Among the crowd, Xie Yuheng gazed at Shen Zhaoli with some astonishment, his cool eyes gradually rippling with waves.
All these years, he had never known she possessed such literary talent…
As the crowd regained their senses, they began murmuring in admiration.
“Although Miss Su’s poem can be considered excellent, the scope expressed within it is far inferior to Her Highness’s.”
“Not only that, but composing a poem in just seven steps is something that Miss Su could never hope to match.”
“You’re mistaken—Her Highness just now composed her poem in only five steps, and it was such a masterpiece. Her talent is beyond our reach.”
“The poetry duel between Miss Su and Her Highness clearly shows who is superior.”
The crowd’s discussions were not at all discreet.
On the Poetry Dueling Platform, Su Qingxi heard every word clearly. She clenched her skirt tightly, her eyes reddening with humiliation.
Shen Zhaoli curled her lips into a faint smile, her expression cold and proud, as if she did not regard Su Qingxi in the slightest.
“I accept your concession.”
Su Qingxi pursed her thin lips, her delicate face showing a mix of grievance and unwillingness.
“If Your Highness’s talent is so remarkable, why did you not reveal it earlier?”
“Does Your Highness resent Qinggui Brother’s kindness toward me and deliberately wanted to see me humiliated?”
The atmosphere on the platform froze for a moment, and everyone stared in shock at Su Qingxi’s unrestrained words.
Shen Zhaoli narrowed her eyes slightly, the aura around her growing colder.
Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Su Qingxi took a step back, her face paling slightly.
“Please forgive me, Your Highness. I was merely momentarily distraught and did not mean to offend.”
Seeing Su Qingxi’s fearful expression, Shen Zhaoli could not help but sneer.
“Miss Su has repeatedly shown disrespect toward this princess. I fear it cannot be dismissed as mere unintentional behavior.”
Su Qingxi’s delicate face grew more panicked, and she hurriedly looked toward Xie Yuheng below the platform, her eyes filled with helplessness.
Noticing Su Qingxi’s action, Shen Zhaoli’s eyes turned cold, and she snorted disdainfully.
“Miss Su, surely you understand the principle of accepting defeat gracefully.”
Su Qingxi clenched her folded hands nervously as she looked at Shen Zhaoli.
“What does Your Highness intend to do?”
Shen Zhaoli frowned slightly. Speaking this way made it seem as though she were bullying someone.
“According to law and etiquette, contempt for imperial authority and deliberate provocation are punishable by death at worst or exile at best.”
A carefree voice suddenly rang out.
Shen Zhaoli raised an eyebrow and glanced toward the speaker.
Leaning against a carved dragon stone pillar not far away was a tall, imposing man.
He wore a purple-blue round-collared robe with auspicious cloud patterns, his hair tied up with a silver crown. His brows were like swords, his eyes bright and clear, and his presence carried a hint of cold severity.
When he met Shen Zhaoli’s gaze, his ears flushed slightly, and he quickly averted his eyes.
Shen Zhaoli was somewhat surprised—wasn’t this General Feiyu from the Zhenguo Grand General’s estate, Song Chen?
Rumors said Song Chen was sharp-tongued and aloof, rarely forming friendships with others.
How strange it was today that he would speak up for her.
In truth, the punishment for contempt of imperial authority depended on the severity of the offense.
What Song Chen had just described was the most severe penalty.
Upon hearing this, Su Qingxi’s delicate face lost all color, turning deathly pale. She knelt before Shen Zhaoli with a thud.
“I acknowledge my wrongdoing. Please spare my life, Your Highness.”
Su Qingxi’s voice carried a sob, clearly terrified.
Shen Zhaoli raised her phoenix eyes slightly, showing no trace of pity for the delicate beauty.
Su Qingxi might cry with pitiful grace, but her behavior was truly unbecoming.
Although Su Qingxi’s actions were serious, they did not warrant the death penalty.
However, her repeated provocations were truly vexing, and if not severely punished, they would remain a constant annoyance.
Just as Shen Zhaoli was about to speak, before her words could fully leave her lips, a gust of wind swept past.
Xie Yuheng hurriedly strode past Shen Zhaoli, reaching out to help Su Qingxi to her feet.
His cool gaze fell upon Shen Zhaoli, carrying a hint of reproach.
“Xier has a delicate constitution and did not intend to offend. I humbly request Your Highness to spare Xier for my sake.”
Shen Zhaoli’s expression turned completely cold, her face darkening.
She had not wanted to create an awkward scene and had yielded again and again.
Yet they had trampled on her dignity to stage this touching drama of affection.
“Your sake? I was unaware that when I act in accordance with the laws of the state, I must grant the Prime Minister any favors! Prime Minister Xie, I advise you to remember the distinction between ruler and subject. Do not presume that as Prime Minister, you can dictate to me.”
Xie Yuheng’s jade-like face darkened several shades, his expression heavy, his ink-black eyes fixed intently on Shen Zhaoli.
He had already chosen not to pursue the matter of her deliberately concealing her talents from him.
Yet here she was, throwing a tantrum.
“Xier was raised under my guidance. If Your Highness insists on punishment, then punish me.”
Xie Yuheng pulled Su Qingxi behind him, shielding her protectively, his tone slightly cold.
Shen Zhaoli laughed in anger, unable to suppress a cold sneer.
“If we follow the Prime Minister’s logic, where does the law of Dajing stand?”
“Guards! The young lady of the Su family has shown contempt for imperial authority. Administer thirty lashes. Anyone who obstructs shall be punished as an accomplice!”
With a sweep of her wide sleeve, Shen Zhaoli refused to spare Xie Yuheng even a single additional glance.
She turned and ascended the high platform once more, without the slightest hesitation.
Xie Yuheng watched Shen Zhaoli’s retreating figure, a flicker of astonishment flashing in his eyes.
In the past, even a slight frown from him would make Shen Zhaoli anxious.
Let alone if he showed anger—Shen Zhaoli would certainly lower her pride and dare not contend with him further.
Yet today, she was being so unyielding?
Su Qingxi, restrained by the guards, was terrified, her face streaked with tears as she stared pleadingly at Xie Yuheng.
“Qinggui Brother, I’m scared.”
Xie Yuheng clenched his fists, his usually impassive handsome face now tinged with anger.
He took several steps up to the high platform and bowed respectfully to Shen Shuangyu seated in the main chair.
“I beseech the Grand Princess, in consideration of Xier’s youth and ignorance, and that she did not intend to offend Princess Changle, to spare her life.”
“Xier has been frail since childhood. She cannot withstand thirty lashes. The Grand Princess, who practices vegetarianism and recites Buddhist sutras, possesses a compassionate heart. Surely, you would not wish to stand by and watch Princess Changle cause a loss of life.”
Shen Zhaoli, who had just settled into her seat, listened to Xie Yuheng’s words, the cold light in her eyes intensifying.
She was merely punishing Su Qingxi according to the law for the offense of provocation, and now it was being twisted into her causing a loss of life?
What a masterful distortion of the truth, such blatant favoritism.
Shen Shuangyu cast a faint glance at Xie Yuheng before turning her gaze to Shen Zhaoli.
“Li’er, you may handle this matter yourself. I will not intervene. The guards in the garden are also at your disposal.”
Xie Yuheng’s expression shifted slightly, his face tightening noticeably.
Below the platform, Su Qingxi had already collapsed in fear, her delicate face pale as a sheet, tears falling like broken strings of pearls.
Her already slender frame appeared even more fragile and helpless compared to the guards beside her.
A trace of heartache flickered in Xie Yuheng’s eyes as his dark gaze locked onto Shen Zhaoli.
“I beg Your Highness, Princess Changle, to show mercy.”
Witnessing this, the onlookers could not help but sigh.
“Since the Prime Minister has spoken, Princess Changle is sure to spare that young lady.”