Everyone present was stunned by this palm strike. The servants who had been holding Shen Shijiu hurriedly let go and knelt on the ground with their heads lowered.
Xiaomei propped herself up and covered her cheek, feeling very confused.
It was obvious that their princess was the victim. The Lord actually sided with Shen Shijiu, who had no looks and no intelligence, and only had a pair of charming eyes.
Your Excellency must have been blinded by some means he used!
After Shen Shijiu was released, he subconsciously protected the kitten in his arms with one hand, and touched his swollen cheek with the other hand, and immediately hissed in pain.
Pei Zheng pulled his hand down, not letting him touch it again, his eyes filled with some heartache.
"Does it hurt?"
The inquiry was extremely gentle, and although the voice was not loud, everyone present could hear it clearly.
Shen Shijiu's eyes were wet with tears because of the concerned tone. He thought that no one would stand on his side and no one would support him anymore.
He said softly, "It hurts..."
Pei Zhengxin felt a sudden pain in his heart.
Qi Bingzhi was standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking at the two of them, her teeth almost bitten off. Her arm was still bleeding and her ankle was swollen, but Pei Zheng didn't seem to care about her at all.
What if she doesn't exist? Then what is she
"My Lord..." Shen Shijiu's nose was red, and he sobbed twice, his voice aggrieved, "Little Miaowu made a mistake, it scratched the princess, but it definitely didn't mean to..."
Xiaomei said angrily, "Shen Shijiu, you didn't see it, so how do you know it didn't mean it? That cat is very fierce, can't the princess touch it?"
Pei Zheng's eyes were still on Shen Shijiu's swollen face. He checked to see if he had any other injuries. Then he turned around and said coldly, "Who allowed you to talk? What should I do if you don't follow the rules?"
Li Yu next to him said, "According to the government rules, you should be slapped twenty times."
When Xiaomei heard this, she became very nervous, but she thought that she was close to Qi Bingzhi, and Pei Zheng would not really punish her.
"Sir, Shen Shijiu clearly spoke without permission just now..."
Pei Zheng sneered, "Well, I allow it. Why, do I need your consent?"
Xiaomei quickly shook her head, "No, no, I didn't mean that..."
"You didn't mean it that way but you said it out loud, why don't you slap me?"
Li Yu winked at the servants beside him, and the two of them walked over, pulled Xiaomei up, ordered her to kneel on the ground, and held down her arms.
Then a servant who looked very strong walked up to her, raised his hand and was about to hit her hard.
Pei Zheng suddenly spoke up to stop him.
Xiaomei was secretly delighted, thinking that Pei Zheng had changed his mind.
Pei Zheng turned his head and looked at Shen Shijiu, and whispered to him, "Go and fight back."
Shen Shijiu's eyes were full of tears, and he looked like a wronged and helpless little animal, without any killing power at all.
"I... I don't dare, I have never hit anyone... I won't..."
But Pei Zheng just stared at him without saying a word, and the people around him just stood there and didn't dare to move.
Shen Shijiu clenched his fists, mustered up his courage and walked over.
He closed his eyes, not daring to look at Xiaomei. He raised his hand and really slapped her. Although it was a lot lighter than the slap Xiaomei gave him, it hit right on the original fingerprint, and the pain instantly doubled.
After beating the man, Shen Shijiu quickly retreated and looked at Pei Zheng with an expression as if he had done something wrong.
Pei Zheng raised his hand, and the servant rolled up his sleeves and started slapping Xiaomei in public.
After Xiaomei was hit several times, the corners of her mouth were covered with wounds, her face was swollen beyond recognition, and there were several blood marks on her face.
Qi Bingzhi clenched his fingers tightly and turned his head away, not wanting to watch, but Xiaomei's cries of pain continued to drill into his ears.
She really couldn't bear to listen any longer, so she broke away from the servants' support, staggered in front of Xiaomei, and blocked her body.
The servant raised his hand high, but before he could retract it, it slammed loudly on Qi Bingzhi's face. He was so scared that he stopped his hand and looked at Pei Zheng, not knowing what to do.
Unexpectedly, Pei Zheng's expression did not change at all. He just looked at Qi Bingzhi with blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, and then ordered, "Continue."
The servant could only say to Qi Bingzhi, "Second Princess, I'm sorry."
Then he raised his hand again and carried out the rest of the punishment.
Qi Bingzhi was hit again on the other side of her face. She bit the tip of her tongue tightly and let out a muffled groan.
She didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Shen Shijiu, absolutely not!
Xiaomei's anxious tears welled up as she cried incoherently, "Princess, Princess, please get out of the way! Please get out of the way! Are you stupid? I will bear the consequences alone. You don't have to be punished with me!"
Qi Bingzhi still refused to move aside. Xiaomei pushed her aside with her body, but she got up again and protected her again.
Just like that, the twenty strokes of punishment were carried out. Qi Bingzhi received seven or eight slaps, and his fair face was already swollen.
Pei Zheng watched the whole show coldly. Shen Shijiu couldn't bear to watch it at first, but Pei Zheng held his shoulders and forced him to watch it together.
Then the group left Shuixieju.
Shen Shijiu did not return to his own room, but was taken to the room by Pei Zheng.
—After stepping into the room, Pei Zheng let go and pushed the person against the door.
—She lifted his chin with her hand and looked carefully at the fingerprints on his face. They seemed to be even more swollen.
In front of Shen Shijiu was Pei Zheng's handsome face. He didn't dare to breathe freely. He said with a slightly clamped throat, "Sir, I'm fine. This kind of injury will heal quickly..."
Pei Zheng looked into his eyes with a complicated expression. Without saying anything, he reached his other hand into his hanging sleeves.
Shen Shijiu suddenly tensed up and said anxiously, "Sir..."
Pei Zheng stretched out his fingers again, holding the box of medicine that he had applied to Shen Shijiu last time.
It turned out that he was just taking medicine. What was I thinking about? Why did I feel my ears were hot
Pei Zheng was applying ointment on Shen Shijiu, and he also saw his little red ears, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
"What are you thinking about? Huh?"
"No, nothing..."
"Really?" Pei Zheng took the ointment and put his fingers into Shen Shijiu's sleeves again.
This time, she didn't just put the ointment away and take it out. Instead, she slid it along his delicate arm twice, causing Shen Shijiu to tremble.
"You're so sensitive, it's really..." Pei Zheng leaned over and blew into his ear, "... That's great."
Shen Shijiu suddenly became like a rabbit with its fur standing on end, with his ears turning red all the way to his neck. Although nothing could be seen on his little face, his eyes were sparkling with tears, and he looked full of pleading.
He placed his small hand on Pei Zheng's chest, his strength was so small that it was insignificant, and his breathing was trembling slightly.
"Sir... too close... I can't... breathe..."
Pei Zheng was deliberately pushed farther away by him, and Shen Shijiu quickly covered his chest and took a few deep breaths.
Fortunately, he felt that he almost suffocated to death.
Pei Zheng looked at him breathing heavily, and the thoughts that had popped up in his mind many times began to stir again.
He pulled Shen Shijiu up, walked into the inner room, and came to the locked wardrobe.
After opening the wardrobe, it was actually filled with embroidered robes, all in cream white color, some of which were embroidered with gold thread piping, looking very luxurious.
But there is also a fiery red cloak, pressed at the very bottom, the color is bright and beautiful, and the workmanship is extremely exquisite.
These clothes all look like they are new and have never been worn.
Pei Zheng picked out one of the items, and then took out the cloak as well, and handed it to Shen Shijiu.
Shen Shijiu took it obediently, but stood there motionless.
Pei Zheng tilted his chin to him and said, "Go change it."
When Shen Shijiu touched the smooth and soft fabric in his hand, he knew that it must be worth a lot of money and was clothes that he could never afford to wear.
He was a little confused, "Me?"
"Or it's me?"
Pei Zheng was struck by his stupidity and chuckled without any blame in his eyes, with the corners of his eyes slightly raised, which made Shen Jiujiu lose his mind for a moment.
"Sir... it's really beautiful..." Shen Shijiu was stunned and didn't realize what he said.
"Yes, I know."
Pei Zheng patted his little head. After looking at this face for a long time, he actually felt that it looked handsome. "Go quickly."
Shen Shijiu still responded "Oh" blankly, then walked behind the screen holding the clothes.
He took off his clothes and carefully put on a new robe. The robe fit him perfectly, as if it was tailor-made for him. The cuffs, collar, and slim waist, every part fit him perfectly.
Shen Shijiu lowered his head and tied his corset, but unfortunately he couldn't see from behind, and he tried for a long time but failed to get it right.
—Hands suddenly came from his side, and the deft fingers straightened his corset for him, then went around to the front to tie it for him.
Shen Shijiu's body was tense. He could feel Pei Zheng close behind him, his breath whispering in his ears.
Hot and itchy.
Wasn’t the adult on the other side? When did he come over? How come I didn’t hear any sound
Pei Zheng glanced at him from behind. The naked white back kept lingering in his mind, and his body felt hot as he looked at it.
He reached out and took the cloak to tie it on him. Although the person in front of him did not have a stunning appearance, he had a good figure and manners, and was very elegant.
Something seems to be wrong.
Pei Zheng suddenly raised his hand and loosened Shen Shijiu's hair, which had been tied up high. His jet-black hair cascaded down in an instant, long and heavy, and scattered behind Shen Shijiu's thin shoulders.
She gathered some of his hair up, and the rest was still scattered behind his head, with a few strands hanging down on both sides.
Now, with his gorgeous clothes, the man in front of him actually looked like a handsome young man from a family.
But the red marks on his face that hadn't faded away yet were heartbreaking to look at.
Pei Zheng stretched out his hand to cover the lower half of Shen Shijiu's face. His small face, which was the size of a palm, could be completely covered by the big hand, leaving only a pair of watery eyes under his long and charming eyelashes, looking at him with a bit of timidity and shyness.
Pei Zheng's heart tightened and he slowly leaned forward, getting closer and closer to Shen Shijiu, his fingers still on his lips.
Shen Shijiu's heart was beating like thunder and he slowly closed his eyes.
"Knock, knock, knock", someone is knocking on the door.
Shen Shijiu suddenly opened his eyes, and Pei Zheng's face just stopped in front of him. His half-closed eyes met Shen Shijiu's, and his thin lips continued to move forward and gently touched the back of his hand.
And under the back of her hand were Shen Shijiu's pink lips.
"Master, it's almost time to go to the palace and prepare."
It was Chengfeng who reminded Pei Zheng outside the door that Pei Zheng had to go to the palace first for the evening banquet to represent the Celestial Empire to accompany the barbarian leader Amul.
Pei Zheng let go of Shen Shijiu, walked over and opened the door.
I couldn't hear what he told Chengfeng, but I saw Chengfeng look up at Shen Shijiu, then nodded respectfully.
Pei Zheng entered the palace first in a sedan chair.
Shen Shijiu was still standing stupidly in Pei Zheng's room, touching the embroidered robe on his body, thinking how comfortable it was to wear. It was a pity that he might not be able to wear it in the future, so he might as well take the opportunity to touch it a few more times.
After a while, a few maids came into the room, surrounded Shen Shijiu, and took care of him from head to toe.
Finally, a veil was tied behind Shen Shijiu's ears, covering his face and the red fingerprints on his face, leaving only a pair of eyes visible.
Then the maids withdrew and came in by the wind, leading the confused Shen Shijiu out of the courtyard and to the front yard of the prime minister's mansion.
There was a sedan chair parked outside the mansion, and many guards and servants were waiting outside.
Chengfeng stepped out of the door, but saw Shen Shijiu still standing in the yard in a daze.
"Come with me."
Chengfeng tried to speak as softly as possible. He felt that the person in front of him was of a delicate and weak type and might not be able to bear hearing harsh words.
"Where are we going?" Shen Shijiu asked, looking up.
"Enter the palace."
"Going into the palace?" Shen Shijiu blinked. "Going back to the Imperial Hospital, sir, do you want to send me back?"
He didn't realize that his tone sounded a little disappointed, but the listeners could hear it clearly.
Cheng Feng turned back and said, "No, I'm not sending you back. My Lord wants to take you to the banquet tonight."
"Night Banquet..."
Shen Shijiu repeated it. Although he had stayed in the palace for some time, it was basically in the Imperial Hospital and he had never seen any big scenes.
His eyes lit up instantly, and his voice became bright and cheerful, "Then let's go quickly, Afeng."
Chengfeng paused, "What did you call me?"
Shen Shijiu pursed his lips and said, "Guardian Feng."
"No, you just called me." Chengfeng frowned, he was sure that he did not hear wrong.
"But I did call Guard Feng..." Shen Shijiu also tried hard to recall what he had just said. It seemed that he did call Guard Feng.
Now is not the time to worry about this, Chengfeng gathered his thoughts and went out with Shen Shijiu.
"Where is Guard Feng going?"
Qi Bingzhi's voice sounded behind him.
Chengfeng and Shen Shijiu stood at the door and looked back, only to see that Qi Bingzhi had also changed into formal clothes. His face was as pale as a ghost, and it seemed that he had applied a lot of gouache to cover up the fingerprints.
But her ankle was still swollen and she could not stand steadily, so she had to be supported by a maid.
Qi Bingzhi saw a figure wearing a fiery red cloak beside Chengfeng. The person had a veil on his face, revealing watery eyes with slightly upturned corners, which made him look innocent and charming.
At first glance, it gives people the illusion that an old friend has returned.
But Qi Bingzhi quickly realized that the person was Shen Shijiu.
"Meet the Second Princess."
Cheng Feng still bowed and saluted, "It's getting late. I have a mission to complete, so I'll take my leave first."
Qi Bingzhi was anxious when he saw this. "Where is the master? Where did the master go? Why didn't you come with me into the palace?"
Chengfeng just glanced at Qi Bingzhi. She was still struggling to maintain the superficial prosperity.
"My Lord has ordered that the Second Princess is injured and cannot attend. My Lord will report this to the Emperor and the Empress."
Qi Bingzhi pushed away the maid next to him, and stood up firmly. He felt a piercing pain in his ankle.
“But everyone has to bring their families to the banquet tonight. I’m fine, I can…” Before he could finish his words, Qi Bingzhi wanted to walk forward alone, but his steps weakened and he fell to the ground.
The maid hurried over to help her.
"Second Princess, this is the master's order, I will only follow it."
Chengfeng gave a look, and several guards stepped forward to block Qi Bingzhi, separating her from the two of them like a solid wall.
Qi Bingzhi was filled with resentment and pointed at Shen Shijiu, "I can't go to the palace banquet, but I want to bring him to it, right? What kind of rules and principles are these in the Prime Minister's Mansion?"
Cheng Feng's face turned cold when he heard this, "Second Princess, are you questioning the Lord?"
"Answer me! Do you want to take him with you?"
Shen Shijiu was twiddling his fingers nervously. The atmosphere in the courtyard was too tense, so he kept his head down obediently.
Chengfeng nodded, "Yes."
When Qi Bingzhi heard this affirmative answer, she suddenly laughed, and the powder on her face fell down, making her look a little scary.
"Okay, okay, take him there, let him go to the night banquet that everyone is paying attention to, and let others see who Prime Minister Pei is bringing to the banquet with him!"
Cheng Feng turned around and blocked Qi Bingzhi's sight towards Shen Shijiu, and said lightly, "Don't worry about it, Second Princess."
Then he took Shen Shijiu out of the prime minister's residence.
The door slowly closed in front of Qi Bingzhi's eyes, locking away her last hope and dignity.
Shen Shijiu climbed onto the carriage, sat in obediently, then lifted the curtain and looked at Chengfeng.
"Guardian Feng, can I really go?"
"certainly."
"But, aren't there a lot of people there? Will I embarrass you..."
"No, don't think too much."
Chengfeng let down the curtain for him, and the sedan chair of the prime minister's residence moved all the way towards the palace.
When entering the palace gate, the guards all saluted respectfully.
Shen Shijiu quietly peeked out from the gap in the curtain, and after seeing the majestic main gate of the palace and the magnificent sleeping palaces that stretched as far as the eye could see, he exclaimed "Wow" softly.
He had never seen such a scene in the Imperial Hospital.
The sedan chair slowly stopped. Shen Shijiu got off and followed Chengfeng silently. After passing through courtyards and corridors, it finally stopped in front of the side hall door.
This side hall is right next to the palace where the banquet will be held tonight. Cheng Feng said to Shen Shijiu, "Go in, the master is waiting for you inside."
Shen Shijiu nodded obediently and pushed the door open.
The light inside was dim, but one could tell that the decoration was elegant and very stylish. There was also a faint fragrance on the table, and Shen Shijiu could tell that the fragrance had the effect of clearing the mind and making one wise.
After taking two steps inside, I could clearly see a person sitting behind the dim desk.
Pei Zheng sat relaxedly on the chair, his hands on his temples, his body slightly leaning against the back of the chair, closing his eyes to rest.
Shen Shijiu walked up to him and saw that his collar was a little loose, as if it had been torn open by someone.
"grown ups"
Shen Shijiu's voice was like that of a kitten, and he called him very softly.
Pei Zheng didn't move.
Shen Shijiu tiptoed over and quietly reached out his hand to help him fix his collar.
The little hands had just pulled Pei Zheng's collar when they were suddenly held tightly by another slender hand.
Shen Shijiu looked at Pei Zheng nervously. His eyelashes moved and his eyes slowly opened.
"Your Highness..."
The sound that came out of Pei Zheng's throat dissipated in an instant.
But in the quiet room, both of them could hear it clearly.
Shen Shijiu was puzzled, "Your Highness? Who is it?"
Pei Zheng had regained consciousness and could see clearly who the person in front of him was.
He didn't answer, but reached out and rubbed his eyebrows.
Pei Zheng couldn't stand those people flattering Amul, so he made an excuse to the emperor that he was not feeling well and left with a sullen face. While resting here, he also waited for Shen Shijiu.
The night banquet hadn't started yet, and those people were just chatting and speaking official language, which was very boring.
He felt a pair of soft little hands on his temples, kneading them in a regular circle. The strength was just right and the acupoints were found accurately. Pei Zheng felt very comfortable being kneaded.
Shen Shijiu held up his hand and rubbed Pei Zheng for a long time, and only put it down when his arm was so sore that he could no longer support it.
He pinched his arm, but Pei Zheng pulled his arm over and rubbed it carefully from top to bottom with his fingers.
When the numbness was pinched, Shen Shijiu couldn't help but groan twice.
"Yeah..."
Pei Zheng paused for a moment before pinching again.
"Are you comfortable?"
Shen Shijiu nodded, "Very comfortable"
"Another one?"
Shen Shijiu obediently changed his arm and raised it in front of Pei Zheng.
"want"
"What?" Pei Zheng raised his eyebrows and looked at him, "Do you want it or not?"
"Yes!" Shen Shijiu thought Pei Zheng really didn't hear clearly, so he raised his voice a little.
Pei Zheng curled the corners of his lips and pulled his arm over to rub it.
The two of them spent a lot of time in this side hall, and the night banquet was about to begin.
Pei Zheng pushed open the door and walked out with Shen Shijiu.
Cheng Feng had been waiting at the door for some time. When he saw Pei Zheng, he leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "Master, I have found the person you asked me to find."
Pei Zheng's eyes suddenly darkened and he glanced at Shen Shijiu who was standing beside him.
Shen Shijiu was looking around like a curious doll, and didn't notice that Pei Zheng was looking at him with inquiring eyes.
Pei Zheng didn't stay any longer. He just grabbed Shen Shijiu's wrist and strode towards the brightly lit palace in front.