Chapter 29
Yun Niang rubbed her hands hardly and walked back with a very serious expression . When she raised her head, her face changed so quickly because she bumped into Hua Yueling who laughed her head off . Meantime, a sly and evil smile crept on her small tender face .
Yun Niang felt an instant blush on her face when she first turned around and saw Hua Tieying disappearing out of the lane . Then she raised her head only to see the sly smile of Hua Yueling .
“Yun Niang, what’s wrong with my father?” Asked Hua Yueling who had a ringing laugh .
“Ah, Lord Hua, has lost something . ” Yun Niang’s face became increasingly embarrassed and then ran into the restaurant hastily . She didn’t show up until Hua Yueling left . For this, Hua Yueling couldn’t help laughing .
Not soon after nine o’clock, the carriage stopped in front of six opening gate of the Ministry of Penalty . The characters “Ministry of Penalty” were carved vigorously on the board, revealing a sort of stateliness and solemnity .
Hua Yueling and Ye You got off the carriage . She ordered Hua Xiaolong and Ping’er to go back home first . Hua Xiaolong understood that his sister had something important to do, and thus he went back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion in obedience .
“My Lady, are you sure you want to get into the Ministry of Penalty? And to investigate the spies of the Kingdom of Lanyue?” Asked Ye You with his eyes twinkling .
“Yeah, I am fond of investigating . Besides, I have plenty of spare time . It’s my great honor to make contribution to our Kingdom . ” Hua Yueling took out the golden medal granted by the Emperor and went straight to the gate .
“Stop! Here is the Ministry of Penalty, staff only!” The guard standing at the gate didn’t know Hua Yueling, who then immediately took out the golden medal to show them . Seeing this, the eight guards’ expressions changed and they knelt down all at once, “Greetings to Your Excellency!”
“En, has Minister Liao arrived?” Hua Yueling was satisfied with those guards . At least they won’t doubt her . She didn’t know that it was the Minister who had told them yesterday that a female Imperial Minister would come to inspect today . Terrified as they were, for there wasn’t any female imperial minister in the Kindom of Dayue, they had to obey the order of the Minister Liao .
Hua Yueling arranged her emerald green skirt and went inward elegantly . A guard went in to announce her coming, while the other followed Hua Yueling respectfully and replied, “Your excellency, Minister Liao has already arrived . ”
“Then did the Fourth Prince and Lord Hua come too?” Hesitated for a while, Hua Yueling went on .
“Yes, they did . Hearing your Excellency’s arrival, they have come in advance for preparing the welcome ceremony . ” The guard continued to bow with a great show of respect . Glancing at Hua Yueling’s pretty face for several times, he felt very puzzled as to this woman’s capability .
Passing the broad path paved with boulder stone, they found themselves in a wide and bright lobby . Just then, a middle-aged man in a government uniform running out, followed by the Fourth Prince and Hua Yujin . Obviously, the man in front was Minister Liao .
“Greetings to Your Excellency!” Minister Liao took the lead and bowed . To toe the mark, the two men standing behind him shouted respectfully too .
“Well . ” Hua Yueling smiled indifferently, “Minister Liao, You already know why I’m here, don’t you?”
“Sure, sure . We are expecting Miss Hua to help the Kingdom of Dayue get over the difficulty . ” Minister Liao said in a flattering manner .
“Good . Let’s get to the point . My personal energy is not enough to solve the problems . So, I need an elite group from the Ministry of Penalty to work with me . ” A sense of solemnity suggested in her brisk voice .
“Yes, yes . Miss Hua, please come in . Today, all members of the Ministry of Penalty are here . Miss Hua can choose whoever you like . ”
“Well, let’s go inside . ” Hua Yueling walked inside confidently .
The Fourth Prince ran in the front and gave a heavy clap of his hand . Immediately as Hua Yueling walked into the yard, all the staff knelt, shouting together “Greetings to Your Excellency!” The sound was so loud and bright that Hua Yueling got a real startle . This was the so-called welcome ceremony .
“Stand up!” Hua Yueling calmed herself down and she told herself that she was lecturing the prisoners . But when she saw their faces full of contempt and ridicule, all the polite words she was going to say were swallowed . It seemed that no one was willing to submit to her .
“My Lady, these are trained soldiers . Do you want them to give a show right now?” Nangong Yixuan smiled .
Hua Yueling wore her Gold Fingerstall . Then she walked to the front row of soldiers who looked so arrogant and gave everyone of them a closer inspection .
Those young people were all strong and ambitious . They were obviously not satisfied with being a woman’s subordinates . That was why when Hua Yueling looked at them, quite a few of them turned their heads coldly .
“It’s unnecessary!” Hua Yueling said indifferently . Then she walked to the stone mortar where the soldiers practiced martial arts, and suddenly gave a heavy punch .
“Whoever possesses such ability, stand out! I will show my sincere admiration to you . If not, I feel so ashamed of you for your arrogance in such a young age . You’d better go and get your punishment!” Her voice was so majestic and her eyes were so sharp that everyone was quite shocked . Simultaneously, Everyone looked back and saw a hole in the thick stone mortar . And the hole was so deep that one would not see the bottom .
“Wow!” After a while of hissing, hundreds of people wore frightened face and began to whisper with one another .
Hua Yueling snorted, going towards the Minister Liao . And then she said in a clear loud voice, “Are these the elites of the Ministry of Penalty? No wonder spies and assassins are so rampant! How do you feel, Lord Liao?” Hua Yueling scolded the Minister Liao harshly, who blushed with shame .
“You’re right . ” Lord Liao quickly bowed and scraped .
“My Lady, actually, it’s my responsibility to discipline the soldiers, not Lord Liao’s . ” The Fourth Prince, Nangong Yixuan, also blushed . Although he knew Hua Yueling had used the Fingestall, he had already seen her Kung Fu, intelligence and wit . He also knew that Hua Yueling had to terrorize the soldiers with deterrence .
“‘When the above behave wrongly, the below will do the same’ . Since it’s your fault, you should be spanked for 30 times!” Hua Yueling glared at him coldly .
The whole crowd was startled . They thought that Hua Yueling was too audacious, for the man she was going to punish was the Fourth Prince .
“Is there anything wrong? Are you not convinced?” Hua Yueling oppressively glared at the group of people who had been frightened by her, “If a leader doesn’t correct his mistakes immediately, how can one get his expectation from him?”
“I’m willing to accept the punishment for the Forth Prince!” An solider went down on one knee quickly .
“I’m willing to be punished!” More soldiers knelt down .
“It seems that although you are arrogant, you know the team spirit . For the sake of your Minister, the Fourth Prince will be spanked only for 3 times . We know a stumble may prevent a fall, so all of you will be spanked for 5 times . Report here immediately after being punished! Let me see who is qualified to be my guard!” Hua Yueling announced loudly and sternly .
“Yes, My Lady!” With one voice, everyone rushed to the Penalty Room . They were all conquered by the Lady’s majestic manner and convincing capability .
“Sister, you are so cruel . ” Hua Yujin sneaked to Hua Yueling and whispered .
“How can I catch the spy with a merciful heart? Don’t forget we can only allow success tonight!” Hua Yueling darted a cold look at him . .
Hua Yujin immediately said to his sister who had changed so much with a cheeky smile, “Sister, can I follow you from now on?”
“Are you qualified?” Hua Yueling finally laughed .
Hua Yujin was stunned for a while, then he walked to the stone mortar and punched it with his inner energy .
“Silly brother, don’t you feel hurt?” Hua Yueling found it both funny and annoying when she saw him pulling out his bloody finger .