Gu Beichen, regaining his senses, stood up with the help of a servant, clutching his aching shoulder. Ling Mohan’s previous blow had clearly been delivered with considerable force, as evident from Gu Beichen's expression.
"Father, why… why have you come?"
"Look at you, what kind of posture is that? Do you need someone to support you?"
Upon receiving the Zhennan King's gaze, the servant, startled, quickly withdrew his hand from Gu Beichen.
Deprived of support, Gu Beichen's foot slipped, and he nearly fell. He managed to steady himself by grabbing onto a nearby table corner, preventing a complete tumble. Anger surged, and he loudly berated the servant behind him, "Useless wretch! Who told you to let go? Are you trying to kill me!"
"I told him to let go. So, is your father also a useless wretch!"
The Zhennan King slammed the table, his voice booming. Gu Beichen immediately covered his mouth, daring not to utter another word.
"Look at you. You're already married and established, yet look at yourself, is there anything about you that shows promise? You're idle and loafing around all day. My Gu family is full of loyal heroes; are we truly to be ruined in the hands of you, a rebellious son? Raising a son like you, I am truly ashamed before the ancestors of the Gu family!"
"If I had known you would turn out this way, I shouldn't have given birth to you, you rebellious son. I should have let you… let you…"
The Zhennan King pointed at Gu Beichen's nose and launched into a tirade. This son was conceived on the battlefield during a critical moment of battle. To protect Gu Beichen, he had sacrificed his most capable副将 (fùjiāng - second-in-command/deputy general).
Furthermore, that battle, which had stalemated for a year, was already at its last gasp. It was at the time of Gu Beichen's birth that he had led a desperate counterattack, forcing a breakout through perilous means. Only then did they win that battle, securing over a hundred years of peace on the border for the Eastern Chu.
It was precisely because of this that he had always placed great hopes on Gu Beichen, nurturing him with great care, expecting him to achieve greatness. He had never imagined that his son would turn out like this.
Gu Beichen, with his nose being pointed at and scolded, dared not utter a word. He could only lower his head silently, listening to the reprimand. Based on past experience, he knew that once his father vented his anger, the scolding would cease. If he insisted on arguing back, his father would only continue to scold endlessly.
"Alas…" The Zhennan King sighed helplessly. He had tried beatings and scoldings over the years, but they had yielded no effect.
Seeing that his father was no longer berating him, Gu Beichen let out a silent sigh of relief. It seemed his father was done with the scolding.
"I haven't asked you yet, where did you go last night?"
This question was like dropping a bomb in his lap. Gu Beichen's mind instantly cleared. His gaze immediately fell upon Ling Mohan, and he immediately understood what had happened. He was truly something else, to be capable of doing something like this.
He had underestimated Ling Mohan's cunning. This time, he had learned his lesson thoroughly.
"Last night… last night, I didn't…"
'Bang!' The sound startled Gu Beichen, making him jump.
The Zhennan King slammed his hand on the table, "Are you still trying to quibble? Did you go to the brothel to carouse again last night!"
Seeing that Gu Beichen remained silent, the Zhennan King had his answer. He strode forward and grabbed Gu Beichen's ear, "You disgracefully unfilial son! How many times have I warned you not to frequent that place for debauchery? Have you taken all my words as mere wind? If I don't teach you a good lesson today, I fear you'll be riding over me tomorrow!"
"Father, I was wrong… I was wrong!"
"Guards, bring the family law!"
With the Zhennan King's command, a servant entered holding a three-inch thick rattan cane and handed it to the Zhennan King.
"Today, I will definitely give you a good beating to teach you a lesson!"
As his words fell, the Zhennan King raised the cane and struck. One strike of the cane left Gu Beichen’s skin torn and flesh bleeding.
After striking him more than ten times, the Zhennan King's anger subsided somewhat. He dropped the cane aside, "These few lashes are to make you remember. You are about to be married; you must not behave so outrageously anymore. If there is a next time, it will not be just a few strokes of the cane!"
"Yes, Father. Your son knows he was wrong…"
Gu Beichen endured the pain, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his lips pale and bloodless.
"Find a doctor to examine him," the Zhennan King said, and then he strode away.
"Blind fool, aren't you going to help me up?" Gu Beichen snarled at the servant beside him. Didn't he see his father had left? Why was he still standing there, not coming to help him up? Not a single one of them was thoughtful enough to assist him.
The servant, scolded, finally reacted and hurriedly helped Gu Beichen, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet.
"Hiss…疼爱 (téng'ài - love tenderly/cherish) this young lord, you blind fools…"
After those few strokes of the cane, his back was undoubtedly torn and bleeding. He had to admit, his father had been truly ruthless this time. If his body hadn't been strong, and he hadn't been able to endure, he would have collapsed long ago.
Ling Mohan, with a smug smile, walked up to Gu Beichen, his eyes filled with mockery. He tutted twice and said, "Young Lord Gu still has the strength to curse. It seems you were not beaten severely enough."
"You are ruthless. I concede… I concede!"
He was now utterly impressed with Ling Mohan, his admiration reaching its peak. Such a vicious tactic, he believed, could only have been conceived by Ling Mohan. Truly sinister.
Gu Beichen lay weakly on the bed, his gaze fixed on Ling Mohan. "You have finally gotten your revenge. You have finally succeeded."
Next time, he would certainly not do such a foolish thing again. It was like wounding the enemy a thousand times and damaging oneself eight hundred.
"As long as Young Lord Gu can keep his mouth shut properly next time, I will certainly not make things so difficult for you. Speaking of which, it is all because Young Lord Gu brought it upon himself."
He had suffered because Gu Beichen had caused him to be unable to gain favor with Feng Jin, so why should he let Gu Beichen off easily?
By enduring this beating, he would also learn his lesson and be well-behaved for a few days. For a period thereafter, with Gu Beichen not appearing before his eyes, he could also have some peace.
"You old fox, you got me, this young lord has truly remembered it now!"
Gu Beichen was completely convinced, only regretting why he had impulsively decided to scheme against them yesterday. Indeed, none of them were easy to deal with.
"It's good that you remember. I won't disturb Young Lord Gu's rest. I'll take my leave."
Ling Mohan walked to Gu Beichen's side, glanced at his injuries – skin torn, flesh bleeding and mangled, the beating was truly severe. As he left, he didn't forget to press down hard on Gu Beichen's wound.