Chapter 150: Punishment and Reward

Translator: Guy Gone Bad

Swash—! The imperial guards quickly brandished their swords and cut all the water snakes on the platform into halves. The snake pieces dropped into the fire like tears streaming with red blood streaking crisscrossed the ground, sending chills up to one’s spine…

Murong Xue was relieved inwardly, finally the water snakes all solved…

With a huge “boom”, a soaring flame suddenly rose and a monstrous heat wave came over, pushing Murong Xue staggered back several steps. After standing firm, she looked up and saw the fire on the lake spread along the bodies of the water snakes onto the pleasure boat where she was standing. After touching the cooking oil on the deck, the little flare grew into towering flames rising and rushed straight towards her like an arrow from the string…

Murong Xue quickly turned around and ran to the nearby deck. The boat would soon get engulfed by the fire. She must jump to the front platform as fast as possible to keep herself safe…

The fire was burning up and chasing closer, and was on the verge of burning Murong Xue alive. All of a sudden, a white figure fell from the sky, grabbed her waist and took her up into the air. The fire whooshed throughout the boat, instantly turned it into a sea of fire…

Whirring wind blew through her ears, and faint ink and bamboo fragrance lingered on the tip of her nose. Murong Xue looked up and saw a beautiful face resembling a picture. She stared at the man, frowning and said, “Where have you been?”

She encountered dangers several times on the boat. If Ouyang Shaochen had been nearby, he would definitely have come to rescue her and would never have waited until now.

“I had something urgent to deal with, so I went to the riverside to sit for a while. I saw you being chased by the fire soon after I came back…” Ouyang Shaochen glanced at her, wearing an obvious despising face.

Murong Xue’s beautiful little face was slightly gloomy. She said sullenly, “How could you blame on me? I set fire only to kill those annoying water snakes…”

“Couldn’t you just run away after setting the fire? Look at you, just stood there, waiting for the fire to come over, you are really,” Ouyang Shaochen gave her a leer with his cool and thin lips gently spitting out a word, “stupid!”

Murong Xue’s bright little face darkened instantly and glared at him maliciously, “I didn’t expect the fire would be so strong. It burned all over the boat relying on the bodies of water snakes floating on the water…”

“Oil is flammable. Such a large pile of oil-stained snakes beside would obviously get the boat ignited. How could you have forgotten about that? Do you have any words for yourself?” Ouyang Shaochen raised his eyebrows and looked at her, his eyes full of contempt.

“You are the stupid!” Murong Xue was furious and ruthlessly punched Ouyang Shaochen. After setting the fire, she was ready to leave, but the fire burned so fast that she failed to seize the time to leave…

Seeing a gust of evil wind striking, Ouyang Shaochen turned sideways deliberately and avoided her attack. He loosened his arm to let Murong Xue fall onto the platform and stagger back three or four steps before she could stand firm.

Scenting blood, Murong Xue gently frowned and mercilessly stared at Ouyang Shaochen. She looked up to the front, and saw the tables and chairs on the high platform were all cut apart, ladies gathered in two or three in shock!

Even the Empress and the Emperor’s concubines looked pale. They were surrounded by maids and nannies, carefully arranging their hair accessories and dresses.

The Emperor stood in the center of the high platform with his hands at the back. He looked at the burning fire on the lake, eyes flashing. His thin lips gently sipped, revealing a sense of majesty though showing no anger.

“Who is the organizer of this dragon boat race?” Hearing the cold and dignified inquiry, military and civilian officials all shuddered, looking to the left back…

All of a sudden, a figure stumbled over, and knelt in front of the Emperor, with his head down, “Your Majesty, this race is hosted by me!”

The Emperor looked down at him and saw the man was wearing the fourth rank official robes. His official hat was slightly askew, his arms and legs were injured, his body was trembling slightly, and his face was pale. It was Du Yi, prefect of Taichang Temple.

“Look at what you’ve done.” The Emperor’s deep voice was enveloped with great anger. Du Yi quivered and said hastily, “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t expect the water snakes would climb onto the platform and attack people…”

Du Yi spent numerous manpower and material resources in order to get the right to organize the race, but he never thought that his dragon boat race would be destroyed by snakes while the passing races were all organized well and pleasing.

“What a good excuse! Dragon boat races are held on the water. The high platform is also built on the water. Everyone knows there are snakes in the water. Every host would think of preventing insects and snakes. But you’ve done nothing. Of what use are damn you?” The Emperor sharply questioned him, with his sharp eyes flashing with cold.

Du Yi’s tall figure trembled violently and he stammered, “I know my mistake, please show mercy, Your Majesty…”

Because of his improper arrangement, the snakes attacked wildly, the Emperor and Empress were both frightened, and civil and military officials as well as the royal families suffered injuries. He was now asking for no increase in official position, only hoping His Majesty would not punish him too severely…

“Your fault has caused the weak harem frightened, and tens of thousands of people injured. How can I let you off?” The Emperor was livid and reprimanded him harshly.

Du Yi choked on the Emperor’s remarks. At this moment, the Emperor would feel even more offended the more Du Yi pushed off his responsibility. The Emperor’s anger might reduce if Du Yi just admitted his mistake.

He bit his teeth secretly and said in a low voice, “It was all my fault! I ask for the punishment, Your Majesty.”

Looking at his pious eyes, the Emperor’s face eased slightly, and he then said coldly, “A big mistake was made due to your thoughtlessness. I depose you the position of prefect of Taichang Temple, and demote you as a civilian. For now on, you could never serve the government… Now, go to the Ministry of Punishments to receive the punishment of one hundred spanks!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy!” Du Yi kowtowed to the Emperor and breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He only deposed of his official position and had to receive one hundred spanks, which was so much better than death penalty.

“What are you still doing here? Be quick to receive your penalty!” Hearing the Emperor’s dignified rebuke came from above, Du Yi shook and then hastily said, “Yes, I might be excused.”

Du Yi stood up. When leaving backward step by step, he saw the Emperor turned around from the corner of his eye. The Emperor’s voice was as amiable as ever, “Is Xue hurt?”

Du Yi’s footsteps suddenly paused, Xue? Could it be Murong Xue?

He looked up quietly and saw a young girl with a bright little face and a delicate body standing opposite the Emperor. It was Murong Xue.

Murong Xue looked at the Emperor and chuckled, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Prince Ouyang came in time, so I was unharmed.”

“That’s good!” The emperor nodded with faint eyes, “Your plan of setting fire to burn the water snakes solved the trouble and saved me, the empress, and civil and military officials. To recognize your contribution, you can make a request to me…”