Chapter 9: Punishment [Edited]

Xia Tong’s body stiffened, and she looked a bit bewildered. “I… don’t understand Your highness’s meaning.”

She didn’t want anything, only to live peacefully and have food to eat.

Silence returned to the room, the delightful aroma of tea filling her senses, while the storyteller downstairs wove a captivating tale.

After squatting for so long, Xia Tong’s legs began to numb. She couldn’t help but lift her head slightly, seeing the man lazily reclining on the chair, a steaming teacup beside him. His elegant hands, though stained with blood, looked exquisitely beautiful. It was true that the more beautiful something was, the more dangerous it could be.

“Let me tell you about Wang Junsheng, who won the top imperial examination, bringing glory to his family…”

“Good!”

The crowd below was lively. After what felt like an eternity, Xia Tong finally collapsed onto the floor, her legs completely numb.

A slight sound caught the man’s attention, and he glanced over. She was huddled, rubbing her calves with a look of distress. Sensing something, she immediately resumed her formal posture, looking like a frightened bird.

She was trembling all over, as if she would collapse at any moment. Gu Qin just glanced at her calmly, his eyes dimming as he said, “It seems that it is written in the female etiquette book that unmarried women are not allowed to meet men outside of their marriage.”

Xia Tong: “…”

 Wasn’t he the one who summoned her?

Realizing something, she quickly looked down and explained, “It was merely a chance encounter with the young master, not a deliberate meeting.”

The man turned his head, his thin lips parting slightly as he observed her swaying figure with cold indifference. “Even chance encounters should be avoided. It seems the Xiahou family’s principles aren’t very strong.”

Xia Tong slumped back down, completely overwhelmed. She mustered her courage to stand again, casting a furtive glance at him. “It was just an accident today. I will be more careful in the future. My father has taught me well.”

Was he intentionally picking a fight?

Wasn’t he also a man?

A notorious villain was lecturing her on etiquette?

“If this happens again, I will certainly ask how Lord Xia raises his daughter,” the man said in a low, obscure tone.

His captive fish should not leap into shallow waters. Unless the fish perished, the pit would remain unchanged.

His casual tone sent a chill down Xia Tong’s spine. She didn’t understand why a villain was so fixated on teaching her manners. Was he mad?

But feeling timid, she obediently replied, “This subject will definitely remember Your Highness’s instructions.”

Downstairs, the bustling sounds continued, the storyteller’s engaging story unfolding in layers. Xia Tong slowly sat on a chair beside her.

The tea had gone cold, so she tentatively poured the man another cup of hot tea, the unusual aroma tempting even someone like her who didn’t usually drink tea.

Her movements were a bit awkward, her white neck peeking out from beneath her dark hair, clearly unfamiliar with such tasks.

“Tianshan Snow Branch, give it a try.” He said in a light voice.

Xia Tong thought she might have misheard. Surprised, she poured herself a cup. Although it was hot, the lingering fragrance was delightful—not too bitter, with a refreshing hint that was hard to describe.

She had never heard of this tea, but she was certain he only drank the finest. Not trying it would be a shame.

“Why haven’t I heard of this tea before?” she asked, curious as she held the cup.

The man’s brow twitched slightly. “I planted it. How did you hear about it?”

Xia Tong: “…”

Feeling the cup grow warm in her hands. She quickly set it down, obediently turning her attention to the performers downstairs.

“Sister Tong, are you there?”

Suddenly, a voice called from outside the curtain. It was unmistakably Lin Qin’s, and upon realizing she might be worried about her, Xia Tong sneaked a glance at the man beside her, hesitating to speak. “I’ve been out for a while. I should return home soon. Thank you for the tea, Your Highness.”

Gu Qin remained silent, casually looking downstairs. Seeing this, Xia Tong bowed and then walked outside.

As soon as she left the cubicle, she spotted Lin Qin anxiously waiting. Upon seeing her, Lin Qin rushed over, grasped her hand, and asked eagerly, “Sister Tong, are you alright?”

Though Lin Yi didn’t speak, his expression showed concern.

Xia Tong smiled, “I’m fine. Look, I’m perfectly okay!”

After giving her a once-over, Lin Qin sighed in relief and leaned in closer, whispering, “Who was inside…?”

Rumor had it that the owner of Room One was the tea house’s owner, with significant connections. The Third Prince had once wanted to buy the land to create a chess club, but a mysterious person purchased it instead. It was widely speculated that this person was the Crown Prince. If that were true, it would mean she could run into him at any time in the future.

Not bothering with Lin Qin’s curiosity, Xia Tong hesitated before saying, “Um… I can’t say.”

She didn’t dare to!

“What? You’re hiding it even from me?” Lin Qin pouted, seeming a bit upset.

At that moment, Lin Yi spoke up, “Miss Xia has her reasons. You shouldn’t pressure her.”

Seeing her brother defend her, Lin Qin didn’t know what to say, hoping that her instinct to introduce Xia Tong to him was right.

As they were about to leave, a young man in blue, holding a sword, suddenly appeared. He stared at the steaming cup of tea on the table, astonished. This was tea grown by the master himself, yet it was given to another woman!?

Watching the trio leave downstairs, Gu Qin took a sip of his hot tea, his tone cold. “This young master, I don’t want to see again.”

Upon hearing this, those nearby nodded slightly, used to their master’s methods. A young master could easily be sent to a remote place with just a reason, and if he didn’t take the hint, it could end badly for him, especially with so many “assassins” around lately.

*

Upon returning to the Xiahou Manor at noon, Xia Tong had barely entered the courtyard when she noticed her mother’s maid, Chun Xing, pacing anxiously beside her mother.

“Miss, you’re back!” Chun Xing rushed over, worry etched on her face. “Madam is in trouble!”

“What happened? Explain clearly!” Xia Tong’s expression turned serious.

Chun Xing, flustered, said, “Yesterday, when Madam was out, she saw some poor beggars in the west of the city and gave them some money. Today, someone told the old madam about it. The old madam was furious, saying Madam shouldn’t waste Xiahou family money on beggars. There are so many beggars. Even if we exhausted the Xiahou family’s resources, we couldn’t help them all. Madam argued back a bit, but the old madam punished her by making her kneel in the courtyard. She’s been out there for nearly half an hour under this scorching sun!”

“What? Where’s my father?” Qing’er, who was nearby, gasped in shock.

“He’s still in the court, and we don’t know when he’ll be back!” Chun Xing was fidgeting like an ant on a hot pan.

Hearing this, Xia Tong’s brows furrowed. Without thinking, she dashed toward the old madam’s courtyard. The old madam clearly didn’t like her mother and was just looking for trouble. She always found ways to criticize her.

When she arrived, she saw her mother kneeling in the courtyard under the blazing sun, her posture straight but sweat beading on her forehead. Such heat could be harmful.

“Mother!”

Xia Tong hurried over, kneeling beside her to wipe her mother’s sweat. “Just wait. I’ll go ask Grandmother to let you return.”

Madam Liu’s vision was already hazy.Sshe could only see her daughter for a moment before she disappeared again.

There was someone guarding at the entrance. When they saw Xia Tong approach, they immediately blocked her path. “Fourth Miss, what can I do for you?”

Xia Tong shot the woman a cold glare. “Do I need your permission to come and see my grandmother?”

Without waiting for a response, she pushed past them. The maids exchanged uneasy glances. The Fourth Young Lady was exceptionally beautiful and destined for greatness, unlike the Third Young Lady and the others.

Inside, it was much cooler than outside, with two buckets of ice prominently placed. Several of her aunts were chatting with the old madam, sharing amusing stories while enjoying sweet soup, creating a lively atmosphere.

“Has the Fourth Young Lady returned?” Madam Zhang was the first to notice.

Xia Tong stepped forward, bowed, and then directly addressed her grandmother. “Grandmother, it’s so hot outside, and Mother has been kneeling for a long time. She only meant well, so please forgive her.”

Doing good deeds shouldn’t lead to punishment, but that was the cruel reality of their feudal society. Xia Tong clenched her fists but maintained her calm demeanor.

“I knew you’d come for this reason,” Madam Zhang said, taking her time sipping her sweet soup. “She’s using Xiahou family money, and good intentions must be matched with appropriate circumstances. There are too many beggars in the world. If she’s kind to every single one, wouldn’t we deplete the Xiahou family’s wealth?”

“Second aunt knows that you are doing this for your mother’s own good, but it is true that your mother was wrong in this matter. Your grandmother just asked your mother to be more cautious in the future. But it is very sunny outside, so why don’t you quickly bring a bowl of sugar water to your sister-in-law to cool down.” Madam Wang on the side also said kindly.

Listening to their conversation, Xia Tong pursed her lips and looked directly at the old lady and said, “But mother has been kneeling for so long, she must have known she was wrong. Besides, what mother spent was her own private money, not the money from the treasury.”

“That’s not right.” Madam Zhang raised her voice. “Your mother is part of the Xiahou family, and everything belongs to the Xiahou family. Fourth Young Lady, are you saying you don’t consider yourselves part of the family?”

At this point, the old lady who had been silent all this time also changed her expression. She stared at the outstanding woman in front of her, and a gleam of light flashed in her turbid old eyes.

Without waiting for Xia Tong to speak, the old lady said in a serious tone. “Let your mother learn a lesson. Don’t mention this matter again. Otherwise, let her kneel for another hour.”