Xiao Chengli groaned and knelt on the ground.
Because there had been no search in her previous life, Xie Wanning didn’t know what was happening. She just stood aside with a worried expression and didn’t plead for him.
Lord Xiao lashed out with the whip again and again. Soon, the back of Xiao Chengli’s clothes was torn to shreds, and bright red bloodstains were exposed, which was quite frightening.
Madam Xiao’s eyes reddened with heartache. As Lord Xiao raised his whip again, she threw herself onto Xiao Chengli, crying, “Lord, please don’t hit him anymore! Chengli is your eldest son. Considering he’s studying so hard, and he’ll be taking the autumn imperial examinations soon, please have mercy. Don’t hurt him and ruin his health.”
“Studying so hard? How dare you say that?”
Lord Xiao’s face darkened. He pointed his whip at Madam Xiao and angrily rebuked her, “If he were studying peacefully, why would you have searched the garden this morning?”
“Do you think I don’t know? Searching other people’s gardens is just an excuse. You wanted to search his house, but you were afraid of being found out, so you simply searched the whole place.”
“Dare you tell me what you found in his study that you couldn’t bear to look at?”
Madam Xiao paused, but quickly found an excuse for herself, “Lord, I searched the garden because I accidentally learned that someone in the manor was using sorcery to harm people. I searched early this morning to prevent those villains from taking precautions .”
“This morning, the Marquis came out of Consort Yue’s room. I don’t know what Consort Yue said, but he beat Li’er severely.”
“Marquis, I don’t understand. Li’er is your legitimate son. Is the gossip of a concubine more important than the life of your legitimate son?”
Marquis Xiao’s face darkened with anger. “Nonsense! I was away on official business last night. Consort Yue did send someone to see me, but not to speak ill of this unfilial son. She was trying to persuade me.”
“Do you know what your unfilial son has done outside? He caused trouble during the national mourning period, and then he made such a scandal at the Xie family. He’s been involved in women and caused trouble. You’re always the one cleaning up his messes. Fine, you can cover up things at home and let the gossip pass.”
“But he’s borrowed money outside, and the creditors are coming to me. And you’re still speaking well of him.”
“What debt?”
Madam Xiao, completely unaware of the matter, immediately questioned, “Li’er has never lacked money, so why would he borrow money outside? Has Your Excellency investigated thoroughly? Could it be that someone is impersonating Li’er to collect a debt from you?”
“I wish I could have wronged him, but the seal and signature are all there, the time and date are clearly stated, and there’s even a private jade pendant engraved with his name as collateral. What is there to argue about?”
Marquis Xiao snorted coldly and threw the jade pendant in front of Madam Xiao.
Moreover, not only the jade pendant, but also the mortgage document he signed and sealed.
Madam Xiao opened it and saw that it was indeed Xiao Chengli’s handwriting; there was no way it could be faked.
Upon seeing the words on it, Madam Xiao almost fainted. The jade pendant and the reputation of the Marquis’s mansion were mortgaged for five thousand taels of silver, with four thousand taels of interest alone.
This meant a total repayment of nine thousand taels of silver.
At this moment, Xiao Chengli, kneeling on the ground with a pained expression, dared not argue at all, wishing he could shrink away from his father’s sight, fearing that his whip would fall again.
But Lord Xiao didn’t intend to take action. Instead, he solemnly addressed Madam Xiao, “Have someone return the money. From this day forward, Xiao Chengli will reside in the study. Apart from his principal wife and the servant who attends to him, no maid is allowed to approach him.”
“Madam Xie, do you understand?”
Xie Wanning, suddenly called upon by her father-in-law, quickly knelt and replied, “Yes, daughter-in-law will take good care of my husband.”
Then, Lord Xiao looked at Madam Xiao, “Later, I will personally send someone to supervise his studies. Everyone in his courtyard, except for the concubines who already have official titles, must be expelled. You personally send someone to do this.”
“Yes.” Even if Madam Xiao was still angry, she could only grit her teeth and accept it.
Lord Xiao stared at Xiao Chengli with disgust, his voice full of anger, “If I find out again that you’re misbehaving and not studying properly, I’ll break your legs.”
Xiao Chengli didn’t dare to raise his head, lowering it and promising to study diligently.
Lord Xiao ignored him and instead turned his gaze to Xiao Chengmo and Xiao Mingzhu, saying sternly, “I summoned you here today to show you that if any of you act recklessly like Xiao Chengli, I will not let you off easily.” ”
If any of you attempt to harm your own siblings, or jeopardize their future, you will be punished along with them.”
Lord Xiao’s words were firm and his rules strict; the other children naturally dared not object.
Afterward, Lord Xiao dismissed the others, but Lady Xiao, Xie Wanning, and Xiao Chengli were left behind.
Xiao Chengli remained kneeling on the ground, and Lord Xiao refused to let anyone help him up.
Xie Wanning picked up the mortgage document from the ground, read its contents, placed it on the square table, and then stood respectfully beside Lady Xiao.
Upon seeing the nine thousand taels of silver, Xie Wanning suddenly realized that the silver Xiao Chengli had asked her to deliver was to pay off his debts.
He had already borrowed five thousand taels, but couldn’t repay it, so he wanted her to use her dowry to help him pay off the remaining nine thousand taels, including interest.
No wonder the amount of silver kept increasing in her past life; he was afraid she wouldn’t repay at first, so he deliberately underestimated the amount, gradually increasing it until it was all paid off.
This man was utterly disgusting.
But five thousand taels of silver was no small sum. What did he use it for?
She thought he used it to buy a shop for Xie Wanrou to please her, but now it seemed she was wrong. Xiao Chengli was such a selfish person that he would spend the money on himself first, and then use it to please Xie Wanrou.
In her past life, they didn’t hesitate to kill her early on, firstly because Xie Wanrou wanted to be the legal wife, and secondly, and most importantly, because of the money.
In the front hall, Lord Xiao had tea served. After taking a couple of sips to calm himself, he slowly spoke, “Speak, what did you find this morning?”
Madam Xiao was startled, a dark glint flashing in her eyes as she twisted the handkerchief in her hand.
Lord Xiao looked up, coldly staring at her. “You think I can’t find out what this rebellious son did in his study if you don’t speak?”
Madam Xiao’s face tightened as she glanced at her son.
At that moment, Xiao Chengli was also looking at her, his eyes full of pleading.
He was truly afraid of Lord Xiao.
Madam Xiao closed her eyes, gritting her teeth, “What else could this rebellious son have done? He just did some things in his study that prevented him from studying properly. I’ve already searched everything; those poems and songs that interfered with his studies won’t be in his room anymore.
” “Madam, you worthless thing, is that all you’re talking about?”
Lord Xiao pulled a book from his robes and threw it directly in front of Madam Xiao.
Xie Wan Ning, who was looking down, saw the cover and her eyes widened suddenly.