Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Since the world knew of the young lord’s affection for Prince Rui, why would the latter still want to get close to him on purpose? According to Mu Qingge, more often than not, it was Qin Jinhao who took the initiative.
For a young girl who had to conceal her identity, such closeness was undoubtedly something she relied on and missed, even though the prince didn’t show any love and admiration.
“I was born without the ability to cultivate; I am a good-for-nothing. If I wasn’t arrogant and domineering, I would have been bullied by everyone in the whole Mu family a long time ago.”
Nevertheless, her words were met with a snort of laughter from Mu Ge. “You were overbearing simply because of your grandfather’s reputation. A day will come when the old man is no longer around. Do you think your arrogance and domineering will help you retain the prestigious name of the Master Yong Ning?
“I know.” Instead of becoming annoyed, Mu Qingge lowered her eyes. “That’s why I…”
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The sudden drum beats interrupted Mu Qingge’s unspoken words.
“What’s going on?” Mu Ge asked with raised brows as she looked out the tent, towards the direction of the drums.
Mu Qingge bit her lower lip and replied, “That’s the drum beat for a military gathering. It must be my grandfather’s order.”
Before the sound of these words dissipated, Mu Ge saw the tent’s curtain opened from the outside. Two lightly-armored, tense soldiers appeared before her.
The tips of her eyebrows rose again. Mu Ge didn’t speak.
“My lord, the General has asked for you,” both said.
In the army, they were still more accustomed to addressing Mu Xiong as General.
Mu Ge licked her lips and leaped to her feet. She casually flicked her slightly wrinkled clothes before walking out of the tent with her back straightened.
Her steps were unhurried and her head held high as though she couldn’t allow herself to flinch even if there was a sea of fire and swords in front of her.
The two soldiers, who had been ordered to come for her, exchanged looks at each other. There was surprise in their eyes. This person standing in front of them was somewhat different from the young lord they were familiar with.
He actually didn’t rebuke them?
He was walking out on his own accord?
The two soldiers thought to themselves with grief and anger, ‘Young lord, shouldn’t you be scolding us with your finger pointed at the tip of our noses, then kicking us a couple of times, and make us kneel before you to appease you before you reluctantly moved? It’s not logical for you to be leaving so quickly! Ah!’
Unfortunately, Mu Ge couldn’t hear their inner thoughts. She followed the sound of the drums wondering what Mu Xiong was planning to do.
Step by step, Mu Ge’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.
In less than two hours, barracks had been erected systematically on the previously barren land. The guards on patrol, convert as well as undercover sentries were at their respective positions. It was clear that Mu Xiong’s ability to lead his troops had not been blown out of proportion.
The war drums stood on the open field outside the middle tent. Mu Xiong was sitting at the main seat while Prince Rui sat on his right wearing a python robe. The other officers who came with the army sat on both sides.
Not only that, even the soldiers without ranks were also lined up in formation and stood like rifles without making a sound.
Mu Ge took a quick glance at her surroundings. Her eyes landed on a raised platform directly in front of Mu Xiong.
The mentioned platform was only three feet off the ground.
There were two pillars standing on the square raised platform and two iron rings were nailed to each pillar. A man stood on the platform. His upper body was naked and his muscles as taut as a hill as he stood with his feet apart. He held a long whip that was as thick as a baby’s wrist with a look of indifference.
Mu Ge’s eyebrows throbbed. A bad premonition began to overwhelm her.
“Kneel, Mu Qingge!” A sudden roar came from Mu Xiong. Mu Ge turned her attention towards him.
“Why?” There was no fear on Mu Ge’s pale but beautiful face. She merely stared calmly at Mu Xiong. The posture of her thin body was as straight as a sword; her demeanor was neither humble nor overbearing.
Mu Xiong’s tiger-like eyes glared at his grandson. The young man’s performance drew a hint of appreciation which flew across his face like lightning. “Humph! You left the capital without permission and got involved in a war. Because of your actions, five hundred of your personal guards lost their innocent lives. Do you still not know where your fault lies?”
Mu Xiong was a man who loved his men. He treated every soldier under his command like his son and nephew. He was not putting on a show when he reprimanded Mu Qingge. On the contrary, justice must be served. He wanted Mu Qingge to account for the dead soldiers. More importantly, he wanted Mu Qingge to understand that there was a price to pay for his willfulness.
He spoke with such force and emotions that it shook Mu Ge’s qi and blood.
However, she was not angry in the slightest and she didn’t object.
She remained silent.
Nevertheless, Qin Jinhao, who had been sitting on Mu Xiong’s right side, spoke up, “My Old Lord, five hundred martyrs have lost their lives in the Sunset Wilderness. Qingge must be devastated. Now that he has just suffered such a great tragedy, please be lenient with him, my Lord.”
He looked towards Mu Qingge after saying that, but he didn’t see the look of gratitude and admiration in the latter’s eyes as he had expected.
Qin Jinhao was stunned, but he forced himself to suppress his feeling of disgust. His fingers twisted gently as he leaned on the armrest. Something seemed to be getting out of his control.
Mu Xiong took a glance at Qin Jinhao, then he looked at Mu Ge and asked, “Mu Qingge, do you think I’ll let this matter slide just like that?” There was a hint of nervousness hidden in his words. He was afraid that his grandson’s reply would disappoint him and caused despair to his men.
It didn’t matter that he had a useless physique as the first grandson of the Mu family. A day would come when Mu Xiong died. As long as Mu Xiong could convince his men, his grandson would be able to defend himself.
“Grandfather, may I know what is my punishment?” Mu Ge asked in return, candidly. She completely disregarded Qin Jinhao’s plea on her behalf.
“One hundred lashings,” Mu Xiong replied.
His answer caused the numerous officers and soldiers to exchange side glances among themselves. They were speculating how Mu Qingge’s small body was going to withstand his sentence of one hundred lashings.
Mu Ge pursed her lips, turned around without saying a word, and strode towards the raised platform where her punishment would be executed.
The crowd was silent. Even the scheming Qin Jinhao was waiting for Mu Ge’s next move.
Mu Ge ascended the platform. Instead of standing between the two pillars, she faced all the soldiers below with her hands behind her back and feet apart, and simply told the executioner, “The old General has sentenced me for one hundred lashings. I will add another one hundred more as a condolence to the five hundred who have lost their lives! Do it!”