Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 30

Murong Ziying was slapped so hard that stars danced before her eyes, and even the corner of her mouth split open.

“Yingshui, I only asked you to teach her a lesson, but you were too heavy-handed,” Consort Li said, pretending to be concerned.

“Your Highness, I’ll be more careful with my strikes next time,” Li Yingshui replied spitefully.

Murong Ziying touched her bleeding lips. They still wouldn’t let her go. A flicker of anger finally stirred within her.

“Yes, next time, just be mindful not to injure her face. Otherwise, wouldn’t the Crown Prince feel heartbroken when he sees it?” Consort Li hinted, instructing Yingshui to make sure the beating left no visible marks.

“Understood,” Li Yingshui said eagerly.

“Good. Now, Ziying, I’ve been here for quite some time, yet you haven’t even offered me a seat. Are you deliberately trying to make me uncomfortable?”

“It’s not that—I’ve been kneeling all this time—”

“Still arguing? Since you refuse to show respect and won’t offer me a seat, then you shall not sit either! Yingshui, beat her until she can’t sit down—until her flesh is in tatters!”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Li Yingshui gleefully fetched a long rattan cane, feeling elated. Murong Ziying, your time has come!

“Your Highness, you’ve misunderstood—”

Before Murong Ziying could finish, Li Yingshui swung the cane at her without hesitation. But in a flash, Murong Ziying caught it with one hand. Then, gripping Li Yingshui’s shoulder, she flipped her over in a swift shoulder throw, sending her crashing onto the ground in a humiliating heap.

Consort Li stood there, stunned.

“Don’t push me any further,” Murong Ziying said coldly.

Li Yingshui gasped in pain as she got back on her feet and stumbled toward Consort Li, her eyes flashing with malice. “Your Highness, look at her! She dared to throw me—ugh, it hurts so much!”

“You dare strike Yingshui? Guards! Seize her!”

A group of guards stormed in from outside, pinning Murong Ziying face-down onto the table. Li Yingshui clenched her teeth and raised the cane high before bringing it down viciously. Each strike was full of hatred, aimed at making Murong Ziying suffer to the core.

Each lash burned like fire, searing through her skin. Tears welled in Murong Ziying’s eyes, but she refused to make a sound. She knew they wanted to hear her beg, to see her break but she wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

The more silent she remained, the more furious Li Yingshui became. How dare this wretch not scream? She hadn’t expected Murong Ziying to be this stubborn. Fine, then—I’ll just beat her to death!

“Stop!” Consort Li ordered, fearing that Li Yingshui might actually lose control and kill her. This girl had more backbone than expected—it seemed that we another method would be needed to make her submit.

Only then did Li Yingshui reluctantly throw the broken cane aside. The rattan, twice as thick as a thumb, had snapped in several places from the force of the blows.

Murong Ziying lay slumped over the table, barely able to move. The pain was unbearable. Why were they treating her like this?

“Oh my, look at you! Just a few strikes, and you’re already in this pitiful state. How useless. Let this be a lesson—don’t ever be disrespectful to me again. Understood?” Consort Li scoffed, stepping toward Murong Ziying. “Now, pour me some tea. Must I ask for a mere cup of water?” She sat down leisurely.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Murong Ziying gritted out through clenched teeth.

Enduring the searing pain, she struggled to bring a cup of tea to Consort Li. Her back was covered in raw, bleeding welts, and every step was agonizing. By the time she reached Consort Li, most of the tea had spilled.

“Your Highness, please enjoy your tea,” she said, forcing herself to hold the cup steady despite the tremors in her hands.