"Can't this wait until tomorrow, since she's just returned?"
Princess Wenyi had never pleaded with Bai Silang before. Since their marriage, they had always treated each other with respect. Her wife's current demeanor made Bai Silang's heart ache, but for the sake of the family, he had to proceed.
He said to his elder brother and sister-in-law, "Sister-in-law, please escort Wenyi back. Brother, Father can't be left alone. Since Si Ru has returned, you should go and take care of her first."
He glanced at Bai Si Ru, her eyes filled with disappointment, which forced her to lower her head. Then, she took a deep breath and said to everyone, "This is my fault. I will go with Father now."
The father and daughter left resolutely. Princess Wenyi wanted to chase after them but was stopped by Madam Lin.
This time, Si Ru would likely suffer. Princess Wenyi had been fainting and recovering all day, and she feared she wouldn't be able to bear the shock. She then said to the servants beside her, "Take the Princess back to rest. The rest of you, guard the doors and windows. If even a single word that shouldn't be spread gets out, don't blame me for being impartial."
First Aunt Madam Lin acted decisively and efficiently.
As soon as Bai Si Ru was sent back to the mansion, she issued strict orders to her subordinates. No matter how many troubles the masters had, they had to keep their mouths shut. If even the slightest bit of information leaked out, they wouldn't be sold! They would be beaten to death immediately!
Everyone was so terrified that they wouldn't open their mouths even for gold. Thus, no one outside knew the truth.
In the ancestral hall, the Bai family members who had previously administered family law to Madam Shen had prepared whips. Under the dim candlelight, the whips appeared even more merciless.
"Do you know your mistake?"
"Daughter knows her mistake."
"What is your mistake?"
"I shouldn't have trusted others so easily, not only harming myself but also making my family worry."
The conversation between father and daughter was concise. Bai Si Ru knelt before the ancestral hall, appearing ready to be punished. Bai Silang's heart ached, but no matter how much it ached, he had to make her remember this lesson. He adjusted his robes, raised his voice, and slowly said.
"From the moment you were born, you were the apple of our family's eye. Whatever you desired, we never refused. I thought it was fine to spoil my daughter a little, as she wouldn't be able to live as she pleased after marriage. Who knew it would make you so arrogant and ignorant. Your behavior has become increasingly unruly these past few days. Today, your father will properly tell you where you went wrong!"
Bai Silang was a respected teacher at the academy. At this moment, he was not only Bai Si Ru's father but also a son of the Bai family and a guardian of the laws and regulations of Jin.
"First mistake: Knowing that you and Si Han were the only sisters in the family, you didn't try to help or advise each other, but instead indulged in childish tantrums and acted ruthlessly. Not only did you disgrace the Bai family in front of outsiders, but you also caused Si Han to suffer. Second mistake: You lacked the ability to discern right from wrong with outsiders, easily believing and misinterpreting things without seeking verification. How can someone with such a simple mind manage a household in the future? Third mistake: Knowing that you were already engaged, you left with an outsider man without regard for the reputation of Prince Kang's mansion and the Bai family, leading to widespread rumors. How can I explain this to Mu Qian? Fourth mistake: For your sake, Madam Lin's entire clan has been implicated. Do you know that if His Majesty were to blame, your Uncle Lin's family would be demoted at best, or exiled at worst? Fifth mistake: You were in danger with no ability to protect yourself. If it weren't for A Yao discovering it in time and reacting immediately today, you would either be a corpse or a wandering soul. You have caused your loved ones to worry incessantly, which is unfilial behavior for a child."...
One by one, grave accusations were made. Bai Si Ru had no defense. If she had a chance to do it all over again, she would never have brought disaster upon her entire family due to a small obsession.
Gritting her teeth, she kowtowed heavily to the ancestral tablets, begging for forgiveness.
Then, she turned to Bai Silang and said, "Father is right to scold me. It was my ignorance and credulity that caused all of this. Daughter is willing to bear it all and will not utter a word of complaint."
"Good. Since you know your mistake, the wrongdoer must be punished. Ten lashes for each mistake. The rules of the Bai family cannot be broken because of you. You must endure it whether you can or not, understand?"
"Daughter understands." She stuffed the silk handkerchief into her mouth, closed her eyes, and prostrated herself in the ancestral hall.
Bai Silang's heart ached, but he had to proceed. He said to the executioner, "Strike!"
The whip fell on her body, one after another. Bai Si Ru had been pampered since childhood, and being a woman, her skin was delicate and tender. After a few lashes, her back began to bleed.
Bai Silang could not bear to watch any longer. He turned and stood with his hands behind his back, the veins on his temples bulging. Every whip strike felt like it was hitting his heart.
The clan member struck quickly and accurately. The fifty lashes passed quickly. Bai Si Ru endured until the end with sheer willpower.
When the person announced the completion of the punishment, she smiled faintly and fainted.
Bai Silang turned and embraced his blood-covered daughter, hurrying towards her courtyard. As he walked, he ordered someone to summon the mansion's physician and send all sorts of miraculous medicines for treating whip wounds.
Princess Wenyi was waiting in the room, with Madam Lin comforting her.
Before she could react, she saw Bai Silang carrying their daughter into the room. Upon seeing her state, Princess Wenyi's usual dignity and virtue vanished. She rushed forward, intending to fight Bai Silang.
"She is your own daughter! How could you be so harsh? Aren't you afraid of beating her to death?"
"Sister-in-law..." Madam Lin tried to pull her back but couldn't. Princess Wenyi's fists landed on Bai Silang's back. He endured it all without rebuttal.
As descendants of the Bai family, they were not only meant to enjoy prosperity and wealth. If their indulgence led their children to be incapable of standing on their own, it was better for them to be beaten to death now than to be crushed by power or bullied by outsiders later.
The mansion's physician arrived in a hurry. He had considerable experience with whip injuries.
He had treated Madam Shen's whip wounds, and she had not only been able to move without issue but also had no scars left on her skin.
"Fourth Master, please place the eldest young lady on the bed. I need to examine her injuries."
"Yes."
Her clothes were stained with blood and stuck to her wounds. Haitang, who was accustomed to serving Bai Si Ru, had eyes as red as烂桃 from crying. She carefully removed the clothes from her back, wiped the wounds clean with a handkerchief, and then covered most of her body with her inner garment, leaving only the wounds on her shoulders for the physician to examine.
"The eldest young lady's injuries are not serious. They look fierce but are actually superficial. She will only be unable to get out of bed for two to three months and needs to rest."
Princess Wenyi watched from the side as her daughter's back was covered in wounds. She glared fiercely at Bai Silang, but he stood as still as a statue, not even looking at her.
"This is the medicinal ointment. Apply it to the young lady daily. The wounds should scab over in about four to five days."
Haitang nodded heavily, vowing to take good care of her.
It was all her carelessness. If she had been able to persuade the young lady earlier, this disaster would not have happened.