Chapter 85: The low-profile Madame Li (1/2)
Han Yunxi heard Han Yuqi’s words from the side but didn’t find them unexpected. Before she’d gotten married, Lady Xu had said the exact same things to her bridal sedan, and even some thing’s that were worse and more outrageous.
Things like, Han Yunxi couldn’t become a phoenix just because she flew on a branch. Once a slutty woman, always a slutty woman.
Things like, Han Yunxi marrying the Duke of Qin was like a toad wanting to eat swan meat.
Things like, If it were anyone else, they’d long killed themselves by running into a wall. Only she was thick-skinned enough to willingly get on the bridal carriage.
Though it was Grand Concubine Yi’s wedding nanny that led them on the wrong path that day, Lady Xu had made sure the granny played plenty of dirty tricks too. Whether it was her wedding clothes, makeup,or jewelry, she’d interfered with it all, even docking her dowry so that she only took along a chest full of her little sister’s unwanted clothes. Han Yunxi knew all of this. Today, she wasn’t only avenging little Yi’er, but herself as well!
When she saw that Han Yuqi hadn’t moved, Han Yunxi coldly commanded, “Come, someone drag out eldest young master and thoroughly beat him!” Though she’d only brought along little Chen Xiang as her servant, the ones by the sidelines quickly prepared things while a few more towed Han Yuqi out.
“Let me go…let go!”
“Qin Wangfei, I’m begging you, have mercy! Have mercy!”
“I won’t do it again, I wouldn’t dare…”
……
Han Yunxi remained aloof despite Han Yuqi’s begging. Since she’d already caused an uproar, she might as well make it a big one so all the Han household could see she wasn’t to be trifled with. As Han Yuqi was led outside, the onlookers opened up a path for him on both sides. Han Yuqi was placed on a bench. How could he lie there quietly? He wanted to get off, but Han Yunxi commanded, “Tie him to the bench! Tightly!”
“Yes…yes…” the servants deferred even as their teeth chattered.
Lady Xu chased after them but had to support herself with the wall to stand up. She was afraid to look at her son, so she looked at Han Yunxi, hatred shooting from her eyes. She wished that woman was dead!
Han Yunxi, you better not end up in my hands, or else I’ll tear you to pieces!
Very soon, Han Yuqi was securely tied to the bench. Two servants flanked him on both sides, each holding a long plank.
“50 beatings, not one less! Hit him!” Han Yunxi ordered.
Pah! went the plank, its noise a testament to the strength of the blow.
“Stop!” Han Yunxi glared at the servant. “What, are you too hungry? Should I let you eat some planks yourself?” Terrified, the servant raised his plank and violently smacked Han Yuqi’s behind with a bright, loud, WHACK!
“AhHHH!” Han Yuqi cried out in response. Learning a lesson from his companion’s mistake, the other servant didn’t neglect to smack his plank down, either.
“AHHHhh!” Han Yuqi’s screams were absolutely miserable.
50 planks hit him in succession, each one a heavy blow. The bystanders felt their hearts skip in time with the beatings while Lady Xu covered her mouth and held onto a wall, too afraid to look. In the quiet courtyard, there was only Han Yuqi’s screams amidst the 50 beatings. It sounded like they were slaughtering a pig.
Finally, the 50 bearings finished, leaving the two servants’ hands numb. Han Yuqi’s behind was now a mangled, bloody mess, a shocking sight. He’d long fainted away. Lady Xu rushed over and felt distressed to the point of swooning. “Doctor, come! Someone call a doctor!” she shouted.
She didn’t have time to care about the storehouse key in Han Yunxi’s hands. On one side, she had someone send the eldest young master back to their rooms; on the other, she urged for a doctor. Her entire person was driven to a frenzy. Everyone who saw her were amazed. They’d never see Lady Xu so driven to distraction. After they left, Han Yunxi finally looked at the crowd. Immediately, all of them lowered their heads and withdrew. Third Madame and Second Young Miss were standing behind a tree, but they didn’t reveal themselves or go away…
The two of them had rushed over after hearing that Han Yunxi had the storehouse key, but managed to witness her punishing eldest young master. Lady Xu had the formidable backing of her family and ruled as a despot for many years. It was about time someone taught her a lesson. But neither of them expected Han Yunxi would be the one to do it.
Second Young Miss Han Ruoxue looked at Han Yunxi from a distance, her eyes filled with jealousy. “Mother, her face really recovered!” she said in a low voice.
Han Ruoxue was the prettiest girl in the Han Family, but now that Han Yunxi had no poison scar, her looks were completely eclipsed. On the wedding day, many Han household members had witnessed Han Yunxi’s beautiful looks, sharing the news with the rest of the servants. Han Ruoxue hadn’t seen with her own eyes and so had never believed them.