Personally Handling the Punishment
The couple sat in silence for a while. Alexander Hayes finished washing Lily Evans' feet, dried them carefully with a cloth, and helped her put on her shoes.
Lily Evans said, "Your Highness, may I handle the matter of Sophie White myself?"
Alexander Hayes nodded, "She is determined to harm you. If you wish to deal with her personally, I will leave everything to you. I’ll give you my token now. Take it to the Ministry of Justice—show them my token, and the officials will follow your instructions. You may enter and leave the prison freely."
As he spoke, Alexander Hayes took out the Prince of Qin’s token from his robe and handed it to Lily Evans.
Lily Evans gripped the token, her expression complicated as she looked at Alexander Hayes.
Alexander Hayes gently held Lily Evans' hand. "My dear, whatever you decide to do with her, go ahead. I won't blame you. If blame is due, it’s only because Sophie White lost her senses and made an irreversible mistake."
Lily Evans lowered her head, clutching the token tightly, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.
This was an outcome she hadn’t expected at all.
Lily Evans had thought that Alexander Hayes would surely defend Sophie White. She was even prepared to argue with him if necessary.
But to her surprise, as soon as she returned, Alexander Hayes sat her down, massaged her feet, apologized to her, told her she’d been wronged, and said it was all Sophie White’s own fault.
There was no favoritism, no pleading, and no unreasonable blame directed at Lily Evans.
Alexander Hayes simply entrusted the whole matter to Lily Evans, not even asking how she intended to deal with Sophie White.
Early the next morning, Lily Evans took Alexander Hayes' token and went to the Ministry of Justice.
The Prince of Qin’s carriage was parked outside the Ministry of Justice. Lily Evans saw a large crowd gathered at the gate—most of them grieving parents dressed in mourning clothes. These poor souls had lost their children, and upon hearing that the child-stealer had been caught, they flocked to witness the government punish that devil, hoping to get justice for their own children.
The main entrance was completely blocked by the angry and grieving parents, so Lily Evans took a detour and entered the Ministry of Justice through the side gate.
The Assistant Minister of Justice personally welcomed the Princess Consort of Qin. Lily Evans, accompanied by Xiao Yun as her guard, headed to the prison, leaving the others to wait outside.
Inside the cell, Sophie White sat upright, her back straight and her face defiant.
"Sophie White," Lily Evans called out.
Sophie White turned to look at Lily Evans, a sneer in her eyes. "Does Alex know you set me up and got me arrested?"
"Yes, His Highness knows everything." Lily Evans looked at Sophie White calmly and sighed. "Sophie White, you killed fifty-four children—all innocent, all under the age of ten. Their parents are right outside the Ministry of Justice, weeping. Can you hear their cries of grief for their lost children?"
Sophie White looked utterly indifferent, her expression annoyed. "So what? In this world, human life is worthless. My entire White family sacrificed themselves for the country, yet we’re branded as traitors with a stain that can’t be washed away. So what if I killed dozens of Jin Kingdom children? The people of Jin owe the White family!"
Lily Evans shook her head. "Sophie White, you really are beyond saving."
Sophie White snorted. "Lily Evans, why bother saying all this nonsense? Where’s Alex? When is he coming to get me out of here?"
"His Highness? He’s not coming." Lily Evans sighed.
"Alex isn’t coming?" Sophie White paused, then lifted her chin to glare at Lily Evans. "So Alex scolded you, made you come apologize to me and take me out, right? Hmph, Lily Evans, the bond between Alex and me is something you’ll never understand. I knew he’d protect me. So why are you just standing there? Hurry up and apologize to me, and let me out!"