"Alright, I understand."
Zhao Shuning stood up.
Then she said to Yanran, "Yanran, didn't Xie Buyan ask you to find a whip earlier? Why did you come back after just making a pot of tea?"
Hearing this, Yanran looked a bit reluctant.
"Auntie, after all, Jing'er—"
"Where's the whip?" Zhao Shuning interrupted Yanran.
It was obvious that in this regard, she didn't want to let Xie Jing off easily.
This time, it was only because she happened to pass by Yunmengze that she could save them. But what if she hadn't been so timely?
The protection of the Xie and Zhao families couldn't always keep them safe. If they really encountered someone they couldn't afford to offend, Xie Jing's behavior would not only harm himself but also the whole family of Xie Buyan.
Seeing Zhao Shuning's firm attitude, Yanran looked at Xie Buyan.
Xie Buyan nodded slightly.
Yanran had no choice but to hand the whip on the table to Zhao Shuning.
Zhao Shuning casually threw the whip to Xie Buyan.
Xie Buyan caught the whip with a flustered look.
"Auntie?"
"You whip him."
"But Auntie..."
"You'll be soft - hearted."
"Auntie, I—"
"Fifty whips. If you miss one or whip too lightly, it'll be doubled."
"Auntie, my brother has just recovered. If he's whipped like this, will it—"
"Make his injuries worse? That's exactly why I want to whip him now. If it doesn't hurt, how will he remember the lesson?"
Seeing this, Chuchu quickly knelt beside Xie Jing.
"Miss, I'm begging you."
"Chuchu, get up."
"Miss, Young Master Xie has just recovered. Many of his wounds have just started to scab. He really can't bear it—"
"Xie Buyan, sixty whips. Remember well."
The words Chuchu didn't finish were left on her lips.
"Aren't you getting up?" Zhao Shuning gently reminded. If it weren't for the fact that the one kneeling was the weak Chuchu, Zhao Shuning didn't like to be interrupted when she was doing something. She was always more lenient towards beauties.
"This—"
"Chuchu, get up. I don't even understand my aunt's character. If you make her angry, I'm afraid I'll be punished even more severely."
"But—"
"Xie Buyan." Zhao Shuning spoke again.
"Okay." Chuchu quickly got up.
Zhao Shuning was quite satisfied.
Xie Buyan stepped forward. Xie Jing gritted his teeth with a determined look in his eyes.
"Pop!"
"Pop!"
"Pop!"
Whip after whip landed on Xie Jing's body. The clear sound of the whip and the sound of the skin being torn resounded through the backyard.
After all sixty whips were done.
Xie Jing was now covered in blood all over his body.
Zhao Shuning squatted down.
Chuchu covered her face on one side.
It really wasn't a good feeling to be the bad guy. But if she didn't do this, with Xie Jing's character, he would surely meet someone stronger in the future and would take a much bigger fall. By then, it wouldn't be just a few injuries.
"Auntie—"
"I was wrong."
"Do you hate me?" Zhao Shuning asked.
"No, I know Auntie is doing this for my own good. It was my mistake."
Zhao Shuning said, "Xie Jing, you must firmly remember this whipping today. Before causing trouble next time, you should think carefully about the impact you'll have on Xie Buyan, Xie Yu, and Zhao Xiangxiang. Since you rely on the influence of the Xie and Zhao families, you also have to work hard to maintain the honor of the families behind you. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Zhao Shuning stood up and said to Xie Buyan, "Take Xie Jing to treat his wounds."
"Yes."
There were three main reasons why Zhao Shuning chose Xie Buyan to do this.
Firstly, she wanted Xie Buyan to know that every time his younger brother made a mistake, he should educate him instead of always cleaning up his mess.
Secondly, when Xie Buyan whipped Xie Jing, he must have been extremely tormented inside. He would also reflect on himself while whipping Xie Jing. As sons of the Xie family, they shared weal and woe.
Thirdly, this whipping by Xie Buyan could let Xie Jing know that from now on, if he got into trouble again, he couldn't just rely on his elder brother. Otherwise, he would drag his brother into hell with him.
This whipping was actually a test of the wills of the two.
Xie Buyan helped Xie Jing into the room, and Chuchu followed them in.
Outside, only Yanran and Zhao Shuning were left.
"Yanran."
"Auntie."
"You're Xie Buyan's wife. Since he chose you, you must be worthy of him. You can go to the next family gathering with that boy Xie Buyan."
"Auntie—"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you, Auntie."
Yanran curtsied.
The woman in front of her was much younger than them and often acted peculiarly. But the sense of family righteousness in her heart was deeper than anyone present.
With such a woman in the Zhao family, its prosperity was just a matter of time.
"Auntie, let's go in."
But Zhao Shuning shook her head.
"I won't go in."
"Auntie, you?"
"I came back this time mainly to visit my parents in Linjiang. I don't know how my grandfather and the others are now. Meeting you guys was just an accident."
"Auntie, do you mean...?"
"I'll leave first. I won't say goodbye to Xie Buyan and Xie Jing. By the way, Yanran, what do you think of Chuchu's background? Do you also think, like others, that she's not worthy of Xie Jing?"
"Yanran doesn't think so. In fact, compared to Chuchu, Yanran is no better. It's just that I met Buyan before I was completely desperate. In this regard, I'm luckier than Chuchu. Chuchu is also a poor girl. How could Yanran have any other thoughts about her?"
"That's good. From now on, let Chuchu live in Shuan Ningran. After they get married, she can move to the tavern and live with Xie Jing. If you really want to accept Chuchu, don't care about what others think. If you hold your heads high, those people won't dare to gossip."
"Yanran understands."
"Then that's it. I'll leave first."
"Auntie, you... Take care."
Before Yanran could finish her sentence, Zhao Shuning had already disappeared from the backyard.
After leaving Yunmengze.
Xiaoyu was waiting for her in the mountains.
She smiled faintly, as if a burden had been lifted.
"In a blink of an eye, I've become an elder. Alas— Xiaoyu, take a good look at me. Am I old?"
Zhao Shuning was joking, but there was also a bit of sadness in her tone.
"How could Ning'er be old? Ning'er is so beautiful and young. If we really talk about age and seniority, wouldn't I be an old man?"
The voice was as gentle as the orchid's breath, like the celestial sound coming from a secluded valley.
Zhao Shuning turned her head in surprise.
Sure enough, behind the Jieyu Beast, she saw Yan Ruyu in a green robe.
"Buran!"