After flirting with the aloof prince, the concubine ran away pregnant.

Afu held the bowl of amber crystal jelly, the sweet aroma of peaches and rock sugar wafting into her nose, but Yunxi felt a chill in her heart.

Afu said with difficulty, "No one can change the Crown Prince's orders."

Upon hearing this, Yunxi collapsed to the ground, completely limp.

Afu helped her up, her voice carrying a hint of reassurance: "Don't rush, get up first, I'll go in and try to see if I can..."

Before he could finish speaking, a cold, hard voice came from under the eaves.

"Plead for mercy?" Changsong emerged from behind the moon gate, looking expressionlessly at Yunxi kneeling on the ground. "This girl's mugwort incense gave the young master a headache all afternoon."

"Even if the young master has a good temper, he won't tolerate his subordinates doing such things. He just gave the order to give her twenty lashes."

Twenty strokes of the cane would leave a frail little maidservant half-dead, if not dead.

Afu finally frowned.

Yunxi must not get into trouble.

Xie Xun has always been fair in his rewards and punishments, and acted according to the rules. Why was the punishment so severe this time?

If Xunxiang made a mistake, at most it would be considered incompetence, resulting in a few reprimands or expulsion from Shian Courtyard, along with twenty strokes of the cane. This was almost equivalent to the punishment for attempting to harm one's master.

Changsong looked at Afu's furrowed brows and sighed inwardly.

Of course, he couldn't say that the spice packet the guards found in the girl's room smelled exactly the same as the "Bone-Corroding Fragrance" that Lu Wuxiang had found before.

This bait was originally intended for the prince to use for fishing, but now, before the fish have even taken the bait, it has run headfirst into the net, committing the grave taboo of offending its master.

The young master didn't kill her on the spot, which was already a favor because she was under Miss Afu's command; he spared her life.

He couldn't say a single word of these things to Afu. He could only hope that Afu was smart enough not to interfere at this time.

Upon hearing "twenty strokes of the cane," Yunxi's sobs choked in her throat, leaving only desperate sobs.

Afu remained silent for a moment.

She couldn't let Yunxi be dragged on like this. Once she was severely tortured, she would be ruined, let alone be expected to testify against Taoyao.

She had to protect Yunxi for the time being.

Afu took a deep breath, picked up the bowl of crystal jelly, and walked straight towards the main room.

Sure enough, the study was filled with an indescribable astringent smell, which made one's temples throb.

Xie Xun was not behind his desk, but half-reclined on the long couch by the window, one hand pressed against his forehead and the other casually resting on the open page of the book. His face was very unpleasant, and his irritation was obvious.

Afu walked in quietly and placed the bowl of crystal jelly on the small table next to him.

"This servant made some amber crystal jelly, chilled it, and it's refreshing and sweet. Your Highness, please try it; it might help relieve some of the summer heat."

The crystal jelly trembled in the white porcelain bowl, its amber-colored body encasing pinkish-white peach pieces and golden apricot flesh, looking refreshingly delightful.

Xie Xun hadn't had much of an appetite, but after glancing at it, he actually felt a bit curious.

He condescended to sit up, picked up a silver spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.

The cool, sweet taste melts instantly on the tongue, the fragrance of the fruit and the sweetness of the honey are just right, dispelling much of the irritability in my heart.

A barely perceptible look of amazement flashed in his eyes, but he didn't say anything and took a second bite.

Afu understood immediately; this young master really did have a fondness for these exquisite and beautiful little tea buds.

She didn't mention Yunxi immediately, but instead turned and walked to the window, opening the screened window a little to let the fragrant breeze from outside blow in and wash away the strange smell in the room.

Then, she walked to the storage cabinet next to her, rummaged through it for a while, and took out a flat, palm-sized white jade box.

She opened the box and placed it on a small table not far from Xie Xun.

A cool, refreshing scent immediately spread out with perfect restraint, not strong, but like an invisible hand gently massaging the tense nerves.

The flavor is somewhat like mint, with a touch of camphor wood's calming quality, which strangely overpowers the astringency.

It was a balm she made by mixing peppermint, camphor, and several invigorating herbs, imitating modern Tiger Balm.

Xie Xun glanced at the bright green ointment in the small box but said nothing. Afu was always like this, able to bring out the most suitable thing when he needed it most.

With the delicious food and the effective balm, Xie Xun's complexion visibly improved. He leaned back on the couch, his whole body relaxing, even his brow unfurrowing.

Afu seized the opportunity and slowly knelt down, whispering, "Your Highness, the matter of Yunxi was due to my improper training. She is young and her skills are not yet proficient. She made a mistake while making incense and offended Your Highness. It was my fault."

Instead of begging for forgiveness directly, she took the blame upon herself.

"Your Highness deserves to punish her. However... I implore Your Highness, could you please be lenient? Allow me to take her back and discipline her properly. If it happens again, I will personally send her to the estate without Your Highness even needing to say a word."

Xie Xun's gaze, which had softened, suddenly turned cold when he heard her plead for Yun Xi.

He turned his head, looking at Afu kneeling on the ground with a hint of inquiry.

She was protecting Yunxi.

Afu is also very good at perfumery; she understands fragrance.

But when he looked into her open and clear eyes, there was no evasion in them, only sincerity.

So they put Yunxi back as bait, placing her next to them, giving her a chance to prove her innocence.

Afu had no idea that Xie Xun had been thinking a thousand thoughts in that short moment. She only felt that the pressure around him had dropped again, and his eyes were as cold as ice.

Her heart sank, thinking that her plea for mercy had failed.

But then he suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an indescribable, almost cruel undertone.

"Twenty slaps on the mouth, you will personally administer the punishment."

Afu suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with astonishment.

Let her personally administer the punishments? What does that mean?

"Yes." Without time to think, Afu lowered her head. "This servant obeys."

Fortunately, she wasn't going to lose half her life. She suppressed the surging emotions in her heart and stopped thinking about it.

Unbeknownst to her, the moment she lowered her head, Xie Xun's gaze grew increasingly deep and cold.

When Afu came out of the main room, Yunxi and Changsong were waiting under the eaves.

Upon seeing her, Yunxi's eyes shone with hope.

"The young master has ordered," Afu's voice was flat, "that the caning be waived, but twenty slaps to the face be given, and I will carry out the punishment."

Upon hearing this, Yunxi immediately kowtowed towards the main house, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness! Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!"

Afu didn't look at her again, but said to Changsong, "I'd like to trouble Brother Changsong to be my witness."

"You're too kind, young lady."

The execution took place in the open space of the courtyard. Bai Zhi rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing the scene, she wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from A Fu.

Afu stood in front of Yunxi and raised her hand expressionlessly.

"Snap!" The crisp sound was particularly jarring in the quiet courtyard.

Yunxi's face immediately turned red.

Afu didn't feel any reluctance to do it. This girl deserved this punishment when she secretly switched the plums in her plum sorbet in the small kitchen last time.

If she hadn't been lucky enough to escape the twenty strokes of the cane that day, she would still be lying in bed.

However, Afu's technique was very skillful. The sound was loud, but the force was dispersed. It hurt a little, but it didn't damage the inside.

Yunxi gritted her teeth and remained silent, but tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls.

After twenty lashes, Yunxi's face was already red and swollen, and her eyes were also red and squinting.

Afu withdrew her hand, turned around and bowed to Changsong: "Brother Changsong, the punishment is over."

Changsong nodded, said nothing, and turned to go back to the main room to report.

Afu then walked to Baizhi's side, her voice a little hoarse: "Quickly, help her back to her room and find some ice to apply to her skin."