bookrebus Chapter 39 Can Death by Flogging Be Agreed?
Chapter 39 Can Death by Flogging Be Agreed?
Qiao Qingshu bowed respectfully to the matriarch of the Xiao family.
"Since Second Brother and Cousin Wan'er are in love, let's give this marriage to Cousin. It will be a happy ending for lovers."
Xiao Chengyan looked up and glared at Qiao Qingshu. He hated it most when Qiao Qingshu associated him with Liu Wan'er.
Although he liked Liu Wan'er, he would be extremely disgusted if he were to marry her.
Does she deserve it?
A poor, lowly woman living under someone else's roof.
Xiao Chengyan is the eldest grandson of the Duke's family, and he has a very high chance of inheriting the old Duke's title in the future.
A man of his stature is a perfect match for a princess!
Madam Xing shared the same idea.
Her precious son, whom she had painstakingly raised, marrying a poor relative living in a fallen noble family? He can only dream of it.
Madam Xiao was so angry that her body trembled. She had come to the Marquis's mansion today to propose marriage, but the marriage did not go through and such a scandal was brought up. If this was not handled properly today, wouldn't everyone laugh at her?
Pointing at Xiao Chengyan, suppressing his immense anger, he said,
"Brother Yan, explain yourself clearly and in detail what exactly happened!"
Xiao Chengyan straightened his back, making himself kneel even more upright.
He could still argue if it were just a purse, but once the handkerchief came out, he knew he couldn't hide it anymore.
Since we can't hide it anymore, we might as well stop hiding it.
He had a rather reckless attitude towards things.
“Grandmother, I did indeed develop feelings for my cousin Wan’er, and we exchanged tokens of affection, but we did not do anything improper. I originally planned to tell my mother after I married Shu’er, and bring Wan’er into the household as a concubine. They are cousins, so I believe they will get along well.”
Xiao Chengyan spoke casually, as if it were a trivial matter that no one else was being too nervous.
Madam Xing angrily shoved Xiao Chengyan. Why did he have to admit it so readily? He could have just said that Liu Wan'er, that vixen, seduced him, or that he had been drugged by that slut. That would have been better than admitting it outright!
They even developed feelings for each other. You, a young master from a noble family, have developed feelings for a lowly woman. Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed if word gets out?
Her son is too honest!
Madam Xing quickly knelt beside her son to protect him.
"Grandma, Yan-ge'er is young and honest. How could he know the dangers of the world? A young master from a prestigious family like him is top-notch in both looks and family background. Countless people are eyeing him. It's possible that he has been set up or deceived."
As he spoke, he glared fiercely at Liu Wan'er.
Liu Wan'er tucked her disheveled hair behind her ear, remaining calm and unaffected by Madam Xing's harsh words.
Madam Xiao's expression grew even colder, her face serious and exuding an air of authority and anger.
"You worthless thing! How could you do such a despicable thing today? No wonder Shu'er was angry and wanted to break off the engagement. You deserve it! Go back and tell your father to confine you for a month and make you kneel in the ancestral hall to reflect on your actions!"
Turning his head, he adopted a gentler expression as he looked at Qiao Qingshu.
“Good boy, he did something wrong today, and I will not let him off easily when we get home. Don’t worry, I will definitely avenge you! But the boy is young and may have been blinded by his own thoughts. We’ve all been through this. You can punish him as you please, but this marriage was arranged by the two families’ elders a long time ago. You must not be stubborn and refuse to go through with it.”
Qiao Qingshu slowly raised her lowered eyes.
“Madam, if my second brother were in love with someone else, that would be one thing, but my cousin is different. A few days ago, my father and aunt were caught having an affair at the mourning hall, and the news spread like wildfire throughout the capital. You couldn’t possibly not know that, Madam. I’ve already tolerated my aunt and mother sharing a husband. Now, do you expect me to share a husband with my cousin as well? Besides, it’s clear that my second brother loves my cousin more. I simply cannot swallow this half-hearted meal.”
Madam Xiao hurriedly said,
“Good child, I will never let you suffer this injustice. Our Xiao family will pay for a courtyard in a temple on the outskirts of the capital for your cousin to live a quiet life. We will never let her in. We cannot afford such a person.”
Even now, Madam Xiao hadn't given Liu Wan'er a second glance; she felt it was bad luck to even look at such a vile person.
Liu Wan'er finally couldn't sit still any longer. She crawled forward two steps and grabbed Old Madam Xiao's trouser leg, saying...
"Madam, my second brother Xiao and I are truly in love. Please, I beg you, give me a way out."
Old Madam Xiao kicked the person away, then turned to Old Madam Qiao and said,
“Elder sister, the Xiao family does bear responsibility for what happened today. A joyous occasion was ruined by that wretch. How about this, Qing Shu’s betrothal gifts will be doubled from the original offer. Also, although it’s difficult to move up Master Qiao’s position now, the Xiao family will do its utmost to get him a lucrative post.”
As soon as these words were spoken, both Madam Qiao and Qiao Jizhou's ears perked up and their eyes lit up.
And such good things?
Qiao Jizhou immediately spoke up to persuade him.
"Shu'er, look how sincere Madam Xiao is towards our Qiao family. Just let it go after you've vented your anger. What man in the world isn't like that? Things will be fine after marriage. Don't hold it against her anymore."
Madam Qiao also said,
"Yes, look how much Madam Xiao spoils you. She indulges you in everything. She can hit or punish you as she pleases. You're already this arrogant before you're even married. Once you're married, your life will be so comfortable, like you're on a cloud, and you won't have to worry about these things anymore."
Qiao Qingshu listened calmly, then slowly walked to Xiao Chengyan's side, leaned down, and asked with a smile,
"If I wanted to beat my cousin Wan'er to death, would Second Brother Xiao be willing to do it?"
Provoked by these words, Xiao Chengyan was immediately filled with anger. Qiao Qingshu was not even married yet, and she was already interfering in his affairs.
If they were to cross the threshold, and one were beaten to death today, another tomorrow, what a terrible situation that would be!
For a fallen noblewoman to marry into the Xiao family of the Duke of Qi is already a great honor. Now, Qiao Qingshu is not satisfied and is pushing her luck.
Let alone the fact that he still has feelings for Liu Wan'er, he would still be furious if Qiao Qingshu were to dispose of his despised maidservant at will.
How could Xiao Chengyan, the eldest grandson of the Duke's mansion, who was always pampered and did whatever he pleased, allow a woman he was not yet betrothed to act arrogantly in front of him?
Qiao Qingshu completely grasped the boy's competitive spirit.
Xiao Chengyan abandoned his previous gentle and attentive attitude towards Qiao Qingshu, his face unusually cold.
"Qiao Qingshu, you're really meddling. We're not even married yet and you're already thinking about dealing with my people. If you don't want to marry me, I don't care. There are countless noble ladies in the capital who want to marry me. If you don't want to marry me, there will be plenty of people rushing to beg me to marry you."
Having said that, he lifted his robe, stood up, and strode away.
Completely disregarding the fact that his lover was still kneeling on the ground, awaiting his fate.
They left behind a complete mess and didn't know how to clean it up.