I made the villain right.

Wei's face changed when he heard this. He knew that Qin Yixian was determined not to let them go this time.

So he looked worried and pleaded, "Your Majesty, please don't do that. My daughter is a woman, how can she bear these sixty lashes? Please let me take the lashes for her."

"It's ridiculous! If everyone can be punished for others, how can the people who made mistakes realize their mistakes?" Qin Yixian said indignantly.

Shi Jin had been frowning as she listened to Qin Yixian's words. She had been holding back a lot of anger in her heart, and now it was time for her to speak up.

She glanced at Qin Yixian with her eyes full of sharp coldness and said coldly: "I can accept this punishment, but not because what Prime Minister Qin said is reasonable, but because I respect Your Majesty."

After a few seconds, she continued, "Prime Minister Qin, don't make your words so high-sounding. You know exactly why you used harsh words against me today. Why bother to use these excuses to annoy me?"

Suddenly, Shi Jin seemed to have thought of something. She said coldly, "That's right. After all, it's not easy to sit in this position. It's inevitable that you have to do some things behind the scenes."

There are sarcasm in the words, but there is nothing wrong with the literal meaning. Although no names are mentioned, it is obvious who the reference is.

When these words were spoken, some people were happy, while others were furious.

This was an implicit criticism that since he was in the position of prime minister, he would inevitably do some shameful things behind the scenes.

Qin Yixian's anger surged to the top of his head, his face was ferocious, his eyes were wide open, and he cursed: "How dare you talk nonsense in front of me and insult the imperial officials at will, you should be executed on the spot!"

"Huh? Which words did I say to insult Prime Minister Qin? How come I didn't know it?" Shi Jin pretended to be stupid.

She certainly didn't mention anyone by name, and her words were all sarcastic, and he couldn't find any insulting meaning in the literal meaning.

His annoyed and angry look undoubtedly showed that he agreed with her statement.

"You..." Qin Yixian was so angry that he was speechless.

Seeing Qin Yixian lose his composure in front of Shi Jin today, His Majesty was secretly pleased.

His Majesty's eyebrows twitched, and he looked at Shi Jin with some admiration in his eyes. She was worthy of being the daughter of Shi Wei. Her spirit and bravery were unmatched, and she would not indulge other people's bad habits.

His Majesty saw that the situation was getting a little out of control, so he quickly saved the situation and said, "Prime Minister Qin broke up the couple in advance, so it's no wonder that Shi Jin felt resentful and spoke too bluntly. Prime Minister Qin has always been magnanimous and he will not take it to heart. Isn't that right, Prime Minister Qin?"

Qin Yixian knew that His Majesty had said so. If he still cared about it, it would mean he was admitting that he was narrow-minded and petty.

So he could only follow his words, "Your Majesty is right."

The next moment, a gloomy light flashed in his eyes, and he said, "Your Majesty, please make a decision quickly on the matter of Shi Jin's disobedience to the order." The topic was brought back on track.

His Majesty looked solemn and thought for a moment before saying, "Shi Jin had her reasons for disobeying the order. I can understand that. These sixty lashes are too heavy a punishment for her. Half of the punishment can be exempted."

Qin Yixian remained silent about this decision, seemingly agreeing to it.

Qin Yixian felt that the emperor had already compromised with him by making this decision. If he continued to force him, it would probably drive him crazy. It would not be good to have a falling out. Before his plan was completed, he still needed to control this puppet who was becoming less and less obedient.

Xu Wuchen was originally furious and unwilling to let Shi Jin reduce his punishment, but seeing Qin Yixian acquiesced, he had no choice but to purse his lips and said no more.

Upon hearing this, Shi Jin and Shi Wei knelt down to express their gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness."

Shi Jin suddenly thought of something, and his eyes showed a hint of bitterness.

She had just satisfied her oral urge, but when she thought about receiving thirty lashes, she became timid again. Thirty lashes would be so painful.

So she shamelessly asked, "Your Majesty, I have a few more requests."

Before His Majesty could say anything, Xu Wuchen spoke first, very dissatisfied: "Shi Jin, don't push your luck. Father has already reduced your sentence, and you still dare to make a request?"

As soon as he said this, he attracted the attention of Shi Jin and His Majesty. Shi Jin rolled his eyes at him, and His Majesty glared at him.

Seeing the displeasure in His Majesty's eyes, Xu Wuchen had no choice but to shut up.

His Majesty looked at Shi Jin and asked kindly, "Tell me, what is your request?"

Shi Jin started to make up a story, "My screams are particularly unpleasant and hard to hear. In order to maintain the peace in the palace, I ask Your Majesty to allow me to be punished while unconscious."

When His Majesty heard this strange request for the first time, he just thought it was a little funny, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. Suddenly he realized that his behavior was inappropriate, so he tightened his mouth, maintained a serious look, and agreed: "Alright."

"Thank you, Your Majesty"

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Shi Jin, as if curious about what she would do.

She only told Shi Wei beside her, "Dad's return depends on you."

"Dad understands, don't worry Jin'er," Shi Wei assured.

Then Shi Jin's eyes swept to the maid holding the tea, and he smiled at His Majesty and asked, "Your Majesty, can I borrow some tea?"

After asking for His Majesty's consent, she poured herself a cup of tea, then took out a packet of knockout drugs from her pocket, poured it into the teacup, and shook it gently to allow the knockout drugs to dissolve quickly.

She had been carrying this packet of knockout drugs with her, thinking that she would need it one day when the world became unstable, but unexpectedly, it was used on herself.

When everyone saw that she had blatantly drugged someone, they were all shocked and looked at her with strange eyes, as if they were wary of her.

Seeing everyone's expressions, she guessed that they had misunderstood her and thought she was poisoning them.

So she waved her hands and explained: "Don't be nervous, this is a knockout drug, drink it yourself"

The corner of His Majesty's mouth twitched. Shi Wei was used to it and looked calm, but the reactions of others were different. They looked at her as if they saw something strange.

She ignored him and drank the whole cup, then walked to Shi Wei and gave him one last reminder: "Dad, catch me later."

As soon as she finished speaking, she fell down, and Shi Wei quickly caught her.

In a quiet courtyard.

A young girl was lying on a long wooden bench, and a soldier was whipping her back again and again, leaving her skin torn and flesh exposed. It was a horrible sight, but the girl had no consciousness and did not feel any pain at all.

Shi Wei watched from the side, feeling anxious and distressed. He turned his head away reluctantly, with a glimmer of tears in his eyes.

After the thirty lashes, Shi Wei immediately carried the bruised and unconscious Shi Jin back to the general's mansion.

This scene scared everyone in the mansion. They were clearly fine before entering the palace, but they were in such a miserable state after returning.

Shi Jin was sent back to her room. Upon hearing the news, Xu Ruogu hurried to Xiyuan to treat his injuries. Zhilu frowned and had tears in her eyes the whole time she was applying medicine to her. She felt very sorry for her.

The best ointment was used to ensure that no scars were left on her body.

No one noticed that there was a person hiding in a dark corner on the roof. He saw what was happening in the mansion and left quietly after a moment.

The person on the roof was Du Xuan. When Fan Hua received news in broad daylight that Shi Jin was sent to the palace for disobeying the imperial order, he became uneasy, so he sent Du Xuan to the general's mansion to check the situation.

After Du Xuan returned home, he immediately went to the study to report the situation to Fan Hua.

Fan Hua, who was drinking tea in the study, put down his teacup immediately when he didn't see Du Xuan.

Seeing Fan Hua's anxious look, Du Xuan said directly: "Miss Shi was whipped thirty times in the palace, her skin was torn and her flesh was torn, and she is still in a coma."

Fan Hua suddenly frowned, looking uneasy.

Du Xuan saw Fan Hua's worry, so he quickly added: "Xu Ruogu has already treated Miss Shi's wounds. I believe she will wake up soon. Master, don't worry."

Fan Hua ignored Du Xuan and fell into deep thought. She was so afraid of pain, but she had to endure thirty lashes. How painful it must be.

After a moment, it was unknown what he was thinking about, and his eyes turned visibly colder.

The next moment, he suddenly looked up at Du Xuan and said coldly, "Du Xuan, pass the message to the secret city and ask them to find out everything that happened in the palace."

"Yes," Du Xuan said respectfully.

"Du Xuan, where did you put the Jade Face Cream?" Just as Du Xuan was about to retreat, Fan Hua suddenly called him.

Du Xuan turned his head and looked at him, his eyes somewhat confused. Why did he suddenly ask this?

When Du Xuan thought of Shi Jin's face, he suddenly realized that this medicine was for Miss Shi.

"I put it in the drawer of the side room. Go and get it now." After saying that, Du Xuan left the study.

Half a minute later, Du Xuan held a small green medicine jar in his hand. Just as he was about to hand it to Fan Hua, Fan Hua suddenly said, "Du Xuan, take this medicine to the General's Mansion."

Hearing this, Du Xuan was a little confused as to why he didn't send it himself. This would be better, after all, Shi Jin disobeyed the order because of him.

"Yes." After hesitating for a moment, Du Xuan replied.

After Du Xuan arrived at the general's mansion, he handed the medicine to the gatekeeper and asked him to pass it on.

It was late at night and the stars were dark.

However, some people toss and turn, unable to sleep peacefully.

Fan Hua suddenly stood up and walked out of the room. Since he couldn't sleep, he planned to go out for a walk.

As he walked, he unknowingly walked into the side room.

When he came to his senses, he also paused.

They were about to become nominal husband and wife, so it would be reasonable for him to go and see her.

After Fan Hua found a reason to visit Shi Jin, he took action.

He opened the drawer, took out a bottle of jade face cream, then went back to his room, put on his clothes, and went out directly.

In the dead of night, on the eaves of the general's mansion, there was a figure flying over the eaves and walls, moving quickly in the night.

He had already figured out the terrain of the General's Mansion and reached the West Garden without any obstruction.

There was a dim light in Shi Jin's bedroom.

The effect of Shi Jin's knockout drug had worn off, and she woke up from the pain. Seeing Zhilu guarding her beside the bed, he let her go back to her room to rest.

The pain in his back made Shi Jin grimace in pain and cry out that it was killing him.

She couldn't help but mutter, "My poor beautiful back is injured again. Why does it get injured so frequently after coming here?"

Suddenly there was a noise outside the window, which aroused Shi Jin's vigilance. Due to the injury on her back, she was wrapped tightly and could not move.

So she frowned and asked in a cold voice: "Who's at the window? Come out!"

Fan Hua, who had just come in, looked embarrassed when he heard Shi Jin's voice. He originally just wanted to take a sneak peek and leave, but now he was caught red-handed. He felt guilty and embarrassed at the same time.

After taking a moment to calm down his inner embarrassment, he regained his usual composure and slowly walked out from the window, explaining, "It's me."

After seeing Fan Hua's face, Shi Jin heaved a sigh of relief and said, "It's you."

She thought it was a thief. Given her current state, if a thief came in, her fighting ability would definitely be reduced.

But when she thought of Fan Hua breaking into her bedroom in the middle of the night, she felt it was a little weird.

"Ayu, you came to my room late at night..."

Fan Hua immediately took out a small medicine bottle, placed it on the table next to him, and said, "I'm here to give you some medicine."

Shi Jin looked at the identical ointment on her desk and asked, "Hasn't it been delivered already?"

Fan Hua coughed awkwardly and said in a slightly unnatural tone: "I'm afraid you don't have enough."

Shi Jin glanced at Fan Hua's expression, his eyes flickered, he pursed his lips slightly and chuckled.

She already understood what was going on. He broke into her bedroom in the middle of the night most likely to see her, but was embarrassed so he made up an excuse.

Suddenly I felt that his behavior was both funny and a little cute.

Then she hinted and joked: "Ayu, if you want to see me next time, you can go through the door openly. It's not convenient to go through the window."

Seeing that Shi Jin still had the energy to tease him, Fan Hua raised his eyebrows and said calmly: "Mian Mian still has the energy to tease me, it seems that the injury is not serious."

Shi Jin frowned slightly, pulled the corners of his mouth, and sighed, "This whip wound is really painful. If I hadn't taken the knockout drug, I really couldn't bear it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fan Hua's heart paused and his brows furrowed, and his eyes gradually became filled with murderous intent.

I have made up my mind. It seems someone is going to be in trouble.

After a moment, Shi Jin thought that her fate of being assigned a marriage had been rewritten, and that she was the only one who could decide her future life. She could then wait patiently for the end of the story so that she could go home. She immediately relaxed her brows and eyes.

"It's great that this matter is finally over," she sighed.

After she finished speaking, she looked up and found Fan Hua in a daze. Then she called softly, "Ayu, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," Fan Hua responded after coming back to his senses.

Shi Jin looked out the window at the sky outside, and then suggested to Fan Hua: "Ah Yu, I have nothing to do. It's getting late. You should go back and rest early."

"Okay, you should have a good rest too." When he glanced at the Jade Cream on the table, he couldn't help but remind her again: "The Jade Cream is effective, remember to use it every day."

Shi Jin smiled faintly, with a doting look in his eyes, and said softly, "I know."

Suddenly, she noticed that the wind blowing in from the window was a little chilly. She was afraid of catching a cold, so when Fanhua was about to leave, she said, "Ayu, please help me close the window before you leave."

"Okay," Fan Hua's leisurely voice came from the door.

After a while, her window was closed. Seeing Jin smiling, she smoothed the quilt beside her and lay down peacefully. She had just woken up not long ago, and she probably couldn't fall asleep for a while, so she could only close her eyes and rest.

After a moment, Shi Jin suddenly opened his eyes, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

Could she have climbed over the wall to get in in the middle of the night?

Thinking of this, Shi Jin felt that Fan Hua was inexplicably cute today.