Chapter 397: Asking For Forgiveness

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Gu Qingluan was about to voice her displeasure when, unexpectedly, these people automatically stepped aside to clear a path.

“Miss Gu, please go ahead.”

Gu Qingluan was confused.

Weren’t these people here to cause trouble for her?

She followed the cleared path and noticed a man kneeling in front of her doorstep. He had his upper body bared, and his back was bound with… thorny branches?

What on earth was going on?

She continued walking without showing any emotion.

Feng Tianlan and Jing Feng followed closely.

“Miss Gu, 1 am Yang Fugui, the vice commander of the North City Gate. You may not know me, but 1 have offended you gravely. 1 deeply apologize to you!”

The tall and burly man kowtowed to Gu Qingluan several times.

Gu Qingluan looked puzzled. “How did you offend me?”

She remembered this vice commander; he was stationed at the North City Gate. However, she couldn’t recall any interaction or conflict with him.

Yang Fugui recounted the incident where he had misunderstood Gu Qingluan and advised the head of the Li family to send her away in an attempt to pacify the anger of the Dingbei Army. He wore a profound expression of remorse on his face as he shared this with her.

“Miss Gu understands righteousness, possesses great strength, and is kind-hearted. You are completely different from the rumors. I was shallow-minded before and misunderstood you.”

With that, he kowtowed to Gu Qingluan again.

Gu Qingluan had been misunderstood by many people before, and she hadn’t taken it seriously.

She didn’t expect someone to apologize to her so sincerely and earnestly.

She examined the man before her.

He appeared to be around thirty years old, with clear eyes. It was evident that he was genuinely apologizing.

It wasn’t a significant offense in the first place; he had merely gone along with the crowd and rumors.

There was no need to talk about forgiving or not forgiving.

“You may rise.”

“No, please punish me, Miss Gu.”

Saying this, he removed the thorny branches from his back and presented them to Gu Qingluan.

The branches had barbs that had left red marks on his back, and there were tiny wounds as well.

Gu Qingluan remained unmoved. “This matter is already resolved. There’s no need for you to do this.”

“Miss Gu, are you unwilling to forgive me?” Yang Fugui’s eyes filled with a despondent expression. “I understand. I committed a grave mistake, and it’s normal for Miss Gu not to forgive me. In that case, please let General Song handle it.”

Saying this, he handed the thorny branch to Song Chongliang, who stood nearby.

Song Chongliang cleared his throat, walked forward, and accepted the thorny branch from Yang Fugui. He solemnly said, “According to the rules in the military, when one commits an offense, they must be punished. Miss Gu is compassionate and unwilling to punish Vice Commander Yang. Allow me, Song Chongliang, to take on this task.”

“Very well!”

Gu Qingluan didn’t understand why these two were making such a big deal out of it. Was it necessary?

However, she didn’t stop them.

By doing this, they were showing her respect. If she stopped them, it would not only be a blow to their pride but also to her own reputation.

She figured that if she prevented them, others would be more audacious in criticizing her in the future.

Seeing her lack of objection, Song Chongliang raised the thorny branch and brought it down forcefully upon Yang Fugui’s exposed back.

The thorny branck, as thick as a finger, produced a whooshing sound as it swung through the air.

The onlookers couldn’t help but inhale sharply in response.

Some of the more timid ones even closed their eyes, unable to bear witnessing the scene.

A resounding “thwack” echoed through the air as the switch struck Yang Fugui’s flesh, sounding like a firecracker going off.

It left a horrifyingly prominent scar on Yang Fugui’s back in an instant.

It was evident that Song Chongliang showed no mercy; each lash was delivered with full force.

Despite the excruciating pain, Yang Fugui clenched his teeth and did not utter a sound.

Song Chongliang continued the punishment without hesitation.

With each stroke, the onlookers felt as if they were being lashed too, their own backs tingling in sympathy.

As for Yang Fugui, his back was now a mangled mess, his front soaked in sweat.

His face had turned pale, and a trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth.

But he did not request an end to the punishment.

Song Chongliang was resolute in his actions, delivering each lash with unwavering determination.

Even after the tenth strike, he showed no intention of stopping.. It was at this point that Gu Qingluan suddenly spoke up, saying, “That’s enough!”