Chapter 553 - 366: The Peng Family Humiliated, Prince Whipped in Public!

Chapter 553: Chapter 366: The Peng Family Humiliated, Prince Whipped in Public!

Outside the prison, the scorching sun baked the bluestone slabs, causing twisted heat waves to rise.

An old general clad in golden armor, accompanied by hundreds of elite soldiers, slowly approached the Peng family.

He was broad and imposing like a mountain, with his armor shining blindingly in the sunlight.

Every step he took carried the unique aura of a seasoned battlefield commander.

"Madam of the State..."

The old general clasped his fists in salute, a rare look of difficulty appearing on his dignified face.

He looked at the Peng family matriarch kneeling at the forefront,

The elderly woman, with her hair full of silver yet her back straight, prompted his voice to unconsciously soften.

"Please, Ma’am, you should return."

The general’s subordinates exchanged glances, none daring to step forward and drive them away.

These fierce battlefield veterans, at this moment, were as if treading on thin ice.

The seemingly weak women and children before them had the Crown Prince standing behind them!

"General, there’s no need to be troubled."

Mrs. Peng slowly raised her head, her wrinkled face full of determination: "I only seek justice."

Her withered fingers pointed towards the prison: "My husband rendered meritorious service for the kingdom, yet now..."

Before she could finish, the sound of orderly footsteps suddenly arrived from afar.

A troop of black-armored imperial guards marched in a menacing manner, led unmistakably by... Prince Lu Xuyang!

The old general’s expression suddenly changed, his body under the golden armor instantly tensed.

He was well aware of what the prince’s appearance at this moment signified—a greater storm was about to unfold!

"Chen Denglou! How dare you!"

"How dare you make Mrs. Peng kneel before you!"

Prince Lu Xuyang’s cold voice echoed from a distance. Although he hadn’t arrived yet, his sarcastic tone already caused everyone present to shiver.

The troop of black-armored guards parted like a tide, as Lu Xuyang, in a dark yellow python robe, approached with jade pendants clinking at his waist.

Chen Denglou’s face instantly became ashen behind his golden mask, his mind racing furiously, one expletive after another!

This Prince Lu Xuyang was clearly spreading blatant lies!

When did he make Mrs. Peng kneel?

It was clearly Mrs. Peng herself who knelt to plead!

"Your Highness, ninth prince." Chen Denglou secretly cursed Lu Xuyang, maintaining a composed face as he knelt on one knee in salute,

After the courteous greeting, his voice turned cold and firm, "Your Highness, please be discerning. How could I possibly... make the State Madam kneel."

"Even if I had a thousand nerves, I wouldn’t dare commit such a heinous act."

"How dare?"

Lu Xuyang suddenly raised his voice, unfolding his fan with a "swish," covering half of his handsome face, "Then why is Mrs. Peng kneeling here?"

"Hmm?"

The last "hmm" stretched dramatically, malice flickering in his eyes.

Even a fool could see clearly from his demeanor.

Prince Lu Xuyang was clearly exploiting the situation to deliberately humiliate the Peng Family!

Mrs. Peng’s wrinkled face slightly twitched, and a sharp glimmer flashed in her cloudy eyes.

Her withered fingers clutched the hem of her garment tightly, the veins on the back of her hand prominently visible.

Just as she was about to speak out in rebuttal—

"Mother!"

Her daughter-in-law beside her suddenly grabbed Mrs. Peng’s sleeve with a grip so firm it almost tore the fabric.

The young daughter-in-law, eyes brimming with tears, subtly shook her head and urgently whispered, audible only to the two of them: "Father is still in their hands... Brother Tiansheng has also been taken away..."

That sentence was like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over Mrs. Peng’s head.

She abruptly came to her senses.

Any inappropriate remark at this moment could be relayed to the emperor, whose temperament had drastically changed, through the ever-present imperial guards.

The old lady took a deep breath, her once-straight back slightly bending.

She stared intensely at the patterns on the bluestone slabs on the ground, as if engraving them into her eyes.

Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms, drawing traces of blood, yet she remained oblivious.

The members of the Peng family kneeling around also hung their heads low, their breathing faint and shallow.

They were all too aware of their current predicament.

The master had been accused of treason, and the Eastern Palace Guard Commander Peng Tian Sheng had also been secretly detained.

Should the ninth prince seize upon any misstep now... then exaggerate it, it would spell disaster for the master.

Lu Xuyang, observing the scene, showed a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

He had intended to provoke the Peng family, to pin another charge of "disrespect" on them.

Unexpectedly, the elderly woman managed to remain composed.

Had these Peng family members engaged in a confrontation with him outside the prison.

His ruthless father fully concerned, would indeed harbor suspicion.

If these events reached the father’s ears, wouldn’t it confirm the charge of "disregarding the sovereign"?

At this thought, a sinister gleam crossed Lu Xuyang’s eyes.

His meticulously constructed scenario aimed to provoke the Peng family into losing composure; he wouldn’t allow failure.

If the Peng family dared to show any disrespect, then accusations of "gathering a crowd to cause trouble, defying imperial authority" could be raised in court the next day.

By then, not only would old Peng Lie be unquestionably doomed, the entire Peng family would be uprooted!

Moreover,... it could even implicate his dear brother—the Crown Prince!

At this moment, a twisted, grim curve spread across Lu Xuyang’s lips, his eyes flashing with venomous brilliance.

He suddenly raised his voice, the shrillness of his tone piercing the ears: "Is your entire Peng family intent on openly defying the imperial decree?"

Lu Xuyang no longer held back, lifting his right hand, directly pointing at the kneeling Mrs. Peng.

"His Majesty expressly forbade anyone from interceding for Peng Lie, yet you Peng family members gather to blockade the prison—to what aim?"

As he spoke, he abruptly turned to Chen Denglou, his eyes glinting with coldness: "Mr. Chen, you as the deputy general of the prison,"