Chapter 7: The Weight of Consequences
Without hesitating, they followed the guards back to the palace, the weight of the impending confrontation with the Emperor heavy on their shoulders. As they walked, Princess Hua's mind raced with thoughts of what awaited them. Would the Emperor truly forgive her? Would she be forced back into a life she desperately wanted to escape?
As they entered the grand palace, the opulence of the surroundings felt suffocating. The guards led them through the ornate halls, each step echoing with the tension of the moment. Princess Hua's heart pounded in her chest, and she stole a glance at Wang Wei, who remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Finally, they reached the Emperor's throne room. The massive doors swung open, revealing the imposing figure of the Emperor seated on his throne, his expression a mixture of authority and disappointment.
"Get me down!" Princess Hua shouted, her voice breaking the heavy silence as she hit Li Chen in frustration.
"Your Majesty, we found Princess Hua, her maid, and her companions," Li Chen announced, bowing deeply.
"Princess Hua, you ran away on your wedding day for a man?" the Emperor said, his voice laced with anger. "I regret pampering you."
"Father, I can't marry Mr. Guo," Princess Hua replied defiantly, her heart racing as she faced the man who had always held her fate in his hands.
Bao and Wei exchanged worried glances, sensing the storm brewing in the Emperor's eyes. Before the Emperor could respond, Wang Mei rushed forward, her voice trembling. "Father, I can't marry Mr. Guo either!"
"Insolent! Who brought this nonsense to my court?" the Emperor demanded, his gaze piercing through the room as he turned to Li Chen.
"Your Majesty, they are princesses—" Li Chen began, but before he could finish, General Wang burst into the room, breathless and frantic.
"Your Majesty!" he cried, bowing deeply. "I am sorry for these children's upbringing. I have spoiled them too much. I hope you can forgive them."
"Does anyone see General Wang behaving like this care about you and the young lady?" Bao whispered to Wei, his voice barely audible.
"General Wang, how does this have to do with you?" the Emperor asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Princess Hua came to end her engagement yesterday. I never knew she was having a hidden affair with my son Wei. I hope Your Majesty shows pity on him. Please don't kill him; you can punish him with strokes of the cane. He is a sick person, and his sister—she... she... she is foolish," he stammered, his words tumbling out in a desperate plea.
"You mean he is your son engaged to Princess Hua?" the Emperor asked, his voice rising in disbelief.
"Yes!" General Wang bowed his head, his face a mask of shame.
"Wang Wei, are you having a hidden affair with Princess Hua?" the Emperor demanded, his eyes narrowing.
Before Wang Wei could reply, Princess Hua interjected, "Yes, Your Majesty, we are in love." She glanced at Wang Wei, who smirked, a flicker of defiance in his eyes.
"Interesting," Wei said silently, the tension in the room thickening.
"Since Princess Hua and Wang Wei are in love, deceived the Emperor, and ran away on her wedding day, Wang Wei should receive twenty-five strokes of the cane. Their companions should be beaten fifteen strokes each," the Emperor ordered, his voice cold and unyielding.
"Your Highness!" Chen Xui cried, her voice filled with panic.
Princess Hua looked at them, knowing she was the cause of their impending punishment. The weight of guilt settled heavily on her heart. "Father, I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant with Wang Wei's child. I wanted to break the engagement with him after he broke my heart, but I found out today that I am pregnant," she confessed, her voice trembling.
Everyone turned to Wang Wei, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. Bao leaned closer to Wei, whispering, "Young Master, Princess Hua is good at lying, I never thought you could be a dad in just a day."
"Young lady, is this true?" General Wang asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Yes, General. I am carrying your grandchild," she replied, her gaze steady as she faced the Emperor. "Father, if you beat Wang Wei and he suffers the punishment, my baby will be fatherless." She rubbed her stomach protectively. "Also, beating Xui will hurt me because she is the only one who takes care of me. Mei and Bao are innocent. Please, beat me instead."
"How dare you say that!" the Emperor thundered, his face turning crimson with rage.
"Since Wang Wei is engaged to General Wang's oldest son and is pregnant, she should get married tomorrow," the Emperor declared, his voice echoing through the throne room.
"She found a way for herself," Wang Wei smirked, a hint of arrogance in his tone.
"Who knew General Wang's oldest son could impregnate a lady?" the palace maids began to gossip among themselves, their whispers spreading like wildfire. "Who knew a cripple could impregnate a lady? I feel pity for Princess Hua."
The atmosphere in the room shifted, the tension palpable as the Emperor's gaze swept over the gathered crowd. "Silence!" he commanded, his voice booming. The maids fell quiet, their eyes wide with fear.
"Princess Hua," a tiny voice called as she was approaching her.