Hua Yun Jin could never have imagined the Ninth Princess would do such a thing. He took several steps back, surprised, and said, "Ninth Princess, you..."
The Ninth Princess looked up at him. "Lord Hua, make me yours!"
Hua Yun Jin frowned. "Ninth Princess, mind your words."
The Ninth Princess bit her lower lip and removed her inner robe, revealing her肚兜. Hua Yun Jin turned his face away. "Ninth Princess, even if you stripped completely, this subject wouldn't dare touch a single hair on your head. Ninth Princess, please put your clothes back on!"
The Ninth Princess trembled all over. "Lord Hua, you..."
"Ninth Princess, put on your clothes and leave!" Hua Yun Jin said, then walked towards the exit.
The Ninth Princess knew Hua Yun Jin was leaving, and that she would never see him again, nor would she have another chance.
"Lord Hua..." the Ninth Princess ran forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Hua Yun Jin's waist.
"Ninth Princess, release this subject." Hua Yun Jin had not expected the Ninth Princess to be so bold as to do this.
"No, I won't let go. I won't let go." The Ninth Princess knew clearly that if she let go now, she would truly have no hope.
"What are you doing?"
Hua Yun Jin trembled all over. He looked up and saw a man in resplendent robes, with an elegant and dignified woman by his side. It was none other than the Emperor and Empress.
"Insolent! Audacious!" the Emperor roared.
The Ninth Princess was also dumbfounded. She couldn't fathom why her father and mother were also present.
"Guards, escort the Ninth Princess away and have her dress!" the Emperor said, his face filled with anger.
The palace maids quickly stepped forward to help the Ninth Princess withdraw.
Hua Yun Jin knelt to pay his respects. "This subject..."
Before he could finish, someone kicked his shoulder. It was painful, but he dared not move, for the one who kicked him was the Emperor of Huang Ze.
"Hua Yun Jin, I thought you were an honest man, but I didn't expect you to be anything but honest. You even harbor ambitions of marrying my princess. Do you think you are worthy?"
Hua Yun Jin trembled all over. His hands in his sleeves clenched tightly. If it were in the past, the Emperor of Huang Ze wouldn't dare speak to him like this, for back then, he was the Crown Prince of Hua Kingdom.
Now, he was someone with no family, trampled upon by everyone, tormented by everyone.
"Father, this child likes Lord Hua. This child..."
The Emperor interrupted the Ninth Princess. "Ninth Princess, I have been too lenient with you, which is why you have become so lawless. Without my imperial decree for marriage, since you are so brazen and reckless, I will show you the consequences of your actions."
The Emperor continued coldly, "Guards, Hua Yun Jin harbors improper intentions towards the princess. Beat him to death."
The Ninth Princess trembled all over and shook her head. "No... no, Father, please don't! Father..."
The Emperor kicked the Ninth Princess away, his voice filled with cold fury. "His death today is all your doing. Xue Changyi, open your eyes wide and watch closely."
Hua Yun Jin did not resist, for he knew that before the supreme imperial power, he was merely a worm that could be crushed at any moment.
"Execute the punishment." As the words fell,
Hua Yun Jin felt the pain coursing through his body. He looked up at the figure in yellow. Supreme imperial power; he had never wished for it so desperately as he did at this moment.
The Ninth Princess knelt by the side, kowtowing and begging for mercy, but the Emperor remained unmoved. The Ninth Princess regretted her actions, regretting that she had come to find Hua Yun Jin.
Eventually, Hua Yun Jin stopped feeling pain, and his vision began to blur.
Was he really going to die? But why was he so unwilling to accept it?
So unwilling.
"Father, spare him beneath the rods." A voice rang out.
The Emperor looked up at the newcomer, his expression still filled with anger. "Chang An, are you also here to plead?"
"Father, he is my person." Xue Chang An stood there.
Everyone was stunned.
Xue Chang An waved away the rods that were about to strike Hua Yun Jin. "Father, I implore you to grant my wish."
"Absurd." The Emperor said, enraged.
"Does Father no longer intend to keep his word?" Xue Chang An looked up at the Emperor, showing no sign of backing down.
"Return to the palace." The Emperor, furious, flicked his sleeves and left.
Xue Chang An breathed a sigh of relief, turned to look at Hua Yun Jin, and asked softly, "Can you hold on?"
Hua Yun Jin nodded. "Yes."
"Guards, help Lord Hua to Chang An Palace and summon the imperial physician."
After giving these instructions, Xue Chang An slowly walked towards the Ninth Princess, who was still prostrate on the ground. "Xue Chang Yi, I never expected you to still covet my person?"
Xue Chang Yi trembled all over. She looked up at her imperial sister. She did not fear Princess Chang Ning, but this Eldest Princess, Xue Chang An, made her feel as though her gaze held too many things, making it impossible for her to guess.
"Chang Yi, since you know he belongs to me, I advise you to be well-behaved. Otherwise, I will not let you off." With that, Xue Chang An departed.
The Ninth Princess clenched the pebbles on the ground tightly. It was as if she felt no pain, even as they cut her palms.
Xue Chang An returned to her sleeping quarters. Seeing the basins of blood being carried out by the palace maids, her expression grew somewhat solemn. As she walked in, the imperial physician quickly bowed. She waved him off. "No need for formalities. How is Lord Hua?"
The imperial physician said, "He is fine. They are all superficial wounds. He will recover in a few days."
Xue Chang An nodded. "Good. Use whatever medicine is needed directly."
After the imperial physician left, Xue Chang An entered the hall. Hua Yun Jin was lying there, his long hair spread out, even trailing onto the floor. Yet, he stared blankly.
She walked forward, gathered all his hair, then tied it up for him, securing it with a jade hairpin.
Hua Yun Jin finally moved his head, turning to look at her.
Xue Chang An said calmly, "Why aren't you saying anything to this subject?"
"Thank you, Your Highness," Hua Yun Jin said slowly.
Xue Chang An said, "I didn't save you to hear you thank me."
Hua Yun Jin was startled. He looked up at her. "What else does Your Highness want? This subject has nothing now, Your Highness."
"You yourself will suffice. Offer yourself to this subject."
Hua Yun Jin froze. He understood Xue Chang An's meaning and lowered his head, remaining silent.
Xue Chang An did not hurry, waiting patiently.
After a long while, Hua Yun Jin finally spoke. "This subject obeys."
Xue Chang An looked into his eyes and asked, "Willingly?"
"Yes," Hua Yun Jin nodded.
Xue Chang An suddenly drew the curtain and called out, "Everyone, get out."
Hua Yun Jin closed his eyes. "Your Highness, I cannot move."
"I am here."
Soon, sounds came from within. The palace maids outside knew what those sounds meant.
Approximately two hours later, the palace maids heard Princess Chang An's voice from inside. "Prepare water, summon the imperial physician."
The imperial physician was invited in again. Seeing the bandages wrapped with blood, he couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, this is..."
"Your duty is to heal him. You need not ask about anything else."