Chapter 009: Shen Xue'ning Tormented

Even though voices outside called out to stop him, Zhou Mingfan had already brought down the first lash.

There was no turning back.

The whip landed hard on Wen Ni’s back.

In an instant, her cotton and linen clothing split open.

On her exposed pale back, a slender red welt appeared, like an enraged earthworm swollen and writhing across her skin.

Tiny droplets of blood seeped out.

The old lady hurried over.

She looked at Wen Ni, who was kneeling on the ground.

Furious, she stepped forward and couldn’t help but raise her voice, “What happened? What mistake did the child make that warrants the family discipline?”

The old master frowned.

He hadn’t anticipated his wife’s arrival.

The old lady quickly moved to Wen Ni’s side and said, “Grandmother is here to stand up for you. I want to see who dares lay a hand on her again—go ahead, hit me too.”

She helped Wen Ni up.

Seeing Wen Ni’s little face pale as snow, she couldn’t help but say, “My dear, look at yourself, how did you end up like this?”

Tears fell from Wen Ni’s eyes at once. “Grandmother.”

The old lady patted Wen Ni’s hand. “Tell grandmother everything. I’ll make it right for you.”

Min Xianshu hurried forward, “Mother, this isn’t our fault. Wen Ni struck Xue Ning for no reason and refuses to admit it. She angered Father, and that’s why the family discipline was invoked.”

The old lady’s tone was calm and indifferent, “I cannot believe Wen Ni would hit someone without cause. Wen Ni, if you’re wronged, speak freely.”

She walked over to the old master and glared at him.

He quickly made room for her.

She sat down, her gaze gentle as she looked at Wen Ni.

Kindly, she asked, “Wen Ni, didn’t you go to the hospital to visit your grandmother today? How is she?”

Wen Ni’s tears, which had been falling drop by drop, suddenly burst forth like a flood at the mention of her grandmother.

She collapsed beside the old lady, burying herself in her lap, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

She couldn’t find words.

The grandmother was the old lady’s dearest friend.

The old lady hesitated for a moment, then urgently asked, “Child, speak—what happened to your grandmother?”

Wen Ni struggled to talk, but whenever she opened her mouth, only sobs came out.

Her shoulders shook violently, her pale face flushed red, unable to utter a single word.

The old lady paced in agitation. “Who took Wen Ni to the hospital today? Bring them here at once!”

Before long, Zhou Jingyi entered the study.

Upon entering,

He saw Wen Ni kneeling on the floor.

Her shirt had been torn apart by the whipping.

A long wound exposed, the blood dots now connected, slowly trickling across her fair back, a stark contrast between white and crimson.

It was a shocking sight.

The old lady’s eyes were red as she asked, “What is Wen Ni’s grandmother’s condition?”

Zhou Jingyi’s eyelids lowered slightly.

His dark, narrow eyes were cold as frost. He said quietly, “It seems her breathing suddenly stopped.”

The old lady pressed her hand to her chest.

Her voice was low and trembling, “And now? Is she out of danger?”

Zhou Jingyi nodded, “She underwent emergency surgery in the rescue room and is temporarily out of danger.”

The old lady finally let out a long sigh.

She closed her eyes.

Murmured a prayer for heaven’s blessing.

Then she helped Wen Ni up from her lap and said, “Your grandmother is a good woman, protected by fate. She’ll be alright, child, don’t cry anymore.”

Wen Ni nodded, eyes brimming with tears.

Shen Xue Ning gently nudged Min Xianshu’s arm.

Min Xianshu immediately spoke with a biting tone, “Wen Ni, your grandmother’s critical condition isn’t Xue Ning’s doing. You can’t just hit people because you’re upset. If your grandmother’s situation worsens someday, would you go so far as to kill?”

Zhou Jingyi frowned.

His prominent brow bones pressed down over his eyes.

Zhou Mingfan added, “Whatever the reason, you still need to apologize to Xue Ning.”

Wen Ni choked back her sobs.

Shen Xue Ning timidly stepped forward, holding Zhou Mingfan’s hand, “Forget it, Wen Ni’s upset because of her grandmother. I won’t ask her to apologize. Just don’t raise your hand again.”

Zhou Jingyi looked at Wen Ni.

She couldn’t speak for crying, her face red and her neck thick, like a rabbit whose carrot has been snatched away.

Usually she was fierce and wild.

But now—

She let herself be bullied.

The old master knew the old lady would always protect Wen Ni.

He had deliberately avoided her tonight.

But he hadn’t expected her sudden arrival.

Given the circumstances,

He could only let Wen Ni’s mistake go.

He waved his hand, “Enough, disperse.”

Zhou Jingyi’s throat bobbed, the sharp curve of his Adam’s apple standing out, his facial features drawn tight, giving him a razor-sharp look, “I saw it.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to him.

He stared straight ahead, “I witnessed the entire quarrel between Wen Ni and Shen Xue Ning.”

The old master, surprised, looked at his youngest son, who never interfered in family matters.

He sat down again,

And reconsidered the whole affair.

Shen Xue Ning nervously clenched her hands.

Wen Ni lowered her head, thinking she had a sixty percent chance of success.

Twenty percent higher than Shen Xue Ning.

Ten percent because Zhou Jingyi had just reported her grandmother’s situation to the old lady—“emphasizing the gravity.”

The other ten percent, Wen Ni wagered, was on the weight of love between man and woman.

The old lady said, “Well, tell us then. What did you see?”

Since entering, Zhou Jingyi hadn’t moved from his place.

Under the light,

His jet-black pupils shone especially bright, like snow about to melt. “Shen Xue Ning accused Wen Ni of being unchaste, seducing men, just like her mother.”

A sharp slap resounded.

The old lady slammed her palm on the small table.

Shen Xue Ning dropped to her knees, begging, “Grandmother, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just warning Wen Ni because of Big Brother—”

The old lady’s voice was laced with uncontrollable dissatisfaction and anger, “You and your warning—what are you? Wen Ni is a Zhou family granddaughter-in-law, lawfully married. And you?”

Shen Xue Ning’s eyes were bloodshot.

She knelt in silence, not daring to say a word.

The old lady pulled Wen Ni up, “Silly child, why wouldn’t you say anything?”

Wen Ni murmured, “She spoke about my mother. I can’t repeat it. My mother is your goddaughter. Hearing her slander would pain you as well.”

The old lady was blunt with Wen Xue Ning, “You slander Wen Ni’s mother, but Wen Ni’s father committed adultery within his marriage, seduced away by your mother. So, whatever you say about Wen Ni’s mother, your own mother is no less blameworthy.”

Shen Xue Ning’s face alternated between green and pale.

The old lady continued, “In the future, think before you speak and act. Don’t be a brainless fool.”

For the first time, Shen Xue Ning suffered such humiliation in the Zhou family.

She bit her lip.

Softly nodded, crying, “Grandmother, I was wrong. It was my fault. Please don’t be angry. I accept punishment. I’ll apologize to Wen Ni. I’m sorry.”

The old lady waved her hand, “Go kneel in the ancestral hall.”

Zhou Mingfan hurried to shield her, “Grandmother, Xue Ning may have erred, but she was already punished by Wen Ni’s blow.”

The old lady said, “You go with her.”

Zhou Mingfan: “…”

The old lady scolded, “You’re grown now, yet you don’t know how to handle matters with composure. You make yourself a laughingstock.”

Min Xianshu wanted to plead for her son,

But Zhou Chengli grasped her wrist.

The old master sighed, “Enough, this matter ends here. No one is to mention it again. Let’s all disperse.”

With that,

He walked out ahead.

The old lady patted Wen Ni’s hand, “I’ll have someone bring you an ointment. A young girl’s skin is delicate—it wouldn’t do to leave a scar.”

Then Zhou Chengli and Min Xianshu left the room.

Wen Ni took a deep breath.

Slowly rose from the floor.

She shot Shen Xue Ning a sly smile, raised her middle finger, lips moving with two words that were far from polite.

Zhou Jingyi: “…”