The funny part about it was since it was a trick from the emperor (he didn't want to punish LBY but had to for his ministers to see), LBY didn't get beaten severely as it looked like. Apparently, there are different techniques of planking, the one used on him looked really bad (bloody flesh...) but did not hurt. The 3rd prince knew this and was stoned face carrying out the punishment, LBY was confused why it didn't hurt, only CSS was innocent and kept crying her eyes out. Seeing her like that, worrying for him, LBY pretended to be hurt very much. The 5th prince also got planked (since CSS told on him to the emperor- because he was being a nosy body and CSS felt that LBY shouldn't suffer alone). Poor boy since he was hit for real!
The whole time the emperor was eager watching the scene at the back, with the empress questioning Consort Yue why did she fall in love with the emperor. Consort Yue vaguely answered that the emperor was the most handsome male in her hometown back then (translated: I was young and stupid so I fell in love with his beautiful face).
Really love the royal family interaction! :)