Chapter 10 The Family Punishment
The days while I recovered were peaceful.
I asked curiously, "These past few days, Madam has been excused from morning greetings, Second Aunt hasn't come by, and even Pei Ye is nowhere to be seen. Did something happen?"
Lan Qiao said, "This servant was just about to tell you."
"Some time ago, the old master got angry again."
"The second young master lost a huge sum gambling. To pay off his debt, Madam secretly lent out the family's money at high interest. The old master was furious. He confined Madam to her courtyard and sent the second young master to Suzhou to gain experience."
I was shocked. "What?"
Lan Qiao whispered, "It was the young master who let the news out."
Pei Zhao?
Lan Qiao smiled. "The young master was getting revenge for you."
My mouth curved. I quickly looked down.
This man really...
He never said anything nice, but he did things so beautifully.
"Did he say when he would be back when he left today?"
Lan Qiao glanced at the sky. "The sun has already set. He should be back soon."
I had the servants prepare a whole table of his favorite dishes and specially stewed sweet soup for him. I waited to eat with him when he returned.
But even when the moon hung over the willow branches, Pei Zhao still hadn't appeared.
I asked Lan Qiao to go out and check.
She came running back crying. "My lady, it's bad!"
"The young master has been taken to the ancestral hall to receive family punishment for some unknown crime!"
"That whip looks so terrifying—"
Before Lan Qiao could finish, I limped out as fast as I could.
Several elders were already in the ancestral hall.
Pei Zhao's back was already covered in blood.
I threw myself forward and took a whip for him.
Cold sweat broke out on my forehead instantly.
The pain made my whole body tremble.
Pei Zhao caught me, his face tense with worry. "What are you doing!"
"Do you not want to live anymore!"
Old Master Pei seemed tired of beating. He raised his hand and signaled the servants to pull me away.
I refused to let go, clinging tightly to Pei Zhao.
"Father, why are you beating Suizhi?"
"I am his wife. I should at least know the reason!"
Old Master Pei was furious.
He pointed at Pei Zhao. "Ask him yourself!"
"Ask this beast what he has done!"
Pei Zhao frowned. Sweat rolled down his temples.
Second Aunt pretended to wipe her tears with a handkerchief. "Suizhi's wife, you should stop interfering. Suizhi has truly made a grave mistake this time."
Third Aunt added with a troubled expression, "He... he kept a woman outside and refused to take responsibility. He forced her to stay even after she was seven months pregnant. She crashed to death right in front of our family's Treasure Pavilion."
"It wasn't that we were cruel and didn't stop Eldest Brother. It's just... his mistake was truly unforgivable."
"One corpse, two lives!"
I said nothing and looked at Pei Zhao.
His eyes were red. "I didn't..."
"I didn't do it."