Wan Tang sensed a hint of someone standing up for her.
But noticing the strange looks from those around her, her mind instantly cleared, and the words on her lips turned into denial: “Reporting to the Marquis, no one touched this servant. It was… it was this servant who lost her balance, and that gentleman kindly helped steady me.”
Today’s guests were all Xiao Yujue’s friends. If Xiao Zhi were to harm any of them over a mere servant like her, it would be no different from publicly slapping Xiao Yujue in the face.
Xiao Zhi couldn’t possibly protect her all the time, and shielding her just this once would only make her a target for everyone.
Wan Tang didn’t dare take that risk.
Xiao Zhi gave her a cool glance.
At that moment, Xu Xing, who had been watching the commotion from the back, stepped forward: “Well, isn’t this lively. Which one is Wan Tang? I heard you’ve been giving massages to Laofuren and the others lately. I need to give you a few instructions.”
Wan Tang glanced at Xiao Zhi, and only after he nodded did she dare step back.
Xu Xing motioned for her to speak with him in the outer room.
Xiao Yujue knew that Xu Xing was treating Xiao Zhi’s old injuries and recalled Wan Tang’s massages for Xiao Zhi, so his suspicions faded. How ridiculous—just moments ago, he had actually thought his stepfather had taken a fancy to Wan Tang.
They were on the third floor of Cuiyu Pavilion. Outside, the snowflakes grew heavier, and the howling wind sent shivers down everyone’s spine.
After a moment, Xiao Yujue broke the awkward silence: “Father, you heard what Wan Tang said—nothing improper happened. Everyone had a bit too much to drink and lost their balance, so they helped each other steady themselves. Would you care to have a couple of drinks too…”
“Does being drunk mean you can treat Wu’an Marquisate like a red-light district?” Xiao Zhi sneered. “If drinking makes you behave like beasts, then it’s better not to drink at all!”
He was utterly disgusted with Xiao Yujue’s constant use of alcohol as an excuse. Today, bringing these dissolute young men to indulge in debauchery at Houfu was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
Hearing the tone in his voice, everyone knew Xiao Zhi was truly angry.
Pei Erlang, who had been the first to act rashly earlier, broke into a cold sweat and awkwardly tried to explain: “Marquis, I… I was only helping steady a maid from your household, nothing more…”
“This Marquis is not so old and blind. Which hand?”
Xiao Zhi came from a military background, and no one knew what he intended to do. The more timid ones couldn’t bear to stay any longer and made excuses to leave.
But Xiao Zhi wouldn’t allow it: “Those who touched the maids of Houfu earlier, step forward and admit it. This Marquis will forgive you once. If I find out anyone concealed it, I will personally visit your parents to demand an explanation.”
This was his first time being a father, and his stepson had made a bunch of unsavory friends. Was this how he should teach him?
Most of these young men were around the age of twenty, many already married with children. If their parents were informed, it would not only bring shame to their families but also subject them to family discipline. None of them had ever experienced anything like this. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with resentment and indignation.
Pei Erlang came from the most prestigious background among them. How could he endure such humiliation? Gnashing his teeth, he said, “The Marquis is making too big a fuss. They’re just maids—is all this commotion really necessary?”
“This Marquis recalls that Minister Pei and his wife are not humorous people. How did they produce such a joke like you?” Xiao Zhi’s tone was icy.
He was actually insulting him in public!
Pei Erlang was so furious he could barely speak, glaring wide-eyed but not daring to retort.
With a “bang,” the cold wind blew open the lattice window nearby. Xiao Zhi’s icy voice, carrying the chill of wind and snow, swept into everyone’s ears: “You may treat the maids in your own households however you please, but those of the Wu’an Marquisate are not yours to disrespect!”
The wind howled, causing the lattice window to slam shut and swing open repeatedly, yet no one dared to close it. The snowfall grew heavier, quickly blanketing the purple bamboo branches, weighing them down until they could no longer lift their heads. Some even snapped under the burden with a sharp “crack.”
No one could endure such an atmosphere. One by one, they confessed to Xiao Zhi which maids they had touched and with which hand.
Xiao Zhi ordered someone to fetch a slender bamboo branch, complete with its leaves.
Those who had confessed lined up obediently to receive their punishment. The lighter offenders were reprimanded by Xiao Zhi, while the more serious ones had the hand that had acted improperly struck a few times with the bamboo branch.
Xiao Yujue felt he had lost all face and dignity today. Fuming silently but not daring to speak out, he stood beside Pei Erlang, utterly helpless.
Pei Erlang, lacking both justification and courage, could only submit to the punishment.
Was it just his imagination, or did that slender bamboo branch in Xiao Zhi’s hand strike with an unusually sharp pain?
In just five strikes, the skin on his palm had broken and begun to bleed!
The worst part was that no one dared to voice this humiliation!
The father and son of the Wu’an Marquisate would certainly not go around boasting about today’s events. If they themselves spread the word, they would only bring more trouble upon themselves! After all, it was they who had acted improperly in someone else’s household, and those maids were all respectable servants. They were clearly in the wrong.
Seeing his departing friends cast disdainful glances his way, Xiao Yujue felt as if the sky had fallen.
The connections he had painstakingly built over two years were now utterly ruined.
Xiao Zhi cast a cold glance his way, showing not an ounce of mercy: “Go to the Ancestral Hall and kneel in reflection for the night.”
“Yes,” Xiao Yujue replied mournfully before leaving Cuiyu Pavilion.
In the blink of an eye, the once lively bamboo pavilion fell silent. As Xiao Zhi stepped out, he saw Wan Tang standing alone at the stairway, her eyes slightly reddened. “Reporting to the Marquis, Physician Xu said he had urgent matters to attend to and has left.”
Xiao Zhi glanced down and noticed wrinkles in the fabric around her waist, clearly caused by Pei Erlang. He hadn’t just been touching her—he had been gripping her.
Xiao Zhi said coldly, “Why did you lie earlier?”
Wan Tang raised her eyes, tears welling up, her gaze shimmering.
After just one glance, she quickly lowered her head, offering no further explanation: “This servant thanks the Marquis for upholding justice.”
Seeing her timid demeanor, Xiao Zhi lost interest in reprimanding her further and walked away.
Half an hour later, Song Zhiyun learned of the incident at Cuiyu Pavilion and anxiously paced around her room. “On such a cold night, kneeling in the Ancestral Hall will surely freeze him! How can my husband’s knees endure this?”
Wan Tang, who had just returned, overheard this and awkwardly retreated to a corner.
Song Zhiyun felt both frustrated and helpless. She knew well that Xiao Yujue’s friends were not good influences and had gently advised him against them before. Yet Xiao Yujue had his own concerns, and in the end, it was Song Zhiyun who had been persuaded. Today, offending her stepfather over such a matter left Song Zhiyun too ashamed to seek help from Laofuren at Songhe Tang.
As she paced, her eyes fell on Wan Tang in the corner, and they lit up. “Why are you hiding? Come here!”
Xiao Zhi had not intervened solely for Wan Tang’s sake—he had upheld justice for all the maids who had been harassed. Thus, Song Zhiyun had no intention of blaming Wan Tang.
Wan Tang walked over.
Song Zhiyun asked, “You haven’t given Father a massage today. Go over later and find a way to plead for Daye’s mercy.”
She herself could not possibly go. Not only was it inappropriate for a daughter-in-law to rashly visit her father-in-law’s courtyard while Xiao Zhi had not yet taken a wife, but with Xiao Zhi still in a rage, she could not risk provoking his anger.
Wan Tang habitually knelt down. “Eldest Mistress, please forgive me. This servant truly lacks such capability.”
Song Zhiyun glared at her fiercely. “Then find a way! If you can’t share your master’s worries, what use are you?” Seeing Wan Tang still kneeling motionless, she angrily kicked her. “Why are you still kneeling? Hurry to Meiyuan and attend to your duties!”