"Apologize, you must apologize today. Only if your sister forgives you can this matter be settled. If she does not, I won’t let this rest!" Lin Zeqing’s voice trembled with anger. He never knew his son was such a scoundrel!
"I won’t apologize, nor do I care for her forgiveness. Father, she is just a troublemaker! Before she returned, you never spoke to me this way. Now that she’s back, you seem to no longer care about me or my mother. Father, you disappoint me!" Xu Yujie retorted, his face full of fury.
Bai Tingxue was anxious, but father and son were both red-eyed, neither of them could be persuaded.
"If you’re so capable, go kneel in the ancestral hall and reflect. Only when you realize your mistake can you come out!" Lin Zeqing roared.
"Fine, I’ll go!" Xu Yujie stiffened his neck.
Bai Tingxue held onto Xu Yujie firmly, preventing him from storming out.
"Lord, today is Shuhui’s first day back, and such a commotion will surely anger father and mother. As juniors, we shouldn’t disturb our elders. Moreover, it would tarnish Shuhui’s reputation." Bai Tingxue earnestly advised, "Why not confine him and punish him by having him transcribe the Xu Family rules?"
Lin Zeqing seriously considered Bai Tingxue’s words; she wasn’t just exaggerating.
His father and mother don’t favor Shuhui. If things escalate, they would surely blame her.
"Father, please do not let this affect your relationship with my brother." Xu Shuhui sniffled, crying sorrowfully.
It sounded like she was pleading, but she was actually expressing her helplessness and awkward situation.
Xu Shuhui was skilled at crying, her tears were deeply moving.
"Tingxue, it’s because you’ve been too indulgent with him, which has spoiled his temper. This is his own sister, and he treats her ; imagine how he would treat others. We must discipline him while he’s young. As for father and mother, I’ll explain." Lin Zeqing said.
Bai Tingxue did not advise further; indeed, her son needed reflection. Being so impulsive and rash was unacceptable.
"You’re right, husband. But as a mother, I also bear some responsibility for failing in my guidance. It wouldn’t be right to punish Ah Jue without also punishing me." Bai Tingxue said with a sob. Updates are released by novel·fire.net
Someone who could capture Lin Zeqing’s heart for so many years and eventually marry him cannot be a brainless, weak woman.
She saw through Xu Shuhui.
This approach, she had long abandoned.
She wanted to see if Lin Zeqing would punish her too.
Lin Zeqing always felt a little guilty over Bai Tingxue’s past experiences and felt that he was partly responsible.
Moreover, Bai Tingxue’s demeanor and tone were perfectly controlled.
"Tingxue, what are you saying? According to you, as the father, this rascal’s behavior is tied to me. If children aren’t well-guided, it’s the father’s fault. Should I punish myself too?" Lin Zeqing gently consoled her.
"But I am ashamed to have betrayed my husband’s trust." Bai Tingxue sobbed, "Not teaching the child well, causing Shuhui grievance, I don’t know how to face myself anymore."
"Shuhui has always been sensible; she won’t mind these things. Just now, Shuhui told me she would respect you as an elder in the future." Lin Zeqing reassured.
The named Xu Shuhui: She wasn’t sensible, nor did she want to be.
"The more sensible Shuhui is, the more my heart aches. She just returned and suffered such grievance, even willing to leave to calm the conflict between you and Ah Jue. What a good child! I..." Bai Tingxue lamented.
If she truly had the guts, she would immediately turn and leave, and Bai Tingxue would actually respect her more.
"Aunt Bai, my brother harbors resentment against me because we haven’t had a chance to bond before. Once we do, I’m confident our relationship will improve. After all, we both carry father’s blood." Xu Shuhui said.
Leaving was out of the question.
So Xu Shuhui used Bai Tingxue’s words to give herself an out.
As for Xu Yujie, Lin Zeqing was determined to discipline him, and kneeling in the ancestral hall was unavoidable.
He instructed Bai Tingxue not to visit nor send food during this time.
His determination was to change the child’s nature in one attempt.
"Change the child’s clothes before sending him; after all, it’s a place that houses the ancestral tablets, and his current attire isn’t quite appropriate." Bai Tingxue said.
The dark purple gown he wore was indeed inappropriate in color.
"You take care of that; I’ll bring Shuhui over to see if things are ready." Lin Zeqing said.
"Shuhui, here’s a welcome gift from Aunt Bai, don’t be offended. Once Aunt Bai is done with your brother, I’ll personally cook you a good meal." Bai Tingxue said.
Bai Tingxue’s welcome gift for Xu Shuhui was a top-quality seal stone.
Even Xu Shuhui, who had seen many rare treasures, was amazed by the seal stone.
She hadn’t expected Bai Tingxue to be so generous.
"Aunt Bai, thank you. I do gift. Under normal circumstances, I should have prepared a gift for Ah Jue myself, but given the situation... I’ll hand-copy a calligraphy booklet for him as my gift later." Xu Shuhui said.
"I’ve heard your father mention that your handwriting is excellent, even better than the famous Li Xuan of the previous dynasty."
Xu Shuhui indeed copied the font Li Xuan created, and her skill was extraordinary, even to the point of indistinguishable imitation.
Bai Tingxue’s praise was genuine.
She wouldn’t commend Xu Shuhui’s character, but as a former Commandery Princess, the things she learned were authentic.
In this respect, Xu Yujie couldn’t compare.
"I don’t deserve Aunt Bai’s praise." Xu Shuhui responded courteously.
"Aunt Bai’s words aren’t merely praise; they’re honest truths. Shuhui, your writing is indeed excellent. Ah Jue is fortunate to receive something in your handwriting." Lin Zeqing remarked.
"Father, aren’t you exaggerating like a watermelon seller?" Xu Shuhui feigned embarrassment, blushing slightly, and stamped her foot shyly.
"I’m not exaggerating; it’s just that you’re outstanding, Shuhui." Lin Zeqing was pleased, "If your brother were even half as good as you, I’d be satisfied. In the future, guide him a bit, let him learn from you."
Of course, siblings should care for each other.
And Lin Zeqing believed firmly that they would.
Lin Zeqing took Xu Shuhui away, while Bai Tingxue took Xu Yujie back to his courtyard.
Once inside, she instructed Xu Yujie’s Attendant Student and the maids sweeping the yard, one to stand in the hallway, another by the courtyard gate.
"Ah Jue, you’re right; Xu Shuhui is indeed a troublemaker." Bai Tingxue said, "Mother, like you, doesn’t like her, but—"