Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 264 Brother Cui Gets Beaten

"clap clap"

The sound of whipping and Cui Zhihao's muffled groans mingled together, carrying far into the silent night and startling the birds roosting on the branches.

Cui Zhihao was a scholar, physically weak and usually only accompanied by poetry and books. But at this moment, for the sake of the love in his heart, he stubbornly withstood 30 lashes.

Before the execution was even over, his back was already a gruesome sight, a bloody mess, with his tattered clothes stuck tightly to the blood and bits of flesh. Those around him turned their heads away, unable to bear the sight.

Although Cui Yan and Cui Zhe had cold expressions, their hearts were also aching as if being torn apart. However, in the face of ancestral rules, they could only swallow their bitterness in silence.

Meanwhile, Shi Wanxia, ​​who was resting in the side hall, was already worried about Cui Zhihao and had difficulty falling asleep.

She overheard the servants whispering outside. Listening intently, she heard, "The second young master is being punished in the ancestral hall for trying to break away from the family. After this beating, he'll be half-dead, if not dead..."

Shi Wanxia's head buzzed, and she immediately panicked.

She rushed out suddenly, grabbed the maid who was talking, her fingers turning white as she gripped her tightly: "What did you say? Where is Brother Cui? Tell me quickly!"

The maid was terrified, her face turning pale, and she pointed tremblingly towards the ancestral hall.

Shi Wanxia was extremely anxious and disregarded all etiquette. She grabbed her maid and rushed towards the ancestral hall. Her hair was disheveled and her steps were unsteady. She had only one thought in her mind: she couldn't let Brother Cui suffer because of her.

In the darkness of night, her figure moved like a gust of wind, sweeping through the courtyard and corridors, rushing towards the ancestral hall.

At this moment, she forgot all her fear and shyness, and only wanted to rush to the side of the person who had suffered for her, even if it meant facing a dangerous place.

Inside the ancestral hall, Cui Zhihao lay weakly on the ground, his consciousness fading, yet his thoughts were still preoccupied with Shi Wanxia's safety.

Shi Wanxia's heart was pounding violently in her chest, almost bursting out of her throat, and her gaze was fixed on Cui Zhihao.

He was tall and straight, but his clothes were tattered and stained with blood. His once bright and clear face was now as pale as paper. He was bound to the execution post with heavy iron chains, and every wound seemed to cut into her heart.

The executioner held a long whip, the tip of which whistled in the wind, carrying the chilling aura of death.

"Do not--"

As the whip, raised high, lashed down with tremendous force, Shi Wanxia, ​​emboldened by some unknown source, rushed forward like an arrow, using her delicate body to shield Cui Zhihao.

"Ah!" The whip, imbued with the executioner's rage and brute force, lashed her slender back, instantly tearing her skin and causing excruciating pain like a venomous snake bite.

Shi Wanxia cried out in pain, tears welling up in her eyes, her vision blurring.

Her body swayed, but she gritted her teeth and straightened her spine, spreading her arms wide like a mother animal protecting her cubs, making Cui Zhihao behind her even more covered.

Choi Ji-ho was in a semi-conscious state due to the previous torture. His body was covered with wounds, and the blood had long since dried and clumped together. The excruciating pain made him gradually lose his senses.

Suddenly, a pained "Ah!" pierced through the chaos like a sharp blade, striking straight into his heart.

He turned his head abruptly, his eyes widening, his unfocused gaze instantly sharpening, and he saw Miss Shi who had taken the whip for him.

The wind ruffled Shi Wanxia's hair, and a few strands of messy hair covered half of her face, but could not hide the determination and deep affection in her eyes.

Cui Zhihao's eyes suddenly reddened, and his parched throat struggled to move: "Miss Shi, how could you be so foolish..."

The voice was hoarse and broken, drifting away in the wind.

Shi Wanxia turned to look at him, a strained smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She wanted to offer comfort, but only a weak whisper escaped her lips: "Don't be afraid..."

At this moment, every breath aggravated the wound on her back, causing her to almost faint from the pain, but the moment her gaze fell upon Cui Zhihao, it filled with determination.

The executioner was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting this turn of events. Then, enraged, he raised his whip high again and shouted, "Insolence! Do not obstruct the execution!"

Seeing that the whip was about to fall again, Cui Zhihao, with a strength he didn't know he had, endured the excruciating pain all over his body and quickly pushed Shi away.

He roared at the executioner, "If you dare to hurt her even a little bit, I, Cui Zhihao, will never let you go!" His voice, though weak from his serious injuries, was filled with a bone-deep hatred.

However, Cui Zhihao suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes, and with his last bit of strength, he shoved the unsuspecting Shi Wanxia away.

"Brother Cui!"

Shi Wanxia cried out in alarm, staggering back a few steps as she watched helplessly as the whip, accompanied by a whistling sound, lashed heavily across Cui Zhihao's back, instantly drawing blood.

Choi Ji-ho's tall body trembled violently, but he gritted his teeth and didn't utter a single sound of begging for mercy. Only large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and fell onto the dusty ground.

Seeing this, even the usually calm and collected Cui Zhe panicked.

He frowned and shouted sternly at the maid beside him, "What are you standing there for? Quickly pull Miss Shi away, don't hurt her, and immediately summon the palace physician to take the girl away for treatment."

The maids dared not delay and rushed forward, grabbing Shi Wanxia's arms in a flurry.

Shi Wanxia struggled desperately, like a trapped beast in a desperate situation. Her heart felt as if it were being pierced by thousands of needles, and the pain spread throughout her body.

Her gaze was fixed on Cui Zhihao, watching the whip relentlessly lash his already bloodied and mangled back, each lash feeling like a blow to her own heart.

"Let me go! Stop it! Don't fight anymore! Brother Cui, Brother Cui..."

Shi Wanxia cried so hard that her voice was almost hoarse, her eyes were red, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, blurring her vision.

She desperately tried to rush over, but her slender wrists were tightly gripped by the maids, and she couldn't break free.

Seeing that pleading with the maid was useless, Shi Wanxia turned her gaze to Cui Zhe, her eyes filled with pleading and helplessness, as if she had grasped at the last straw.

He pleaded with Cui Zhe, "You two gentlemen are so magnanimous, could you please let Brother Cui go? This fighting will kill someone, Brother Cui!"

Cui Zhe turned his head away, not daring to look her in the eye, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Although he and Choi Ji-ho are uncle and nephew, family rules and undercurrents in the court have made today's situation a difficult one.

The whipping continued, and Choi Ji-ho's breath grew weaker and weaker. His head drooped limply, and his consciousness gradually faded.

Seeing his swaying figure, Shi Wanxia felt a surge of hatred and, with a sudden burst of strength, flung the maid's hand away.

But someone grabbed his arm tightly, making it impossible for him to move.

Cui Zhe looked at her with complicated eyes and said in a low voice, "Miss Shi, don't be impulsive. This is his fate."

Shi Wanxia glared angrily: "What fate? You bunch of executioners, what wrong did he do to deserve this torture?"

Cui Zhe remained silent, only gesturing for the maid to continue taking Shi Wanxia away.