Chapter 76: The Prince's Woman
In the scholar hall, where only esteemed individuals like teachers and noblemen were typically granted the privilege of enjoying tea and conversation, a tense atmosphere hung thick in the air.
Qin Fuhua, the threatening presence whose unexpected arrival had sent shockwaves through the courtyard, remained composed as he calmly sipped his tea.
Beside him sat Suyin, still in the guise of a man. Her posture reflected a sense of timidity amidst the obvious tension that gripped the room.
The sight of Qin Fuhua's calm behavior, opposite to the unease of those present, was unsettling.
Ever since his intervention had thwarted Suyin's impending punishment at the hands of the guards, a wave of apprehension had swept over the teachers, guards, and students alike.
Even the competitors, gathered in anticipation of the final verdict, now found themselves cowering in fear of Qin Fuhua's imposing presence.
Few within the Palace knew Qin Fuhua's true identity as the Prince of Qin, for he seldom graced the halls with his presence. The mere rumor of his connection to the king was enough to instill a sense of dread, as any affront to him could spell dire consequences. He was, after all, named the Prince of Misfortune.
Qin Fuhua's attire, a resplendent robe of black and gold silk, bore a slight tear at the back—a subtle reminder of the power he wielded.
Though not severe, any injury against him, no matter how insignificant, could be construed as treasonous, should Qin Fuhua choose to pursue the matter.
Yet, despite the tension that suffused the room, Qin Fuhua remained unruffled, his demeanor as placid as the surface of a tranquil lake. His leisurely sips of tea seemed to echo in the silence, no one daring to utter a single word.
"Um..."
The hesitant sound of Suyin's voice shattered the oppressive silence, drawing all eyes towards her like moths to a flame.
Before anyone could react, Qin Fuhua abruptly slammed his teacup down onto the table, the sharp sound reverberating through the room like a thunderclap. The sudden gesture elicited startled jumps from the teachers, guards, and soldiers alike, their fear palpable in the air.
"Who was the one responsible for revealing this girl's identity?" Qin Fuhua's voice cut through the silence like a sword, demanding an answer. Yet, none dared to speak, their gazes shifting nervously amongst themselves as they searched for the culprit.
Restless energy crackled in the air as the man who had exposed Suyin stepped forward, his movements hesitant as he bowed before Qin Fuhua, his palms rubbing together nervously.
"It was me," he confessed, his voice trembling with apprehension.
Weizhe, the Prince's guard, entered the scholar hall, acknowledging Qin Fuhua with a nod before taking up a position nearby. Recognition dawned on the faces of the teachers, guards, and scholars alike as they realized the true identity of the man before them—the Prince of Qin.
A collective wave of panic swept through the room, mingled with apologies and expressions of regret.
The teacher who had disciplined Suyin, the one who had ordered her punishment, was among the first to speak up, his voice trembling with fear.
"My sincerest apologies, Your Highness," he stammered, his face pale with realization. The gravity of his actions weighed heavily upon him, the consequences of his impulsive decision looming large.
Qin Fuhua, visibly irritated by the dramatic turn of events, made his displeasure known.
"I have no tolerance for such absurdity," he declared, his tone laced with impatience. Yet, despite his irritation, he turned his attention to the trembling man before him, offering a reassuring pat on the back.
"However," Qin Fuhua continued, his voice stern, "your unauthorized actions have consequences. You will be held accountable for your actions against the lady there."
The man's mouth hung open in shock, unable to comprehend the severity of his impending punishment.
"Should I... just kill him right here, right now?" Weizhe's question cut through the tension like a blade, his eyes fixed on Qin Fuhua with a silent inquiry.
The Prince's raised hand, though seemingly an order to proceed, hesitated at the brink of a decision.
But before any action could be taken, Suyin's voice pierced the charged atmosphere, her words a plea for restraint.
"I cannot bear to witness bloodshed in this sacred hall," Suyin implored, her voice trembling with urgency as she rose from her seat and gently tugged at Qin Fuhua's sleeve.
"Please," she whispered, her eyes beseeching him for mercy.
Weizhe, ever dutiful, sheathed his sword at Suyin's request, his obedience a testament to his unwavering loyalty to Qin Fuhua. The Prince, though visibly conflicted, commended Suyin's wishes, his decision final.
"It appears there will be no need for bloodshed," Qin Fuhua declared, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of resignation. "However, the man will be punished accordingly."
The man's protests fell on deaf ears as Qin Fuhua decreed his punishment—fifty lashes for his transgression.
Suyin glanced at the Prince, her silent plea for leniency met with indifference. It was clear that Qin Fuhua's resolve was unyielding, heedless of Suyin's wishes.
"Wha-- but she had violated the rules!"
The man, now realizing the gravity of his actions, attempted to argue his case once more, citing Suyin's violation of the rules.
"For harassing the Prince of Qin's woman, you are lucky we are being courteous thanks to the lady."
As Weizhe escorted the disgraced man away, the well-respected teacher, known to all as Doctor Zhou Lin, took charge of the situation with quiet authority.
"Everyone, please leave," he commanded, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of weariness. Once the room had cleared, leaving only Qin Fuhua, Suyin, and Teacher Zhou Lin, a sense of solemnity settled over the space.
"It's been a long time since I've seen your face, Your Highness," Teacher Zhou Lin remarked, his voice laced with a mixture of reverence and nostalgia.
Qin Fuhua acknowledged him with a nod. "The great Doctor Zhou Lin. I never expected to find you here," he replied, a hint of surprise coloring his tone.
"I apologize on behalf of the other teachers. I should have been more assertive," Teacher Zhou Lin offered, bowing deeply in a gesture of contrition.
Qin Fuhua dismissed the apology with a wave of his hand, his attention turning to Suyin with a look of fondness tinged with amusement.
"There seems to be a misunderstanding. I was looking for this woman and happened to arrive just in time," he explained, his gaze flickering towards Suyin.
Suyin, intrigued by his words, couldn't help but voice her curiosity. "Looking? How did you know that I was here?" she questioned her expression a mix of confusion and intrigue.
Qin Fuhua simply brushed off her inquiry with a nonchalant gesture, leaving the question hanging in the air unanswered.
"Is this lady a friend of yours?" Teacher Zhou Lin interjected, his gaze shifting between Qin Fuhua and Suyin with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
"She is quite remarkable. Her intellect reminds me of my own youthful days," he added, a note of admiration coloring his words.
"She's my woman."
Qin Fuhua's declaration sent shockwaves through the scholar's hall, eliciting widened eyes from both Suyin and Teacher Zhou Lin. Yet, the tension dissolved into laughter as Teacher Zhou Lin's amusement bubbled over at the unexpected proclamation.
"As it seems, we will have to talk another day. I will be taking my leave," Qin Fuhua announced, his hand clasping Suyin's with a force that bordered on painful.
With a firm grip, he led her out of the courtyard, leaving the onlookers outside of the room in stunned silence.
All eyes followed the pair as they departed, lingering on Suyin, still dressed in men's attire, being led away by the Prince of Qin. Yet, as quickly as the attention had turned to them, it dissipated, the spectators returning to their tasks with a sense of bewilderment lingering in the air.
Away from prying eyes, Suyin wasted no time in confronting Qin Fuhua, her voice trembling with a mixture of pain and indignation.
"Stop! You're hurting my hand!" she demanded, struggling against his vice-like grip. With a swift release, Qin Fuhua recoiled as if stung, putting distance between them.
Suyin, nursing her throbbing hand, shot him a scowl, her frustration evident in her gaze.
"What kind of welcome is this?" she retorted, her voice wavering with suppressed emotion.
"Why are you here?" Qin Fuhua, still turned away from her, his back a wall of unreadable emotion. "Of all of the places, why are you here?"
"After everything that happened at the Long Palace... the fake marriage... everything," her voice trailed off, the memories still raw and painful. "I barely managed to survive, and that's all you ask?!" her voice cracked, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.
Suyin's heart pounded in her chest, the ache of unresolved emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
As Qin Fuhua enveloped her in his comforting embrace, Suyin's tumultuous emotions began to fade away, replaced by a sense of warmth and security.
Despite the whirlwind of confusion and pain that had engulfed her, it was always Qin Fuhua who had the power to make her feel whole again.
His touch, gentle yet firm, seemed to melt away the walls she had made around herself, leaving her vulnerable but strangely at peace.
Tears welled up in Suyin's eyes, a silent testament to the flood of emotions coursing through her. In Qin Fuhua's arms, she found comfort, a refuge from the storms that raged within her.
"It must have been hard," Qin Fuhua murmured softly, his voice a soothing balm to her wounded soul. His words, spoken with a tenderness she had never heard before, washed over her like a gentle caress.
Closing her eyes, Suyin leaned into his embrace, silently acknowledging the truth of his statement.
"I'm sorry, I came too late," Qin Fuhua's apology hung in the air, a rare admission of fallibility from the usually cold-hearted Prince of Qin.
For Suyin, it was a moment of profound significance. In the arms of the man, she had once thought unreachable. And for once, the cold-hearted Prince of Qin who had never wavered his feelings for anyone apologized for the first time in his life.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Aeriesu
Aeriesu Hello Readers!
Hope you all are having a lovely day!
Here's to the next chapter! <3 I Hope you all are doing fine! Stay safe and healthy!
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Ai.Su
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