“Hua Jue Temple!”
Xie Yuantang clenched her fists in fury.
She knew about Hua Jue Temple—Bai Fu had told her. It was located on Mi Yun Mountain, over a hundred miles from the capital. The mountain was high in elevation, perpetually shrouded in mist, and even in the scorching summer, snow remained unmelted at its peak.
Leng Yunwan’s health was so fragile, yet that scoundrel Xie Zhaoqing had sent her to such a dreadful place!
As if sensing Xie Yuantang’s rage, Xie Zhaoqing cleared his throat and said, “There’s no need to worry. Hua Jue Temple has dedicated attendants. Besides, even if we wanted to bring your mother back now, her body couldn’t endure the long journey.”
After a pause, he added meaningfully, “Once the weather improves in a few days, I will send someone to bring her back. By then, you can also return from the Prince’s Palace to visit her.”
Xie Yuantang laughed in anger.
Return from the Prince’s Palace to visit?
Was he implying that if she failed to secure her position as the Chong Xi princess consort and was soon divorced and sent back, then whether Leng Yunwan would be brought home would be up in the air?
Xie Yuantang’s eyes turned cold. She feared that not only Leng Yunwan but even she herself would be cast out and forced to return to a life of hardship on the farmstead!
Understanding his underlying message, Xie Yuantang twitched her fingers slightly.
Her hands itched!
They itched terribly!
She really wanted to tear this old scoundrel apart, just like she had torn apart zombies!
“Waaah… Daddy, save me! It hurts so much…”
“My face, my face, waaah…”
Xie Yumo’s cries echoed through the room. Xie Zhaoqing frowned. He thought he had been quite courteous, yet even after all that had been said, Xie Yuantang still hadn’t called for the punishment to stop?
“Yuantang, you…”
But Xie Yuantang wasn’t listening.
She had turned to Si Tu Yan and asked, “Hua Jue Temple is so cold. Husband, do you think Mother might catch a chill?”
Si Tu Yan thought seriously for a moment, then nodded. “Definitely. Even I feel cold in winter with two quilts.”
Xie Zhaoqing: “…”
Is she mocking me?!
Xie Zhaoqing: “I will immediately send quilts, fur coats, and all necessary supplies to ensure your mother’s condition doesn’t worsen.”
Xie Yuantang blinked. “What about the Imperial Physician…”
Xie Zhaoqing: “The abbot of Hua Jue Temple is highly skilled in medicine. Of course, I will also invite renowned physicians from the city to attend to her.”
“And what about…”
“Yuantang!”
Xie Zhaoqing suppressed his anger, forcing a smile. “If you don’t call for it to stop now, Eunuch Qu will have finished the flogging!”
“Oh!”
Xie Yuantang acted as if she had just realized it, jumping up from her chair with an innocent and pure expression. “Daddy, why didn’t you remind me earlier!”
Xie Zhaoqing: “…”
Forget it. No use saying more.
Talking too much might give him a heart attack!
Xie Yuantang skipped outside, hearing Qu Pei counting as he struck: “Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine…”
Only after watching Qu Pei deliver the twenty-ninth strike did Xie Yuantang leisurely call out, “Stop!”
Xie Zhaoqing, who had followed her out, nearly choked on his anger!
If she had waited any longer, she might as well have let him finish the last strike! What was the point of putting on a show at the very last moment?!
Even someone with OCD would be driven mad by her!
But Xie Yuantang paid no mind. Delighted, she pulled Si Tu Yan forward to admire Xie Yumo’s “highland red makeup” up close.
As she admired it, she shook her head and sighed, “Oh my~ Younger Sister’s face is really quite resilient to beating!”
“Look, aside from the corner of her mouth, not a single other spot is broken~ Why is that?”
“Ah! I know!”Si Tu Yan’s beautiful Peach Blossom Eyes suddenly lit up as he eagerly answered: ‘I know!” It’s because her skin is thicker, so it can’t be broken!”
“Husband is truly clever, that’s exactly it!”
Xie Yumo lowered her head, so angry that her nails dug into her palms, barely restraining herself from charging forward.
She couldn’t act impulsively anymore. Now that Xie Yuantang had Qu Pei’s support, if she wanted Xie Yuantang to pay the price, she would have to change her approach.
Xie Yumo’s mind raced, and by the time she looked up, she had already mustered glistening tears in her eyes: “Sister, I’m sorry, your younger sister knows she was wrong.”
Xie Yuantang’s inner thoughts: Oh ho! Changing tactics now?
As if your boss Tang doesn’t read romance novels!
Come on, come on, whether you’re a major green tea or a little white lotus, boss Tang will take on all challenges!
Xie Yumo blinked her fan-like thick lashes and stepped forward with a smile, pretending to help Xie Yumo up: “What are you saying, younger sister? It’s good that you know your mistake. Older sister hit you for your own good.”
“…” First kill.
Xie Yumo looked at Xie Yuantang’s outstretched hand and was about to reach for it when she saw Xie Yuantang pull it back in the next instant: “Be careful, younger sister. I’m afraid you might suddenly fall and blame me for it.”
“…” Second kill.
Xie Yumo forced a twisted smile: “What are you saying, sister? How could your younger sister do such a thing?”
While admiring her acting skills, Xie Yuantang sighed inwardly – after all, she was still an immature little white lotus, her acting wasn’t quite up to par yet.
Wei Lian had already had someone bring the Bruise Relief Cream and was about to apply it for Xie Yumo when she impatiently pushed Wei Lian away.
She was too eager for revenge, so desperate that she wouldn’t even apply medicine, wanting to personally witness Xie Yuantang’s misfortune.
Xie Yumo took a deep breath, enduring the burning pain on her face, and said with a slight smile:
“By the way, sister, your younger sister knew you were returning home today and specially prepared a gift for you. Would you come with me to see it?”
Finally getting to the main topic?
Xie Yuantang narrowed her eyes and nodded as if she knew nothing: “Of course. Husband, let’s go together.”
Perfect timing – she had prepared a surprise gift package too!
As she spoke, Xie Yuantang pulled Si Tu Yan along to follow Xie Yumo.
Just as Qu Pei was about to follow, Xie Zhaoqing stopped him: “Eunuch, please stay. Let the children play among themselves – there’s no need for us to follow. Please have some tea and rest here. I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”
Meanwhile, Xie Yuantang and Si Tu Yan followed Xie Yumo to a familiar place – the woodshed.
As soon as they approached this place, Xie Yuantang’s entire body tensed up, instantly enveloped by a cold, fearful sensation.
Xie Yuantang pressed her lips together. She knew this wasn’t her own reaction, but this body’s most instinctive fear of this place.
The original host had been whipped here, poisoned mute, had seen with her own eyes her own father ignore her, and had heard with her own ears them say she was just a scapegoat.
Standing here, Xie Yuantang could almost still see the small original host collapsed in a pool of blood, a single bloody tear flowing from the corner of her eye.
How could such deeply disappointing memories be compensated for? What would it take to make these people repay a hundredfold?
“Sister, the gift is right inside!”
Xie Yumo stood at the doorway beckoning to her, her eyes revealing malicious excitement.
Xie Yuantang curved her lips into a smile.
This place was chosen so perfectly to her liking!
Anywhere else, Xie Yuantang would have felt it insufficient to honor the original owner’s spirit, but this woodshed… it was practically tailor-made for Xie Yumo!
Starting her first battle of revenge here couldn’t be more perfect!
“Come in quickly, sister!” Xie Yumo urged repeatedly.
Xie Yuantang’s smile grew even brighter. “Alright.”
With that, she pulled Si Tu Yan inside.
Xie Yumo, you’re about to fully experience the fear the original owner once felt!