The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 323 Confession

Liang Youde whispered, "How could I dare..."

"Oh? I thought you were incredibly audacious!"

Seeing that the two were about to fight again, the other tribesmen quickly tried to dissuade them.

Finally, the clan chief calmed down.

“Princess Mingming and Lord Yue already knew about this a few days ago, so there’s no reason why they haven’t summoned us for questioning. Perhaps the princess isn’t as angry as we think, and this matter isn’t entirely hopeless.”

After listening to his analysis, Liang Youde suddenly raised his head, his face showing complete astonishment.

As the saying goes, experience counts. He thought he had matured enough after years of navigating the business world, but the clan leader had so quickly analyzed the inside story that he hadn't expected...

He straightened his expression.

It seems he still needs to practice.

“There is no other way now, Youde,” the clan chief said, looking at Liang Youde. “At that time, no matter what the princess and Lord Le ask, you must answer truthfully. Make sure everyone sees that you have realized your mistake. Also, you must make it clear that you have not done anything yet.”

Madam Xu then instructed: "Be serious and sincere in your repentance."

Someone suggested, "Expressing sincerity isn't just about empty words; why don't we donate half of our wealth..."

The others opened their mouths, but considering the current crisis, they ultimately refrained from voicing any objections.

The clan chief agreed, "You're right, I think 50% is too low, let's go for 70%!"

This time, someone finally couldn't help but voice their doubts: "Is it really that serious?"

"Our money didn't grow on trees..."

"Yeah, a token gesture is enough, right?"

The clan chief's attitude was firm: "Wealth can be regained, but once life is gone, everything is lost!"

His voice suddenly rose, and his tone became somewhat urgent: "Do I have to say it several times? We are now facing a crisis of exterminating nine generations of your family! Do you know what exterminating nine generations of your family means? It means that all your cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, fish, and meats will be dragged out and bled! Cough cough..."

He choked because he was speaking too fast, and a violent coughing sound rang in everyone's ears, like a rapid and disturbing drumbeat.

Others carried water, patted each other's backs, and offered comfort.

"Chieftain, don't be angry! We know."

The clan chief took a sip of water, suppressing the itch in his throat: "My intention is to pay a price to avoid disaster. Do you have any objections?"

Everyone was silent.

The clan chief's gratified gaze swept across everyone's faces: "Don't worry, as long as we stick together, the Liang family will not fall."

Liang Youde witnessed all of this, his gaze somewhat dazed.

At that moment, he saw something called a backbone in his people.

He always thought he was the one dragging the whole family down, and sometimes he even complained that others were stupid and held back.

But now he suddenly realizes that he and his people actually have a mutually supportive relationship.

They share the same interests by nature, so they are destined to share both honor and disgrace.

On the contrary, it was himself...

A sudden feeling of shame welled up in his heart.

Perhaps, he's the one who's holding us back.

As if struck by a sudden enlightenment, Liang Youde felt as if he had been walking in a fog all along, but now, the fog had cleared, and his mind and the world before him became completely clear.

The clan chief's words echoed in his mind, and he suddenly understood many things.

His expression gradually hardened, as if he had made up his mind.

The next moment, he suddenly walked to the clan chief's side and snatched the cane from his hand.

The clan chief relied on his cane for support, and this incident nearly caused him to fall to the ground.

Fortunately, Liang Youde reacted quickly and caught him in time.

After regaining his footing, the clan chief, both angry and anxious, roared, "What's wrong with you?!"

Liang Youde quickly explained, "No, I caused this, I will take full responsibility, I absolutely will not..."

He was halfway through his sentence when he realized that the outcome of the matter was not entirely in his own hands, so he changed his words: "I will try my best not to burden my people."

The clan leader's anger froze: "You..."

Liang Youde knelt down and removed his upper garment: "Clan leader, hit me! The harder you hit me, the more it will show everyone's attitude! The more it will reduce the princess's anger!"

The clan chief was pleased: "Very well! Since you have this awareness, I cannot refuse. I am old and using my cane will not have much effect. Go and get the discipline whip!"

A member of the clan responded and hurriedly ran out to get the discipline whip.

Liang Youde:......

He suspected that the clan chief had wanted to beat him for a long time. The whip was covered with barbs, and the person wielding it did not need to use much force to beat the punished person until his skin was torn and bleeding.

Under the disciplinary whip of the Liang family, many unworthy descendants have lost their lives.

However, he remained kneeling steadily and did not back down.

Soon, the discipline whip was brought over.

The clan chief gripped the whip handle and shouted, "Liang Youde, do you know your mistake?"

"I admit my mistake."

He should not have been arrogant, greedy, and disregarded his clansmen and morality.

"Do you repent?"

"I will definitely repent!"

He understood that a family like the Liang family should prosper and its members should live a peaceful and carefree life.

He couldn't let the brown country disturb the Liang family's peace.

Only when the Great Yong is well can the Liang family prosper.

"Then I shall accept the punishment!"

The clan chief showed no mercy.

This wasn't just for show; there was another reason: the Liang family absolutely could not produce a traitor who sold out his country for personal gain!

He wanted to make Liang Youde suffer, suffer deeply, suffer unforgettable pain, so that if he ever made a mistake again, he would be reminded of the pain he felt today!

There was something he didn't say.

He was glad that Liang Youde could understand; if he hadn't, he, as the clan chief, would have beaten him to death.

Liang Youde had no idea that he had just escaped a disaster; he only felt a chill run down his spine.

However, his sensations were quickly overtaken by pain.

He remained kneeling, making no sound other than muffled groans.

Even if my lips are bitten raw, even if my back is covered in blood.

The Azure Dragon Guards and yamen runners arrived at this time.

Their attitude was stern but not domineering; they simply took away the half-dead Liang Youde, the clan chief, and Xu Shi.

The others were ordered to stay in the house and await the outcome.

Outside the palace gate.

Zheng Xun was not surprised to see him being carried up like a dead dog.

The people were in an uproar.

The Liang family patriarch, an old scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, knelt down tremblingly and briefly recounted the events.

His attitude was extremely upright; he neither protected nor concealed anything.

"Your Majesty, Princess, Your Excellency... It is because of our Liang family's failure to properly educate Liang Youde that he committed such a heinous crime. The Liang family has no complaints about any punishment!"

After listening quietly, Le Zhenghong turned his gaze to Liang Youde: "Liang Youde, what about you?"

"The chieftain's attitude reflects the common people's attitude, but there's one point..."

"Oh?"

Le Zhenghong thought he was going to try to argue, but Liang Youde didn't.

He kowtowed to the people in high positions, and then looked at Madam Xu.

Xu understood and helped him turn around.

Then, Liang Youde kowtowed to the people again.

"The criminals were momentarily confused and almost made a terrible mistake."