Fang Han, a servant of the Fang family, was entrusted with the responsibility of tending horses, especially rearing a renowned steed named "Qian Li Xue" for the second young miss.

The task of tending horses was a burdensome one. He was obligated to rise in the dead of night to replenish the fodder. Particularly when rearing such a prestigious horse, even stricter regulations applied. At this juncture, Fang Han should have been boiling soy milk for "Qian Li Xue", blending eggs, soybeans, and various fine feeds for it to consume. Then, he was supposed to lead it to the racetrack for a stroll. Once the horse digested the food, he would await the arrival of the second young miss of the Fang family.

However, due to his peeping at the internal martial arts practice this morning and the appearance of Fang Tong, the "Giant Spirit Hand", who expounded on the mysteries of the Physical Body Realm and the Divine Ability Realm, he became so engrossed that he overlooked the most crucial task.

Sure enough, when Fang Han scurried to the racetrack in haste, he witnessed the "Qian Li Xue" he was rearing being ridden by a woman with an aloof and noble air.

Beside this woman were maids, imposing guards, and several young men and women on horseback, all with resplendent divine light in their eyes, indicating no humble cultivation.

"Fang Han, you have brought upon a grave calamity! Hurry up and kneel down to apologize to the second young miss!" Seeing Fang Han appear, an elderly man rushed over and bellowed at him.

"Grand Steward, I had a stomachache this morning," Fang Han stuttered.

This elderly man was the grand steward of the Fang family's racetrack.

"I don't care what pretext you have. Delaying the second young miss's affairs is a serious misfortune. How to be a servant, your father taught you since childhood. Don't you comprehend that the master's business is of paramount importance?" The old man rebuked.

"Are you the one who rears Qian Li Xue, Fang Han? The second young miss requests your presence for questioning!"

Just at that moment, a maid with haughty eyebrows and an arrogant demeanor approached from afar. Seeing Fang Han, she shouted and extended her five fingers like an eagle seizing a rabbit, directly grasping Fang Han's shoulder.

Fang Han instantly felt as if his entire body was restrained. He was actually lifted up by the small maid.

"This move is called 'Crane Claw Prints in the Sand'. This maid possesses two or three times more strength than me." Observing the maid's move and strength, Fang Han promptly recalled the experience of surreptitiously learning martial arts.

However, he was utterly unable to evade. Although he had spied for a month and had an epiphany, he still required copious practice. How could he compare to this personal maid beside the second young miss?

Not to mention, even if he could have evaded, he wouldn't dare. Otherwise, a disaster would have immediately befallen him.

Bang!

Fang Han was hurled to the ground, his entire body aching and numb.

"Kneel properly and answer." That maid gave Fang Han a kick.

"Are you Fang Han?" The voice of the second young miss, Fang Qingwei, emanated from the snow-white and extremely majestic "Qian Li Xue", lofty and superior.

"I am Fang Han, young miss." Fang Han lowered his head and endured the pain to respond.

He knew that this second young miss was named Fang Qingwei and was highly powerful. As a servant, if he displayed even a trace of dissatisfaction towards her, he would likely find himself in a precarious situation.

"My Qian Li Xue has been well-reared by you. It is evident that you have taken excellent care of it. But this morning, you were remiss in your duty." Fang Qingwei said coldly, "I don't care what your reason is. As a servant, everything must be considered for the master. This is the rule of our Fang family and also the rule for servants everywhere. This Qian Li Xue is your life. You must risk your life to serve it well. Do you understand?"

"I understand, young miss. In the future, I will undoubtedly risk my life to rear the horse well for the second young miss. As long as the horse is alive, I am alive. If the horse perishes, I die. Please pardon me for my dereliction of duty today, young miss." Fang Han knocked his head vigorously. At this point, he naturally knew what he ought to do.

While kowtowing apprehensively, Fang Han's eyes surreptitiously fell on the boots of Fang Qingwei stepping on the stirrup.

Fang Qingwei's boots were pure white, embellished with beautiful jade, exquisite and luxurious. Looking at this lofty boot, Fang Han thought that one day, others would look up to his boots as well.

"Reward him with ten lashes and let him remember this lesson."

Fang Qingwei slightly waved her hand while on the horse.

"Yes!" A maid beside her promptly picked up a horsewhip and lashed it forcefully on Fang Han's body.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

Fang Han's body trembled, and the pain was excruciating. The maid's strength was so immense that the tip of each whip whistled through the air, causing a booming sound. It almost shattered his bones. But he gritted his teeth and endured it, sweating profusely.

After ten lashes, he was nearly paralyzed on the ground.

"Thank you, second young miss, for the lashes!"

After the whipping concluded, Fang Han managed to muster his last ounce of strength and said. This was the rule for servants. If he didn't say this, it would imply he was not convinced, and then he wouldn't merely receive the whip.

"Good!" The second young miss, Fang Qingwei, nodded slightly on the horse. "I handle matters with impartiality. When you are remiss in your duty, you will be punished. When you perform well, you will be rewarded. As long as you are loyal and dedicated to the master, there will always be benefits for you."

A shiny silver ingot dropped from the horse and landed in front of Fang Han.

This silver ingot had exquisite flame patterns cast on it and the words "Five Taels of Official Silver" on it. It was evidently an official silver of the Da Li Dynasty.

Five taels was equivalent to Fang Han's income for a year. This was a generous reward.

The horses of the Fang family were better nourished than people. There was a copious supply of eggs and soy milk every day. Many servants secretly embezzled the horse feed for their own consumption, but Fang Han did not engage in such an act.

This reward demonstrated that Fang Qingwei was observant and fair.

"Remember, as a servant, if you commit a mistake, you will be punished. If you do well, you will be rewarded. As long as you are loyal and dedicated to the master, there will always be benefits for you." After dispensing the reward, Fang Qingwei said to the several young men and women beside her, "Let's go. Don't miss the hunting time."

"The second young miss governs the family admirably."

A young man, after observing Fang Qingwei's handling of Fang Han, praised.

"The family is large and has many members. Of course, there must be rules to govern these servants." Fang Qingwei's voice was very cold, always maintaining a cold and noble tone. "It's merely four words: kindness and severity. How to bestow kindness and how to enforce severity? Just grasp the appropriate degree."

While chatting, these young men and women and Fang Qingwei rode away like furious dragons.

"Oh! Fang Han! You have benefited this time. Although you received ten lashes, you obtained a five-tael official silver reward from the second young miss. It's truly worth it."

"Yes, ten lashes in exchange for five taels of silver. I would be willing too."

"Who wouldn't be willing? Even a fool would be willing."

"Fang Han, you've made a fortune this time. Treat us."

After Fang Qingwei and the others departed, some horse tenders in the racetrack surrounded Fang Han. Gazing at the silver in his hand, they all exhibited envious expressions.

"This time, you were whipped and rewarded with silver. Next time, perhaps you'll be killed and given a lavish burial." Looking at these people, Fang Han sneered coldly in his heart.

"Treating is certain. But now I'm in pain all over my body. After my injuries heal, I will undoubtedly invite you to dinner." He let out painful moans of "Ouch, ouch", his face contorted, and limped away from these people's entanglement.

"If I could cultivate to the Divine Ability Realm as mentioned by Fang Tong, the Giant Spirit Hand, I wonder if the second young miss would first whip me and then offer me some sweetness? Would the positions be reversed? Would I whip this second young miss and then reward her with silver?"

After Fang Han returned to his small residence, the pain from the whip marks on his body alleviated to some extent. Holding the five taels of silver in his hand, he knew that this was a common method of governing the household. Firstly, it demonstrated that she was fair in rewarding and punishing. Secondly, it indicated that she was observant and warned other servants. Thirdly, by punishing and rewarding, it could prevent the servants from harboring resentment and make them more loyal to the master.

However, Fang Han had been weary of this life of servitude since his childhood.

This was secretly imparted to him by his father, "Rather be a beggar than a servant."