Ruyu trembled all over. She cast a pleading glance at Nanny Xu, then looked to the Princess Consort.
A cold sneer touched the corner of Nanny Xu's lips. The Princess Consort didn't even spare Ruyu a sideways glance.
Left with no choice, Ruyu stepped forward, trembling, and knelt at Xiao Yu's feet.
Xiao Yu sneered. "What audacity. You're just a servant girl, yet instead of focusing on serving my mother properly, you dare to collude with the Chief Steward of the outer court and stir up trouble right in front of her!"
"Men! Drag her out and give her forty strikes with the plank! Then throw her out!"
Upon hearing "forty strikes," Ruyu only had time to let out an "AH—" before she crumpled to the floor and fainted.
Two serving women dragged Ruyu out and began the beating right there in the courtyard.
