Chapter 150
After reading the story, Qiu Chi felt it was quite a raw deal for Pei Siyi.
Besides, could such a useless person really be a good emperor?
Qiu Chi arrived just as the emperor was forcing Pei Siyi to change back into women's clothing and marry the Tanhua Lang.
Qiu Chi had no intention of dealing with Jian Ninghua as the original plot dictated.
Without Pei Siyi's help, it would be utterly impossible for such a useless man to succeed in his rebellion.
As for whether she would support someone else's ascension or take the throne herself, that would depend on her mood.
Qiu Chi lifted the bridal veil from her head, tossed it aside, and waited for the Tanhua Lang to arrive.
A moment later, a reluctant Tanhua Lang was pushed inside. The people outside immediately locked the door, shutting the two of them in.
The Tanhua Lang shouted for a while, but when no one responded, he had no choice but to turn around.
Seeing that Qiu Chi had already removed her veil, he sneered, "Being forced to marry you is the greatest concession I will ever make. I will never touch you."
Qiu Chi sneered, "You actually fantasize about touching me? Touch me, and I'll beat you until you have nothing left down there."
The Tanhua Lang, who had never expected such a response, was utterly stunned. "You... you're vulgar! You don't have a shred of feminine grace!"
"Who says a woman has to be graceful? I don't want to waste my breath on you. Sleep on the floor."
Although the Tanhua Lang was shocked by Qiu Chi's personality, her attitude was actually a relief. He had been terrified that this Princess Qingping would become attached to him, and he had no desire to betray his Wan'er.
The Tanhua Lang didn't sleep on the floor; he slept slumped over the table. Qiu Chi paid him no mind.
In the middle of the night, however, she snuck out and gave Jian Ninghua a sound beating.
Qiu Chi disdained to even kill such a cowardly man, feeling it would dirty her hands. When she beat him, she used her whip, resolute in not letting her hands get soiled.
The next day, the door was opened. A matron came in, and when she saw the clear division between the two, her expression soured.
"Princess, this simply will not do. Why must you make things so difficult for us servants?"
The Tanhua Lang remained silent, his face impassive.
Qiu Chi said bluntly, "Mind your own business. If the palace asks, tell them the truth. If there's a problem, tell him to come see me himself."
These matrons knew Pei Siyi's true identity. As much as they feared the emperor, they didn't dare actually force her to do anything.
Now that Qiu Chi had spoken, they offered a few pitiful-sounding platitudes before taking their leave.
Qiu Chi kicked the Tanhua Lang out to a separate courtyard, and he was more than happy for the freedom.
According to the emperor's decree, they were not to leave the manor for three days.
Although Pei Siyi was the Crown Prince, she had never formally attended the imperial court. Court affairs were reviewed with her daily, and she was instructed by the Grand Tutor, but she had never been present for an official session.
At present, the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace was officially "ill."
Unwilling to be cooped up in the manor, Qiu Chi went out on her own.
She went to enjoy the spectacle of Jian Ninghua's suffering.
Last night, he had been whipped until his body was covered in bloody welts, and it had happened within the General's Manor, yet they couldn't find the assailant. Madam Jian was trembling with rage and placed the blame squarely on the emperor.
Despite being covered in injuries, Jian Ninghua didn't forget to comfort the trembling Madam Jian. "Mother, don't be angry. I'm fine. It will heal quickly after I apply some medicine."
Madam Jian stroked his head and sighed. "My child, you have suffered all these years. But Mother had no other choice. If I hadn't done this, I'm afraid you would have ended up just like your two older brothers..."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Jian Ninghua's eyes, but he said, "I know, Mother. You did it all for my own good. I don't consider it a hardship. Rest assured, I will avenge my brothers."
"Good child. Let's not speak of this for now. Just focus on healing. I'll handle your father, so you don't need to worry."
Jian Ninghua murmured a soft reply. After watching Madam Jian depart, he closed his eyes, feeling utterly drained.
With no one else in the room, Qiu Chi let out a "tsk" and said bluntly, "Useless."
Jian Ninghua, who had just begun to relax, instantly tensed up. "Who's there?"
Qiu Chi didn't reveal herself, simply saying, "You don't need to know who I am. You only need to know that you are useless."
Jian Ninghua clenched his fists, his chest tight with suppressed rage.
If not for his injuries, he would have leaped up to find and kill the person who had insulted him.
But he was injured, so all he could do was shout angrily, "Who are you? What right do you have to call me useless? You're the one hiding in the shadows, a shameless coward who doesn't dare show your face!"
Qiu Chi chuckled lightly and lashed out with her whip again.
"A sharp tongue is useless. It doesn't change the fact that you're a waste of space."
The moment the whip struck him, Jian Ninghua knew who it was. "It was you last night?!"
Qiu Chi admitted it freely. "That's right, it was me. You see? I can whip you whenever I please, and you don't even have the strength to fight back. If that doesn't make you useless, what does?"
"If you're not useless, then what are you? The king of the useless? If you want to think of it that way, that's fine too. At least it shows you have some self-awareness."
Jian Ninghua's fists were clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. He trembled with rage, but he didn't know how to retaliate.
Call for help? That would only prove her right.
But if he tried to get up on his own, he would only tear his wounds open and gain nothing.
"I'm not useless! I'm not useless!"
Jian Ninghua struggled to his feet, ignoring the risk of his wounds reopening, but he still couldn't find Qiu Chi.
The only sound was Qiu Chi's mocking, laughter-laced voice. "Useless is useless. Even if you refuse to admit it, the fact remains."
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