Shards

Chapter 68 - Punishment

Lord Yuan almost danced in victory. Finally! He could get rid of the pesky Ghost.

"The lady has spoken! You all heard her!! The scoundrel hugged her! He took advantage of Lady Shuang!!"

"Guards! Take him away!" Lord Zhai was beyond angry. How in the world did the Shard get himself into this position? He had to do damage control! He needed to think. Ghost was no ordinary bodyguard, he was a goddamn Shard! He couldn't just punish him like an ordinary criminal! The implications was giving him a headache.

Ahhh!! He'd stick to his original plan, isolate Ghost in prison out of sight and away from everyone. He'd get to the bottom of this later. All he had to do was keep Ghost imprison for three days and release him back to the Dark Sect when his contract was over. Everyone else would be too busy enjoying the double festivities to remember the bodyguard. He would order that no one speak of the issue anymore. It was House Zhai's business and he as Lord would take care of his own House.

"Wait My Lord! Since his offense is against my fiancée, I demand the right to choose the punishment. We have an ideal punishment in our province for such offenses."

"What?"

"Thirty lashes!" Lord Yuan said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I propose thirty military lashes for dishonoring my fiancée! My Lord Zhai, your mighty House is known for it, the rightful punishment for a traitor in your House!"

He was going to get to see the troublesome bodyguard being whipped. Normally thirty lashes was nothing but all knew the military barbed whips House Zhai used. The Ruling House used it on defectors and traitors. It basically skinned the victim alive.

"Thirty lashes for daring to touch a noblewoman! Thirty lashes in public to make an example of him! Let everyone see that we do not condone such immoral behavior."

"No!" cried Lady Shuang horrified.

"Forty lashes! For lusting after someone's wife." Lord Yuan grinned at Shuang's despair. He'd show her! He'd hurt her by taking out his anger and jealousy on her precious bodyguard.

LiQuin's eyes widen in horror. Forty? Lord Yuan promised her the maximum he would ask for was thirty lashes. Thirty lashes with a normal hide whip, it was the same punishment for a first time adultery offender. Thirty lashes with a normal leather whip was plenty to make a man suffer for weeks while healing, enough time to reflect on his wrongdoings. But fourty military whippings? That was too brutal! She did not mean for Ghost to suffer so much.

"No! Please!!"

"FIFTY LASHES!!" shouted Lord Yuan at Lady Shuang, jealousy blossoming in his heart. Even now she wanted to save the peasant. First Lord Zhang and now Ghost! He knew she liked to look at the good-looking men, but this was disgraceful. "Ten more for corrupting the lady and frightening her into defending him!"

LiQuin's hand went to her mouth, instant regret hitting her. How could he be so cruel? She was trembling in shock at the Lord's betrayal. He had lied to her! Thirty would kill Ghost! She had only wanted to hurt him a little, to bend him to her will! What had she done? This was not what she wanted!

Key was frozen in disbelief. He couldn't understand Lord Yuan's insane demands. It made no sense at all. Lady Shuang had obviously denied the accusation and only capitulated after being manipulated by Lord Yuan. Shouldn't they take Lady Shuang's word over LiQuin? This was unfair! The whole accusation was ludicrous! How can Lord Zhai give in to the spoilt lord's demands? Why won't he defend his daughter and Ghost? C'mon Lord Zhai, say something! DO SOMETHING!!

Lord Zhang was also having a hard time suppressing his anger. He was furious at Lord Yuan's baseless allegations but he could not show any outward reactions to support Ghost. Technically, he had no connections with the bodyguard let alone being his close friend. To defend him any more would only worsen his situation. Poor Xiao Gui. Jealousy was an evil master. He was aware of the LiQuin's feelings for his friend, but then most of the maids were in love with the two handsome Shards. His spies were efficient. But he did not expect LiQuin to go this far.