After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

Chen Futu, expressionless, gave the order to punish Zhang Liang with a cane. Dian Wei immediately obeyed and gestured for Zhang Liang to leave, but Zhang Liang calmly went out the door.

Everyone wanted to laugh but dared not.

The Crown Prince is still the same Crown Prince. In fact, he knows perfectly well how beneficial Zhang Liang's actions are to the Northern Frontier. However, he still has to punish him on the surface, otherwise it wouldn't be right, even if it's just for show for Zhou Qingzhi.

"This concludes today's court proceedings. All of you may leave."

Chen Futu pretended to be tired and waved his hand, and the civil and military officials then withdrew.

Li Xiuning wanted to stay and say something, but Chen Yuling forcibly pulled her away.

A short while later, Zhang Liang and Dian Wei returned to the palace.

Dian Wei said, "Reporting to my lord, the caning is over."

Chen Futu glared at Zhang Liang, knowing that Dian Wei definitely hadn't hit him. "As expected of you. How am I supposed to face that old man now?"

Zhang Liang replied with a smile: "Your Highness need not speak. I will have Liu Bowen write a proclamation to denounce the Great Qian and speak out for the scholars of the world. Besides, that old gentleman is no ordinary person. He should understand the reasoning behind it. From the moment he entered Longcheng, his fate was already sealed. Leaving behind incense offerings is already a great favor."

"Hmph, I think you're the one who's causing chaos and poisoning the country."

"Your Highness is too kind; I am truly unworthy of such praise."

"Alright, think it over carefully. You'll come with me to see Zhou Qingzhi later."

"Here."

Zhang Liang gladly accepted the order.

Next, Chen Futu went to the inner palace alone and summoned Liu Longyue.

Dressed in cloud-like attire, Liu Longyue seemed ethereal, her white fox-like face showing a hint of bewilderment. "I wonder why Your Highness summoned me?"

"Kneel down."

"what?"

"I'm telling you to kneel down." Chen Futu turned around, his face gloomy.

Liu Longyue was startled and knelt down at his feet with a thud, biting her lip and muttering, "What crime have I committed to displease the young master?"

"You still dare to say what Zhang Liang told you last time? You dare to hide it from me?" Chen Futu brought up the old topic again, and Liu Longyue realized that something had happened on Zhongshan's side. No wonder he had summoned all the civil and military officials for a meeting today.

Liu Longyue stubbornly replied, "As a member of the inner court, I am not allowed to participate in political affairs, therefore I dare not speak recklessly."

"Oh, you don't get involved in politics? That night I was hungover, and you told me Zhang Liang might have ulterior motives. You were already involved, so why didn't you tell me the truth?"

"Concubine..."

Liu Longyue was speechless, not knowing where to begin.

Chen Futu pinched her snow-white chin and forced her to look up. "Liu Longyue, Zhang Liang acted without my permission, and I have already punished him. As for you, as the princess of Beiwu, you not only interfered in the affairs of the Northern Frontier, but also failed to report what you knew. You also want me to break my promise. Keeping someone like you in the manor is a disaster."

“Your Highness, how can you wrong me? Everything that Military Advisor Zhang has done is for the benefit of the Northern Frontier. As Your Highness’s consort, I should also plan for Your Highness. How dare I ruin this plan?” Liu Longyue spoke up, her white fox-like face looking pitiful.

Their eyes met, and Chen Futu squatted down in front of Liu Longyue, whispering in her ear with a half-smile: "As the Crown Prince's consort, you have done very well. If I had known about this plan, I would have definitely stopped Zhang Liang. So, in public, you have made a contribution. But in private, it is an indisputable fact that you colluded with Zhang Liang to deceive your husband. Am I right?"

"I know I am guilty, and I beg the Prince to punish me."

Liu Longyue lowered her head, her eyes looking as if she was about to shed tears.

"Punishment is necessary, of course."

Chen Futu took Liu Longyue's hand and led her to the room, then pressed her down on the table and brought out a ruler.

Liu Longyue was still in shock. "What is the young master going to do?"

"Take your pants off, and I'll give you ten lashes, that's not too much to ask, is it?"

"do not want!"

Liu Longyue was so anxious that she tried to stand up, but Chen Futu sneered, "If you get up, then go back to Beiwu with your delegation. Now that I have the backing of a great Confucian scholar, I don't care about forming a marriage alliance with you."

These heartless words brought tears to Liu Longyue's eyes. In the end, she humiliatingly lifted her gauze skirt, gritted her teeth, and took off her white trousers. Chen Futu glanced at her and almost had a nosebleed.

【warn! 】

[Liu Longyue's favorability rating has decreased to -999]

"The Lord doesn't care."

Chen Futu looked at Liu Longyue's perfect skin, and with a cold face, raised his hand to strike.

A few strokes of the whip made Liu Longyue's delicate body tremble, and tears streamed down her face.

Since she took power in Beiwu, when has she ever suffered such humiliation?

【warn! 】

[Liu Longyue's favorability rating has exceeded the negative limit, and she has developed murderous intent towards the host.]

“I have never retaliated against her behavior in Daqian. She brought this on herself today, so she can’t blame me. Otherwise, if I hadn’t taught her a lesson, she would have really thought I was a saint.”

As Chen Futu thought to himself, his hand grew heavier and heavier.

After ten slaps, her delicate skin turned red.

Chen Futu put down the ruler and saw her crying silently, her white teeth almost grinding to powder, her eyes red as if she wanted to kill someone.

Chen Futu teased, "You're done fighting, why aren't you pulling up your pants? Are you waiting for me to favor you? If that's the case, then I won't be polite."

"Your Highness, I will remember this humiliation."

Liu Longyue trembled as she tidied her clothes. Chen Futu chuckled three times. "It's just ten strokes of the ruler. Do you really think I care about arguing with you about such things? But in the future, if there are similar incidents, you should put me first. Do you understand?"

"I will remember this."

Liu Longyue lowered her head, her fists turning white at the knuckles.

"Here, take it."

Chen Futu handed over a scroll, which Liu Longyue instinctively took. Upon seeing it contained insights from the Sword God, her beautiful eyes widened in astonishment, her mouth agape, and tears streamed down her face. "This is…"

"Your strength is too weak. A mere ninth rank is no longer of great use. Whether you want to kill me or go back to fight for that position, without absolute martial prowess, how can you be competent? You should carefully experience this Sword God's Enlightenment. Breaking through to the Innate Realm is only a matter of time."

As he spoke, Chen Futu touched her soft, warm face and then wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "You should rest now. I'm leaving."

[Liu Longyue’s favorability level breaks through 20]

The system notification came out of nowhere.

Chen Futu stopped in astonishment. "What do you mean? Is this woman a masochist? Her favorability rating went from the absolute negative to a positive 20. Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?"

The reason she received the Sword God's insights was because he didn't take her seriously at all; he just wanted to see how far she could go with her talent, but unexpectedly, she gained something unexpected.

As she pondered, Liu Longyue approached with the note in hand. She looked up with tear-streaked face and murmured, "Your Highness, do you have any further instructions?"

The words were spoken with extreme gentleness, and the murderous intent was completely gone.

It's clear that she highly values ​​the Sword God's insights, since these are the insights of the strongest, something that money can't buy. Chen Futu's easy offering of them to her changed her opinion instantly.

Chen Futu's heart skipped a beat, and with a mischievous glint in his eye, he pulled her into his arms, looking at her tear-streaked face with a playful expression: "My beloved concubine, is this what you want?"