Chapter 316: Chapter 316 - 308: Devastating Blow

Suddenly, several tall and burly beastmen stepped forward and pinned Shen Qingli to the ground.

She had long since collapsed to the ground in fright, losing the ability to resist, unable to move.

One second she was the Empire Princess above all others, the next she was a prisoner reviled by the masses. Such experiences truly make one sigh!

But everyone felt Shen Qingli deserved it, and no one pleaded for her anymore.

Shen Tang looked down at her, as if watching a defeated dog, curled her lips into a cold smile, "It seems today no one will help you, so I’ll follow the Empire’s laws and give the people an explanation!"

As she spoke, she took the gun from Lu Xiao’s hand and aimed it at Shen Qingli’s head.

Bam!

"Wait—" Almost at the same time, another tall figure rushed forward, trying to stop it.

But it was too late; the bullet from the shot pierced Yun Han’s thigh, a mist of blood exploded, and he fell half-kneeling on the ground, his right leg a bloody mess.

Everyone was shocked by this sudden incident.

Yun Hong was furious, "You unfilial son, what are you doing? Quickly get back here!"

Yun Han knelt before Shen Qingli, using his body to shield her, his head bowed, motionless, looking pained and numb.

Shen Tang frowned tightly, gripping the gun in her hand, uncertain whether to proceed, let alone understand what this foolish wolf was trying to do?

Shen Qingli had deceived him for so long, and he still wanted to protect her?!

Almost simultaneously, Xiao Jin and the others also stepped forward, drawing their guns and aiming at Yun Han.

Lu Xiao, usually quite kind to Yun Han, now had a cold and stern expression, harshly questioning, "Young Master Yun, don’t be confused at a time like this; such behavior defies the royal decree!"

Yun Han spoke dimly and hoarsely, "She has committed such heinous crimes, unforgivable. I do not defend her; Your Highness can dispose of her as you see fit, lifelong imprisonment would not be excessive, but, can you... not kill her? At least, spare her life."

"Damn it, you foolish wolf, is your brain full of blisters? Fine, you want to plead for her, then why don’t you die in her place!" Xiao Jin was so angry he wanted to curse, eager to pry open this foolish wolf’s skull to see how it grew, raised his gun and wanted to shoot him again.

Shen Tang quickly kicked Xiao Jin, coldly said, "Calm down, don’t be impulsive."

If he really fired a shot, hit a vital spot, even if Yun Family said nothing, they’d surely resent it behind the scenes.

Xiao Jin grumbled a few words, reluctantly withdrawing his gun, face full of discontent.

Shen Li narrowed his long, alluring fox eyes, showing an icy expression.

He walked languidly forward, casually spoke, "The evidence is irrefutable, she has pleaded guilty, what is Young Master Yun trying to do?"

"Tsk, could it be that you still have lingering feelings?" Jia Lan crossed her arms, sarcastically, "The facts are right in front of you; she messed around with so many male beasts behind your back, betrayed and deceived repeatedly, treating you like a fool, yet at death’s door you still want to protect her? Should I praise you for your unwavering devotion to her, or denounce you as hopelessly foolish!"

Xue Yinzhou also coldly looked at Yun Han, succinctly said, "Foolish."

Listening to these mocking words and accusations, Yun Han felt as if countless sharp spikes were stabbing into his heart, numb with pain.

When Shen Tang looked at him, her disappointed, cold eyes were like the sharpest dagger in the world, cutting deeply into his broken heart, the pain so severe it made his breath tremble uncontrollably.

Given everything, how could he still love Shen Qingli? He hated her, wanted to kill her with his own hands.

But Shen Qingli was his first love and deep affection, even if he was completely disillusioned with her, no longer loved her, this bond and entanglement was not so easily severed.

He couldn’t bear to watch her meet such a violent end.

Yun Han looked at Shen Tang, pleading in pain, "Your Highness, as long as you spare her life, I won’t meddle in anything else... Consider it a favor I owe you!"

Shen Tang sighed lightly, seemingly helpless.

She handed the gun back to Lu Xiao, looking at Yun Han’s pained face, simply said, "Do you remember what you said in the council meeting?"

Yun Han’s body suddenly froze.

He had promised to personally kill whoever was found guilty of treason!

But...

How could he harden his heart against Shen Qingli.

She was his first love at first sight, the first female he truly loved, sharing the same bed for so long, bearing his child in her womb, despite his hatred for her, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Yun Han closed his eyes, under everyone’s gaze, this proud Young Master Yun lowered his head and prostrated, "...I ask for nothing else! I just ask Your Highness to spare her life, let her live in misery, please don’t kill her."

Everyone present was too shocked to know what to say.

The elder of the Yun Family, having lived most of his life, had never seen his son so humble, both furious and exasperated, tears of anger reddening his eyes, continually cursing his unfilial son, almost fainting from rage.

At this moment, Shen Tang was thoroughly disappointed in Yun Han. She once thought Yun Han was arrogant and foolish, had many flaws, but at least he was affectionate and loyal, able to discern right from wrong, willing to reconcile and ease tensions.

Yet now, she realized she had overestimated him.

For personal feelings, disregarding national duty.

This kind of man couldn’t stir her slightest affection, only contempt and disdain.

Quietly, their once slightly eased relationship plummeted to freezing point.

From then on, there would be no chance of repair.

Shen Tang’s eyes darkened slightly, shaking her head with a cold smile, "Your favor is worthless to me!"

Yun Han’s form suddenly trembled. He raised his head to look at her, seeing those eyes filled with utter disappointment and coldness; at this moment, his heart broke with pain sharper than before, almost rendering him breathless.

She was the future ruler of the Empire, while he was just Young Master Yun.

Indeed, what use was his favor to her?

He had absolutely no right to make requests of her.

Yun Han knelt there, motionless, his bleeding, weakened thigh making it almost impossible for him to stand.

His fury attacked his heart, bitterness in his throat growing ever stronger.

Shen Tang couldn’t be bothered to look at him again; it seemed Yun Han was desperately trying to protect Shen Qingli, wanting to kill Shen Qingli would probably mean stepping over his corpse.

She couldn’t act anymore.

Otherwise, facing the Yun Family, she’d be in a difficult spot.

Not to mention, as expected of the protagonist’s halo, there’s always a flower guardian by her side.

Lu Xiao pondered for a moment, advised, "In half a month will be the Female Master’s coronation ceremony; it’s inadvisable to stir trouble during this period to avoid becoming a talking point... Why not first imprison Shen Qingli, wait up to two months, until Young Master Yun’s emotions calm down, then act – it won’t be too late."

With low birth rates in the Beast World, there is great leniency for pregnant women; the law strictly demands no death penalty for them.

Shen Tang stood in the eye of the storm; killing her to appease public anger was understandable, but it would still provide a talking point, and wasn’t worth it.

"Alright, as you say, first lock her in the dungeon, and deal with it after she gives birth!" Shen Tang, weary, waved her hand, handed over the matter to Lu Xiao, then turned to leave.

She had just taken a few steps when she heard the sound of someone falling behind her, followed by beastmen’s exclamations, "Oh no, the Young Master spat blood and fainted!"

The old man of the Yun Family hurriedly went to him, calling for someone to save him.

Shen Tang’s steps paused, turning to see Yun Han unconscious on the ground, his expression complicated, not knowing what to say.

The blow today was devastating for him; whether he can recover in the future remains unknown.

The Ninth Rank Beastman, reduced to such a state, was essentially crippled, a major loss for the Empire.

So be it, it’s unrelated to me.

This foolish wolf fainted, it’s better. The Yun Family elder will no doubt confine him at home, so she doesn’t need to worry about him irrationally breaking into jail.

Shen Tang turned and left, heading home to rest.