.
Du Ling glanced at Hua Zirong as if to say, It’s about time for some restructuring in Xiliu.
Hua Zirong then bit his own lip and tasted the blood in his mouth.
On the other hand, Pei Qianhao watched everything with silent amusement.
“Princess Consort Hao, is this Prince still under suspicion?” Hua Ziqing smirked as he asked.
Rather than answering him directly, Su Xi-er stood up and walked over to the man with the douli. She then plucked the golden token from his hand before throwing it to the ground, watching as it shattered to pieces.
The man with the douli drew his sword immediately at Su Xi-er’s sudden actions, but quickly found Pei Qianhao’s own blade levelled against his neck.
“Prince Qing, you shouldn’t be letting your subordinates do whatever they please.” he remarked sarcastically.
Trembling slightly, Pei Qianhao turned around to embrace Su Xi-er.
“Xiliu’s guards are certainly courageous; daring to overstep their bounds and attempt to assassinate Princess Consort Hao.” Du Ling mocked in anger and contempt.
Su Xi-er smiled at Pei Qianhao and Du Ling, signalling to them that she was fine.
Hua Ziqing seemed rather unaffected by what just happened, instead turning to instruct the man with the douli. “Aren’t you going to admit your mistakes to Princess Consort Hao?”
“This subordinate understands that I’ve made a mistake. Princess Consort Hao is magnanimous. Please forgive this subordinate for my error.” The man with the douli clenched his fists as he spoke, obviously not happy about having to apologise like this.
“I wonder if you’ve heard of the saying that it’s women and evil individuals who are the hardest to please? I’m certainly no evil individual, but I am a poor frail woman. If you want me to forgive you, then I can; offer up your arm in apology.” Su Xi-er’s face was steely as she responded.
At this, the officials present started to whisper among themselves.
“Princess Consort Hao, isn’t that too cruel?” The officials began to speak up one by one.
“Princess Consort Hao, what about punishing him with the plank?” Another official suggested.
“Cruel? I would be dead right now if it wasn’t for Prince Hao. Why should I be merciful to someone who wants to take my life?” Su Xi-er scoffed.
With Pei Qianhao and Du Ling present, she knew that she would never come to harm. Even if they hadn’t been around, she could’ve defended herself well enough. What she had wanted to do was send a message to everyone present that she was no pushover. It also doubled as revenge for what the man had done to Du Ling and Yu Xiao.
A cold glint flickered across Hua Ziqing’s eyes as he said, “What are you waiting for? Cut off an arm.”
