"Nooooo"
A loud scream resounded through the spring courtyard. The two maids who had been standing guard outside rushed inside in panic to see Chunhua breathing heavily.
The two pretty maids who just rushed in were concerned.
"Madam! Are you alright?" they asked in unison.
"Water!I--I need water," she said in a whisper.
"Lan, go get madam water" ordered the maid wearing a ponytail.
The other one who had two ponytails nodded and dashed out of the room as fast as she could.
The one remaining was Lihua who was lightly massaging Chunhua's shoulders and back.
"Miss, calm down. It's just a nightmare. Not real"she pacified but Chunhua was still shaking like a leaf.
"Li Hua! Get the emperor please" Chunhua said with a semi-order,semi-request tone.
"But Madam, his Majesty should be in a meeting with the officials right now." said a reluctant Li Hua.
Even though madam was the favored one, it didn't mean that she could be free from severe punishment or death if she angered His Majesty.
"Fine! Just---just get lost and tell Lan not to bother with water." she barked.
"But madam ----your not okay. I--"Li Hua was cut short by her madam.
"You wish me death right?"Chunhua asked.
"No---madam it's not like that--"Li Hua tried to explain but Chunhua had no time for that.
"GUARDS!" she roared
In less than 12 seconds,2 able-bodied guards dressed in black and red rushed in and went on one knee, heads bowed.
"What is your wish Madam?" they asked in unison.
"This girl is evil. Flog her 20 lashes of the bull rod"Chunhua barked.
"Yes madam!" the guards shouted in unison and dragged a pleading Li Hua away.
"Nooo, madam! This is a misunderstanding"She cried.
"Increase it to 70 strokes," said Chunhua"And make sure you also do that to her accomplice"She added.
"NOOO" Li Hua's mouth was covered by one of the guards' hand and was dragged away in a disgraceful manner.
The bull rod was made from the bones of a middle level eight horned bull and a low-level dragon scorpion. Dragon scorpions were known to kill with one bite and could run really fast and the 8 horned bull had majestic strength but in the end, it was still caught by a prince 800 years ago and he made this rod from the two animals.
Now, this rod was going to be used on Li Hua who was still in beginner level 2.It's even a great feat for her to achieve considering the fact that she had no resources or time to cultivate.
One lash of this rod on her body could fracture all her ribs and another would cut her in half. Normally, concubines and even the emperor only ordered one stroke but Chunhua's ordering of 70 meant she wanted them squashed into a meat patty.
The passing maids could only shudder and run off to hide. They already were holding candles for the other unfortunate Lan.