An Ming knelt in the courtyard. In the covered walkway, palace attendants stood with lowered brows and submissive eyes, while the guards kept watch outside the courtyard walls.
"Rise." Pei Hengyu did not look at him, his gaze still fixed on the severed head. "Instead of asking for punishment, you would do better to perform your duties well and redeem yourself with merit."
"This subject obeys your decree!" An Ming kowtowed once more before standing up.
Chapter 32