Chapter 30: We Are Heroes Who Punish Evil

  On the other side—

  Prince Qi was thoroughly drunk, nearly needing to be carried back.

  Amidst the ambiguous laughter of those around him, he staggered toward the rear courtyard.

  Upon entering, he hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose not to head to the bridal chamber.

  After all, nothing would happen even if he went in—better to check on his wife instead.

  With that thought, the prince drunkenly stumbled toward the princess consort’s residence.

  Ordinarily, the two of them slept in separate beds, practically estranged.

  "Your Highness…"

  A maid noticed the swaying Prince Qi and hurried forward to support him.

  "Get away! No one is allowed to approach without my permission!"

  The prince drunkenly shoved the maid aside, his voice filled with irritation.

  "Yes, Your Highness."

  The maid obediently stepped back without hesitation.

  This wasn’t the first time—she was used to such occurrences.

  Prince Qi’s face bore a pleased expression, mixed with a barely concealed anticipation.

  Shaking his head, he barged into the princess consort’s chambers.

  It was only in his drunken state that he dared to push open this door with such force.

  "Hmph!"

  From inside, a cold snort filled with displeasure rang out.

  Clearly, the princess consort was not pleased with the intrusion.

  Upon hearing this, the prince immediately sobered up, cold sweat forming on his brow.

  At that moment, he recalled the sheer terror of being under his wife’s control.

  As his drunkenness faded, the door before him suddenly felt immeasurably heavy.

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  Doing something so reckless—would he be punished for it?

  Prince Qi swallowed hard, hesitating as he looked at the door he had pushed open.

  Feeling increasingly anxious, he slowly bowed and cautiously stepped backward.

  A full ninety-degree bow, his posture was nothing short of reverent—

  One might even wonder if he would be this respectful in front of the Empress herself.

  No, he likely wouldn’t even show this level of deference before the Empress.

  After carefully closing the door, Prince Qi hesitated for a moment before timidly knocking.

  "Enter."

  A cold voice came from within.

  Only then did the prince push open the door, his face plastered with a flattering smile.

  Once he confirmed the princess consort’s location, he lowered his head and approached cautiously, not daring to look directly at her.

  Then, this esteemed prince knelt directly before the consort’s high heels.

  His subservient posture was enough to leave any onlooker dumbfounded.

  If the court officials outside were to witness this, they might suspect he had been replaced.

  No—he probably wasn’t even this respectful before the Empress herself.

  "Why are you here?"

  Han Jin Xiu’s voice was laced with clear impatience as she looked at the docile prince.

  The man before her was a stark contrast to the young man she had met not long ago.

  Immediately kneeling upon entering—where was his dignity? No, wait!

  This was exactly what she had always wanted, so why was she unsatisfied now?

  Even the cunning princess consort couldn’t fully comprehend her own emotions.

  "My lady, I did as you instructed and took her in as a concubine, but…"

  Prince Qi hesitated, as if struggling to voice his concerns.

  "But what?"

  The consort’s tone grew even more impatient.

  She detested indecisiveness more than anything.

  "I just… worry that sheltering the rebels might draw the Empress’s attention. If she finds out, then…"

  Prince Qi’s voice was filled with unease.

  If this was exposed, he’d be lucky to escape with his life.

  "Look at you—so spineless! You’ve already done it, so why say such useless things now?!"

  Han Jin Xiu snapped, her anger flaring.

  If he continued acting this way, he’d make himself a suspect even if nothing was amiss!

  It was already done—why dwell on it now?

  Compared to that aggressive young man from earlier, the prince was utterly pathetic.

  No, utterly 'buried' beneath the ground.

  "I just worry this will implicate the entire palace… and you…"

  Prince Qi muttered hesitantly.

  For some time now, he had been following the consort’s instructions, even colluding with rebels.

  But hosting them within his own home? That was a first.

  His survival instincts told him to be cautious.

  "Silence! I don’t want to hear this nonsense!"

  Han Jin Xiu’s voice was filled with disappointment.

  Lifting her high heel, she stomped down hard on the prince’s hand.

  Prince Qi’s face contorted into an indescribable expression, turning bright red.

  Pain? Discomfort? Or a twisted kind of 'pleasure'?

  A normal person would instinctively recoil from such agony.

  But for a veteran masochist like him, this was less of a punishment and more of a reward.

  "Hah… Haah… Please, my Princess, trample me more!"

  Though his tears flowed from the pain, he remained completely still—

  And even wore a blissful expression.

  "Disgusting vermin!"

  Han Jin Xiu’s disgust deepened as she looked at the prince.

  She stomped on him even harder, venting her frustration.

  This was her usual way of releasing emotions.

  Yet today, no matter how hard she stomped—how much she made him bleed—it didn’t satisfy her.

  Not only that, his obedient, dog-like expression frustrated her even more.

  Not long ago, 'she' had been the one kneeling just like this.

  The humiliation resurfaced.

  Her mind flashed back to the sight of herself on all fours, barking as commanded.

  To herself kneeling, to herself following his every word…

  Every moment replayed vividly in her mind.

  Even lifting her leg now reminded her of that experience—

  After all, at this moment, she was barefoot.

  Her long, plump legs, usually adorned with her beloved fishnet stockings, were completely bare.

  Not because she had forgotten to wear them.

  But because they were 'gone'—taken by that young man.

  He had claimed them as a "token of their agreement."

  But who the hell chooses 'that' as a token?!

  Han Jin Xiu’s pale face turned crimson with embarrassment.

  As she recalled the events of the night, an odd curiosity about that young man stirred within her.

  Once her mission was complete, she 'would' catch that man—

  And make him 'pay' for the humiliation she had suffered!

  He wanted to make her a dog?

  Very well—she would return the favor 'tenfold'!

  But… could she even find such an opportunity?

  Meanwhile, Su Qing had no idea what Han Jin Xiu was thinking.

  Though he could guess her intentions well enough.

  Undoubtedly, her submission was temporary—a ploy to lower his guard.

  But would it work?

  Of course not.

  He welcomed her performance, relishing in his supposed victory—

  But in truth, he was simply waiting for his prey to fall deeper into his grasp.