Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 347: The Uniquely Beautiful Scenery of the Ministry of Justice

Chapter 347: Chapter 347: The Uniquely Beautiful Scenery of the Ministry of Justice

At that moment, Minister Zhuang and Lady Zhuang were also brought forward.

Upon hearing that her daughter had been sentenced to exile, Lady Zhuang fainted on the spot. Lord Zhen quickly had her carried away.

No matter how much Minister Zhuang’s heart ached for his daughter, he had to grit his teeth and bear it.

He approached Zhou Cangyan and Song Lianhe and bowed deeply. "I apologize to you, Your Highness and Princess Consort, on behalf of my daughter. My failure to raise her properly has led to this disaster. I can only hope for your forgiveness."

His family had offended Princess Qing. In the worst light, it was an act of profound disrespect. In the best light, it was merely his daughter bullying others with her family’s influence. Minister Zhuang naturally understood the stakes and knew which choice to make.

Compared to implicating his entire family, sacrificing his daughter was his only option.

Everyone waited for Zhou Cangyan’s reaction.

Zhou Cangyan lifted his shadowed gaze, staring at the minister unblinkingly.

Suddenly, he said, "Princess Consort, the Ministry of Justice has uniquely beautiful scenery. Why don’t you go out and have a look?"

Lord Zhen and the other officials from the Ministry of Justice were all stunned.

’The Ministry of Justice... has uniquely beautiful scenery?’

’Prince Qing, what could you possibly mean?’

’The trial hall? The deliberation chamber? Or perhaps the dungeons? Please, do elaborate.’

Song Lianhe looked over at him. ’The show isn’t over yet! Why is he making me leave?’

But just as she was about to protest, she met his faint gaze. His eyes held an innate chill, like starlight laced with a bewitching power.

’Sigh. I’m not afraid of an evil villain, but I am afraid of a handsome one!’

Song Lianhe got up with a resentful grumble.

"Junior Minister Jing..." Zhou Cangyan glanced at Jing Ye. The handsome young man started to step forward, but Zhou Cangyan suddenly changed his mind and looked to the stern-faced man on the other side. "Wu Sicheng, if you would."

Wu Sicheng stepped forward and assented.

Song Lianhe gave him a look, but followed him out nonetheless.

Her "obedient" demeanor reminded Zhou Junlin of when he had brought her out of the forest to the Li Guan Sect. She had shared his horse then, looking just as unwilling, yet just as docile...

Seeing Zhou Cangyan send Song Lianhe away, Song Xilan’s mood instantly brightened, and the smile on her lips grew more alluring.

The moment Song Lianhe was gone, Zhou Cangyan turned a sharp gaze on Zhuang Fangming. His tone was dismissive. "Minister Zhuang, whether your daughter bullies people with her power or terrorizes the common folk is none of my concern. But she insulted my Princess Consort, and I can’t just let that go."

Song Xilan froze, looking up at him. She never imagined he would actually defend Song Lianhe! In that instant, a bitter wave of jealousy threatened to erupt from her chest.

"Princess Consort?"

The man beside her had spoken to her.

Song Xilan immediately snapped out of it, turning to him with a gentle expression. "My Prince?"

The corners of Zhou Junlin’s lips curled up slightly. His gaze drifted away from her as he said softly, "Imperial Uncle is truly quite fond of his new Princess Consort. I am most gratified to have helped bring about such a fine match. Wouldn’t you agree, Princess Consort?"

"Yes, indeed."

Song Xilan replied softly, clearly distracted.

Zhou Junlin then turned back to Zhuang Fangming and said slowly, "Minister Zhuang, you do indeed owe King Qing an explanation. Otherwise, forget King Qing and his Princess Consort—even I will not let this matter rest."

Lord Zhen remained impassive.

He had only sentenced Zhuang Qiaoyue for the crime of false imprisonment, making no mention of her grave disrespect toward Princess Qing. It was a clear attempt to downplay the severity of the offense. In truth, any discerning person could see that this was simply an excuse seized upon by Princess Qing to punish Zhuang Qiaoyue before the Holy Emperor could issue a formal decree.

Zhuang Fangming kept his head bowed, sweat pouring down his face like rain.

"I apologize to the Princess Consort on my daughter’s behalf..."

"Minister Zhuang, you said it yourself."

Zhou Cangyan continued, "I recall that when the Princess Consort was at your residence, your daughter intended to have her seized and punished."

"Your Highness! That..."

"I’m a reasonable man. If you take the punishment in your daughter’s place, we can consider this matter closed."

Song Xilan looked up in astonishment. ’Is he... standing up for Song Lianhe?’

’It was hard to imagine. A man as obsessive and cold-blooded as him was already treating Song Lianhe with special favor after only a few days? What kind of sorcery had that woman used?!’

’No, absolutely not!’

’I will never allow his affections to stray to another!’

Zhuang Fangming raised his head in disbelief. "Your Highness... I am... I am an appointed official of the Imperial Court."

Zhou Cangyan sneered. "And so you can disregard rank and seniority? Or perhaps Minister Zhuang would prefer I ask the Holy Emperor to pass judgment?"

"..."

Zhou Junlin said calmly, "Imperial Uncle, isn’t this a bit inappropriate?"

Zhou Cangyan shot him a look and snorted. "Well, it wasn’t your Princess Consort they were slandering. It’s easy to stand there and talk when it doesn’t hurt your back."

Zhou Junlin narrowed his eyes and said slowly, "Is my Imperial Uncle truly seeking justice for Princess Qing? Or are you just using this as a pretext to cause trouble?"

Seeing the growing tension between them, Song Xilan quickly interjected, "My Prince, Prince Qing mentioned earlier that the scenery here is quite nice. Why don’t we take a walk and see for ourselves?"

"...Very well."

Zhou Junlin also knew that no one would gain anything if this stalemate continued.

After all, it was a fact that Minister Zhuang had walked right into a trap someone else had laid for him.

Watching Zhou Junlin leave, Minister Zhuang understood the situation. It seemed King Qing had to be allowed to vent his anger one way or another.

Song Lianhe was in the middle of a tour of various torture instruments with Wu Sicheng when she heard bloodcurdling screams coming from the courtyard.

Curious, she hurried into the courtyard.

There, in the center of the Ministry of Justice’s main courtyard, Minister Zhuang was being held down on a long bench by Zhou Cangyan’s men and flogged with a wooden plank.

With so many people watching, he managed to endure the first few blows to save face, but soon the pain became unbearable, and he cried out.

"What’s going on...?"

Song Lianhe’s gaze fell on Zhou Cangyan, who was standing on the steps above.

Zhou Cangyan casually glanced down, a faint, unconscious smile playing on his lips, as if the horrific screams were the most beautiful music in the world. He truly looked every bit the archetypal villain.

"Prince Qing is getting revenge for the Princess Consort."

The speaker was Jing Ye.

He whispered, "Minister Zhuang isn’t a fool; he’d never let himself be beaten for nothing. By returning home with these wounds, he can silence the wagging tongues of the public. Of course, Prince Qing knows this, which is why he’s ordering the beating to be even more severe."

Song Lianhe pursed her lips. ’Looks like outsiders don’t understand him at all,’ she thought. ’He’s definitely venting his anger, but as for who he’s truly doing it for... that’s another question entirely.’

Across the way, Zhou Junlin watched with a cold expression.

Song Xilan, as if unable to bear the gruesome sight, pressed a hand to her forehead weakly. Zhou Junlin took the opportunity to take her hand. "Are you all right?"

She forced a smile. "I’m fine."

With his frail build, Minister Zhuang passed out after little more than a dozen strikes.

"That’s enough."

Zhou Cangyan’s voice was languid. "Taking the punishment for his daughter—how noble of Minister Zhuang. Have him sent back to his mansion to rest and recuperate."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The Shadow Guard quickly arranged for Minister Zhuang and his wife to be sent back to the Minister’s Mansion.

"Now that the case is closed, we should be going as well."

Zhou Junlin led Song Xilan by the hand. As they passed Song Lianhe, he gave her a faint, unreadable smile. "Princess Qing, you truly are a lucky woman."

Song Lianhe was speechless. "..."

’Why does that feel like an insult?’

But she couldn’t be bothered to respond. When she saw Ah Jun emerge, she rushed over to him. "Ah Jun, are you all right?"

Ah Jun shook his head, his eyes lighting up the moment he saw her.

"What could possibly be wrong with him?"

A faintly mocking, amused voice came from behind her.

Zhou Cangyan slowly approached. Seeing Song Lianhe still fussing over Ah Jun, his voice grew even colder.

"We’re returning to the manor."