Chapter 4: What Punishment You Deserve!

Chapter 4: What Punishment You Deserve!

Liu Biqin stood at the doorway, clutching a handkerchief, watching as Xiao Yuchen hastily boarded the carriage, helped by Changfeng, concern and reluctance written all over her face.

Xiao Yuchen lifted the carriage curtain and waved to her, "Go back inside. Don't let the wind chill you."

Liu Biqin smiled and nodded, but she remained in place. Xiao Yuchen's face also showed his reluctance, but he nonetheless signaled Changming to drive on.

Liu Biqin watched the carriage disappear down Plum Blossom Lane, her face shedding its look of concern and reluctance. She turned and said indifferently to her maid, "Let's go back."

The maid acknowledged with a "yes," closed the door, and then slid the bolt into place.

As the daughter of a convicted traitor, Liubi Qin was supposed to be sold off, but Xiao Yuchen pulled some strings to hide her away in this place. She dared not venture out casually. Apart from potentially implicating Xiao Yuchen, she herself could be captured if discovered. And the consequences would be far grimmer than being sold off.

Once inside the small parlor, seated at the dining table, Liubi Qin had lost all appetite. Seeing this, her maid said, "The Marchioness is truly mercenary. In the past, she'd invite you over to the Marquis's residence every few days, eager to have you marry into their household as soon as possible. But the moment trouble arose, she showed her true colors. Thankfully, the young master still cares for you."

Twisting a handkerchief in her hands, a cold smirk curled at the corners of Liubi Qin's mouth. "Aren't all people the same, exalting or trampling others based on fortune? The noble Marchioness is no exception."

"But the young master holds you dear in his heart. Can parents truly override their child's wishes?" The maid spoke with a hint of smugness in her voice, certain that despite the Marchioness's disdain for her mistress, she was powerless against her.

A pleased look flashed across Liubi Qin's face, but she retorted, "In the future, the entire Marquis's estate will belong to Brother Chen. Who can stand against him?"

The maid giggled, "Miss, you're absolutely right."

Feeling much better, Liubi Qin stood up and walked towards the inner chamber. As long as she held Xiao Yuchen's heart, what was there to fear from the Marchioness?

Meanwhile, Changming sped back to the Marquis's estate in the carriage, causing Xiao Yuchen to feel so jostled he was nearly sick. Assisted by Changfeng, he disembarked and hurried to Tang Shuyi's courtyard. By the time he arrived, Tang Shuyi had finished her meal and was speaking softly with Xiao Yuzhu.

"Young Master." The little maid guarding the entrance immediately curtsied upon seeing Xiao Yuchen.

Xiao Yuchen strode directly into the hall and greeted Tang Shuyi with a bow, "Mother."

Tang Shuyi looked up at him and then paused in surprise. The book mentioned numerous times that Xiao Yuchen, this male supporting character, had exceptional looks, which was why Wu Jingyun was infatuated with him in her previous life. But seeing him in person, Tang Shuyi was still taken aback; he was extraordinarily handsome.

His skin was as pale as jade, his eyebrows and eyes were delicate, his nose was high and straight, and his lips were as red as coral. He was more delicate than most women, yet not a trace of femininity marred his bearing. Coupled with his tall and straight figure, he was truly a jade-like young master.

If he were to enter the entertainment industry in the modern era, even without any skills, just with that face, he could be famous for a lifetime.

"Mother." Seeing her staring blankly at him, Xiao Yuchen called out again.

Tang Shuyi snapped back to reality, then stood up with a somber expression, "Come with me."

Handsome people often soften hearts, but who was Tang Shuyi? Having clawed her way up from the bottom to the top of a multinational corporation, her heart was as hard as stone. How could she go soft over someone's appearance?

This exceedingly handsome eldest son was a troublemaker. If she didn't straighten him out, their family would be ruined.

Xiao Yuchen followed Tang Shuyi, realizing they were heading towards the ancestral hall. He felt a surge of anger within. Was it really necessary for his mother to be this upset just because he spent some time with Sister Qin?

"Mother, you watched Sister Qin grow up; you know her character better than anyone," Xiao Yuchen tried to reason with Tang Shuyi. "Since the Liu family's downfall, you've arranged for my betrothal to Miss Wu. I've agreed. I hope you'll allow Sister Qin into our residence."

Tang Shuyi halted and regarded him coldly. The seventeen-year-old boy still bore traces of youthful naivety, evidently overprotected. At seventeen, he would've just graduated from high school in the modern world, still cocooned in an ivory tower, ignorant of the hardships of life.

But education in ancient times was different, especially the elite education of great families and clans, which placed a greater emphasis on the cultivation of strategy and cunning. They started learning at the age of three, memorized poetry at five, and delved into classics and histories by seven or eight. By the age of seventeen or eighteen, they were even eligible to take the imperial examinations. Yet, Xiao Yuchen's mind was still filled with frivolous thoughts of romance and beauty.

"Mother, Sister Qin has always cherished your kindness, she..."

"Silence!"

Tang Shuyi had no desire to converse with this lovesick fool, turning instead to continue towards the ancestral hall, with Xiao Yuchen having no choice but to follow.

The Xiao family hadn’t been rooted in the capital for long; a few decades prior, they were mere peasants. The rise of the Xiao family began with Xiao Yuchen’s grandfather, Xiao Chengkun. He fought alongside the former emperor to establish the dynasty and was then ennobled as the Marquis of Yongning, a hereditary title.

The ancestral hall of the Xiao family was grand, but there were only three memorial tablets on the offering table: the old Marquis, the old Marchioness, and the tablet of Xiao Yuchen's father, Xiao Huai.

Night had begun to fall, and even with several candles lit, the interior remained dim. In the spacious room, mother and son stood silently before the three tablets. Tang Shuyi once again confronted her new identity, while Xiao Yuchen appeared indifferent.

Tang Shuyi noted his unconcerned expression and narrowed her eyes. Turning to him, she said indifferently, "Kneel."

"Mother, what are you trying to do?" Xiao Yuchen felt Tang Shuyi was making a mountain out of a molehill over a trivial matter.

Tang Shuyi remained silent, just looking at him calmly. Despite her silence, Xiao Yuchen felt an invisible pressure. He pursed his lips and took out a forehead ribbon made by Liu Biqin, handing it to Tang Shuyi and saying, "This was made by Sister Qin for you. She has always remembered your kindness. This is her token of affection for you."

Tang Shuyi took the forehead ribbon, her eyes falling upon the ruby that emitted a faint glow, quite beautiful. But this wasn't something a daughter of a convicted felon should possess, was it?

"This gem is quite beautiful," remarked Tang Shuyi.

Xiao Yuchen thought she liked the forehead ribbon and breathed a sigh of relief. "This was my birthday gift to Sister Qin, which she cherished. This is her token of affection for you."

Tang Shuyi raised an eyebrow, sensing something amiss in his words.

Liu Biqin’s living expenses were entirely covered by the Marquis’ household. Now, she made a forehead ribbon for the Marchioness, adorned with a gem gifted by her son, claiming it to be her token of affection.

Whom are they trying to deceive?

"Token of affection?" Tang Shuyi was truly angered, "Currently, everything Liu Biqin eats, wears, uses, where does it not come from our Marquis’ funds? She uses our money to make an object for me, and what, I should be thankful to her?"

"Mother, how can one compare the sentiments of the heart to money? How can you be so... so..."

He couldn’t finish his sentence, but Tang Shuyi did, "So mean, is it?"

Xiao Yuchen remained silent; that was indeed what he meant. Tang Shuyi observed him stubbornly pursing his lips, appearing as if she was being unreasonable, and she scoffed coldly.

"Kneel," commanded Tang Shuyi once more.

Unable to defy a maternal order, Xiao Yuchen reluctantly knelt down. Tang Shuyi stood before him, gazing down at his defiant expression and said, "Xiao Yuchen, you are well-versed in literature, so tell me, what should be the punishment for harboring the daughter of a criminal?"

Caught off guard by Tang Shuyi’s question, Xiao Yuchen stammered, “Mother, the Li family's issues have nothing to do with Sister Qin.”

"Then tell me, isn't Liu Yushan Qin's father?" Tang Shuyi asked coldly.

"Yes," Xiao Yuchen couldn’t deny it.

"So, what should be the punishment for harboring the daughter of a criminal?" Tang Shuyi repeated.

Xiao Yuchen knelt silently, head bowed like a carved statue, yet Tang Shuyi could feel the stubborn defiance emanating from him.

Taking a round-backed chair, she sat before Xiao Yuchen and continued, "Let me tell you the consequences of harboring Liu Biqin."

"Xiao Yuchen, the rightful heir of Marquis Yongning, the eldest son of the Marquis," Tang Shuyi spoke with a stern and chilling tone, her presence as formidable as a queen. Xiao Yuchen's nerves involuntarily tensed.

"Every action you take represents the Marquis Yongning House. The fate of me, your brother, your sister, and everyone in our household is closely tied to you."

Tang Shuyi continued, "Liu Yushan, father of Liu Biqin, was executed for embezzling military provisions. The males of the Liu family were exiled, and the females were sold off. You used our connections to secretly bring Liu Biqin out and hide her in Meihua Alley.

"But secrets don't keep forever; one day this will come to light. Once exposed, you will face punishment, imprisonment at best, or exile at worst. Xiao Yuchen, you've been pampered since birth, can you endure any of these? Oh, and your dear Sister Qin, it won’t be as simple as being sold off this time. As a fugitive, she could even face the death penalty.”

Xiao Yuchen was so shocked he was speechless. He knew hiding Liu Biqin in Meihua Alley was illegal, but he hadn't realized the gravity of it. Or perhaps, deep down, he believed that if he caused a major problem, his mother and grandfather would solve it.

"Father..." he wanted to say his father would help him, but then realized his father had passed away. He then said, "Grandfather... Grandfather won't abandon me."

Tang Shuyi felt a twinge of disappointment. The child still didn't understand responsibility.

She paused before speaking, "Help you, how? Our household has enemies who will surely exploit your harboring of Liu Biqin, accusing your father of being complicit in Liu Yushan’s embezzlement. With your father gone, there are no witnesses to defend him. They can twist truth into falsehood, pinning nonexistent crimes on your father.

"Your father joined the army at fifteen, facing blades and swords on the battlefield, his body laden with countless scars, dying in combat. The entire Daiqian Dynasty honors him, Xiao Huai, as a hero! If because of your actions in hiding Liu Biqin, he is posthumously accused of embezzlement, Xiao Yuchen, what should be your punishment!”

Tang Shuyi’s final words struck Xiao Yuchen like thunder, leaving his mind utterly blank. His rigid kneeling posture collapsed slightly.

Then he heard Tang Shuyi continue, “Your father has been deceased for two years. By custom, you should have inherited his title by now, but despite repeated petitions from your grandfather and me, the Emperor has not consented. Do you know why?”

Xiao Yuchen looked up, his face a mask of confusion.

Tang Shuyi rose to her feet and approached him. Crouching down, she fixed her gaze on his eyes and said word by word, "Two reasons. First, the emperor wants to seize military power. Your father is dead, and the military tally has vanished without a trace. The emperor has tested both me and your grandfather multiple times, believing we possess the tally. If we hand it over, the imperial edict for your title inheritance will be issued. But how could I have seen this so-called military tally?"

Having said this, Tang Shuyi suddenly reached out and grasped Xiao Yuxin's collar, her gaze icy and profound. Xiao Yuxin's neck was uncomfortably and awkwardly constricted, making it difficult for him to breathe. He had never seen his mother like this before—dangerous and powerful, to the extent that he didn't even dare meet her eyes.

Then, she added, "The second reason is that you, the heir to the Marquis of Yongning, are simply... useless!"

Xiao Yuxin was shocked, defiant, and aggrieved upon hearing this, his facial expression exceedingly complex. Tang Shuyi couldn't be bothered to guess his thoughts. Releasing his collar, she stood up and looked down at him, saying:

"Do you think the emperor would seize the opportunity to strip the Marquis of Yongning of his title because you’re harboring Liu Biqin? Your grandfather followed the previous emperor in battles, enduring life and death to secure the title of Marquis of Yongning. Your father had illustrious military achievements, and even in death, his reputation endures. Are you willing to let the House of Yongning fall into ruin on your watch?"

Xiao Yuxin knelt on the ground, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. He had never imagined the situation to be so grave.

Seeing that her words had struck his soul, Tang Shuyi didn't linger any longer and stepped out of the ancestral hall.

Cuiyun was waiting at the door, and the old woman responsible for guarding the hall stood a few meters away. Tang Shuyi called the old woman over and instructed, "Lock the door. Without my order, do not open it."

The old woman glanced at Xiao Yuxin kneeling inside and asked cautiously, "What about the young master's meals?"

"Let him starve. Without my order, no food is to be sent in."

Hunger can stimulate the brain, a good opportunity for him to exercise his mental faculties and squeeze out some sense.

Such a brat deserves a lesson!

After Tang Shuyi left, the old woman carefully closed the door and locked it.