Looking at Madam Chen’s still charming face, Jiang Qisheng became even more unwilling to accept reality.

If it hadn’t been for Jiang Fengyuan back then, Chen Xinwan would have been his.

Now, if he could take Chen Xinwan as his, he would love to see the expression on his dear brother’s face.

Jiang Qisheng reached out to touch Chen Xinwan’s face.

Before his hand could even get close, a strong arm grabbed him.

Jiang Fengyuan’s face was dark with anger filling his eyes.

“Brother, your hand is reaching too far. It’s time to chop it off.”

Jiang Qisheng stiffly turned his head and immediately started trembling in fear.

“You… You wouldn’t dare!”

【Daddy, hit him! He just tried to harass Mother.】

Madam Chen tried to cover her daughter’s mouth, but the girl hadn’t even spoken out loud.

A scream rang out as Jiang Qisheng’s right arm went limp.

“My arm!” Jiang Qisheng howled in pain, clutching his limb.

【And his mouth! Hit his mouth too.】 She remembered that when children said bad words, adults would smack their mouths.

【Drag him outside and beat him. Don’t let Mother see the blood.】

Jiang Fengyuan immediately dragged Jiang Qisheng behind the trees.

Meanwhile, the old madam had just lain down after taking her medicine.

Nanny Wang rushed in. “Madam, Second Master was beaten up by First Master!”

The old madam sat up in shock.

At Mingde Hall, Jiang Qisheng, beaten black and blue, clung to the Duke of An’s arm, complaining.

“Father, the servants saw it with their own eyes—it was Big Brother who struck first!”

“Enough!” The Duke’s voice was stern.

“You shamelessly harassed your sister-in-law, and now you dare to complain? Someone, bring out the family punishment!”

The old madam rushed in anxiously.

“Master, Qisheng was just momentarily confused. Please show him mercy!”

The Jiang family’s family punishment was only used for those who had committed grave sins.

Jiang Fengyuan’s eyes flickered.

In the past life, he had been nearly beaten to death because of a setup by the second household.

Today, he wanted to see if his father would truly carry out the punishment.

“Master,” the old madam wept, “Qisheng was just momentarily confused. He hasn’t caused any real harm. Please forgive him.”

The Duke of An gripped the table, looking pained.

【Duke of An is hesitating. Father, quick! Add fuel to the fire! Stir things up!】

Jiang Fengyuan knelt solemnly.

“All these years, I have tolerated the second household, but now he dares to disrespect Xinwan?”

“If this continues, it will bring disaster. Father, for the sake of the Jiang family, please punish Second Brother.”

He paused before adding, “Otherwise, the main branch of the Jiang family will voluntarily leave the duke’s residence and establish a new household!”

“You—!” The Duke of An was so angry he almost lost his balance.

He raised his hand, hesitating in front of Jiang Fengyuan.

Jiang Fengyuan remained steadfast, unmoved.

The Duke of An’s hand changed direction, landing on Jiang Qisheng’s face instead.

“Unfilial son! Bring out the family punishment!”

【Sigh.】 Jiang Yuanxi let out a long sigh.

Her grandfather was still unwilling to gamble the Jiang family’s future.

Otherwise, they could have left the duke’s residence today.

【Father is too outstanding. So outstanding that the second household is jealous, the old madam is driven mad, and Grandfather can’t bear to let him go.】

Chen saw the faint smile on her husband’s lips and coughed softly.

Jiang Fengyuan immediately adjusted his expression.

In his heart, he whispered: Daughter, don’t praise Father right now, or Father won’t be able to hold back his laughter!

Since the matter had blown up, the entire Jiang family gathered.

Jiang Qisheng was dragged to the courtyard and publicly flogged.

Liu Ruqing stood to the side, watching the young general from a distance.

Wu Cuirou and the old madam knelt and pleaded, but it was useless.

Today, the Duke of An was determined to discipline his wayward son.

The courtyard echoed with Jiang Qisheng’s agonized screams as the old madam wept bitterly.

Jiang Yuanxi cheered in her heart.

【Go, go, hit him harder!】

Before long, the old madam fainted from shock.

“Mother!” Madam Chen hurried forward.

But this time, Nanny Wang was prepared, and Madam Chen couldn’t squeeze through.

She didn’t mind. Instead, she changed her position and continued crying.

To an outsider, it looked like a funeral scene.

The eldest branch of the Jiang family secretly admired her performance.

Mother’s acting skills were getting better and better.

Only Jiang Fengyuan looked at his wife with concern.

The ground was so hard—what if she got hurt?

Over the years, Jiang Qisheng had indulged in women and weakened his body.

He couldn’t even withstand thirty strokes; after just ten, he fainted.

【Second Uncle is too weak. What a loser!】

【Back then, my father endured all thirty strokes and didn’t faint!】 Jiang Yuanxi was even a little proud.

Jiang Fengyuan secretly agreed.

Hearing his daughter’s praise, he straightened up immediately.

His expression seemed to say, See, Daughter? Your father is the strongest!

Doctor Sun hurried back and forth, tending to both the old madam and Jiang Qisheng.

The Duke of An couldn’t bear to punish his son too harshly, so he reduced the sentence to fifteen strokes.

Even so, Jiang Qisheng would need a long time to recover.

On the way back, the eldest branch walked with light steps.

Liu Ruqing sneakily followed behind them.

Jiang Yuanxi was the first to notice.

【Why is Second Brother’s old flame sneaking behind us?】

Jiang Yuanwu immediately sensed trouble.

Sure enough, the next moment, their parents shoved their little sister into his arms.

Jiang Yuanwu sighed. “Yuanwu, Yuanxi just said she wants to look around. Stay with her.”

Madam Chen smiled.

A flimsy excuse, yet the general could say it with a straight face.

Only Yuanxi would believe it.

Jiang Yuanxi scratched her head in confusion.

Did she say that?

Did she forget?

Oh well.

If she was here, Liu Ruqing wouldn’t be able to take advantage of her second brother.

Jiang Yuanwu dragged his feet, watching the others walk away.

“Leaving so quickly… At least my little sister treats me well.”

【Of course! That little green tea is dangerous. Brother, you’re too simple-minded and easy to fool.】

Jiang Yuanwu was slightly hurt.

Liu Ruqing, seeing the chance, stepped out from behind the rockery.

“Yuanwu Brother!” She gazed at him with teary eyes.

Jiang Yuanwu took a step back.

Liu Ruqing looked heartbroken.

“Must you be so distant from me?”

【What else?】 Jiang Yuanxi said matter-of-factly.

【Should he call you ‘Sweetheart’ instead?】

Jiang Yuanwu’s face twitched.

What the heck, ‘Sweetheart’?

Where did his sister learn these disgusting words?

But the act had to go on.

“Qing… Aunt.” The last word was emphasized.

【Hahaha.】 Jiang Yuanxi laughed internally.

It reminded her of a phrase:

“I call you Sweetheart, but you call me Madam Niu.”

So fitting.

Liu Ruqing’s expression cracked.

She clenched the handkerchief in her sleeve.

If it weren’t for Jiang Ruowei’s terrible idea, she wouldn’t be in this situation.

Jiang Yuanwu’s gaze turned colder.

Years of planning were wasted.

“Yuanwu Brother, back then—”

Hearing her bring up the past, Jiang Yuanwu hesitated.

Seeing his expression change, Liu Ruqing’s heart leaped with hope.

She still had a chance.

But Jiang Yuanxi sneered in her heart.

【Liar! That arrow back then was shot by your old lover!】

Jiang Yuanwu’s last shred of goodwill disappeared.

“Aunt, it’s late. Please take care.”

【Finally, Second Brother is using his brain.】

Liu Ruqing watched him walk away, stunned.

She didn’t understand how things had turned out like this.