Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 18

18:

The commotion drew everyone’s attention.

Yun Chi unleashed a tirade, kicking Ye Xuejin’s leg again.

Ye Xuejin stared at the ground, motionless, as if her soul had fled, offering no resistance.

Yun Chi glanced at Zeng Laosan, wondering if the performance was enough to call it quits.

But unexpectedly, Zeng Laosan frowned and lashed out with another whip. “Looks like you don’t want fish bones, you want to suffer.”

By his plan, Ye Xuejin should be in a bad condition, yet she seemed healthier than the other prisoners.

Since the desired effect wasn’t achieved, he’d push this beggar harder.

Zeng Laosan struck again, his whip merciless.

Yun Chi, hit by three lashes, was in agony, nearly fainting.

This bastard was going to kill her!

Seeing him raise the whip again, she had no choice but to lunge, pinning Ye Xuejin to the ground.

“I’ll show you what’s going on! You didn’t block! I’ll beat you to death…”

“Sister Ye!” A few steps away, Zhou Qiyue stood up, unable to hold back.

Old Censor Zhou yanked her sleeve, pulling her down. “Stay put. Meddle again, and never call me Father again.”

Zhou Qiyue wanted to help Ye Xuejin but feared her father, muttering aggrievedly, “Father, you said to hold goodwill, or the Literary Star Lord might see us ignore such injustice and refuse to bless our family.”

Old Censor Zhou: “…” Her logic made so much sense he almost stood up to intervene.

Sighing, he said, “I’ve spoiled you too much. Come closer.”

Zhou Qiyue, seeing his meaningful expression, scooted nearer.

Old Madam Zhou subtly shifted, shielding the whispering father and daughter from view.

Old Censor Zhou gestured with his eyes, calming his impatient daughter. “Understand?”

Zhou Qiyue shook her head blankly, her eyes full of curiosity. Understand what?

He clicked his tongue. “If you don’t get it, watch patiently. Don’t stand out this time.”

He nodded toward two directions.

Catching his final words, Zhou Qiyue began to see the pattern.

As Yun Chi continued berating Ye Xuejin, the prisoners’ gazes fixed on them, but two others, like Zhou Qiyue, stood up instinctively.

Yu Lu’s face was grim, brows furrowed, torn between intervening and hesitating.

The other was Shiniang, far less hesitant, her gaze on Yun Chi cold and sharp, as if ready to pounce her.

Zhou Qiyue sensed something but worriedly asked, “Father, will they help Sister Ye?”

Why were they just standing there, doing nothing?

“Ah!”

At that moment, Ye Xuejin let out a pained cry.

Shiniang sprang forward, seizing Yun Chi’s collar and yanking her up.

Almost simultaneously, Yu Lu strode over, drawing his sword and pointing it at Shiniang. “Let her go.”

Zhou Qiyue was stunned. What was happening?

The crowd held their breath, sensing a restless night.

Shiniang sneered. “I thought Lord Yu was a good official, but you’re in company with this villain, stopping me instead.”

Yu Lu, unfazed, said, “I agreed to take you along, but you must follow rules. You can’t touch these prisoners.”

Shiniang locked eyes with him, then scoffed, releasing Yun Chi.

Yu Lu sheathed his sword, unhooked his whip, and struck.

Yun Chi, just grabbed and thrown to the ground, hadn’t reacted before another lash hit her back.

“Don’t lay a hand…” Yu Lu bellowed, his whip unrelenting.

Yun Chi rolled on the ground in pain.

Was there no justice?

If she didn’t hit, Zeng Laosan whipped her. If she did, Yu Lu whipped her.

Was she even allowed to live?

At that moment, her back felt raw, the pain almost numbing.

In an unnoticed corner, Ye Xuejin paled, suddenly standing and shielding Yun Chi.

“Please show some mercy, Lord Yu.”

Facing Yu Lu’s raised whip, her expression mixed fear and shock, yet her body firmly protected Yun Chi, her tone resolute.

Yu Lu gripped the whip, his chest tightening with frustration, but lowered his hand and returned to the fire.

He was exasperated at her lack of will to fight back!

Nearby, Shiniang, initially stunned, gave Ye Xuejin a deep look before returning to the girls.

Yun Chi, seeing them leave, resumed her act, cursing Ye Xuejin. “Couldn’t you block sooner? What sins did I commit in my past life to marry a curse like you? Pfft…”

This time, she only shouted, not striking.

Zhou Qiyue stared, dazed. “Father…”

She didn’t understand why the Princess was so weak.

Old Censor Zhou stroked his beard silently, his eyes flickering with unnamed emotions.

Something was off, he’d misjudged…

Seeing his silence, Zhou Qiyue muttered, “Why doesn’t Lord Yu address the root issue and just deal with Zeng Laosan?”

She’d noticed Yun Chi seemed to act on Zeng Laosan’s orders, they were the real culprits.

Old Censor Zhou spoke up. “The waters here run deep. Don’t get involved or overthink. Rest, we march at dawn.”

Zhou Qiyue lowered her head glumly, silent.

Old Censor Zhou glanced at Zeng Laosan. The root? He was just a branch.

Thinking of something, he stood. “Dalang, come wash at the river.”

“Alright.” Zhou Qishan followed.

Halfway, Old Censor Zhou stopped. “Tell me, what’s going on here?”

His daughter was young, unfamiliar with court affairs, so her confusion was normal.

But his son, a father and official, should understand—or need teaching.

Zhou Qishan thought, then said methodically, “Zeng Laosan is likely that person’s agent. Lord Yu protects the Princess. They represent opposing forces, neither daring to openly clash.”

“Go on.”

“One wants her dead without leaving evidence; the other wants her alive without inviting gossip.”

Old Censor Zhou nodded. “Elaborate.”

“If the Princess dies, that person will face criticism. But if she dies by her consort’s hand, they’re clean. No matter how the world judges, they can claim she chose poorly. A woman’s death tied to love muddies right and wrong, a perfect scheme.”

Old Censor Zhou looked at his son approvingly. “Good.”

So, the key figure was the consort—Yun Chi.

Zeng Laosan’s orders were likely to eliminate Ye Xuejin through Yun Chi.

Yu Lu’s role was the opposite: watch Yun Chi and ensure the Princess reached the southern border safely.

The father and son exchanged a glance, no more words needed.

Meanwhile, Yun Chi, gasping in pain, cursed again. “Help me to the river to wash, you blind fool…”

Ye Xuejin, head bowed like a submissive wife, endured her tirade, devotedly supporting her, making onlookers sigh.

Farther off, Yun Chi stopped cursing, whispering, “You shouldn’t have stepped in. If they notice, all our acting’s for nothing.”