The Adventures of the Crying Princess

Several people from the Military Affairs Office and the Cabinet were in the Imperial Study. After Eunuch Chen went in to report the incident, he advised, "Princess, His Majesty is busy. Please wait. We will all endure the scolding or beating from His Majesty, but we dare not talk back."

"Thank you for your advice, I will definitely keep it in mind."

Eunuch Chen thought about it and felt uneasy, so he reminded him again, "Little Ancestor, you are already a mother, why are you still so impulsive?

When you see His Majesty, you should cry and keep admitting your mistakes. It is best to ask for a beating, and His Majesty will be soft-hearted and perhaps forgive you. Don’t talk back.”

"Father, are you angry?" Bai Yimeng thought that he shouldn't be that angry. After all, the fate of Marquis Jiaxi was already decided, and it shouldn't be a big deal whether he died in prison or on the execution ground.

Eunuch Chen shook his head helplessly and said no more. Soon, the ministers came out of the imperial study.

Seeing Bai Yimeng bowing and greeting one after another, Bai Yimeng was returning the greetings one by one when he heard the voice of Emperor Chengde coming from inside, "Bai Yimeng, get in here."

"Princess, don't forget to cry." Eunuch Chen reminded in a low voice.

Bai Yimeng nodded slightly, lowered his head, and walked into the imperial study.

"My daughter-in-law greets my father. May your father be well and safe."

Emperor Mingde lowered his head and rubbed his fingers. After a while, he asked, "Marquis Jiaxi is dead. Is it related to you?"

"Father, my inner strength has not yet fully recovered. I cannot break through the prison with my fists and feet alone. Father, please understand that my daughter-in-law has always been well-behaved and would not do such a thing..."

Emperor Mingde interrupted Bai Yimeng and asked through gritted teeth, "How long has it been since I last beat you?"

"Father, it's really not true..."

"Bai Yimeng! Without solid evidence, would I call you here? You are getting more and more presumptuous, and the Marquis dares to kill you at will. Do you know that this is a capital crime? Lie down on the table and don't let me pull you down."

After hearing what Emperor Chengde said, Bai Yimeng lost her confidence. After all, Yunyin was nominally hers, and what Yunyin did was no different from what she did.

He lay obediently on the table and said, "Father, I am grown up now, can you please hit me more gently?"

Emperor De was so angry that he laughed and grabbed the ruler and hit him, "You naughty boy, you still know that you are grown up. You are already a mother, if it is a small matter, why would I hit you?

That's the Marquis, the Marquis I personally conferred upon him, and you dared to kill him. You are getting more and more daring.

Lift up your skirt, or you’ll get yourself bruised and unable to go out.”

Bai Yimeng almost fainted after hearing what the emperor said. It seemed that the old emperor was really angry. Bai Yimeng had no choice but to do as he said and lifted her skirt, revealing her snow-white silk trousers.

Emperor Mingde raised his hand and hit two rulers. The silk was very thin and made a crisp sound when it hit. Outside the imperial study, court officials Bai Yimeng was in great pain, but he didn't dare to shout or scream, and just sobbed quietly.

"Marquis Jiaxi's guilt is clear, and his death sentence is a foregone conclusion. Why are you interfering?" Emperor Chengde became more and more angry as he spoke. He hit Bai Yimeng hard for more than ten times. When he saw Bai Yimeng crying, he stopped and patted her head gently. "Tell me what you think? Why did you do this?"

"Father, I was wrong. I won't dare to do it again. Please stop fighting."

Emperor Chengde closed his eyes, as if he hadn't heard it, and repeated the question again, "It's too late to know you're wrong now. Tell me what you think."

"I'm afraid you'll be soft-hearted and let him go. He killed many of my fellow disciples, and I don't want to see him get away with it, like Prince Ying and Prince Qi did."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chengde was so angry that he trembled all over. He lashed Bai Yimeng with a ruler for more than ten times. Bai Yimeng couldn't help crying because of the pain. Seeing her trembling in pain, he stopped and sat beside her, "You naughty monkey, do you think I didn't punish Prince Ying lightly?"

"My daughter-in-law doesn't dare."

"Hmph, what are you afraid of? I treated them both leniently. That's because the Empress Dowager is old and can't bear to see her children and grandchildren suffer. I had no choice but to do so." Emperor Mingde gently wiped the sweat off her face.

"Prince Ying is your younger brother, Prince Qi is your son, and Marquis Jiaxi is the descendant of a meritorious official. I am just a wild girl, and no one will care even if I die." Bai Yimeng didn't feel wronged at first, but when she said this, she felt unhappy.

The emperor hit her on the head and said, "You are talking nonsense again. You are my treasure, you cannot talk nonsense. I hit you because I am afraid that you don't know the seriousness of this matter and make a big mistake next time."

Seeing Bai Yimeng's aggrieved look and the light bloodstains on her white pants, Emperor Chengde's heart softened and he touched her head. "Okay, let's stop here today. Don't be impulsive again in the future."

Bai Yimeng lay on the table motionless, sobbing softly.

The old emperor squatted down and wiped her sweat with a handkerchief. "Do you still feel wronged?"

Bai Yimeng sobbed softly and muttered, "My daughter-in-law doesn't dare."

The emperor smiled and shook his head, "Silly girl, I'm not afraid that you will blame me. I beat you because I'm afraid you will go astray.

Go and ask which of my princes and princesses dares to kill someone at will, and the person they killed is a marquis. Even the crown prince is not as brave as you.

Okay, stop crying. You are already a mother. Do I need to tell you these truths?"

Seeing Bai Yimeng still crying, he looked at the bloodstains on her pants, sighed, and wiped her tears. He gently advised, "Let's go over this matter, okay? Okay, I still have official business, you can go back home."

Emperor Chengde couldn't bear to see Bai Yimeng in this state, so he waved his hand and signaled her to leave.

"I also want to get up and don't want to embarrass myself, but I can't get up. It hurts too much." Bai Yimeng sobbed.

Emperor Chengde sighed and pretended to be angry, "In my opinion, the beating was too light. A few more hits and he will get up."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yimeng jumped up, staggered to her feet, and smiled at Emperor Chengde, "Don't worry, father. Your Majesty, there's no need to worry. My daughter-in-law is fine now." She stood up in a hurry and stretched the wound. Bai Yimeng grimaced in pain.

"Get out, you little monkey. If you dare to mess around again, I'll beat you again." The old emperor rubbed his brows and threw the ruler aside. "Let Xiao Chenzi take you back. Write a letter of apology and hand it in. If your attitude is not right, I'll beat you again."

Bai Yimeng responded and bowed to leave. Bai Yimeng was in great pain and finally managed to return to the palace.

As soon as he entered Lanyue Pavilion, he saw Yunyin kneeling in the yard. Bai Yimeng ignored him. Yinsi had already prepared everything and was just waiting for Bai Yimeng to return home. Seeing Bai Yimeng like this, he hurried forward to support her.

I went back to my room, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep. I fell into a deep sleep. I didn't know how long I slept. When I opened my eyes, I saw Yuwen Ji, "Don't be afraid, it doesn't hurt. Father didn't use too much force."

Yuwen Ji felt extremely distressed and touched her head, "I know everything. It's not your fault this time. But you have been wronged. What are you going to do?" After saying that, he pointed towards the door.

"Where is Kumogakure? Call him over."

Yinsi was watching over her, and when she heard the order, she quickly responded, "Master, he is still kneeling outside."

Bai Yimeng propped himself up and said, "Tell him to get up. It's not worth it to kneel down and break his legs."

"He caused trouble and caused the master to be beaten. He deserves to be crippled on his knees." Yinsi sobbed softly.

Bai Yimeng shook his head and urged weakly, "Don't talk nonsense, we are all from the same sect, it shouldn't be like this."

Yuwen Ji touched Bai Yimeng's head and kissed her. He turned his head and looked at Yinsi, "Let Yunyin get up first. We can talk about this matter after the princess gets better."

Yinsi obeyed the order and went out. Yuwen Ji lifted the quilt and said, "Lie down so that I can have a look."

Bai Yimeng rested his chin on the back of his hand, pouting his lips in grievance, "It would be a lie to say it doesn't hurt. But don't worry, I've taken painkillers, so I'm fine."

"You, be content. It's your father who has given you a beating. You wouldn't know what would happen to you now." Yuwen Ji took out the ointment and applied it gently.

"I've been so embarrassed today. My father didn't give me any face at all. There are court officials standing outside. It's embarrassing just thinking about it."

Thinking about what happened during the day, Bai Yimeng wished he could find a hole in the ground to crawl into and never come out again.

After applying the medicine, Yuwen Ji blew on it and covered her with the quilt, "Silly Princess, your father did this not to embarrass you, but to tell everyone that he personally handled the matter of you killing Marquis Jiaxi, and this matter ends here.

Don't forget that you killed the Marquis, and this crime is enough to cost you your head. Your father is protecting you, don't be ungrateful.

Right now, it's Yunyin who is causing the trouble. How are you going to deal with him?"

"Don't ask me. I'm in so much pain right now, and my brain isn't working well." Bai Yimeng grabbed Yuwen Ji's arm and said, "Hug me."

Yuwen Ji was very happy with this. He lay down beside her and held her in his arms. "Would you like to tell a story or listen to a little song?"

"Listen to a little tune."