“You’ve punished her severely, General,” Lin Haihai continued her attempt to convince him. “Would you let this matter go?”

“It is no punishment compared to what she did!” Old General Xie levelled an icy gaze at his daughter even though she had her back to him.

“What if this Empress pleads for you to show her mercy, General?” the empress said calmly.

Old General Xie startled and hurried out, “This old official remembers what the imperial court has done for my family, Your Majesty! However, what my daughter has done is beyond unforgivable. If she doesn’t get the punishment she deserves, it’ll reflect badly on the entire family! How is this old official going to face our ancestors when I pass away to the underworld?”

“Please don’t plead for my life, Your Majesty, Consort Lin,” Consort Zhuang said tearfully. “I’m too ashamed to continue living this life. I’ve returned to admit my guilt to Father and allow him to punish me as he sees fit.”

Lin Haihai sighed. “Do you regret what you’ve done, Consort Zhuang?”

Consort Zhuang closed her eyes and shedded tears of mournfulness....