Chapter 6 (1/2)

Bai Xiangxiu felt a vague tug of familiarity. But everything was happening too quickly, and she couldn’t gather her thoughts. As she was trying to figure things out, the old madame spoke up in an icy tone. “My son has offered life and limb for this country. Now that he’s returned, does he have to face the schemes of his own family? Absolutely unacceptable! Servants, beat her to death right here.”

“Old Madame, please spare me! Spare me!!” Obviously, no one was going to listen to her. A few stockily built granny servants immediately came over and held the maid down. Two adult males wearing servant’s clothes also came over. They were each holding a rod thicker than an arm. They hesitated and looked at the old madame for confirmation.

The old madame spoke again. “No one is allowed to look away. I want you all to witness what happens to anyone who tries to harm our family. Begin!” The rods started to slam down on the girl as soon after the matriarch gave her order.

The girl screamed and wailed in agony as puddles of blood formed around her...

Bai Xiangxiu felt her mind turn numb. She feared this kind of scenario the most. She never thought she’d have to witness ancient torture mere days after her arrival. A life had been snuffed out, just like that, and there was nothing she could’ve done. She couldn’t even avoid listening or witnessing it. Although the girl was at fault, she could have simply been banished or sent to jail instead. This kind of punishment makes me sick. As for the old madame and Prince Li, well, they were sitting at the head seats, as peaceful as could be. They were even drinking tea. This was clearly a dog-eat-dog society. She definitely didn’t belong here.

Bai Xiangxiu had no idea how she managed to leave. Most of the other women had either fainted or vomited. She was the only one who could walk away. She was even the one supporting Xiaoshi, who was busy throwing up all over herself.

The maid felt a lot better after throwing up. However, she thought there was something incredibly wrong with her mistress. Everyone else was scared out of their wits. Yet, her mistress appeared to have lost her soul. She kept walking forward, but this wasn’t the route back to the Winter Garden...

Bai Xiangxiu didn’t know what was happening to her, just that the floor was suddenly getting closer. Fortunately, an arm caught her, bringing her up. The hand was warm to the touch, slightly soothing her troubled heart. She slowly lifted her head, absentmindedly registering the white brocade worn by the man. Her reaction was an automatic, “Thank you.”.

Song Jiaoyue felt something was off after reaching out to the woman wobbling on her feet. Her temperature was completely abnormal! She was freezing, and her face drained of all color. She didn’t even look alive anymore. He had the feeling that if she had fallen just now, it might have ended her. But, for some reason, her forlorn figure looked familiar. Especially her voice… He felt a pang in his heart. “It’s you, hmm?”

But sadly, she didn’t seem to notice and continued walking. Xiaoshi could only follow behind her mistress, guiding Bai Xiangxiu back to the Winter Garden.

Bai Xiangxiu became violently ill the moment she returned. She even started to hallucinate. At one point, she felt like she’d returned to the modern world as a spectator. She saw her unconscious self being transported by an ambulance. She was back in her body in a hospital while a bunch of doctors stood over her. Her parents held her hand, haggard looks on their faces. She smiled and reassured them, “I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’m really okay. I just had a nightmare.” The ghastly incident just seemed like a realistic nightmare. She didn’t want to accept it.

Her parents were relieved and called out loudly, “Doctor, come! My daughter is awake!” But by the time the doctor had come over, she’d already slipped back into unconsciousness, back to her realistic dream.

The old madame lectured Long Heng after the incident. She told him to get his act together and prevent the other women from thinking inappropriate thoughts. He already had four concubines in the house. If he would just sleep with them, then the others would naturally fall in line.

Long Heng promised he would, but didn’t really seem to care. After he left his mother’s residence, he instead went drinking with Song Jiaoyue. Long Heng had barely taken a seat when Song Jiaoyue asked, “I heard that Prince Li just had a servant beaten to death?”

“Mm.” Prince Li was quite irritated by the maid’s scheming.

“Old Madame still acts so swiftly and decisively, but she frightens the lovely flowers from your rear court.” He described his encounter with Mistress Xiu. “I can’t believe you let them watch. You should learn to be tender towards women.”