Chapter 480: Chapter 173 Don’t Kneel_4
"Doctor Ji speaks sense."
Yuan Zhen opened his mouth, "Although Doctor Lu killed the dog, the hound had bitten a person first, so there is a reasonable explanation for his actions, and he should not be severely punished." He looked at Qi Yutai, his tone veiled with a warning, "Let’s each take a step back."
This was a hint to Qi Yutai not to persist.
Qi Yutai felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
Yuan Zhen’s words had left no room for reversal, at least for today, he would not get his way.
So many people had protected Lu Tong.
The air was thick with the smell of blood. For some reason, his forehead began to throb subtly, a nameless rage engulfing his heart, as if he had returned to the moment when he took the Thirst-quenching Cold Food Powder. Restless, violent, wanting to destroy all living beings.
He forcefully suppressed the unwillingness in his heart, glanced again at the corpse of the captured tiger on the ground, and Qi Yutai bowed once more, "Since Your Highness has spoken, Yu Tai dares not disobey. Actually, I also do not wish to trouble Doctor Lu, it’s just..."
His tone suddenly changed to one of deep sorrow.
"From its youth, the captured tiger has been by my side, understands human nature, is loyal to the core, and now it has died a tragic death..."
Everyone followed his gaze.
The miserable death of the gray hound was chilling to behold.
"Yu Tai requests Doctor Lu to kowtow three times to the captured tiger, and then this matter will be settled."
Lu Tong bristled at this.
Qi Yutai turned his head, looking at her as if making a concession.
He knew it was wrong, he knew this would tarnish the image he had maintained in front of others, and even upon returning to his residence, his father would certainly punish him.
But this woman’s eyes discomforted him; he simply couldn’t restrain his impulse.
The impulse to destroy her.
After all, everyone present was "one’s own people"; those in power always covered for each other. The events of today might not spread outside, and even if they did, there would be plenty of "one’s own people" to testify.
The more lofty and proud the other party was, the more he wanted to humiliate them.
Lu Tong clenched her fists, staring at Qi Yutai, a towering rage rising in her heart.
To kneel, to kowtow, to a dog.
Yet a quarter-hour earlier, that same dog had bitten her badly enough to leave her covered in wounds, nearly suffocating her, and now the victim was meant to kowtow to the aggressor.
This truly was the most absurd thing in the world.
Yuan Zhen nodded, "That’s fine then."
As the words settled.
Lu Tong couldn’t help but want to refuse, but Lin Danqing discreetly pulled at her sleeve, meeting her gaze with a look of worry.
She gently shook her head at Lu Tong.
Lu Tong bit her lip hard.
She understood Lin Danqing’s meaning.
For medical officers like them, whether seeing to officials on a usual day or entering the palace to treat nobility in the future, their dignity was always the least valuable thing.
To kneel to countless people, to bow to countless people, what was dignity compared to life?
It’s inconsequential.
Chang Jin, as if fearing her stubbornness and wishing to settle the matter quickly for peace, urged, "Doctor Lu, why are you still hesitating?"
"Doctor Lu," Jin Xianrong also chimed in, "you should thank Yu Tai for his leniency."
Thanks.
Lu Tong found it laughable.
She looked up; Qi Yutai stood beside the gray hound, his eyes barely concealing his glee, seemingly aware of how humiliated she felt about kneeling and kowtowing, which made him all the more eager to see her suffer.
The wounds inflicted by the gray hound seemed to start hurting slowly at this point, and Lu Tong grit her teeth with hatred.
Lin Danqing was right; for them, dignity was insignificant, and there would be many more to kneel to in the future.
But who was this person before her now?
It’s Qi Yutai!
It was this person who killed Lu Rou, it was this person who reduced Lu Qian to a prisoner thrown into the wilderness, my father’s body submerged in water, my mother’s corpse gone without trace, the great fire of the Lu Family that obliterated everything, it was all thanks to his ’kindness’!
How could I kneel?
How could I kneel before this enemy!
With hatred in my heart to the extreme, it felt as if blood was about to drip from my eyes. Lu Tong lifted her gaze, earnestly observing the crowd around her, never before had she hoped more for someone to step forward, to rescue her, to spare her from this tragic and laughable, pitiable and lamentable humiliation.
I looked at every single person.
Chang Jin shook his head slightly at her, the Crown Prince atop his horse was already growing impatient, Jin Xianrong was frantically motioning for her to quit while she was ahead, there were also the Second and Fourth Princes, many dignitaries and courtiers she did not recognize... and Ji Xun.
Ji Xun looked at her, his face showing mercy, yet he did not speak. Lu Tong knew that he had already spoken for her moments ago, to spare her life. That in itself was already merciful and righteous.
He could not say more; behind him was the Ji Family, and he could not drag the Ji Family into this muddy mess.
The wind quietly blew through the dense forest, the sounds of the wind peaceful all around.
Lu Tong watched and watched, then suddenly laughed at herself with self-derision.
There would be no one.
In those past years on Luomei Peak, when suffering was unbearable, she called out her family’s names countless times. She wished her parents, Lu Qian, or Lu Rou were there, but she knew they would not come.
Just like this moment.
No one would come to rescue her.
It was natural in the eyes of the nobles for commoners to suffer, to apologize. It was already a large grace.
Lin Danqing supported her as she slowly stood up.
Her body was covered in wounds inflicted by the hunting dogs, with every movement, a tear in the wounds brought stinging pain. Expressionless, she walked step by step to the corpse of the greyhound under the tree.
Qi Yutai looked at her, feigning sadness in his eyes filled with malice.
Lu Tong’s gaze fell on the corpse of the hound on the ground.
The dog’s body was a bloody mess, revolting to look at, with only the golden collar around its neck still shining brilliantly, proclaiming the illustrious status of its owner.
The words that Lin Danqing said to her before ascending the mountain suddenly echoed in her ears.
"You see the gold collar around its neck? I’ve never worn anything made of such pure gold. Truly, these times make dogs more valued than humans."
Less valued than dogs.
All around were the nobles, all around were the prestigious households, only she, dressed in plain cloth, was lowly and ordinary. Even the dog on the ground held a higher status in their eyes.
Lu Tong clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth.
It was as if thorns grew beneath her knees, each time she bent them a millimeter, her heart ached a bit more.
The harsh and absurd ways of the world weighed down on her like an insurmountable mountain, forcing her to stoop lower and lower.
Inevitable.
Helpless to resist.
Just as her knees were about to touch the ground, the sudden sound of hoofbeats came from behind her, followed by a voice, cold and indifferent.
"Don’t kneel."
Lu Tong was startled.
Then someone dismounted from a horse, an arm reached from behind her, firmly supporting her soon-to-bend spine.
She turned around abruptly.
The young man must have ridden hard from afar, with his robe slightly creased. The arm that supported her was strong, helping her stand upright and allowing her to lean on him.
"Marshal Pei?"
After a brief moment of surprise, Qi Yutai’s face darkened, "What are you doing?"
Pei Yunmeng stood in front of Lu Tong, a smile lingering on his face. As he smiled, his expression gradually grew cold, and that affectionate gaze of his took on a hint of ruthlessness.
He opened his mouth, his tone filled with contempt.
"I said, how can a human kneel to a beast?"