A severe punishment was needed to make them remember, so they wouldn't continue to be restless in the future.
Upon hearing this, everyone panicked. Especially those who had instigated the trouble, they trembled slightly and instinctively shrank back, their eyes darting around uncertainly.
"Lu Shi, oversee the punishment!"
Ling Mo Han said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of coldness.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Lu Shi cupped his hands and responded, his gaze sweeping over the shivering crowd kneeling on the ground.
"Bring the rod for the punishment!"
A soldier standing to the side held a three-foot-long rod and struck down fiercely, one after another.
Instantly, the fair hands of the palace maids showed crimson marks.
After a few strokes, their skin was torn and flesh was revealed, with a stinging trickle of blood dripping from between their fingers.
Feng Jin could only glance at the bloody scene before turning her head away. These were all fifteen or sixteen-year-old girls receiving such punishment, and she felt a pang of sympathy watching them.
"Ah... it hurts..."
Some could not bear the pain and cried out, tears streaming down their cheeks.
"Scoundrels! You are the princess's dowry maids. Causing trouble on such a joyous occasion is unforgivable. Now you dare to weep? Offending the princess's wedding is a capital offense! If you don't want to die, wipe your tears immediately!"
The head嬷嬷 stepped forward and slapped the face of a palace maid, reprimanding her angrily.
Half of the slapped palace maid's face instantly swelled and turned red. She suppressed her voice, daring not to make a sound, enduring the pain.
Lu Shi counted coldly. After ten strokes, he raised his hand to signal a stop. "This is a minor disciplinary action. If you offend again, ten strokes will not be enough."
"My lord, please forgive us. It is my negligence in teaching that led to this. It will never happen again."
"It is good that the嬷嬷 remembers."
Lu Shi said with displeasure. He was truly fed up with these people from Xiliang. Ever since the marriage alliance with Xiliang, there had been no peace.
Especially these palace maids, always causing trouble.
"This old servant guarantees it will never happen again."
Feng Jin stood silently to the side, taking in everything that had happened. Her gaze lingered on the嬷嬷 who had responded.
The嬷嬷 was dressed well, in a brocade gown embroidered with exquisite patterns. The hairpin on her head was made of pure gold. If she hadn't known she was a嬷嬷, she would have mistaken her for a respectable elder lady.
It seemed this嬷嬷's identity was not simple. Feng Jin couldn't help but look at her more closely, memorizing her appearance.
"Young madam, it is time to return." Lu Shi said softly beside Feng Jin.
"Let's go."
Feng Jin nodded and followed Lu Shi out.
"That嬷嬷 who spoke just now, do you recognize her?"
"Your subordinate only knows she is their head嬷嬷, and those palace maids also obey her commands."
Lu Shi didn't know much about the嬷嬷's identity either, only that she was their head嬷嬷 and held considerable authority, often scolding and beating the palace maids.
"Have someone keep an eye on that嬷嬷."
Since earlier, she had a vague feeling that the嬷嬷's identity was not simple. Paying more attention might yield some useful information.
"Your subordinate understands."
"I'm returning now. You should also get some rest."
After giving a few instructions, Feng Jin got up and returned to her room. She needed to rest quickly as they had to continue their journey early the next morning.
...
"Young madam, young madam..."
As Feng Jin was in a daze, she vaguely heard Cai Qing's voice. She groggily opened her eyes. "What time is it?"
"Young madam, it's almost noon."
"Noon?" Feng Jin instantly became alert and sat up. "It's noon, why are you only waking me?"
Didn't they say they would be on their way early in the morning? It was already noon, had they left without them?
"There was heavy rain last night, and the road is muddy, so we couldn't travel. The young general said we would rest for a day and depart tomorrow. The young general specifically instructed me not to disturb your rest and to let you sleep longer."
Cai Qing hot-watered a towel and handed it to Feng Jin. "Young madam, please wipe your face to wake up. It will be time to eat soon."
By the time Feng Jin got up and got ready, an hour had passed.
"Young madam, I'll go bring the dishes. We can eat in the room."
It had just rained heavily, and the roads were filled with mud and water, making them very difficult to traverse. It would be best to bring the food here.
"Let's eat outside. It will be good to get some fresh air."
Staying in the room all day was uncomfortable. Going out for a walk would also help stretch her muscles.
"Then I'll go get a cloak. It's a bit cool outside after the rain."
Cai Qing got a cloak and draped it over Feng Jin. The two then left the room.
After the rain, the air carried a hint of coolness, and Feng Jin couldn't help but pull her cloak tighter.
When they left the capital, it was still the height of summer. Now it was autumn, and all the leaves had fallen from the trees, making the surroundings appear somewhat desolate.
"Hurry back, don't let the嬷嬷 see you."
"Walk faster, don't waste any more time."
From a side door, several palace maids entered furtively, their steps hurried. They were bent over, seemingly carrying something in their arms.
"Cai Qing, go and stop them."
"Yes, young madam."
Cai Qing nodded and ran over to block their path. "Stop... stop!"
Hearing the noise, the women were startled and ran even faster.
"Stop!"
A soldier appearing ahead finally blocked their path.
Cai Qing ran, panting, and finally caught up. She clutched her stomach, gasping for breath. "Who are you people? Why are you sneaking around and running out?"
"What's wrong?" Lu Shi, who was on patrol, came over when he heard the commotion.
"The young general had already ordered that no one is allowed to leave the post without permission. These few were sneaking back from the side door."
Cai Qing pointed at them and stepped forward, snatching a bundle from one of them. Inside were silver ingots, totaling over a hundred taels of silver.
"This is our money from Dongchu. You've just arrived in Dongchu, where did you get so much money!"
"What's going on?" Feng Jin walked over to inquire.
"Young madam, they have so much money. Where did it come from?"
Cai Qing pulled one of them out. "You tell me, where did you get this money from?"
"I... I..." The palace maid who was pulled out stammered and couldn't explain anything.
"Even your three years of monthly allowance wouldn't amount to this much money. Where exactly did you get it from?"
Feng Jin's gaze swept over the crowd, and she asked in a low voice.