And Changyi stood motionless. Princess Shunde narrowed her eyes slightly. She tilted her head and looked at Ji Yunhe from side to side. "Fine." Princess Shunde turned to Eunuch Zhang next to her.
"The Demon Valley, don't they have a scarlet whip? Bring it."
"It's been prepared."
As soon as Eunuch Zhang's words fell, another servant girl next to him presented the whip. Princess Shunde grabbed it, looked at it, and then casually dropped it onto the ground just like the jade pot.
"Young valley master."
Princess Shunde pointed to the scarlet whip. Lin Haoqing walked forward and picked it up.
"The last letter I sent to your valley, do you remember what was written in it?"
"I remember."
"Then remind this... Master Warden of yours." Princess Shunde stared at Ji Yunhe.
"What are my wishes, tell her one by one. A whip for each. I'm afraid Master Warden might have forgotten them." Lin Haoqing held the whip and walked over.
He looked at Ji Yunhe's back which was still standing as straight as ever, and kicked the bend of her knee. Ji Yunhe knelt down. He saved her life with this kick last night.
Today, he used the same move, but it was now a completely different situation.
Lin Haoqing did not understand at all. Why would she be so stubborn at a time like this? Would it be so painful to make the demon speak a couple of words, that she would rather take the punishment instead? Her wounds from the last whipping had not yet healed over, right?
"Princess Shunde has three wishes."
Lin Haoqing suppressed his frustration.
"One wish is for the jiaoren to speak human words." With a snap, the scarlet whip landed on Ji Yunhe.
With a snap, the scarlet whip landed on Ji Yunhe. It ripped through her skin and flesh, and shredded the clothing on her back. The hideous wounds from before instantly revealed themselves.
Changyi's eyes widened.
"Second wish is for him to grow legs!"
Snap!
Another lash fiercely landed. Lin Haoqing gripped the whip tightly while Ji Yunhe silently swallowed all the blood, just like before. Lin Haoqing stared at her. He suddenly felt an inexplicable rage. She always insisted on being tough when she did not have to be. On a normal day, she would not back away from compromise or trickery.
But at a time like this, when there were obviously easier ways out, she chose to be stubborn and tough, swallowing all her pain and enduring them in silence. And the more Ji Yunhe acted this way, the more it made Lin Haoqing... jealous.
He was jealous of her persistence, her courage, and how she always made him… feel so low and dirty in comparison.
"Third wish is for him to serve without rebellion!" The third lash landed. Lin Haoqing's knuckles turned white from his grip.
And Changyi's face looked even worse than Lin Haoqing's. His usually clear and gentle eyes now looked as if a storm was brewing, cloudy and dark.
He stared at Princess Shunde who sat in the middle of the dungeon. The princess asked again, "Now, will you force him?"
"I will not."
The same answer, simple, clear cut, and firm. Princess Shunde smiled.
"Okay. He refuses to say what I want to hear, and you as well. I think there's no use in keeping your tongue." Princess Shunde's expression turned cruel.
"Cut it out for her."
"What do you want to hear?"
Changyi finally... opened his mouth.