Chapter 9

Lord Xu had just returned home when he heard a commotion coming from the West Courtyard. Frowning, he headed over to investigate.

The moment he saw Xu Yi lying unconscious on the ground, bruised and battered, his face changed dramatically.

A chill rushed from his tailbone up to the back of his neck. The Emperor had just warned him—treat Xu Yi well, he had said.

And now, this?

If word reached the Emperor, it wouldn’t just be him who suffered. Everyone involved would be doomed.

“Father, thank goodness you're back…” Xu Mao rushed forward, wearing a pitiful expression. “Xu Yi’s getting more and more outrageous. A few days ago he hit our second brother on the head, and today—he stole money from our eldest!”

“When we confronted him, he denied everything, then attacked us. Look at my arm! He bit me!” Xu Mao lifted his sleeve, showing the fresh bite marks. “Father, you must stand up for me!”

He’d used this pitiful act many times before, and it had never failed him.

Until today.

Without warning, Lord Xu turned and slapped him hard across the face.

The force knocked Xu Mao off his feet and onto the ground.

Xu Gan stood frozen.
The servants nearby were equally stunned.

Xu Mao clutched his burning cheek, eyes wide with disbelief. His own father—hit him?

“You ungrateful wretch!” Lord Xu shouted, finger trembling with rage. “He is your kin—your own blood! How could you lay hands on him with such cruelty? How did I raise such a heartless son?”

Thinking of what would happen if the Emperor found out, he couldn’t stop himself—he kicked Xu Mao again.

Xu Gan stared in disbelief, wondering if his father had gone mad.

“Father, please calm down!” Xu Gan stepped forward, trying to explain. “It’s not our fault—Xu Yi was the one who stole and attacked us! Ask the servants, ask everyone! Look at my brother’s arm!”

Another mistake.

Before he finished, Lord Xu slapped him too—hard enough to send him staggering.

Xu Gan held his face, dazed. His father had never laid a hand on him before. He was the favored son.

And now… for Xu Yi?

“Fools!” Lord Xu bellowed. “Still trying to justify yourselves? You’d dare to touch your master? Have you all forgotten your place?”

He turned to the household guards. “Take these mutinous dogs outside—thirty lashes each! And once they can walk, throw them out!”

“Please, my lord! Mercy!”

“Master, spare us!”

“Master! Eldest Young Master, please save us!”

The servants who had attacked Xu Yi fell to their knees, trembling with fear. Thirty lashes—no one could withstand that. The punishment was done with solid hardwood rods, uneven and brutal. Most didn’t survive ten.

A team of guards stormed in and dragged the terrified servants away.

“Someone bring Xu Yi to the East Wing!” Lord Xu barked. “And fetch the physician—immediately!”

The East Wing was reserved for the household’s honored guests and direct heirs. The West Courtyard was for the lesser branch.

Xu Yi was carried away.

Xu Gan and Xu Mao sat on the ground, stunned, clutching their bruised faces.

“Brother,” Xu Mao whispered, “has Father lost his mind? Why would he defend that bastard?”

“He’s always favored you… and even you got slapped... What the hell is going on?”

Xu Gan clenched his jaw. “Father wouldn't act like this for no reason. Come on—we’re going to find Mother.”

“My arm hurts…”

“Good. Show her. Let her see what that bastard did to you.”

The brothers got up and headed to Lady Chang’s chambers.

In the East Wing, Xu Yi remained unconscious.

“Doctor, how is my son?” Lord Xu asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

The doctor bowed respectfully. “My lord, his external wounds are manageable, but he has two fractured ribs. He’ll need time to heal.”

“Moreover, he’s severely malnourished and physically weak. His recovery will likely be slower than normal.”

Lord Xu frowned deeply.

“Do whatever it takes. Use the best medicine.”

“I will, my lord. I’ll write a prescription immediately. Kindly send someone with me to fetch the herbs.”

“He also needs proper nourishment. Strong food will help speed his recovery.”

Lord Xu nodded, then turned to his steward, Wu. “Go with the doctor and make sure he gets everything he needs.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Steward Wu, a pale and plump man who had served the Xu family for years, gave a respectful bow—though inwardly, he was full of questions. Why the sudden kindness toward Xu Yi?

“Also,” Lord Xu added, “tell the kitchen to prepare a fine hen for soup. The best one.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And one more thing—no one is to speak of what happened today. If I find out anyone’s been talking… they’ll wish they hadn’t.”

He glanced at the doctor. “That includes you.”

The doctor immediately bowed low. “Understood, my lord. Not a word from me.”

Lord Xu rubbed his temples. The Emperor must never hear of this.

Meanwhile, Lady Chang and her two sons were already heading toward the East Wing.

After hearing the heavily embellished version of events from Xu Gan and Xu Mao, she was livid.

Seeing their injuries only made it worse—especially the bite mark on Xu Mao’s arm.

She needed an explanation.

When Lord Xu saw her approaching, his headache intensified.

If she were merely his wife, it’d be one thing. But she was also the daughter of the Left Chancellor—the very man who’d helped him rise to power.

“Darling,” she said tearfully, “I don’t understand. Xu Yi stole from the family and attacked his brothers. How could you defend him like this?”

“Look at Mao’er’s arm! The boy nearly lost a chunk of flesh. He’s your son, doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

She sobbed delicately, playing the fragile, misunderstood wife—a tactic she’d perfected.

Lord Xu opened his mouth to speak—but stopped himself.

The Emperor had been very clear: no one was to know of their conversation. Not even his wife.

Last year, the Minister of Revenue had spilled a drunken secret about the Emperor and was executed—along with his entire family.

“I… don’t know everything yet,” Lord Xu said slowly. “Take the boys to get their wounds treated. One day, you’ll understand.”

“But know this—Xu Yi’s survival is directly tied to the Xu family’s future.”

Lady Chang and her sons stared at him, stunned.