Chapter 237: Chapter 237 Xiang Qianqian becomes a concubine

“Xiang Qianqian…” Xiang Rongrong bit her lip.

Before she could say something, Xiang Qianqian stepped forward and slapped her across the face with a smack.

Xiang Qianqian’s delicate face was full of irony: “Xiang Rongrong, you’re really bold to disregard His Highness’s rules. Wait for your punishment! Someone, take her away!”

Li Fengcheng hurriedly explained: “This is not entirely her fault, it was me…”

Before he could finish, Xiang Qianqian narrowed her eyes at him, interrupting directly: “Do you think you can escape? Wait until I tell the Sixth Prince, none of you can walk away unscathed!”

An hour later.

All the female prisoners and soldiers were summoned outside.

Standing in the bitterly cold open space, they listened to the sound of whips lashing on Xiang Rongrong and Li Fengcheng, everyone’s face gloomy and silent.

The flickering light of the torches cast a grim glow, revealing the relentless expression of the Sixth Prince.

Seeing Xiang Rongrong’s back covered in blood, he remained indifferent and instead turned to the crowd and said, “Do you see? This is the consequence of defying the rules!”

“Do you think this is loyalty? Remember, if you accidentally carry a plague while delivering food, you could harm everyone upon your return!”

“I impose strict rules to protect all of you, yet there are always those who think they are smarter and refuse the help. Well, they deserve to be punished.”

Xiang Rongrong, once a Princess, delicate and tender, had her back covered in fresh blood after ten lashes.

Initially, she held back, clenching her teeth without making a sound, but now she grimaced with muffled moans, which eventually turned into suppressed cries.

Everyone listening felt an overwhelming heaviness in their hearts!

The Sixth Prince pursed his lips; this was the effect he desired.

These people had been spoiled by Jie Chen and Xiang Ying; if he wanted them to fully obey him, he needed to pick out a few ringleaders and torture them ruthlessly.

He turned back, looking at Xiang Qianqian: “Qianqian, thanks to your initiative this time, from now on, you are my concubine.”

Xiang Qianqian’s delicate face brightened, suppressed laughter hinted at the corners of her lips, maintaining her composure.

“Your Highness, really?”

“You wholeheartedly served me; it’s only right you receive this grant. Once we return to the Capital, I will petition the Ancestral Affairs Office to get your status as a concubine recorded on the Jade Scroll and give you the treatment a concubine deserves.”

Saying this, the Sixth Prince held her hand: “Qianqian, you have suffered with me.”

Xiang Qianqian’s complexion glowed, rarely feeling the tenderness of the Sixth Prince.

“For Your Highness, Qianqian doesn’t mind the hardship. You should go back and rest first, it’s freezing here. I’ll oversee the remaining ten lashes for you.”

“Good, with you here, I can certainly rest assured.” The Sixth Prince said softly and left.

As he turned away, his warm and affable expression disappeared instantly, replaced by a dark and icy coldness.

Fools like Xiang Qianqian are the perfect tools for tormenting these West Zhou prisoners.

The nicer he was to her, the more it showed the West Zhou people that obeying him was the only way to lead a good life, otherwise, their fate would be like Xiang Rongrong’s.

After the Sixth Prince left, Xiang Qianqian decisively commanded the guards handling the punishment.

“Have you not eaten? Since it’s whipping, you need to hit hard!”

Xiang Rongrong’s mouth was bleeding, her eyes bloodshot as she stared at Xiang Qianqian: “What are you proud of, helping others harm your own siblings, you’re despicable!!”

Xiang Qianqian sneered: “Allowing you some tough last words. Listen, give her five extra lashes, let’s see if she dares again!”

“Enough!” Xiang Li stepped forward, looking at Xiang Qianqian, “Qianqian, mercy begets mercy, please spare her for my sake, as I once lent you a helping hand.”

Xiang Qianqian, wrapped in her large cloak, raised her proud chin and let out a cold laugh.

“Who are you to talk to me in this manner?”

Xiang Li was stunned, Lin Lingxiang couldn’t help but say, “Fifth Princess, you…”

“Shut up!” Xiang Qianqian interrupted directly, “From now on, please address me as the concubine of the Sixth Prince, my status has now distinguished me from lowlifes like you.”

Xiang Li couldn’t believe that just a little favor from the Sixth Prince could change Xiang Qianqian so drastically.

He saw Xiang Qianqian slowly walking toward him, smiling triumphantly and wildly.

“Crown Prince, do you think that I would remember the food you gave me out of pity before? Then you are mistaken. You gave me food because your own sister, Xiang Ying, was unfair to me!”

“Everyone could receive favors from her, yet she targeted only me. Your kindness to me is nothing more than a debt you owe me!”

“But rest assured, I am not ungrateful. I, Xiang Qianqian, am known to repay kindness and seek revenge. I will not take your life, but don’t you dare beg for mercy, because you are not qualified to ask for it from me.”

Having said that, she turned her head towards the guards, “Beat him, beat him hard!”

Xiang Li was extremely disappointed.

He couldn’t help but recall Xiang Ying’s words that helping others is fine, but don’t regret it afterward.

It turns out that the courtiers were right about his excessive benevolence.

Xiang Li’s expression darkened as he watched the guards lash out savagely at Xiang Rongrong.

He suddenly stepped forward, recklessly protecting his sister.

“I will take the remaining lashes for her!”

Lin Lingxiang was worried, “Your Highness!”

Xiang Qianqian squinted her eyes, unmoved, “Since you’re asking for trouble, I can’t help it.”

Whip after whip came down, Xiang Rongrong cried out, “Crown Prince, are you alright?”

“Rongrong, don’t be scared, in Ayin’s absence, I should protect you,” Xiang Li said while gritting his teeth in pain.

Snow mixed with blood wet the back of Xiang Li’s clothes.

Lin Lingxiang knelt down decisively, pleading with Xiang Qianqian, “Fifth Princess… concubine of the Sixth Prince, please ask them to stop. His Highness has just recovered and cannot withstand this ordeal.”

Xiang Qianqian chuckled and without even looking at her, she kicked Lin Lingxiang aside.

Qi Fengyi shouted angrily, “Xiang Qianqian, don’t go too far!”

Xiang Yuanshuo pointed at her, “You evil thing, just wait to be disfigured!”

Furious, Xiang Qianqian flung her hand, commanding the guards.

“Beat them, beat them hard, they don’t know what’s good until they see their coffins!”

Xiang Li endured twenty lashes for Xiang Rongrong before Xiang Qianqian finally ordered them to stop.

She walked over and, in front of Xiang Rongrong, stomped on the bun fell on the ground and crushed it viciously.

This food was what Xiang Rongrong and others couldn’t bear to eat themselves, having saved it for Xiang Ying.

Now, it was trampled so ruthlessly, everyone’s eyes reddened.

Xiang Qianqian looked down, smugly saying, “Alright, I’m being merciful today, I will go check if big sister is dead or alive, hoping she is still alive.”

Having said this, she waved her hand, signaling the maids to pack up the trampled food to bring to Xiang Ying.

Xiang Qianqian left with her entourage pompously, Xiang Li watched her back and helped Xiang Rongrong up.

Xiang Rongrong cried angrily, “Let her be proud for now, when big sister comes out, she’ll get what she deserves!”

At that moment, the Sixth Prince back in the house, coughed continuously, feeling dizzy and uncomfortable.

He covered his forehead, feeling increasingly dizzy and especially feverish.

“Someone, call the Military Doctor!”