2844 Smacking You to Death

Upon Stubborn Cao's arrival, he was met with a crowd of people gathered at Butterfly Pavilion's entrance. After making his way inside, he spotted the young Crown Prince Consort seated there calmly.

Several young men in black stood firmly behind the Crown Prince Consort, displaying the unwavering poise of towering pine trees.

Stubborn Cao quickly approached and respectfully saluted the Crown Prince Consort. In response, the young Crown Prince Consort nodded with a friendly demeanor and indicated the large wooden chair beside her, silently inviting him to sit.

His Excellency Cao realized that the situation today was likely extremely serious. They were probably awaiting the arrival of someone important.

At this moment, Elderly Lady Zhang of the Zhang family dared not wail loudly anymore. Her grown children assisted her in taking a seat on the large wooden chair, and she squirmed uncomfortably as if sitting on hot coals. From time to time, she discreetly glanced at the Crown Prince Consort's expression.

Since her recent stern reprimand, the young Crown Prince Consort had not uttered a word. Despite her tender age, her presence was commanding and impossible to ignore.

After a brief interval, Assistant Minister of Justice Zhou Cheng arrived at Butterfly Pavilion's entrance accompanied by seven to eight individuals of various ages.

"I am Zhou Cheng, and I offer my respects to the Crown Prince Consort."

"Thank you for your efforts, Your Excellency Zhou." The young Crown Prince Consort nodded indifferently and shifted her attention to the individuals bound with restraining devices behind him.

"Are these the individuals responsible for the attack on Butterfly Pavilion last night?"

Elderly Lady Zhang immediately leaped from her seat and raised her hand to slap the face of a seven to eight-year-old child. "So it was you people who committed this crime, trampling my son to death!"

"Stop!" Qiao Mu hollered.

Li Ye swiftly intervened, separating Elderly Lady Zhang's raised arms. "The Crown Prince Consort has instructed you to cease! Can't you hear?"

Elderly Lady Zhang nearly lost her balance from the sudden disturbance, but her two sons at her back steadied her. Her wrinkled countenance contorted with resentment, and she let out a wailing cry, "Oh my! The boss of Butterfly Pavilion is bullying us!"

"Deal with this disrespectful elder. Slap her," the young Crown Prince Consort ordered.

Without hesitation, Li Ye raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap across Elderly Lady Zhang's face.

The crisp sound left Elderly Lady Zhang stupefied, and everyone present gawked in astonishment.

Elderly Lady Zhang's two sons, initially supporting their mother, had been prepared to confront Li Ye when they saw him move. However, Li Ye's swift action caught them off guard as he administered a slap to Elderly Lady Zhang's face.

The resounding impact sent shivers down their spines. The more timid younger son instantly regretted accompanying his mother and their group to Butterfly Pavilion to cause trouble.

In hindsight, Butterfly Pavilion was the business establishment of the Crown Prince Consort. Their intent was to confront the illustrious Crown Prince Consort herself. If they mishandled the situation, they would surely suffer the consequences.

On the other hand, the Li Family Consort, who was inherently timid, had joined Elderly Lady Zhang mostly due to the latter's instigation. However, witnessing Elderly Lady Zhang's chastisement by the young Crown Prince Consort, she was too terrified to utter a word.

"Elderly Lady, by the rules, those who behave so disrespectfully in the presence of the Crown Prince Consort shall receive ten lashes from the Royal Whip Court as a warning to others," Li Ye coldly pronounced. "Given your advanced age, the Crown Prince Consort has shown remarkable patience. Please exercise more discretion."

Elderly Lady Zhang, unable to voice her protests due to the beating, mumbled indignantly, her eyes filled with fear when she met the icy gaze of the young Crown Prince Consort. She was too terrified to utter a word.