Ning Zhiwei’s face showed a look of gratitude. “Your Majesty, you have shown this subject's daughter great kindness and pity, for which I am beyond grateful. However, I dare not allow you to break the rules and be scolded until your head is covered in dog's blood by the Minister of Rites…”
The Minister of Rites felt his whole world turn sour. Dammit, what kind of person is she? Her sense of vengeance is so heavy.
“Your Majesty, this subject would never dare to scold you.”
Ning Zhiwei nodded vigorously, and then nodded again. “Yes, yes, you wouldn't dare to his face, but you'd do it behind his back.”
The Minister of Rites was so angry his mouth twisted. She had such a beautiful face, so why didn't she speak like a human being? “Indeed, only small-minded men and women are difficult to deal with.”
Ning Zhiwei chuckled and mocked him ruthlessly, “I truly feel sorry for your mother. She worked so hard to raise a son, only to be scolded by an unfilial son in her old age. Ah, is your mother still alive? She hasn't been angered to death yet, has she?”
The Minister of Rites’ face turned ashen with rage, his fingers trembling uncontrollably.
The other officials secretly laughed at their own overthinking. She was just a young girl; how could she possibly have the ability to overturn the imperial court? At most, she was a bit glib and thick-skinned.
But they had to admit that Ning Zhiwei was loyal, filial, and righteous. Knowing it was a life-and-death situation, she had still stepped forward without hesitation.
Alas, with a daughter like this, what more could one ask for?
Who wouldn't want a descendant who stepped up when the family was in peril?
The Emperor saw this and instead felt a sense of relief. This girl was clever, but she didn't have deep schemes; her character was straightforward, possessing the temperament of someone born into a family of generals.
“I shall grant your wish.”
“I thank Your Majesty for your grace.” Ning Zhiwei bowed respectfully. “Before that, this subject's daughter has one request.”
“Speak.”
Ning Zhiwei took a deep breath and said loudly, “The women and children of the Ning clan consist of the elderly and the young. They are powerless, delicate, and weak. It would be unsightly if something were to happen to them in the Imperial Prison. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and allow them to await their sentence within their own manor.”
The timing of this request was perfect, drawing the gazes of many. Was this girl just putting on an act? Or was she… unfathomable?
However, she was merely a girl and posed no threat. A Ning family without men was even less of a concern.
Rong Jing couldn't help but steal a glance. He found that for the first time, he could not understand a woman.
The commoners began to plead one after another, “We beg Your Majesty to show mercy.”
The Emperor’s suspicions vanished completely, and he was happy to bestow favor. “Granted.”
If the Ning family truly had issues, he could simply arrest them later. Doing this would also make his subjects more compliant.
A thought struck him. “Have the Ning women and children come to witness the punishment.”
Witness the punishment? It was likely meant as a deterrent.
“Imperial Uncle, this might not be appropriate.” A young man as elegant as a jade tree stepped forward and spoke softly. “The Ning women and children are timid and fearful. It would be bad if they were frightened into illness, as it might damage your prestige.”
Zhou Mingjin! It was him!
Ning Zhiwei’s phoenix eyes lowered slightly. Deep within those dark eyes, a flash of killing intent passed by…
The Imperial Prison was dark, damp, foul-smelling, and crawling with rats.
The female members of the Ning family, dressed in filthy clothes, huddled in a corner. Their faces were haggard, and their spirits were on the brink of collapse.
Lady Ning lay half-on the ground, her expression dull. In a single night, her husband and sons had died. Having lost her support, her home had been seized, and they had been thrown into prison. A terrifying fate awaited them.
How could these people, who had lived in comfort and luxury, accept transitioning from glorious, top-tier noblewomen to prisoners?
In addition to the heartbreaking pain of losing their closest kin, there was a profound sense of helplessness and despair.
They cried out to heaven and earth to no avail. Friends and relatives avoided them like the plague, and even their in-laws had severed ties. In just half a month, they had tasted the full bitterness of human fickle-heartedness.
Fourth Miss Ning held a coarse bun to Lady Ning’s lips, her eyes red and swollen. “Grandmother, eat something. You must pull yourself together; the whole family is counting on you to make the decisions.”
Lady Ning’s heart was full of bitterness. Treason… even the gods couldn't save them.
The Ning family was finished!
Yet, looking at the young children wailing from hunger, how could she bear it?
“I’m not hungry. Soak it into a mush and feed it to the children.”
With a creak, the door was pushed open, and an officer walked in.
“By the Emperor’s decree, the women and children of the Ning family are ordered to the hall to witness the punishment.”
The Ning family panicked instantly. Lady Ning’s heart leaped into her throat. “Who… who is being punished?”
“The fifth young miss of the Ning family, Ning Zhiwei. She struck the Dengwen Drum…”
After hearing the officer’s words, the Ning family felt as if they were in a dream—confused, shocked, and incredulous.
Ning Zhiwei, the taboo of the Ning family, had actually appeared in such a grand and explosive manner.
Everyone turned to look at Lady Ning. Lady Ning’s expression shifted rapidly as she struggled to stand up. “Let’s go. We will ask for news of your fathers and grandfathers. I will never believe they would commit treason.”
When they arrived at the scene, they saw Ning Zhiwei in the crowd at a glance. She had slightly upturned phoenix eyes and refined, transcendent features. Her temperament was the most outstanding, possessing a sense of resolve amidst her cleanliness.
Seeing them arrive, the Emperor gave a cold command. “Begin.”
In front of everyone, Ning Zhiwei lay face down on the punishment bench without changing her expression. Her eyes, calm as still water, looked toward the Ning family.
The Ning family also stared at her blankly, speechless.
Meeting at their most desolate moment, fate had tightly bound them together to share both weal and woe, to be in the same boat through wind and rain.
Past grudges vanished without a trace at this moment.
They were all members of the Ning family—unyielding Ning family members with spines of steel.
The officer carrying out the punishment glanced at the crowd and raised the board high. At that moment, a large hand reached out and snatched the board. “Hmm? Why is this an iron board?”
Rong Jing held up the specially made board. The iron plate on the other side was revealed to the world. Everyone gasped; this was a deliberate attempt to kill Ning Zhiwei.
Punishment boards were usually made of wood. This board looked wooden on the outside, but it contained an iron plate. Forget a weak woman; even a grown man wouldn't survive a few strikes.
The commoners cried out in anger. This was clearly an attempt to silence her. Who was behind it?
The Emperor’s brow furrowed, and his expression turned sour. He would not take the blame for this. “Rong Jing, investigate this matter thoroughly.”
“Yes.” Rong Jing’s eyes turned cold as he looked at the officer. The officer trembled all over and collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with terror.
This time, the Jinyiwei took over the punishment, with Rong Jing personally supervising. He was an expert in torture; no one would dare pull any tricks under his watch.
There were tricks to using the board. The weight and technique of the strikes were specific. Some looked bloody but were only superficial wounds; others looked like mere bruising, but the insides were shattered, leading to death or permanent disability.
Before the case was cleared, Ning Zhiwei could not die.
Under the sunlight, the board fell heavily. “Ah!” A shrill cry of pain echoed through the area. The Ning family members shivered involuntarily, their faces turning pale.
Blood seeped through the white clothes, gradually staining them red. The girl was in extreme pain, her face deathly pale as pea-sized beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, yet she cried out loudly, “Again!”
She was a strange contradiction—she would cry out in pain, but she would not beg for mercy, holding fast to her principles and bottom line.
The more she acted this way, the more she earned the sympathy and respect of the public.
The Jinyiwei's eyes flickered, and his strength involuntarily lightened a bit. Another strike fell, the sound of the board hitting flesh ringing out. Gradually, the blood dyed the white garment completely red.
Along with the series of agonizing screams, the scent of blood grew stronger. The commoners’ hearts clenched involuntarily, unable to watch.
The timid ones even covered their ears and eyes, attempting to shut it all out.
The civil and military officials felt complex and indescribable emotions. What kind of conviction did a delicate woman carry to reach this point? It completely shattered their perception that women were naturally weak.
It was said the Ning family men had hard bones, but no one had mentioned that the Ning family women were just as tough.
In the crowd, the elegant Dingyuan Marquis’ eyes flickered. Is she that baby from back then?