In the courtyard, Liu Ying had already brought over a carved rosewood chair. Yun Pianpian sat down gracefully, lightly tracing the rim of her teacup, smiling warmly at Madam Su.
"Third Aunt, will you lie down yourself so my Maidservant can execute the Family Law—"
She leaned forward slightly, her voice as soft as honeyed steel.
"Or... shall I do it myself?"
"However, let's get the ugly words out first." She tapped the rim of the cup lightly, producing a crisp sound. "If I do it personally, I won't hold back."
Madam Su’s face turned ashen, but she still forced herself to straighten her back, crying out sharply:
"On what grounds do you use the Family Law?! Does the Duke know?!"
Yun Pianpian narrowed her eyes, the smile on her lips deepening.
"This family truly has the same character."
She sighed softly, as if lamenting. She hadn't wanted to use her status to oppress others, but some people always ran right into her line of fire.
"But that's right, people of the same feather flock together."
Before the words even finished falling, she slammed the armrest suddenly and shouted sternly:
"Because right now, the Duke's Residence—is under my management!"
This shout exploded like a thunderclap, shaking the hearts of everyone in the courtyard.
The next second, Yun Pianpian's voice suddenly softened again. She leaned close to Madam Su's ear and lightly dropped a phrase:
"Oh right, Third Aunt, I recently... received some news."
"I heard that you—"
"Poisoned... the direct lineage child...?"
The last few words, spoken one by one, pierced Madam Su's heart like ice cones!
Madam Su's pupils contracted violently, and the blood in her body seemed to freeze instantly!
She looked up abruptly, meeting Yun Pianpian's half-smiling eyes—the coldness in those eyes was almost enough to freeze her to death!
"E-Eldest Miss..." Madam Su trembled all over, knocking her head heavily onto the ground, her voice hoarse and unrecognizable. "I admit... I admit to the Family Law!"
She was finally afraid.
It turned out... Yun Pianpian knew everything!
She had thought the matter from that year was executed flawlessly, but who could have guessed that Yun Pianpian would be reborn carrying the Original Owner's memories!
"Liu Ying." Yun Pianpian leaned back into the chair, lazily raising her hand. "Execute Punishment."
"Yes!"
Liu Ying grinned, swung the execution staff, and brought it down fiercely!
"Ah—!"
Madam Su's scream instantly tore through the sky!
Liu Ying's strength was no joke; one strike split the skin and flesh on Madam Su's hips and legs! She wailed and struggled, but was held down tightly by two rough Old Servant Women, forced to endure it!
"Smack! Smack! Smack!"
The sound of the boards mingled with the screams, echoing throughout the entire Duke's Residence.
Yun Sheng collapsed onto the corridor floor, watching her mother suffer punishment with eyes splitting in rage! She clenched her clothes tightly, letting out beast-like growls from her throat; if the rationality of a Cultivator hadn't remained, she would have rushed forward to bite Yun Pianpian!
At this moment, Yun Sheng was disheveled, her eyes bloodshot, looking exactly like a maddened, evil ghost!
Yun Pianpian picked up her teacup, slowly and deliberately took a sip, enjoying the spectacle before her.
"Thirty strikes, not one less."
She said softly.
"When it's done—"
"Throw her out."
After Madam Su was carried back to her courtyard, everything settled down. Yun Pianpian turned to the terrified Yun Sheng on the bed and flashed a meaningful smile, "I won't ask you for the things you used, I'll find you to play with next time."
Outside Yimei Pavilion, the morning dew had not yet lifted. Beneath the distant weeping willows, Yun Jiaojiao watched the figure of her Eldest Older Sister gracefully exiting the Second Older Sister's courtyard, her eyes shining with longing. "When... can I be like Eldest Older Sister..." she murmured softly, unconsciously twisting the handkerchief in her fingers.
Liu Ying had sharp eyes and took in the Fifth Miss's actions completely. When reporting to Yun Pianpian, she found her gazing at the sky, ripples appearing in her eyes. "Many things need her to do them herself; perhaps this will make her stronger."
Just like the Original Owner, and her former self, they were always too timid.
But the result of timidity was that anyone could bully them, anyone could kick them.
She had deeply engraved these lessons in her heart.
In Jinxiu Garden, morning light pierced through the Thin Mist. Yun Pianpian stood alone in the Corridor, watching gardeners clear the withered lotus. The newly introduced running water rippled with spots of crushed gold light, reflecting her contemplative face. Today she resolved to go out and see this world, taking only the clever Liu Ying with her—Liu Yun was overseeing the repairs of the Duke's Residence and couldn't get away.
"Miss, the Horse Carriage is not ready yet; I'm afraid you'll have to walk," Liu Ying came over holding a moon-white cloak, carefully tying the Silk Ribbon. "Liu Yun said the beams and pillars of the Duke's Residence need new paint, so she probably can't spare the time to accompany you out."
Yun Pianpian smiled and pinched the little Maidservant's cheek: "Having you clever thing with me is enough."
Walking is fine then.
On the Tianxuan Continent, the path of Cultivation relies on inhaling and exhaling Spiritual Qi. However, Elixirs can aid in breakthroughs, Formation Arrays can gather spiritual resonance, Talismans can suppress evil spirits, and Spirit Tools can offer protection; all these are what Cultivators rely upon.
This trip could also be an opportunity to visit Shen Yue, firstly to thank him for his help yesterday, and secondly to gather some news from the cultivation world.
The long street stretched for ten *li*, bustling with noise.
Looking out, the street was crowded with people, but those who truly possessed a Spiritual Root and could embark on the Immortal Path were ultimately a minority. The majority were ordinary mortals living mundane lives, struggling for firewood, rice, oil, and salt, having no connection to the Immortal Path.
The two walked and stopped, the Spirit Stone pouches bulging at their waists, signaling their wealth.
Whatever Yun Pianpian fancied, she would directly instruct Liu Ying to pay, not even bothering to haggle over the price. The purchased items were casually tossed into the Storage Pouch—the very one she had taken from Yun Yan. Though its style was crude, its capacity was considerable.
It was just that this dusty gray pouch did not suit her status; she must have Liu Yun embroider a new Brocade Pouch with a winding vine pattern to make it look right.
As she was thinking, Liu Ying suddenly made an "Yi" sound and reached up to touch her hair, finding a pear blossom silver hairpin there that she hadn't noticed before. Looking closely, the flower bud woven from silver threads also contained a lustrous South Sea Pearl; with a slight shake, the pearl would spin around, exquisitely crafted.
"Fang Hua and the others have them too?" The little Maidservant pouted, but the joy in her eyes was undeniable, her fingers repeatedly caressing the hairpin.
Yun Pianpian smiled seeing her expression. She had always been casual with Liu Ying, more like sisters than mistress and servant. An uninformed person seeing them might truly think this was some young Miss taking her younger sister out for fun.
Liu Yun: Am I not important?
"My taste is indeed good." Yun Pianpian admired the hairpin in Liu Ying's hair with satisfaction, smiling sweetly. "You, Liu Yun, Fang Hua, and Fang Yuan each get one, in different styles, that's only fair."
Liu Ying immediately grumbled upon hearing this, "So it's not a unique one..."
Yun Pianpian smiled and tugged her forward, the Storage Pouch at her waist gently swaying with her steps.
If Shen Yue hadn't stepped in to help yesterday, she might not have escaped unscathed. That Token was too precious; she should return it on this visit, as she never liked owing favors. However, showing up empty-handed was improper; she needed to prepare some gifts... What would be suitable?