A figure in black robes adorned with gilded python patterns appeared.
His tall and imposing figure stood in the imperial garden, causing the flowers to instantly close their petals and lose their color.
Rong Zhou strode steadily toward the banquet.
“Ah Zhou?” Yun Li turned gracefully, her eyes lighting up with a brilliant smile upon seeing her husband. “What brings you here?”
She immediately withdrew the aura she had been exuding.
The fierce ruthlessness from slapping someone earlier, the sharp and venomous tongue when confronting the Empress Dowager, and the aloof elegance while playing the guqin—all seemed to vanish into thin air in that instant.
She transformed once again into the sweet and gentle little pear blossom in front of her husband.
The little Princess Consort curved her clear, bright eyes into a charming smile, picked up the Zhaoyun Guqin, and walked toward him.
The crowd was speechless.
There was no time to dwell on her rapid change in demeanor.
They hurriedly curtsied and said, “Greetings to His Highness the Regent Prince.”
The Spring Banquet was an event that invited noble ladies from across the capital. No one had expected the esteemed Regent Prince to attend.
This prince, known as the living King of Hell in the capital, was infamous for his ruthless and cruel tyranny. Yet, in his youth, he had once been a spirited young man in red robes riding a white horse…
He was also renowned throughout Dayu for his handsome appearance!
Despite his brutal methods, many young ladies longed to catch a glimpse of this young Regent Prince’s face…
Ning Yuewei was one of them.
Before the prince gave the order to rise, everyone remained in their curtsies with bowed heads. Ning Yuewei, however, secretly lifted her gaze to look at him.
“Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Wei Chunxi had also not expected Rong Zhou to attend.
Although the late emperor had doted on his younger brother, and the current emperor was also a devoted uncle enthusiast, Wei Chunxi, as the Empress Dowager and sister-in-law, held deep resentment toward him…
After all, it was her son who had been enthroned as emperor.
If not for the late emperor—her deceased husband—appointing Rong Zhou as Regent Prince on his deathbed, entrusting him to govern until Crown Prince Rong Yu came of age, she should have been the one holding the reins of power!
She always felt that Rong Zhou had usurped her authority and might even seize her son’s imperial power in the future!
“Sister-in-law.” Rong Zhou’s voice was cold and stern.
According to seniority and etiquette, the Regent Prince should also bow to the Empress Dowager. Yet, the man not only stood ramrod straight but did not even nod his head, brushing past the formality with ease.
Strangely, Wei Chunxi dared not voice any objection.
Her expression was grim. “The Regent Prince is in high spirits today, finding the time to attend this humble one’s Spring Banquet.”
Ning Xin’er also lifted her eyes to gaze at Rong Zhou.
She had dressed meticulously today, originally intending to outshine all the other ladies at the banquet. Little did she expect to encounter the one who held her heart…
Even Ning Yuewei felt a flush of shyness. No wonder her elder sister admired the Regent Prince. Who wouldn’t be moved by a man of such power, status, and exceptional looks?
Just as Ning Yuewei began to entertain her own thoughts,
She happened to meet Rong Zhou’s cold, sweeping gaze. Her cheeks flushed. “Your… Your Highness.”
“Second Miss Ning.” Rong Zhou’s voice deepened slightly.
Ning Yuewei looked up, both surprised and delighted, unable to conceal her budding intentions. “Your Highness knows of this humble servant?”
Seeing this, Ning Xin’er frowned slightly.
She saw through her foolish half-sister’s intentions at a glance and inwardly cursed the wretch. But why would the prince pay attention to such a low-born, stupid thing…
“Naturally.” Rong Zhou’s expression remained indifferent.
Yet, he did not seem to focus his attention on Ning Yuewei. Instead, he reached out and drew his little Princess Consort into his embrace.
Ning Yuewei was overjoyed. “Your Highness is indeed as majestic and handsome as the rumors say, dashing and elega… Ah!”
However, before she could finish her flattering words, her coy tone abruptly turned into a scream.Following the sound came a sharp slap.
“Smack—”
Ning Yuewei was still lost in her secret infatuation when a slap abruptly jolted her awake.
She looked up in fear, “Y-Your Highness…”
Even Yun Li blinked in confusion, tilting her face to look up at the man beside her.
Rong Zhou happened to glance down at her at the same moment.
His long, pale fingers curled slightly as his cool knuckles gently brushed her cheek. “Eighteen more.”
“Smack—” Another slap landed!
The one carrying out the punishment was Jiang Shenghai, the chief eunuch who had served by Rong Zhou’s side since his childhood. He was skilled in controlling the force of his strikes, capable of tormenting someone to the brink of madness while leaving them barely alive.
Ning Yuewei was slapped so hard she fell to the ground.
She hurriedly covered her face with her hands and crawled toward Rong Zhou. “Y-Your Highness… what wrong have I committed?”
Ning Xin’er was also shocked by the scene before her.
Though she disliked this half-sister, they both came from the Ning family—honor and disgrace were shared. She quickly knelt and pleaded, “Your Highness, please calm your anger. I do not know how my sister has offended you, but Changning…”
“It seems the County Princess still hasn’t learned her lesson.” Rong Zhou lowered his gaze, his eyes flicking briefly toward Jiang Shenghai.
Jiang Shenghai then walked over to Ning Xin’er and gave her a slap as well. “Smack—”
Tears fell from Ning Xin’er’s eyes like beads.
She sobbed pitifully, “Changning is foolish, not as clever and pleasing as the Princess Consort. I do not know what I have done to anger Your Highness so…”
Yun Li: “…”
Little Pear’s soft, snow-like cheeks puffed up.
Sheltered within Rong Zhou’s wide sleeve, she secretly rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “Changning, Changning, Changyanning… I’ll give you enteritis sooner or later! Only inflammation, no peace…”
The corner of Rong Zhou’s eye twitched slightly.
A flicker of indulgent amusement flashed in his eyes, nearly dazzling the young ladies present with its warmth.
But in an instant, his expression turned cold again. “Continue.”
Jiang Shenghai returned to Ning Yuewei. Just as he was about to deliver the third slap…
“Crash—” The sound of a teacup shattering suddenly rang out.
Wei Chunxi was furious. “Rong Zhou! Today is my Spring Banquet. What madness are you causing here?”
Ning Xin’er hurriedly knelt by her skirts, weeping in distress.
“This Prince believes that all are equal before the law, whether royalty or commoner.”
Rong Zhou’s tone was calm and unhurried. “A maidservant who disregards hierarchy deserves twenty slaps. Now that the County Princess’s half-sister has committed the same offense, am I not permitted to punish her?”
“The Princess Consort delivered one slap. This Prince will deliver the remaining nineteen on her behalf. Seventeen more. Continue.”
Jiang Shenghai carried out his command without hesitation.
“Smack—”
Sharp slaps continued to land on Ning Yuewei’s face, but no one dared to plead for mercy anymore. After all, the slap mark on County Princess Changning’s face was the Regent Prince’s clearest warning to them all.
“Waaah… help me! Sister, save me!”
“Your Highness! I was wrong! I’ll never dare again! Please, Your Highness, spare me…”
Ning Yuewei’s pitiful cries echoed through the imperial garden.
Jiang Shenghai controlled his strength until the final slap knocked her unconscious, finally silencing the noise.
“Filthy.” Rong Zhou’s voice was lazy. “Take her away.”
Jiang Shenghai immediately ordered someone to carry the unconscious woman away.
“Rong Zhou! You… how dare you act so recklessly!” Wei Chunxi was furious but powerless against him.
Rong Zhou lifted his eyes indifferently. “This Prince has acted recklessly many times. One more makes little difference. I have disturbed Her Majesty’s Spring Banquet. Everyone, please continue.”
With that, he prepared to leave, his arm wrapped around his little Princess Consort.Everyone was about to breathe a sigh of relief…
But then Rong Zhou suddenly halted his steps again, his voice drawn-out and languid, “I nearly forgot.”
The crowd once again lifted their fearful gazes toward him.
They saw Rong Zhou gently holding Yun Li, “When I arrived, I heard the Princess Consort was competing in musical skill with the County Princess.”
“Though I missed the County Princess’s crude melodies, I was fortunate enough to hear that piece ‘Phoenix’s Arrival’—the Princess Consort’s extraordinary skill left lingering notes curling around the beams, flowing like clouds and water, gripping the heart without ceasing…”
“So I shall ask one more question on behalf of the Princess Consort: who do you all believe won this year’s Contest of Four Arts?”