C11 Prince Kang

"Ah..."

Before Zhao Fengmei could even register what was happening, Wang Zhenye seized her by the hair and hauled her to the nearby steps.

"To answer the marquis, she is to receive forty lashes and be banished to the borderlands..."

While Wang Zhenye had to maintain some decorum in front of Old Madam Lee, he had no such reservations with Lee Mingshan's lowly concubine.

"Then the task falls to you, Lord Wang."

At that moment, the Wang brothers emerged, placing a grand armchair before the door for Gao Shaoyi to occupy—a clear sign he was there to oversee the punishment.

"Take her and begin the beating!"

Wang Zhenye bowed to Gao Shaoyi and swiftly commanded his men to drag her away for the whipping.

"Mother... Mother..."

Zhao Fengmei was struck dumb.

Forty lashes would leave her nearly dead, not to mention the daunting prospect of being exiled thousands of miles to the border.

Old Madam Lee, feigning unconsciousness, dared not stir. The day's events had been too rash, and if she were to awaken, Gao Shaoyi might hold her accountable. So, she continued her pretense.

Gao Shaoyi, seated, allowed himself a smirk.

It was one thing to lay hands on an elder, quite another to deal with the likes of these wretches.

Especially Zhao Fengmei. Had it not been for her meddling, his nephew might well be two years old by now.

You dared to destroy my sister's lineage; today, I will exact a heavy toll.

"Twenty-eight, twenty-nine..."

Zhao Fengmei lost consciousness before the thirtieth lash, but with the Young Marquis present, the executioners had their methods. A dousing of cold water revived her, ensuring not a single lash was spared.

By the fortieth lash, Zhao Fengmei was barely clinging to life. Now, the idea of being sent to the distant frontier was moot. Even if she were discarded in the most desolate alley of the capital, she likely wouldn't live to see another sunrise.

"I... hate..."

Zhao Fengmei's eyes brimmed with venom as she watched Gao Shaoyi approach. She was acutely aware that he would show her no mercy.

"The person who should truly hate you is my nephew. Were it not for your actions, he would be two years old today. You're going to pay with your life for his death!"

Gao Shaoyi's heart grew steadier as he thought of the nephew he never met.

"Zhao Fengmei is to be banished to the border, her children exiled with her."

Wang Zhenye quickly noted Gao Shaoyi's command. Though Gao Shaoyi wasn't part of the Infantry Command, he wielded influence in this moment. What did it matter whether Zhao Fengmei lived or died? She was nothing more than a cur. Besides, the Marquis intended for her to die—why bother with banishment? She'd be on her way to the afterlife soon enough.

However, the child she bore was Lee Mingshan's only offspring. By imperial law, the sins of the parents could extend to their children.

Gao Shaoyi's words were a test to see if the old lady would drop her act. If she awoke, there was no need to harbor resentment towards a child. But if she persisted in her pretense, then she would forfeit her chance for mercy.

Unexpectedly, Old Madam Li continued to feign unconsciousness, ignoring everything around her.

These people were the epitome of selfishness. The old lady rationalized that Lee Mingshan was still young and could have more children. Losing one or two didn't matter, but if she were to die, that would be the end of her.

"Wu Yunlan... Lee Mei'er..."

Gao Shaoyi listed four names in succession, each person having had a dispute with his sister.

Since they hadn't offended Gao Shaoyi just now, they merely knelt there, with no real cause for fear.

Gao Shaoyi's gaze flicked towards Wang Zhenye.

"Wu Yunlan, Lee Mei'er, and the other two have caused unwarranted commotion at the gates of the Marquis Mansion. They are to be punished with twenty lashes and sold to the official tower, never to be redeemed."

These individuals lacked any significant connections. Given that the Young Marquis had no intention of sparing them, it wouldn't do to stand in their way. Besides, the Emperor's decree was still in effect; we must bend with the wind's direction.

The so-called 'official building' was merely a business run by the government. It seems one's lot in life is to honestly ply the trade of flesh.

"Let today's incident be the last of it. I expect no further troubles. Should anyone dare to provoke me again, they will be met with ruthless retribution," Gao Shaoyi declared, standing beside the old lady with a grave tone.

The old lady's hands had turned a shade of blue from her tight grip, yet she dared not awaken, fearful that Gao Shaoyi might take his frustrations out on her.

"Thank you for your assistance today..." Gao Shaoyi said, pulling out a hundred imperial silver coins from his pocket.

"Marquis, we are grateful for your generosity. This area is under my watch. Should you require anything in the future, simply send word, and the Wang brothers will spare no effort, even unto death."

A small sum could sway an emperor's heart. These men earned a mere two silver coins a month; a hundred coins would be a significant share for them. Wang Zhenye himself could pocket at least thirty—a considerable sum indeed.

Gao Shaoyi offered a knowing smile and a nod. It was essential to win over those who mattered, and this young man was proving to be quite astute.

"Move along, move along..." In a nearby alley, Lee Mingshan was carried off after witnessing the entire scene.

He and his mother had concocted a strategy they believed would reclaim the General's Mansion for them, yet they never anticipated such an outcome.

"The Emperor has issued a decree..." Just as Gao Shaoyi was preparing to leave, Eunuch Lee arrived from the palace.

The imperial edict was succinct, summoning Gao Shaoyi to join the other officials at court the following morning.

Though Gao Shaoyi held the title of Marquis within the empire, he lacked an official position and was not ordinarily required to attend court.

"Eunuch Lee, your efforts are much appreciated." Five hundred imperial silver coins had already found their way into Eunuch Lee's hands, a fair price for valuable information.

Eunuch Lee was a seasoned figure within the Imperial Palace, well aware of the purpose behind the money he received.

"Rest assured, Marquis, this matter doesn't concern you alone. All the lords in the capital are of age now, and by the edicts of our imperial court, they're due for their assignments. This will likely be the focus of tomorrow's morning court."

Eunuch Lee was cautious with his words, but having accepted the bribe, he felt compelled to offer some information.

"Do you know where I might be sent, Eunuch Lee?"

Another five hundred imperial silver coin note changed hands.

"My knowledge is limited on that front, but word has it that Prince Kang has reached a decision. You should tread carefully, Marquis."

The mention of Prince Kang triggered a flood of memories for Gao Shaoyi.

Years ago, his father had feuded with Prince Kang. During a campaign, Prince Kang's nephew, serving under his father, showed cowardice and was flogged twenty times as punishment. A damning report followed, reaching the imperial court. The nephew was stripped of his title and abandoned at the frontier, where he met his death within a couple of years.

The enmity between Prince Kang and the Marquis Mansion was deep-seated, and with Prince Kang overseeing the Ministry of War...

The prospects for my assignment were grim, to say the least.