Chapter 48: Execute Without Exception!

Chapter 48: Execute Without Exception!

"Beat to death!"

Nanny Li and Hongshang were stunned, their eyes filled with terror.

"No, Noble Consort, I beg you. Hongshang was merely momentarily confused, please give her another chance."

"Noble Consort..."

"Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, please intercede for her, won't you? This humble servant has only one daughter, Hongshang, Empress Dowager..."

Having served her for many years, the Empress Dowager felt a pang of soft-heartedness: "Wan'er, Hongshang is indeed at fault, but her crime does not warrant death—"

Not warrant death? Attempting to murder her master and still not warranting death? Did she truly have to wait until someone was actually killed to establish a crime?

Ha! This was precisely why the Empress Dowager had always lost to the late Empress and had continually been manipulated effortlessly by Zhao Yi.

She would never grasp the concept of status and rules, nor would she ever understand the meaning of decisive ruthlessness. She appeared formidable, yet her heart was overflowing with useless mercy and softness, forever failing to distinguish who truly mattered.

Thus, she had pushed Zhao Yi toward the side of the cold Empress, alienating her own biological son.

And to please her son, she had pushed the niece she once cherished into the abyss.

Clearly, Hongshang had committed an unforgivable crime today, yet the Empress Dowager was still dwelling on her deep bond with Nanny Li, completely oblivious to whether she was stabbing a knife straight into Ye Wanwan's heart.

In the past, Ye Wanwan had failed to understand, leaving her forever heartbroken, in agony, and tormented. Now, however, she suddenly saw it all clearly, finding it utterly laughable.

"Aunt." It had been a long time since Ye Wanwan had addressed the Empress Dowager as Aunt.

The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned.

Ye Wanwan's calm voice rang out devoid of emotion: "Aunt is compassionate and mindful of the years of service Nanny Li has given. How could I bear to make things difficult for Aunt? So... let me play the villain."

With that, she raised her hand slightly. Yanchen, standing to the side, understood instantly. Taking a stride forward, he and two other eunuchs grabbed Hongshang directly.

"No! Empress Dowager, save me!"

"Empress Dowager! Mother! Mother, save me!"

Knowing what fate awaited her, Hongshang struggled frantically, shrieking in despair.

"Shang'er!" Nanny Li collapsed in despair: "Shang'er!"

Nanny Li tried to pull Hongshang back, but was pinned firmly to the ground by others.

Hongshang was dragged outside. Right at the doorway, the sickening thuds of the wooden boards began, accompanied by Hongshang's piercing screams.

"Ah—ah..."

At this sight, the Empress Dowager sat up straight in fright, clutching her handkerchief tightly.

"Wan'er!"

The Empress Dowager looked at Ye Wanwan, her gaze complex; she could not believe that Ye Wanwan could be so cold and heartless.

No one spoke within the vast hall. Everyone felt as though their throats and nerves were being choked, leaving only the sound of the screams echoing from outside.

Because of the heavy silence inside the room, those screams sounded all the more harrowing and spine-chilling.

At last, the screams ceased, and everything settled. Everyone in the room understood that Hongshang was dead.

Ye Wanwan slowly rose to her feet and bowed to the Empress Dowager: "This concubine has overstepped. I beg the Empress Dowager for punishment."

Looking at Ye Wanwan, it felt as though something was stuck in the Empress Dowager's throat, leaving her unable to speak for a long time.

Though Ye Wanwan's entire being exuded stubborn defiance, her body was visibly and undeniably weak. As the victim, the Empress Dowager could not bear to punish her. Matters had reached this point, and she had no desire to say more. She waved her hand wearily.

"This concubine takes her leave."

Her voice was gentle, her etiquette flawless. On the surface, she looked like a gentle, virtuous young lady, but the screams from outside the hall still lingered in the ears. No matter how softly Ye Wanwan spoke, it still filled people with lingering fear and dread.

From this day forward, anyone harboring petty thoughts would need mental preparation: daring to plot against the Noble Consort meant being ready to forfeit one's life.

Supported by Qingsha and Muxiang, Ye Wanwan stood up and began to walk slowly outward. As she passed Nanny Li, she paused slightly, but ultimately left without saying a word.

Nanny Li lay prostrate on the ground, her body trembling continuously. She did not raise her head, but Ye Wanwan knew she must be filled with a venomous hatred for her.

Nanny Li had failed to properly raise her daughter, allowing her to commit insubordination and treason. Even if Ye Wanwan had punished Nanny Li along with her, the Empress Dowager could not have uttered a word of objection.

And even if Ye Wanwan chose not to punish her, with Nanny Li harboring such hatred, she would undoubtedly try something in the future. But so what?

Stepping out the door, Ye Wanwan caught sight of Hongshang's corpse covered with a cloth. It was merely beating someone to death; yet within Ye Wanwan's heart, there was not the slightest ripple of emotion.

She had been reborn with the resolve to kill, but she had never intended to kill Hongshang—she had only wanted her to stay away from her.

It was Hongshang who had insisted on walking right into it, nearly ruining her face.

She could tolerate Hongshang showing her disrespect, but she would never tolerate anyone attempting to disfigure her.

This body of hers—whoever dared to harm it would be executed without exception!