They were in charge of being beautiful, and she was in charge of taking the hits.

Chapter 121 Lan'er Gets Beaten

The more they talked, the more frightened they became, their hair standing on end. In this place, everyone was in danger at every turn, afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing.

"Then who do you think this gentleman is? It seems the head of the family treats him very well and is quite respectful to him, unlike people like us."

"I think the head of the family might not be interested for more than two days."

Some people were jealous.

Lan'er sighed beside Sima Lingyu, watching him eat with relish, showing no curiosity whatsoever about the newcomer.

But he couldn't let that happen. He told Sima Lingyu that he had to leave the manor for a while, but he still wanted to go to the eldest son and talk to him about it.

However, he was unaware that someone was watching him every time he went out. This time, he went to find Sima Lingchuan but found no one there, so he had no choice but to return disappointed.

The person in the shadows reported to Wu Chengye, who had just received news that Wu Ziyan and Wu Chengji had successfully negotiated a trade route at the border.

She shoved everything on the table onto the floor, thinking to herself, "Why do I always get to have all the good things?"

Furthermore, upon hearing that Lan'er had gone to see Sima Lingchuan again, he was certain that he wanted to tell him about Huang Ziliang.

"After this matter is resolved, the thieves who returned home should also be dealt with. They need to be disciplined and made aware of the information within the manor. They can't just go out and spread rumors!"

I don't know who he was talking about, but I knew that someone would definitely suffer. Those who obeyed were trembling with fear as they accepted the order.

Wu Chengye rode back with a displeased expression. Along the way, two vendors, oblivious to the danger, crossed the road and were kicked over by him on horseback. He didn't care whether the vendors lived or died and went straight back.

Those people already knew who she was talking about, but no one dared to say it. She had done this kind of thing quite a lot in the capital. At first, some people exposed her, but later they found that the protection between officials was useless. Whoever was unlucky had to accept their fate.

Back at the mansion, weary from their journey, they gathered everyone in the main hall, keeping the kitchen staff extremely busy.

It's been a long time since the family members ate together. Usually, the grocery shopping is done by the different kitchens. Now, suddenly they're saying they want to eat together.

Wu Chengye sat down in the main seat in the hall, and Huang Ziliang was sitting next to him. The officials had already arrived and were sitting in the lowest seats, while the seat on Wu Chengye's other side was reserved for Sima Lingyu.

Sima Lingyu arrived late. He had never met Huang Ziliang before. When he stepped through the door, he was somewhat surprised to see that face, as if he were seeing his older brother from a few years ago.

He then realized that it was the person mentioned in the letter. He smiled slightly as a sign of politeness, walked over to Wu Chengye's side, and wanted to sit down.

But Wu Chengye's face turned cold: "Who told you to sit down?"

He was slightly taken aback. This was a way of putting him in a bad light in front of the newcomer, but he didn't react. He just stood there to the side.

"Come and sit down!"

Hearing her say that, he walked over and sat down next to her, asking, "Where is your personal servant who always follows you?"

"Lan'er?" He hadn't seen him either, and didn't know where he had gone again.

"Go and find that wretched maid!"

Sima Lingyu Yijing didn't know what Lan'er had done wrong to provoke her so much anger.

Huang Ziliang had just arrived, so how could he possibly interfere in their affairs? He simply sat quietly to the side, like a mascot.

"Your Highness, has Lan'er committed any offense?"

"What a fine person you raised! Did you never warn him that he shouldn't gossip about things in his household?"

Those who heard it had nothing to do with them all breathed a sigh of relief; some looked on with anticipation, while others looked worried.

"Master, your lowly servant Lan'er has returned!"

"Bring him in here. Everyone's here today, and I haven't set any rules for you all in a long time. Today, I'll show you what happens when you go around spreading rumors about things that happen in the manor!"

Lan'er didn't understand what he had done wrong. He was dragged to the hall and thrown to the ground with a thud. He was still young and had never seen such a scene before. After looking around, his eyes fell on Sima Lingyu.

"Master, what have I done wrong?"

"What did you say when you went to the Qingxian Marquis's residence last time? What are you planning to do this time?"

Wu Chengye's eyes seemed to be filled with daggers, and Lan'er never expected that he would be followed just by going out.

“Master, I am going to see Master Sima.”

"We are from two different families, why are you going to see him!"

"This……"

"Stop stammering and stammering. Let me tell you, once you step into this mansion, you are members of this household. Your actions and deeds represent this mansion. This lowly servant has violated the rules of the mansion. What do you say should be done?"

Isn't asking this putting everyone on the spot? Who dares to say otherwise?

Most of the people present were men. When Wu Chengye was not at home, they had to live according to their husband's wishes. They used to think that their husband was a pushover, but after he established his authority last time, no one thought he was weak anymore.

A silence followed, and no one answered. Wu Chengye slammed his hand on the table in anger, spilling some of the water from the teacup.

"Give him twenty strokes first, and we'll talk if he's not dead."

Sima Lingyu knelt down with a thud: "Your Highness, I asked him to go find my brother. There are some things I need to deliver to him."

"What is it that requires your personal servant to deliver it? Isn't it a secret of my household?"

……

The original intention was to forcibly label them, even if they were innocent, to find fault with them.

No matter how many people were there, no one dared to plead for him. Huang Ziliang's eyes remained unchanged. Wu Chengye wanted to use this scene to scare him and see if he had any problems.

"Master, I'm innocent!"

"Fight! Fight right here! Let them see what happens when they betray me!"

"Your Highness, Lan'er is still young. If you want to hit someone, hit me!" Sima Lingyu stood in front of La'er, while Wu Chengye walked over, grabbed his chin, and pushed him aside: "Who do you think you are?"

When she said those words, everyone else didn't dare to breathe. One or two hard sticks landed on Lan'er's petite body.

Lan'er couldn't help but scream "Ah! Ah!" She had only played a few cards when blood appeared on her waist. The timid one covered her eyes and dared not look. Wu Chengye subconsciously glanced at Huang Ziliang.

He merely frowned slightly, then showed no other expression. Sima Lingyu, her face streaked with tears, tried to rush forward to protect Lan'er, but was pulled away by Wu Chengye's men.

His gaze finally fell on Huang Ziliang, who shook his head slightly, an arc so subtle that no one could detect it. Lan'er's screams grew fainter and fainter, and after only ten blows, he fainted.

Sima Lingyu, his face streaked with tears, pleaded, "Your Highness, please stop hitting him."