Princess Yunxi finally came to her senses from the shock. Immediately, a flood of fear, grievance, and panic welled up inside her, making tears stream down her face, smudging the makeup on her cheeks.
" Bai Di, you actually dared to assassinate me! And you even called me a slut? In the Great Liang, my father and mother doted on me so much. When have I ever suffered such humiliation? In the Great Liang, which princess - consort didn't show me the utmost respect and tremble in my presence? But here in your Eastern Zhou, everyone bullies me. They're all riding on my head and trying to force me to death. It's simply too much!"
Feng Linche's face was ashen and contorted, looking extremely hideous.
He never expected that Bai Di, who was always steady, dignified, gentle, and amiable, would be like a completely different person today. Not only did she engage in immoral and scandalous behavior, but now that the truth was out, she even attempted to assassinate a princess from a foreign country in the palace. When the assassination failed, she even cursed at the foreign princess!
Showing disrespect to the princess of the Western Liang was equivalent to showing disrespect to the Western Liang. And insulting and attempting to assassinate the princess of the Western Liang was like giving the Western Liang a resounding slap in the face!
How could the emperor of the Western Liang let this go easily? If this matter wasn't resolved properly, it might really provoke a war between the two countries!
He fixed his cold gaze on Bai Di. " Guards, slap her in the face!"
The little eunuch beside him stepped forward in response. He walked expressionlessly up to Bai Di, who was struggling desperately to break free from Bai Sheng's grasp over her mouth.
" Miss Bai." He crouched down, raising his hand high. Seeing that Bai Sheng was still covering Bai Di's mouth, his slender eyebrows gave her a cold glance.
Bai Sheng quickly withdrew her hand.
Just as Bai Di was about to curse loudly, a sharp slap landed on her face.
" Crack!"
Bai Di had just been severely beaten by Feng Jingxuan and then kicked hard in the chest by Zhuo Lingxiao. How could she withstand the eunuch's powerful blows? Immediately, her cheeks were covered in bloodstains.
" Crack! Crack!"
It seemed that the eunuch had received professional training in slapping. With blows alternating from left to right, both sides of Bai Di's face were swollen high. Her scolding became more and more slurred, and blood continuously oozed from the corners of her mouth.
Bai Zheng was sharp - eyed enough to notice that there were a few white objects mixed in the blood that Bai Di spat out later.
" They're teeth." Feng Linyuan said as he raised his hand to block Bai Zheng's sight.
This was the first time Bai Zheng had witnessed such a bloody scene with her own eyes. Even when Zheng Yan died last time, thanks to Feng Linyuan's protection, she had only seen it from afar. She only remembered Zheng Yan lying in a pool of blood, lifeless.
But now, Bai Di, who had been a lively and energetic girl, attempting to assassinate and insult others, was brutally beaten into a blood - covered and tooth - broken victim.
" Zheng'er, don't be afraid. I'm here."
Sensing Bai Zheng's unease, Feng Linyuan said gently. At the same time, his other hand gently covered Bai Zheng's cold hand.
A warm current spread from the point of contact, inexplicably calming Bai Zheng's heart.
Bai Zheng turned her head and gave Feng Linyuan a smile.
On the side, seeing her younger sister being beaten until blood was everywhere and unable to even plead for mercy, Bai Sheng knew something was wrong. She quickly knelt down and pleaded with Feng Linche, " Your Majesty, my sister is deeply in love with the Third Prince. Today, she was really stimulated and couldn't bear such a sudden change, which is why she said such crazy things. Please spare her life!"
Concubine Zhao also quickly knelt down and said, " Your Majesty, Di'er just got confused for a moment. She didn't do it on purpose. Moreover, she is General Bai's beloved daughter. If the general knew about this, how heart - broken he would be! Your Majesty, we're all parents. Put yourself in our shoes..."
" Concubine Zhao is right. We're all parents. Who wouldn't be heart - broken to see their daughter being bullied?"
Empress Chu interrupted Concubine Zhao with a soft opening of her red lips. Her eyes were as cold as ice.
" However, Miss Bai Er seduced Jianzhi herself, while Princess Yunxi is a complete victim. You have the nerve to mention General Bai. Why don't you first think about how His Majesty should explain this to the emperor of the Western Liang if Miss Bai Er really hurt Princess Yunxi!"
Zhuo Lingxiao also sneered, " Maybe in the eyes of the noble concubine, the general is so respected that he's even more important than our emperor."
Concubine Zhao was so frightened that she quickly covered her mouth.
Just now, Bai Zheng had instigated a rift by mentioning Bai Yizhang's military power and status. Now, Concubine Zhao still mentioned Bai Yizhang in front of Feng Linche without knowing what she was doing. It was simply courting death!
Bai Sheng's black eyes glinted slightly. Crystal - clear beads of sweat continuously rolled down her smooth and gentle cheeks. She quickly prostrated herself on the ground and explained loudly, " The young master misunderstood. As an elder, my aunt only loves Di'er. Moreover, my aunt has just suffered from the serious illness of the Fourth Prince. She can especially empathize with the heartache of parents when their children are injured. That's why she mentioned my father and mother. There's no other meaning!"
" Really?" Feng Linche asked calmly.
At this moment, he no longer had the same sinister and angry look as when he first heard about Bai Yizhang. The corners of his mouth were slightly raised, with a half - smile. But this expression was even more terrifying than when he was truly angry.
Concubine Zhao trembled violently and went limp all over.
On the other side, the eunuch who was slapping Bai Di slowly stopped and reported to Feng Linche, " Your Majesty, Miss Bai Er has fainted."
" Already fainted?" Zhuo Lingxiao scoffed. " She's really delicate. She's more precious than our princess."
Hearing this, Bai Zheng shook her head silently. Although Bai Di's status was not as noble as Princess Yunxi's, she had indeed been pampered and raised by her mother, Mrs. Zhao, and her grandmother, Mrs. He, since childhood. When had she ever suffered such a shock?
Hearing Zhuo Lingxiao's suspicion, the eunuch respectfully turned around, bowed to Zhuo Lingxiao and Princess Yunxi, and said, " The young master may not know. In the palace, my skills are such that an ordinary person can hardly withstand ten slaps. Now, Miss Bai Er has been slapped thirty times. It's normal for her to faint."
Bai Sheng knew that although Feng Linche was suspicious of Bai Yizhang, he wouldn't really take Bai Di's life here. He did all this just to give an explanation to the Western Liang. So, to save Bai Di, it was better to plead directly with the people from the Western Liang rather than Feng Linche.
Immediately, Bai Sheng knelt in front of Princess Yunxi and pleaded,
" Princess, please remember the friendship you once had with my sister and me. Please understand that Di'er is still young and has just experienced a great change. That's why she did something stupid in a moment of desperation.
Now, Di'er has just been kicked by the young master and then slapped thirty times by the eunuch. I'm afraid that if she's beaten any more, she'll lose her life here.
Princess, I've always heard that you're kind - hearted, tolerant, and magnanimous. You surely won't take someone's life for an attempt that failed.
Di'er has already paid the price for her impulsiveness.
Princess, I'm begging you here. Spare Di'er."
Bai Sheng pleaded with blood - filled words.