The two were whispering to each other here, and the others pretended not to see. After all, after what had just happened, everyone had calmed down.
However, there was always a malicious gaze fixed on A Ru, wishing to skin her alive and pull out her tendons.
Miss Zheng watched A Ru nestled in the arms of the Assistant - Regent. She wished she could kill this bitch. Although she was already the candidate for the side consort of the Prince of Wen, the man she still liked was the Assistant - Regent.
She stared at A Ru with a darkened look in her eyes. A glint of determination flashed across her pupils, and she curled her lips. If she couldn't have something, no one else could either!
Miss Zheng glanced behind her. After seeing her personal maid nod, she smiled contentedly. Then she picked up her wine cup and walked towards A Ru.
"Your Highness, this is a toast from me. I offended you before. Please forgive me in the future," Miss Zheng said softly. To show that she was truly repentant, she secretly pinched her thigh, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
A Ru frowned as she watched Miss Zheng approaching. What was this woman up to? Were they on familiar terms? Did she think A Ru couldn't see the hatred in her eyes?
"Miss Zheng, if you want to apologize, you should show some sincerity. Do you think a single cup of wine can resolve the issues between us? Isn't that a bit too easy?" A Ru said.
Miss Zheng looked at A Ru tearfully. "Your Highness has misunderstood. I know I'm not worthy in your eyes, but I truly want to reconcile with you this time. Please give me a chance."
For a moment, everyone felt pity for Miss Zheng when they saw her like this. People always sided with the weak.
"Your Highness, please forgive Miss Zheng. She is sincerely apologizing to you," said one of the young ladies from a noble family. Her mother beside her kept tugging at her, but it was in vain.
"Yes, Your Highness shouldn't be so petty. Don't keep harping on a small matter," someone else chimed in.
Everyone was blaming A Ru. Miss Zheng glanced around and secretly smiled. "Everyone, please stop. It's all my fault. After all, she is the princess. It's only natural that she doesn't forgive me. I'll leave now and won't bother Your Highness anymore." With that, Miss Zheng left dejectedly.
"Just because she's the princess, she doesn't have to forgive others! She's already apologized. What else does she want?" Several young masters who had a crush on Miss Zheng said angrily. They had previously had a good impression of the Assistant - Regent, but now it seemed that the princess was just a liability.
Yuan Yuhan watched them criticizing his princess one after another. The anger that had just subsided flared up again.
"Presumptuous! How dare you discuss the princess?" Yuan Yuhan slapped the table, and the chatter in the hall immediately ceased. However, everyone's expressions showed their dissatisfaction.
At this moment, they had forgotten how angry Yuan Yuhan had been before.
Miss Zheng knelt down in a panic. "Please calm down, Your Highness. It's all because of me. If Your Highness wants to punish someone, please punish only me. Please spare the others. They didn't mean to offend the princess."
"What are you doing? Get up quickly. One should bear one's own consequences. If we're to be punished, then punish us all. We're not afraid," said the daughter of a military general boldly.
Miss Zheng gave her a grateful look but still didn't get up, as if she really wanted to take the punishment for them.
"Since you, Miss Zheng, want to take the punishment for them, then I'll grant your wish. Guards, according to the rules, how should those who offend the royal relatives be punished?" A Ru leaned back in her chair and said.
"Your Highness, the severe punishment is death, and the light one is flogging," which meant beating from the lumbar down until the person was crippled.
"Is that so? In that case, let Miss Zheng take the punishment for them. However, I'm merciful. Since there's a happy event in the palace today, I'll spare her life and give her a lighter punishment.
I remember clearly how many words they've said. For each word, they'll get five slaps. Go find someone to start slapping. They've said ten words in total, so that's fifty slaps. Start now."
A Ru looked at Miss Zheng, whose face had turned as white as paper, mockingly. Didn't you like to show off? Fine, this time I'll let you have your fill!
Miss Zheng was stunned after hearing A Ru's words. How could this happen? Why wasn't anyone around saying a word? Where were those who had just said they would share the punishment with her?
"Drag her out and give her fifty slaps. Not a single one less," Yuan Yuhan glanced around and said.
Soon, two guards came over, one grabbing an arm and dragging her out. Miss Zheng wanted to call for help, but a guard covered her mouth. If they disturbed the prince's mood, they would be the ones in trouble, so she'd better keep quiet.
Miss Zheng was dragged out in full view of everyone. For a moment, everyone looked at each other, and the atmosphere became a bit awkward.
"Everyone, don't just sit there. Eat, drink, and have a good time," Yuan Yuhan said.
The others didn't dare to delay and immediately picked up their wine cups and drank.
A maid accidentally spilled wine on A Ru while serving. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I didn't do it on purpose."
A Ru frowned, looked at her stained clothes, and sighed helplessly. "Your Highness, you stay here for a while. I'll go change my clothes and come back."
"I'll go with you," Yuan Yuhan said. Even in his own palace, he didn't feel at ease. There were so many people today, and there might be some ill - intentioned people trying to cause trouble.
"No need. There are secret guards in the palace. I'll be fine." With that, she left with a maid.
A Ru returned to her bedroom to change clothes. As soon as she entered, she smelled a strange odor. She immediately held her breath. This wasn't the normal smell in her room. It seemed that someone was trying to set her up.
A Ru calmly surveyed her surroundings. When she saw the open window, she understood. There was a shadow moving there.
A Ru tapped on the wall, and soon a secret guard appeared. She pointed at the shadow on the wall, and the secret guard immediately understood. He quickly ran out with his men and knocked the person unconscious with a stick.
"Take him away. Don't let others see." A Ru was really curious. Who could be behind this?