"Prime Minister Su, please do not wrongly accuse me. I am acting on the Emperor's decree! Your Yun family has deceived the royal family, making your crime doubly grave! If this rebellious daughter is not killed today, I fear the reputation of our Su manor will be affected."
Su Wenfeng snorted, "The Emperor's decree?"
Su Wenfeng scoffed and said, "The Su manor has no such decree from the Emperor!"
"You!"
Su Wenfeng met his gaze fearlessly, "If Prime Minister Su does not believe me, you are welcome to send someone to inquire with His Majesty."
Saying that, Su Wenfeng ordered Yun Chang, "Why haven't you dragged this rebellious daughter out to be beheaded yet?"
"Father, I haven't done anything wrong. Why are you punishing me so casually? Father, please, don't let me be beheaded, I'm scared." Yun Chang trembled with fear.
"You dare to argue? Seize her quickly!" Su Wenfeng roared and instructed the guards to capture Yun Chang.
Yun Chang was held by several guards, her arms grabbed, and she was too frightened to even cry.
Just then, a low, husky voice with a hint of magnetism suddenly echoed.
"Su Wenfeng, how dare you openly harm your own daughter like this!"
Su Wenfeng looked up and met Su Xiujun's sharp and deep black eyes.
"This old minister pays his respects to His Highness, the Second Prince." Su Wenfeng quickly knelt down.
Su Xiujun walked to Su Wenfeng's side and helped him up, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Highness, the Second Prince."
Su Xiujun looked up, cast a cold glance at Yun Chang, and said, "Yun Chang, how dare you trespass into the Prime Minister's manor! Do you know the grave offense you have committed?"
"Father, spare my life. Your daughter only rushed into the Prime Minister's manor because she was too worried about Brother Jue. Please forgive your daughter!"
Yun Chang immediately knelt down and repeatedly kowtowed, admitting her mistake.
"Silence!" Su Xiujun trembled with anger, "You rebellious daughter! You are infuriating me! I have treated you well, how could you deceive me for such a matter?"
Seeing this, Su Wenfeng quickly stepped forward to mediate, "My Lord, please calm your anger. My daughter is young and ignorant, there's no need to argue with her. Why don't you just spare her?"
"Prime Minister Su, since she is your daughter, then I, this Prince, will discipline her on your behalf."
Su Xiujun narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at Su Wenfeng, and sneered, "Prime Minister Su, is this your intention?"
Su Wenfeng's heart sank, but his face remained impassive, "The Second Prince is wise and valiant, a renowned virtuous prince in the realm, naturally he is qualified to discipline Yun Chang!"
Su Xiujun nodded with satisfaction, his gaze fell on Yun Chang, and his voice suddenly turned menacing, "Teach your daughter a good lesson, or you too will not escape death!"
"Yes, yes, yes, this lowly one understands. This lowly one will surely discipline her well."
"Begone!"
Su Wenfeng quickly retreated.
"Yun Chang! Kneel before me!" Su Xiujun roared.
"Father, I will not kneel. I have only one request: release Brother Jue and let me marry Brother Jue!"
"Heresy! You dare not even think of it!"
As soon as Su Wenfeng left, Yun Chang immediately fell to her knees with a thud, "Father, you cannot refuse to let me marry Brother Jue. If you do not agree, I will die before your eyes!"
"You!" Su Xiujun glared at Yun Chang, filled with disappointment, "Why must you do this? Your Brother Jue is the future Crown Prince, and you are merely a concubine's daughter. How can you be worthy of royalty?"
"Father, if you insist on this, Yun Chang will die before your eyes!"
Yun Chang's attitude was resolute.
Su Wenfeng trembled with rage, "You! You are shameless! Guards! Tie her up for me!"
"Father!" Yun Chang quickly crawled forward and hugged Su Xiujun's leg, "Father, I was wrong, Father, I truly know I was wrong. Please release Brother Jue, release Brother Jue, won't you?"
"Brother Jue?" Su Wenfeng frowned and looked at Su Shijie, "Prime Minister Su, this rebellious daughter has an unusual relationship with Su Xiujue!"
Su Shijie was also full of surprise, "Yun Chang and Young Master Su have a close relationship?"
"Prime Minister Su, to be honest, this rebellious daughter, when she was a servant in the Yun manor, was already secretly involved with Su Shijue. She even used fake medicine to kill the old madam in order to cling to Su Shijue. Such a venomous woman, if you do not punish her, I fear the Su manor will also encounter misfortune in the future!" Su Wenfeng said with deep sorrow.
Upon hearing this, Su Xiujun was instantly enraged and slammed his palm onto the table.
"Wretch! Wretch! Guards! Lock this rebellious daughter in the woodshed!"
"Yes!"
Yun Chang was taken away.
Su Shijie watched Yun Chang's receding figure and sighed, "Alas, I thought this daughter was kind and virtuous, but I never expected her to be so heartless!"
"Although Yun Chang is mischievous, she is still a pitiable person after all," Su Wenfeng shook his head and sighed softly.
Su Xiujun nodded and said no more.
As the two were speaking, a guard hurried in and reported to Su Wenfeng, "Reporting to my Lord, there is a man named Xiao Han outside who wishes to see you."
Su Wenfeng paused for a moment upon hearing this and said, "Please show him in."
"Yes."
Not long after, Xiao Han entered.
Su Xiujun sized him up and said, "Xiao Han, you've come specifically to see me today, haven't you?"
"Precisely."
Su Wenfeng quickly invited, "Come, sit and talk! You haven't been here for a long time."
Xiao Han nodded slightly.
Soon, a maid brought tea and stood respectfully beside Su Xiujun.
Su Wenfeng glanced at Xiao Han again, smiling broadly, "You must have suffered a lot on the border all these years. You've lost a lot of weight!"
Xiao Han smiled faintly, "It's alright, thank you for your concern, Lord Su."
Su Wenfeng's smile became even more kindly, "What's there to be polite about between us? Come, try this osmanthus cake, freshly made in the capital recently. It tastes very good."
Saying that, he picked up a piece and handed it to Xiao Han.
Xiao Han took it and chewed it slowly.
"Is it delicious?"
"Mm."
"If it's delicious, eat more!"
Xiao Han nodded and continued to eat.
"By the way, do you like the dishes Yun Chang cooks?"
"Mm."
"Then stay by Yun Chang's side as a guard. You two have always had a good relationship since you were young. You'll help her by her side, and she'll be grateful to you."
Xiao Han looked up at Su Wenfeng, "Thank you, Lord Su."
Su Wenfeng smiled, "No need for pleasantries. By the way, you and Jue grew up together, and Jue has always doted on Yun Chang since he was young. You must take good care of her."
"Mm, Miss Yun Chang is very well-behaved."
Su Wenfeng smiled even more kindly, "Although this child is a bit wilful, she is still a good child. Please be more accommodating."
Xiao Han nodded.
Su Wenfeng gave a few more instructions and then rose to take his leave.
Su Xiujun escorted him out.