I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 224 The Empress of Liyang Cried!

Hongjie's voice was very low, but it was enough for everyone in the carriage to hear.

Xiao Yu's fingers stiffened slightly.

Yunluan's gaze swept over her, lingered on her face for a moment, and then looked away.

Zhao Qingxue's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

But she continued to gaze out the window, showing no reaction.

After Hongjie finished speaking, she felt a little uneasy.

She didn't know what had happened last night, whether this woman had gained favor, or whether His Majesty's attitude towards her had changed.

Therefore, she dared not act rashly.

This is the only way we can test His Majesty's reaction.

Qin Mu slowly opened his eyes.

Those deep eyes first fell on Xiaoyu's face, and seeing her slightly trembling fingers, they smiled gently.

Then, his gaze turned to Sister Hong.

His gaze was indifferent, as indifferent as if he were looking at a tool.

"Take a look," he said, his voice languid and casual, "and see if she's willing to do what I've taught her."

He paused, then the smile on his lips deepened even further:

"If you don't want to, then keep cleaning."

After hearing this, Sister Hong finally felt relieved.

His Majesty did not stop it.

His Majesty acquiesced.

and--

"What I taught her."

These five words made a glint of light flash in Sister Hong's eyes.

His Majesty still remembers the methods she mentioned.

His Majesty also hoped that she would continue to "teach".

This is enough.

Hongjie turned around, her gaze returning to Zhao Qingxue.

This time, there was no longer any probing or unease in her eyes.

Only ruthlessness.

Only smugness.

There was only the excitement of the upcoming "performance".

She slowly straightened up and moved in front of Zhao Qingxue.

Those eyes scrutinized the woman from top to bottom and from left to right.

Finally, she spoke.

The voice carried a deliberate arrogance and command:

"go--"

She paused, drawing out the last syllable:

"Your Majesty must be tired from your journey by boat. Let me perform a dance for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the carriage seemed to freeze for a moment.

Xiao Yu's fingers froze completely, and she even held her breath.

Yunluan's gaze swept over and landed on Zhao Qingxue, a complex light flashing in her eyes.

Even Sister Hong, who was huddled in the corner, had a gleam of excitement in her eyes.

dancing.

Make Empress Li Yang dance.

To make that high and mighty empress, who reigns supreme over the Eastern Continent, dance for the emperor in a carriage like a dancer.

What a humiliation this is!

How wonderful this is!

Pleasure?

A smug smile appeared on Sister Hong's lips.

She stared at Zhao Qingxue, waiting for her reaction.

Zhao Qingxue continued to gaze out the window.

Those deep purple phoenix eyes remained empty and distant.

It was as if he hadn't heard her.

Sister Hong waited for a while, but there was no movement.

Her brows furrowed.

"What?" Her voice turned cold. "Didn't you hear me?"

There has still been no response.

Zhao Qingxue sat there, motionless.

It was as if she were just a statue, a statue isolated from the world.

A sinister glint flashed in Sister Hong's eyes.

If you refuse a toast, you'll have to drink a penalty shot.

Ok.

very good.

She was just looking for an excuse.

Sister Hong let out a sinister laugh, which sounded particularly jarring in the quiet carriage.

"They really are asking for trouble."

She spoke slowly and deliberately, each word carrying a deep-seated malice.

Then, she moved.

She reached out her left hand and grabbed Zhao Qingxue's arm.

Pull hard!

Zhao Qingxue was pulled up from her seat by her, staggered half a step, and almost fell.

The moon-white robe slipped off her shoulders, revealing tattered clothes and bruised skin underneath.

Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Those deep purple phoenix eyes finally turned away from the window and landed on Sister Hong's face.

His gaze was calm.

It was so calm that there wasn't a single ripple.

But Sister Hong's heart skipped a beat when she saw that gaze.

That gaze was so deep, as deep as an ancient well that has stood for a thousand years, its bottom unseen.

It was as if I were looking at an ant.

The shame and anger in Sister Hong's heart surged up instantly.

How dare you look at her like that?

She raised her left hand—

"Snapped!"

He slapped Zhao Qingxue hard across the face.

The force was so strong that Zhao Qingxue's head snapped to one side, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth again.

She was so badly beaten that her vision went black and her ears were ringing.

But she didn't scream, didn't shout, and didn't beg for mercy.

He simply turned his head back slowly.

Those deep purple phoenix eyes remained calmly fixed on Sister Hong's face.

Sister Hong was completely enraged by her appearance.

She grabbed Zhao Qingxue by the collar and dragged her to the center of the carriage.

"Don't you like to act all high and mighty?"

Her voice was shrill, carrying a deep-seated malice:

"Didn't you say you didn't want to jump?"

She pushed hard, knocking Zhao Qingxue to the ground.

Zhao Qingxue fell to the ground, her tattered clothes coming apart and revealing more of her bruised skin.

She propped herself up, trying to stand up.

Sister Hong stepped forward and placed her foot on her calf.

"ah--"

Zhao Qingxue let out a suppressed cry of pain.

The sound was very soft, so soft that it was almost inaudible.

But in the quiet carriage, it was exceptionally clear.

When Sister Hong heard the cry of pain, a glint of excitement flashed in her eyes.

"pain?"

She grinned maliciously, and increased the pressure on her foot:

"It's supposed to hurt."

She crouched down, grabbed Zhao Qingxue's hair, and pulled it upwards forcefully.

Zhao Qingxue was forced to tilt her head back, revealing her pale face with red and swollen handprints.

Blood trickled down her chin from the corner of her mouth, dripping onto her tattered clothes and spreading into a shocking bloodstain.

Hongjie leaned closer to her face, her voice so low that only the two of them could hear it:

"You think that just because His Majesty favored you last night, you have the right to put on airs in front of me?"

"dream!"

Her fingers dug hard into Zhao Qingxue's cheeks:

"In my eyes, you'll always be that lowly servant girl who was hung under the beam and slapped!"

Zhao Qingxue looked at her.

Looking at that distorted face so close to my eyes.

There was still no emotion in those deep purple phoenix eyes.

There was only a cold, calm silence.

Hongjie was so angry at her appearance that she trembled all over.

She let go of his hand and stood up.

His gaze swept around the carriage and finally landed on the hemp rope used to secure the cargo in the corner.

She walked over and grabbed the rope.

Then, she turned around and looked at Yunluan.

"Commander Yun," her voice was deliberately respectful and obsequious, "let me borrow a place to hang this lowly servant girl up."

Yunluan leaned against the carriage wall, her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Her gaze lingered on Sister Hong's face for a moment, then swept over Zhao Qingxue, who was lying on the ground.

Finally, she nodded slightly.

He didn't speak.

But that tacit approval was all too obvious.

With permission granted, Sister Hong's last lingering concerns vanished.

She strode back to Zhao Qingxue, grabbed her wrist, and wrapped the hemp rope around it.

The movements were very skilled and swift.

Clearly, she had done this countless times.

Zhao Qingxue did not struggle.

It's not that I don't want to, it's that I don't have the strength.

The slap had left her dizzy and her calf was in excruciating pain from being stepped on; she couldn't even stand up straight.

She could only watch as Sister Hong wrapped the rope around her wrists and pulled her down towards the crossbeam at the top of the carriage.

Sister Hong threw the other end of the rope over the beam and then pulled hard!

Zhao Qingxue's body was slowly hoisted up.

His arms were tied behind his back and he was hanging there.

A tearing pain shot through her shoulder joint, almost making her faint.

She bit her lip to keep herself from making a sound.

But the body's instinctive reactions don't lie—

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his lips were bitten until they turned white, and his face was ashen.

Sister Hong secured the rope to the car wall, took two steps back, and admired her "work" with satisfaction.

Zhao Qingxue was suspended in mid-air, her tattered dress hanging down, revealing large areas of bruised skin.

Her long hair was loose, covering most of her face.

Only those deep purple phoenix eyes, peering through the gaps in her hair, fell upon Sister Hong.

That gaze remained calm.

It was as calm as a stagnant pool.

Sister Hong felt uneasy under that gaze.

She stepped forward and raised her hand—

"Snapped!"

Another slap.

"Snapped!"

Another slap.

Slap after slap landed on Zhao Qingxue's face.

Every time, he gave it his all, and every time, he left a bright red palm print on that peerless face.

Zhao Qingxue's face was swollen from the beating, and more and more blood was dripping from the corner of her mouth and down her chin.

But she still didn't scream, didn't shout, and didn't beg for mercy.

He simply looked calmly at Sister Hong with his deep purple phoenix eyes.

That gaze was like a dull knife, slowly cutting into Sister Hong's heart.

Sister Hong got tired of hitting and took two steps back, panting.

She turned around and looked at Qin Mu.

Qin Mu remained leaning against the car wall, one hand supporting his chin, his posture languid.

Xiao Yu knelt behind him, trembling all over, and even forgot to massage his shoulders.

His gaze fell on Zhao Qingxue, who was hanging in mid-air.

The light fell on that swollen, red face, on those still calm, deep purple phoenix eyes, and on that trembling body wrapped in torn clothes.

The smile that seemed to be playing on his lips deepened even further.

A satisfied and excited light shone in those deep eyes.

It's like admiring a work of art that is being meticulously crafted.

Looking at him like this, Sister Hong felt her excitement grow stronger.

She would continue as long as His Majesty was satisfied.

Continue to torment this woman.

Until she lowered her head.

Until she begged for mercy.

Until she—

Completely collapse.

Hongjie turned around and walked towards Zhao Qingxue again.

Her gaze swept over Zhao Qingxue.

Finally, it landed on her feet.

Those small, thin old shoes were now suspended in mid-air, swaying slightly.

A sinister glint flashed in Sister Hong's eyes.

She reached out, grabbed the old shoe, and pulled hard!

The shoes were pulled off, revealing Zhao Qingxue's fair feet.

Her feet were very white and slender, and her toes were slightly curled up because of tension.

Hongjie looked at the foot, a cruel smile curving her lips.

She raised her hand and slapped him hard!

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound.

Zhao Qingxue's body trembled violently.

The soles of the feet are one of the most sensitive parts of the human body, and the burning pain almost made her cry out.

But she bit her lip hard, swallowing back the cry of pain.

Hongjie looked at her reaction and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

"You're quite tolerant?"

She took another puff.

"Snapped!"

one more time.

"Snapped!"

Again and again, the sole of the shoe struck Zhao Qingxue's foot hard.

The fair soles of her feet quickly became red and swollen, with several bloody marks appearing.

Zhao Qingxue's body was trembling violently, and cold sweat was pouring down her forehead.

But she still didn't scream, didn't shout, and didn't beg for mercy.

She just bit her lip tightly, letting the pain come in waves.

Sister Hong pumped for about a dozen times before finally stopping.

She turned around and walked up to Qin Mu.

"Your Majesty," her voice carried a hint of weariness and resentment, "this lowly servant... is too stubborn."

Qin Mu looked at her and smiled gently.

"No rush," he said, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze. "Take your time."

He paused, his gaze passing over Sister Hong and landing on the moon-white figure dangling in mid-air:

"I have plenty of time."

Hearing this, Sister Hong finally felt relieved.

As long as His Majesty is not in a hurry, she has time.

I'll deal with this woman slowly when I have time.

She turned around and walked towards Zhao Qingxue again.

The carriage continued on its way, its wheels making a dull "gurgling" sound as they rolled over the official road.

Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows inside the carriage.

The light and shadow fell on Zhao Qingxue, making her swollen and red face appear and disappear.

She was still hanging in mid-air, her arms were already numb and she could no longer feel them, and the pain in her shoulder joints had become dull.

Only the burning sensation on the soles of my feet remains vivid.

And those red, swollen handprints on my face still sting.

She lowered her head, her long hair falling loosely, covering most of her face.

Only those deep purple phoenix eyes, peering through the gaps in her hair, fell upon Sister Hong.

That gaze remained calm.

It was as calm as a stagnant pool.

But deep within that stagnant water, a sense of powerlessness was churning.

She didn't know how much longer she could hold on.

I don't know how long this torment will last.

All she knew was that at this moment—

She was trapped in this small carriage, being tortured by a madwoman.

And that man was not far away.

Look at her.

waiting.

Waiting for the day she breaks down.

Sister Hong walked up to her, grabbed her hair again, and forced her to raise her head.

"What?" Sister Hong's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Still not willing to back down?"

Zhao Qingxue looked at her.

There was still no emotion in those deep purple phoenix eyes.

There was only a cold, calm silence.

Hongjie was so angry at her appearance that she trembled all over.

She raised her hand—

"Snapped!"

Another slap.

Zhao Qingxue's head turned to one side, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth again.

But she still didn't call out or shout.

He simply turned his head back slowly.

Those deep purple phoenix eyes remained calmly fixed on Sister Hong's face.

It seems to be saying—

You can continue.

You can continue to torment me.

But I will never bow my head.

They will never beg for mercy.

It will never satisfy you.

Looking into that gaze, Sister Hong felt a deep sense of defeat welling up inside her.

She released her grip and took two steps back.

He was panting heavily.

For the first time, a look of near bewilderment appeared in his eyes.

This woman...

How can I get her to give in?

The sunlight moved slowly, casting long shadows inside the carriage.

The carriage continued on its way.

The wheels rolled over the official road, making a dull "gurgling" sound.

The sound came again and again.

Like some ancient rhythm.

Just like—

A question posed by fate.

Suspended in mid-air, Zhao Qingxue slowly closed her eyes.

She let the light and shadow dance on her face, and let the pain spread through her body.

She only wanted to—

Forget about all of this for now.

Even if it's just for a moment.

Even if—

A tear finally slid down her cheek.

Tears mingled with the blood on her face, sliding down her swollen cheeks and dripping onto her tattered, moon-white dress, leaving a small, dark stain.

No one saw it.

Only she knows.

she cried.

finally--

Cried.