They must be severely punished to remember their lesson and not cause trouble again in the future.
Upon hearing this, everyone panicked, especially those who had actively instigated the trouble. They trembled slightly, instinctively shrinking back and their gazes darting around.
"Lu Shi, oversee the punishment!"
Ling Mohan said in a low, chilling voice.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Lu Shi cupped his hands in agreement, his gaze falling upon the trembling crowd kneeling on the ground.
"Bring the ruler for the punishment!"
A soldier standing to the side held a three-foot-long ruler and struck down with all his might.
Instantly, blood-red marks appeared on the fair palms of the palace maids.
After a few strikes, their skin broke open, and the ghastly blood dripped from their fingertips.
Feng Jin turned her head away after just one glance at the bloody scene. These were girls of fifteen or sixteen receiving this punishment, and she truly felt a pang of sympathy.
"Ah... it hurts..."
Some unable to bear the pain cried out, tears streaming from the corners of their eyes.
"Scoundrels! You are all maids accompanying the princess. Causing trouble on such a joyous occasion is unforgivable, and now you dare to weep, offending the princess's wedding is a capital offense! If you don't want to die, wipe your tears quickly!"
The head嬷嬷 stepped forward and slapped the palace maid's cheek, scolding her furiously.
Half of the slapped palace maid's face instantly swelled and turned red. She suppressed her voice, daring not to make a sound, enduring the pain.
Lu Shi counted coldly. After ten strikes, he raised his hand to signal a stop, "This is a minor disciplinary action. If you offend again, ten rulers will not suffice."
"My lord, please forgive us. It is due to my poor management that this happened. It will absolutely not happen again."
"It is good that you remember,嬷嬷."
Lu Shi said with displeasure. He was truly weary of these people from Xiliang. Ever since the marriage alliance with Xiliang, there hadn't been a single peaceful day.
Especially these palace maids, they were always causing trouble.
"This old servant guarantees there will be no next time."
Feng Jin quietly observed everything that happened from the side, her gaze studying the replying嬷嬷.
The嬷嬷 was dressed quite well, in a brocade robe with embroidery, and the hairpin on her head was made of pure gold. If she hadn't known she was a嬷嬷, she would have thought she was an old lady from some noble family.
It seemed this嬷嬷's identity was not simple. Feng Jin couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, imprinting her appearance in her memory.
"Young Madam, it's time to go back," Lu Shi said softly beside Feng Jin.
"Let's go."
Feng Jin nodded and walked out behind Lu Shi.
"That嬷嬷 who came out to reply earlier, do you recognize her?"
"Your subordinate only knows that she is the head嬷嬷 among them, and those palace maids are very obedient to her commands."
Lu Shi didn't know much about the嬷嬷's identity, only that she was their head嬷嬷, held considerable authority, and was always scolding and beating the palace maids.
"Have someone keep an eye on that嬷嬷."
Since just now, she had a vague feeling that the嬷嬷's identity was not simple. Keeping a closer watch might yield some useful information.
"Your subordinate understands."
"I'm going back now. You should also rest early."
After giving a few instructions, Feng Jin got up and returned to her room. She needed to rest quickly, as she had to continue traveling early the next morning.
...
"Young Madam, Young Madam..."
As Feng Jin slept soundly, she vaguely heard Cai Qing's voice and groggily opened her eyes, "What time is it?"
"Young Madam, it's almost noon."
"Noon?" Feng Jin's spirits instantly lifted, and she sat up abruptly, "It's already noon, why are you only waking me now?"
Didn't they say they would be traveling early in the morning? It was already noon, had they left without them?
"It rained heavily last night, and the road was muddy, so we couldn't travel. The young general said we would rest for a day and depart tomorrow. The young general specifically instructed me not to disturb your rest and to let you sleep a little longer."
Cai Qing scalded the towel with hot water and handed it to Feng Jin, "Young Madam, please wipe your face and wake up. It will be time to eat soon."
By the time Feng Jin got up and tidied herself, an hour had already passed.
"Young Madam, I'll go and bring the food. Let's eat in the room."
It had just rained heavily, and the road was full of mud and dirt, making it difficult to walk. It was better for her to bring the food.
"Let's eat outside. It's good to get some fresh air."
Staying in the room all day was uncomfortable. It would be good to walk around and stretch her limbs.
"Then I'll go get a cloak. It's a bit cooler outside after the rain."
Cai Qing went to get a cloak and draped it over Feng Jin. The two then left the room.
After the rain, even the air carried a hint of coolness. Feng Jin couldn't help but pull her cloak tighter.
When they left the capital, it was still the height of summer. Now it was autumn, and all the leaves had fallen from the trees, making the scene appear somewhat desolate.
"Hurry back, don't let the嬷嬷 see you."
"Walk faster, don't waste any more time."
From a side door, several palace maids entered with slightly suspicious movements. Their footsteps were hurried, and they were hunched over, seeming to be carrying something in their arms.
"Cai Qing, stop them."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Cai Qing nodded in agreement and trotted over to block their path, "Stop... stop!"
Upon hearing the sound, the women were startled and ran even faster.
"Stop!"
A soldier patrolling ahead finally blocked their way.
Cai Qing, panting and holding her stomach, finally caught up, "Who are you people, and why are you sneaking around outside?"
"What's wrong?" Lu Shi, who was on patrol, heard the commotion and walked over.
"The young general had already given strict orders not to leave the post station without permission. These few were acting suspiciously and returning from the side door."
Cai Qing pointed at the women and stepped forward, grabbing one of them and forcibly snatching the bundles from their arms. Inside were silver ingots, amounting to over a hundred taels of silver.
"This is money from our Dongchu. You've only just arrived in Dongchu, where did you get so much money from!"
"What's going on?" Feng Jin walked forward to inquire.
"Young Madam, they have so much money, do you know where it came from?"
Cai Qing pulled one of them out, "You, tell me, where did you get this money from?"
"I... I..." The palace maid who was pulled out stammered, unable to give a coherent answer.
"Even your three years of salary wouldn't amount to this much money. Where exactly did you get this money from?"
Feng Jin's gaze swept over everyone, and she asked in a low voice.