Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!

Chapter 544 - 543: Execution

When the nephew of King Fan arrived, Mr. Gao didn’t show him any kindness, nor did he greet him, merely signaling the guards to begin the punishment.

Two guards pressed Lu Qing to the ground, while another, holding a large stick for the beating, swung it round to strike Lu Qing’s body.

With a loud thump, a blood mark immediately appeared on Lu Qing’s back through his clothes.

Zhu Yu’s heart trembled, and she clenched her hands tightly.

One, two, three... who knows how many...

The blood marks on Lu Qing’s body gradually linked into one, making it hard to distinguish how many times he had been hit. The color of the blood seeped through the fabric, turning wetter, making one dread to think how much his body underneath the clothes had been damaged.

Zhu Yu bit her lips, her tears welling up in her eyes, but she fought hard to hold them back, unwilling to let even one drop fall.

Even though Lu Qing was beaten so severely, he gritted his teeth and remained silent; she had no reason to cry and weep on the side, which would only undermine Lu Qing’s spirit.

The crowd of onlookers initially came with a sense of curiosity, wanting to see how this troublemaking Prince Xiaoyao would be beaten, crying like a ghost, rolling on the ground.

What they saw instead was a man, despite wearing dirty and worn clothes, unable to conceal his noble aura, taking a brutal beating in silence, even as his flesh was torn and bloody.

The originally cacophonous chatter gradually died down, leaving only the sound of the beating, which got more severe as it continued, with each thud drawing gasps from the crowd. Some couldn’t bear to watch, choosing to leave or turn their faces away.

Finally, the beating was over, and not just Zhu Yu but even those who came to watch breathed a sigh of relief.

The guard responsible for the punishment came over, squatted down next to Lu Qing, and checked his breathing. After confirming, he stood up and nodded to Mr. Gao, "Mr. Gao, the punishment is complete, and the Prince is still alive.

What should be done now?"

"His Majesty ordered fifty blows outside the palace gates, no more no less. Since it’s done,

as for the rest, His Majesty will issue a decree tomorrow. For today, let the Prince’s people take him back to apply medicine and consult a doctor." Mr. Gao sighed gently, motioning to the guards.

The guards nodded, stepping aside, and those holding the talismans also relaxed slightly.

"Is this... is this it?!" The nephew of King Fan, who had been waiting aside, immediately came over upon hearing Mr. Gao’s words, reaching out to pull at Mr. Gao’s sleeve, "He caused my uncle’s death, and my uncle was the rightful King Fan! Just fifty blows and that’s it?!"

"Someone else prescribed the medicine for your uncle, King Fan, and they have already been imprisoned in the death cell." Mr. Gao turned aside to avoid the hand reaching for him, "Prince Xiaoyao was punished because he went to Bhutan on his own accord, causing trouble.

Such matters usually wouldn’t warrant fifty strokes, but His Majesty sympathizes with your uncle as a Vassal King, which is why this was handled accordingly.

You saw the force those guards used; for an ordinary person, fifty blows would have been enough to send them crossing the Naihe Bridge, so what more dissatisfaction do you have?"

The nephew of King Fan was left speechless for a moment, yet still felt begrudging, "Even if he didn’t prescribe the medicine, he was there and should be an accomplice!

My uncle was a vassal state’s Vassal King, and plotting against a Vassal King, by law, carries the ultimate punishment of extermination of nine generations, executing the entire clan!

These fifty strokes are too perfunctory, treating my uncle, the Vassal King, with such disregard!"

To an ordinary person, his words might have been intimidating, but Mr. Gao was no ordinary person.

Who was he anyway! Regularly mingling among the nobility and serving by the Emperor Jin’s side, assessing situations and managing concerns were all part of the job.

Mr. Gao gave the nephew a glance and chuckled, "Young man, I advise you to watch your words.

I’ve explained clearly just now that Prince Xiaoyao merely accompanied others and didn’t prescribe any medicine. Besides, no matter the crime committed, he is still a Prince of Jin Country.

To call for the extermination of his clan right out is treason..."

The nephew of King Fan, under Mr. Gao’s meaningful gaze, finally realized his error.

He had always heard that Emperor Jin was not fond of this Prince Xiaoyao, and since he wasn’t the Emperor’s own bloodline, he overlooked things and spoke rashly.

Now, Mr. Gao’s rebuke made him realize that even if not a biological son, titles were absolute, and saying "exterminate the clan" in front of Emperor Jin would likely get his head rolling instantly.

Realizing this, a cold sweat broke out on him instantly, his back growing chilly as his clothes stuck to his skin.

"You are not King Fan’s offspring, and before his death, he neither formally adopted you nor submitted any memorials to the Holy Emperor about preparing to pass the throne to you." Mr. Gao, undeterred, continued to smile at him, "Tomorrow morning, the Emperor will summon you for an audience.

At that time, regarding who should inherit the Fan Country throne and whether the punishment for Prince Xiaoyao is sufficient, you can present your case directly to His Majesty.

How about that?"

The nephew of King Fan, now completely unnerved, hastily mumbled a response, unwilling to continue arguing.

Only then did Mr. Gao signal to the talisman holders to carry Lu Qing away.

"Princess, please hold on a moment, this old servant has something to say."

Zhu Yu was about to check on Lu Qing’s condition when she heard Mr. Gao’s voice from behind.

She paused, looked back at Mr. Gao, uncertain of what he wanted to say to her.

"Tomorrow morning, His Majesty will issue an imperial decree." Mr. Gao glanced at Lu Qing, bloodied and beaten, and sighed with worry, "In his current state, the Prince likely cannot return on his own; Princess, you should find a place to settle before the decree comes down.

Take whatever is convenient and portable; the Prince Xiao Yao Mansion has not yet been confiscated, so there’s still time to gather things."