Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The red jade soft whip was as fast as lightning, as swift as a serpent, leaving sharp marks on Su Yurou and Yuan Ruo’s bodies.
Su Yingxue administered two lashes to each of them, causing Su Yurou and Yuan Ruo to fall to the ground in agony.
Liu Shulan’s expression drastically changed. “Rou’er!”
She hastily assisted Su Yurou. Though Su Yingxue didn’t target her face, the whip left open wounds on her body.
Su Yurou cried out, “Su Yingxue, how dare you hit me!”
“Sister, this was aunt’s directive. She intended to discuss rules with me first.” Su Yingxue gently stroked the whip, her eyes sharp and cold.
“Su Yingxue, what are you doing? Shulan reminded you of the rules, but you resorted to violence. Is that what the rules dictate?” Su Dingheng hurriedly intervened.
He had originally wanted to happily bring Liu Shulan and her daughter back to the manor today. He couldn’t be happier that both of them had a status.
But now, Su Yingxue had injured Su Yurou with a whip!
“Of course, it’s part of the rules. Father and aunt suggested my maid had no right to interrupt. Does that imply sister’s maid does? Both are maids. What’s wrong with me teaching an insolent maid a lesson?”
Su Yingxue remained composed.
Su Dingheng was momentarily stunned. “But you accidentally injured your sister!”
“Sister… it wasn’t accidental. It was a lesson for her, too.” Su Yingxue corrected.
Su Dingheng felt a lump in his throat.
Liu Shulan was indignant. “Eldest Young Miss, it’s justifiable to discipline a maid, but why did you whip my Rou’er until her skin broke?”
After Liu Shulan spoke, her eyes teared up, accusing Su Yingxue of being ruthless.
Su Yingxue calmly addressed the situation. “Aunt is new here. Allow me to clarify a rule. In this Marquis’s Manor, if a servant errs, it reflects poorly on the master’s training. It’s our responsibility to correct them. I disciplined my younger sister, as a warning. She needs to properly manage her servants. If she recklessly inflicts harm, she’ll share in the punishment.”
Su Yingxue’s explanation seemed reasonable. Although the rules were strict, within a household of military background, such severity was deemed common by the guests.
Consequently, they didn’t see Su Yingxue’s actions against Su Yurou as unjustified, especially since Su Yurou initiated the altercation.
“Your maid also erred. Why don’t you punish yourself?” Despite her injuries, Su Yurou gnashed her teeth, pointing at Su Yingxue.
“The only one who can punish me in this household is Father.”
Turning away, Su Yingxue’s indifferent gaze held a trace of sharpness. “Father, are you going to punish me today?”
“I…” Su Dingheng felt choked by this internal conflict!
Today was his birthday banquet, and Su Yingxue had overseen everything. If he punished her, who would handle affairs?
Wouldn’t that publicly humiliate himself?
With a darkened expression, Su Dingheng instructed Liu Shulan, “Take Rou’er for treatment.”
“Yes, Marquis,” Liu Shulan complied, though she seemed unwilling.
Su Yurou openly wept, but Liu Shulan prevented her from creating a scene.
Meanwhile, Chu Chengye, standing aside, noticed Su Yingxue continuing to entertain guests, deliberately ignoring him. He seethed with anger.
His mother’s words reverberated in his mind. “You value Su Yingxue’s invitation today, but she’s just using you..”