Yang Hanying tightened his grasp around her hair and pushed her head towards him while leaning in to forcefully kiss those plump lips when the door was kicked open and a figure emerged from outside.

Yuan Song's expressions darkened seeing Yang Hanying forcing himself on Tan Xiu while grabbing her hair and face. Her crying and struggling face made him clench his fists as he walked to him in long strikes and grasped his hand and turned him around before landing a punch on his face.

" How dare you touch her with your dirty hands?" he glowered as he punched him. He knows that he is the Emperor and its consequences can be grave, but he can't let him exploit her in front of him. He isn't afraid of dying. He is afraid to let the woman he loves to get hurt in front of him.

Tan Xiu plumped on the bed weakly in horror. Her breath was stuck in her throat as she panted heavily. She has never been treated like this in her whole life and this experience was scary to the point that she couldn't help but shiver.

His every disgusting word and that piercing gaze were making her shiver uncontrollably. Tears couldn't stop flowing from her eyes as she watched Yuan Song punching Yang Hanying.

Yang Hanying also returned the punches, " So you couldn't stay away for long huh? You Bastard. You're playing with my woman behind my back, how dare you?" he shouted.

Tan Xiu frowned hearing his words. They aren't even married yet and he was treating her as if she is his property.

Yuan Song's expressions turned dark hearing his words as he punched him harshly. When Tan Xiu finally came to her senses, she realized what's happening. Before she could stop them, the guards emerged from the door with Tan Jiahao following them,

"What's happening here?" Tan Jiahao shouted, making the two men stop fighting at the very instant. Seeing Yuan Song has stopped, Yang Hanying found his opportunity and started throwing punches at him until his nose and mouth started bleeding.

Yuan Song didn't retaliate in front of Tan Jiahao and let Hanying beat him.

Tan Jiahao gritted his teeth and glanced at his men to stop them from fighting. His gaze fell on Tan Xiu whose face was now covered in tears and her clothes and hair were disheveled.

He clenched his fists when he saw those hand marks on her skin and jaw. Since she has a pearl-like complexion and sensitive skin, the marks were quite evident, making her look vulnerable.

-

In the imperial court, Tan Jiahao was sitting on his throne while Yang Hanying was sitting at the highest chair beside him which was placed especially for him.

He rubbed his nose which was bleeding a while ago. He looked at Yuan Song who was standing in the middle of the court.

" Emperor Tan, you should be glad that I decided to make an alliance with you in exchange for your daughter. If I don't help you, these neighboring enemies of yours will chew you raw and throw you out of your position." Yang Hanying said while looking at Yuan Song who was standing in front of him, with his head bowed down.

Tan Xiu's mouth parted upon hearing his words. She glanced at her mother who nodded, confirming his claims. She knew that there must be some issues but never thought that it could be serious to this extent.

Tan Jiahao didn't say anything and listened to his words indifferently.

" You need this alliance more than me. This Bastard dared to punch the Emperor of the Yang Dynasty. To continue our alliance, I want this man's head in compensation for the injury I have incurred." he said while smirking as he turned to glance at Tan Xiu who hides behind her mother.

However, her expressions were now turned pale as she looked at Yuan Song who was standing there without saying any word.

She pursed her lips and ran out, going in the middle of the court, she kneeled beside Yuan Song, " Father, please don't do this. Commander Yuan Song did this only to protect him. He didn't have any other intention. " she begged while rubbing her hands together in front of him.

She turned to Yang Hanying and said, " Your Majesty, we are marrying in a few days, do you have to start our married life with bloodshed? I...I am marrying you, can't you just let this thing go? I will do anything you say, just let him live. Don't hurt him." she wailed miserably.

Yuan Song who was standing beside her was shocked and tried to stop her and make her stand up but she shrugged his hand away and continued begging to let him live. He felt uncomfortable seeing her begging that jerk for the sake of his life.

" Princess Tan Xiu, don't do this. I have no problem with his majesty's decision. I have no regrets." he said while trying to calm her down. He respects Tan Jiahao and would not question his decision even once.

Tan Jiahao looked at them and saw Tan Xiu begging him to spare Yuan Song's life. He clenched his fists before speaking, " Tan Xiu, stand up."

"No father. You can't do this. You can't kill him. I won't..

"No one is dying so stop crying," he said, making her stop crying at the instant.

Yang Hanying frowned and looked at Tan Jiahao in bewilderment as he continued, " Yuan Song did nothing to deserve punishment. He just fulfilled his task to protect the princess of the Tan Dynasty."?Tan Jiahao said sternly, making everyone shocked.

"What do you mean he did nothing to be punished? His crime can be considered as a terror act since he attacked the Emperor." Yang Hanying retaliated.

Tan Jiahao turned to him and said, " What you were doing was a terror act, not his. You were trying to hurt the princess of the Tan Dynasty in her own territory. Emperor Yang Hanying, don't forget that the alliance hasn't been made yet. Tan Xiu hasn't married you yet and is not your consort." he said, making the latter shocked.

"In that sense, you have no right to hurt her in any way. You might not treat women as humans but here, in the Tan Dynasty, people who try to exploit or hurt the women have to go through severe punishment. Nobody...not even an Emperor can go against this law." he said while looking at him seriously.

" And you just dared to exploit the Princess of Tan Dynasty, who holds the highest power next to the Empress Dowager."

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