allonlinenovel Chapter 14: Self-discipline
Chapter 14: Self-discipline
Hongying was stunned, she didn't expect the scholar to find her. She hesitated for a moment and decided to tell him the truth: "Sir, I am the maid of Lu Yundi, the wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. The lady wants you to be the teacher of her son Yan Canglan and teach him poetry and songs."
When the scholar heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he immediately regained his composure: "So it's the wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. I understand, and I am willing to serve Master Yan."
Hongying was delighted and said quickly, "Then I'll trouble you, sir. Please tell me where you live and I'll go back and tell my wife."
The scholar smiled and pointed to a small courtyard in front of him: "That is where I live. Please go ahead, young lady. I will follow."
Hongying nodded in agreement and turned to leave. She secretly sighed in her heart: This scholar is not only talented, but also humble. He is indeed a good teacher for Yan Canglan.
After returning to the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's Mansion, Hongying told Lu Yundi what had happened. Upon hearing this, Lu Yundi smiled with satisfaction: "Hongying, you did a great job. That scholar really lived up to my expectations."
……
Yan Canglan endured it all the way until he returned to the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery Mansion, then he started to curse: "Lu Yundi, you cruel woman, what did I do wrong to make you treat me like this?"
The wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, Lu Yundi, looked at Yan Canglan coldly, her eyes full of disappointment and anger. She slowly walked in front of Yan Canglan and raised her voice: "Yan Canglan, you have committed two serious mistakes. First, you are disrespectful to your teachers, and second, you are gambling in a group. How can you get away with these two crimes so easily?"
Yan Canglan's eyes widened, and he wanted to explain, but Lu Yundi waved his hand to stop him: "No need to say more, you must be punished by the family law today."
After saying that, Lu Yundi ordered someone to bring the family ruler, which was a five-foot-long ruler, all black in color, with ten deep scales engraved on it, and each scale represented a whipping.
Yan Canglan's face turned pale, but he still suppressed the fear in his heart and shouted: "You! You are abusing the family rules, I will never give in!"
Lu Yundi's eyes turned cold, and he said in a cold voice: "Yan Canglan, who do you think you are? You are the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongyong Mansion, so you must abide by the rules of the Marquis Mansion. Today, you must kneel down and accept the punishment of the family law."
Yan Canglan clenched his fists, a trace of unwillingness flashed in his eyes, but he knew that today's punishment was unavoidable. He knelt down slowly, but he was extremely unwilling in his heart.
Lu Yundi picked up the ruler and prepared to swing it. At this moment, Yan Canglan looked up at her, his eyes full of pleading: "Please, don't do this to me."
Lu Yundi's hand stopped in mid-air, a hint of hesitation flashed across her eyes, but soon, she waved her hand down firmly.
The ruler fell heavily on Yan Canglan's back, making a crisp sound.
"One!" Lu Yundi's voice was cold.
Yan Canglan gritted his teeth and endured the severe pain, but his eyes were full of indomitable spirit.
"Two!" The ruler fell again, and Yan Canglan's body began to tremble involuntarily.
Just then, Yan Shuqin, who had just returned from school, ran in and looked at her brother Yan Canglan with worried eyes.
She bit her lip tightly, walked forward, bowed to the wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, Lu Yundi, and said firmly: "Brother made a mistake, and I am also responsible. I am willing to take half of the family punishment for my brother."
Lu Yundi looked at the girl in front of her, with a complex emotion in her eyes. She gently patted Yan Shuqin's hand and said softly: "Qin'er, you are a girl, and you are not wrong. This matter is your brother's responsibility alone."
Yan Shuqin raised her head, her eyes gleaming with determination: "I know I am a girl, but in this loyal and brave mansion, daughters and sons are equally respected. My brother has to bear the family rules alone, and I feel guilty. I beg mother to allow me to share the burden for my brother. Unless, you exempt my brother from the family rules..."
Yan Canglan's face was pale, but there was a hint of smile on his lips. He held his sister's hand tightly and whispered, "Sister, don't be silly. Brother's affairs should be borne by me. It's futile for you to beg this evil woman to let me go!"
Lu Yundi looked at the brother and sister and couldn't help feeling deeply moved.
She knew that although Yan Canglan was young, he had a sense of responsibility. She was also moved by the deep brotherly love between Yan Shuqin and her brother.
After a moment of silence, Lu Yundi finally spoke: "Okay, since you brothers and sisters are so determined, then I will agree to it. However, family rules cannot be abolished lightly, you must remember this lesson."
A glimmer of joy flashed across Yan Shuqin's eyes, and she immediately kowtowed and agreed: "My daughter obeys your command."
So, the family law continued.
Yan Canglan and Yan Shuqin knelt on both sides and accepted the punishment according to the family rules.
The ruler hit them, making a crisp sound. Yan Canglan gritted his teeth and endured the severe pain, while Yan Shuqin frowned with a painful expression on her face.
Lu Yundi sat on a chair, looking at the brother and sister, feeling both moved and helpless.
She knew that such punishment could not really change their mistakes, but at least it was their recognition and responsibility for their mistakes.
Yan Canglan and Yan Shuqin were both subjected to harsh family punishments, and everyone thought that the matter should end there.
Unexpectedly, Lu Yundi suddenly stood up and looked around with a determined look.
"Everyone, I have something to announce." Lu Yundi's voice was firm and powerful, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"I failed to educate my children properly, causing the young master and young lady to commit a serious mistake. I am willing to accept ten rulers as punishment." Lu Yundi's voice was low and firm, and every word sounded like a heavy hammer hitting everyone's heart.
Everyone was shocked. For a moment, the entire hall of the Loyal and Brave Marquis' Mansion fell silent.
Yan Canglan and Yan Shuqin widened their eyes and looked at Lu Yundi in disbelief.
Everyone looked at each other, their eyes focused on Lu Yundi.
Her eyes fell on the ruler in Hongyou's hand, and she said in a calm but firm tone: "Hongyou, this ruler is in your hands."
Hong You was slightly startled. She was the oldest maid in the mansion. She took the ruler hesitantly, with a flash of panic in her eyes.
Lu Yundi's eyes swept through everyone, and finally fell on Yan Canglan and Yan Shuqin. Yan Canglan pursed his lips tightly, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, while Yan Shuqin frowned slightly, and a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes.
"Madam, this... this is against the rules." Hongyou said in a trembling voice.
Lu Yundi smiled slightly, but his eyes were firm: "Hongyou, you just follow my orders. In this mansion, the rules are used to restrain people, but today, I am willing to set an example to make up for my mistakes in educating my son."
Hongyou pursed her lips, a trace of determination flashed in her eyes, she raised the ruler, but saw Lu Yundi close his eyes and straighten his back. Hongyou's hand was trembling, the ruler fell quickly, but it was as light as a feather, just lightly touching Lu Yundi's skin.