Yuan Long's reaction left everyone baffled. Who had ever been this happy about being punished?

Nie Liang leaned close to his ear and lowered his voice. "General Yuan, the news that the prince is alive is being kept quiet for now.

Before I came, the prince made a point of telling me that you have to act as if you don't accept it."

Yuan Long didn't understand, but since it was what Ning Chen wanted, he would obey without question.

Nie Liang stepped back a few paces and looked at Li Zhixing. "Lord Li, carry out the punishment."

Li Zhixing looked at Yuan Long and the others and sighed helplessly.

Yuan Long and his men all served under Ning Chen, and they were famous generals, brave and skilled in battle. He truly didn't want to lay a hand on them, but an imperial command is not to be disobeyed.

"Someone! Bring the punishment rods!"

"Yes, sir!"

The punishment rods were soon ready.

Li Zhixing looked at Yuan Long. "General Yuan, and all of you, forgive me!"

Yuan Long raised his chin and laughed coldly. "Don't put it on. Hurry up and stop dawdling."

Li Zhixing sighed and gave the order. "Carry out the punishment!"

Yuan Long and the others took the rod in front of everyone.

Feng Qizheng had it worst. Not only was he beaten, he'd been stripped of his marquisate too.

Yuan Long and the others held high posts. Being beaten in full public view was a loss of face that was hard to bear.

But it was an imperial edict, and no one could do anything about it.

Just as the beating was nearly over, another group of fast horses came galloping up.

The rider at their head wore a eunuch's robes. He was a eunuch from the palace.

The eunuch rode up and reined in, and his thin, shrill voice rang out. "An imperial edict!"

Everyone was startled. Another edict?

They all hurried to kneel and cried, "Long live Her Majesty!"

The eunuch opened the edict and read in a shrill voice, "By the mandate of…