Chapter 346: Beating and Kicking

Chapter 346: Beating and Kicking

Lady Pan, accompanied by her retinue, made a grand entrance towards the residence of Meng Xiuzhen. One might wonder how she knew where Meng Xiuzhen lived; well, it was thanks to Tang Shuyi who had left someone to guide her!

The procession arrived at Meng Xiuzhen’s abode with a formidable presence. Lady Pan, assisted by her maidservant, alighted from the carriage, and a young servant from the Duke of Dingguo's household hurried over to greet her, saying, "Lady, the Second Master is still inside."

Lady Pan glanced at him, and couldn't help but acknowledge the thoroughness of the Duchess of Dingguo in handling matters. She said, "Reward him."

The maidservant by her side immediately took out some silver and handed it to the young servant, who thanked them profusely and then stood back.

Narrowing her eyes at the vermilion gates, Lady Pan turned and instructed several young servants, "You, stand guard at each corner of the yard – east, south, west, north. If the Second Master tries to escape over the walls, seize him at once."

These servants, having come from her parental home when she got married, naturally followed her orders. After acknowledging her command, they swiftly dispersed. Lady Pan took a deep breath and commanded, "Break down the gate."

As soon as her words fell, several young servants charged forward, battering the gate which soon gave way. Lady Pan, leading her people, stormed inside. The servants of the household, upon seeing this, rushed to intercept, but those accompanying Lady Pan were not to be trifled with; they cleared the path for her.

Reaching the center of the courtyard, Lady Pan faced the main house and shouted, "Pan Bin, come out here this instant!"

Inside, Pan Bin and Meng Xiuzhen were tangled up in bed, but the commotion outside hastened their dressing. Just as they were locating their clothes, Lady Pan's voice penetrated the room.

“How… How did she come here?” Pan Bin hurriedly dressed himself.

Although Meng Xiuzhen knew of Lady Pan, her unfamiliarity prevented her from recognizing the voice. She asked, "Who is it? Do you have someone else outside?"

"My wife," Pan Bin responded curtly, throwing on a garment before pushing the window open, intending to flee. But glancing down, he saw two servants guarding below. They even said, "Second Master, you might as well use the main door; we’re guarding all around."

Pan Bin: "………"

With a snap, he closed the window just as Lady Pan's voice echoed again, "I’ll count to three. Pan Bin, if you don’t come out, I’m coming in. One…"

In haste, Pan Bin approached the door, about to open it, when Meng Xiuzhen, panicked, blocked him, "What about me if you open the door?"

Pan Bin shoved her aside, "My wife has a fierce temper. If I don’t go out, she’ll tear me apart."

As he yanked the door open, there stood his wife, her gaze coldly fixed upon him. Pan Bin felt a knot in his stomach and quickly pleaded, "My lady, I know I was wrong. Let’s go home. I’ll make it up to you."

Lady Pan paid him no heed. Instead, she pointed towards Meng Xiuzhen standing at the doorway and ordered, "Tie her up."

At her command, the maids and servants with Lady Pan surged forward. Meng Xiuzhen’s people naturally resisted, and a scuffle broke out. Just then, another group of imposing figures entered the yard.

Hearing the commotion, Lady Pan turned and, upon recognizing the leader, her eyes welled with tears as she walked over and called, "Third Brother."

The newcomer was Lady Pan’s third brother, along with several gentlemen from the Changming Marquis' residence. Seeing his sister in such a state, Lord He clenched his fists tightly and said, "Wait, your third brother will avenge you."

Madam Pan nodded in agreement, and Master He raised his hand to point at Pan Bin. "Beat him," he commanded.

At his order, the towering servants of the Changming residence rushed forward, grabbing Pan Bin and pummeling him with punches and kicks.

"What do you plan to do with that woman?" Master He inquired of Madam Pan.

Clenching her teeth, Madam Pan glanced at Meng Xiuzhen, who was cowering in a corner, and declared, "Drag her out and beat her in the bustling city streets."

She was determined to make sure everyone in the capital knew that Meng Xiuzhen was a harlot.

"Very well," Master He waved his hand again, and several servants pounced, dragging Meng Xiuzhen out.

Meng Xiuzhen's servants wanted to save her, but they were far outnumbered by Madam Pan's people.

"Let me go! My grandfather and father won't let you off for this," Meng Xiuzhen cried out, her hair disheveled, her clothes thin, her face twisted in desperation. In this moment, she could only invoke the names of her grandfather and father.

But were Madam Pan and Master He afraid? Of course not.

"Oh really? I would like to see how your Meng family will not let me go," Madam Pan retorted.

Both were powerful figures in the capital, but without the support of the Second Prince, the Meng family was no match for the Changming residence.

"I don't want this, let me go, let me go..." Meng Xiuzhen screamed, but the servants still dragged her forward. Reaching the doorway, they encountered another group led by the Marquis of Pingyang.

With his brother having committed such a disgraceful act, the Marquis of Pingyang, despite his high status, had to put on a forced smile. He spoke to Master He amiably, seizing the opportunity to rescue his unworthy brother.

Knowing that his sister would still have to continue living with Pan Bin, Master He couldn't allow the beating to be too severe. He gestured for his men to stop, but Pan Bin was already beaten to a pulp, lying on the ground like a dead dog. The Marquis of Pingyang felt his face was utterly lost, and he wished he could beat him again.

Meanwhile, Meng Xiuzhen was dragged to the bustling marketplace, where several maidservants beat her mercilessly. An old woman bellowed the story of Meng Xiuzhen and Pan Bin for all to hear. The surrounding crowd pointed and murmured, while Meng Xiuzhen lay on the ground, feigning death—her only recourse.

She could never have imagined that she would endure such tribulations in her life.

News of the incident quickly reached the Meng household. Old Master Meng was so enraged upon hearing it that he nearly fainted. But since Meng Xiuzhen bore the Meng surname, he had to intervene, or else the Meng family's reputation would suffer even more.

Thus, it wasn't long before the servants of the Meng family arrived at the marketplace. Seeing them, Madam Pan's people withdrew. After all, they had done what they set out to do.

The Meng family's servants brought Meng Xiuzhen back to their household.

The farce had ostensibly concluded, but the real repercussions were just beginning to unfold.