But then he thought about his old fatherâs disdain for him and his fiery hot temper. Mu YingRui retreated back his extended foot.
It would be a lie to say he wasnât afraid. That year when he took in two concubines and neglected Dier, Old General Mu beat him twenty times with military rods. He could not get out of bed for half a month.
Now, if he thought about that beating, his whole body shivered. If he didnât receive Dierâs attentive treatment, the doctor said one of his legs would be lame.
The military rod was unlike any other stick in the Manor. It was thicker than an adultâs arm and was wrapped with barbed metal on top. As soon as it hit the buttocks, several dozen small blood drops immediately appeared. He suffered this terrible pain for six times before he fainted away.
Mu YingRui was afraid of his fatherâs temper and that he would hit him again. He had to angrily tell Wang Yiping, âDonât be angry. I will solve this matter. I will definitely not let you be wronged.â
How was Mu YingRui going to solve this matter? That was, he went to find Zi You. If Zi You personally asked for the slaves, not only Née Liu, but even Old General Mu would not refuse.
Mu YingRui thought of sending for his daughter now. Zi You was still in class with the female slaves. He had someone fetch her to the study, telling her Laoye wanted to see her.
Zi You bluntly said, âTell father to wait. Iâm practicing martial arts now. I canât go.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
After an hour, Zi You would finish her class. Mu YingRui sent people over to urge her. But not only Née Liu found out, Old General Mu did too.
Chapter 45 Making Waves Again [2], Part 2
Née Liu told Old General Mu about Wang Yiping wanting maidservants. Old General Mu angrily wanted to immediately find Mu YingRui. But Zi You stopped him, âGrandfather, father must have been influenced by mother again. You canât afford to be angry with them. You donât have to go. I will go. I want to see what father and mother will say.â
Zi You leisurely went to Mu YingRuiâs study.
As she walked in, Mu YingRui angrily shouted, âKneel! You disobedient and unfilial thing!â
Zi You calmly kneeled. She asked innocently, âIf daughter is wrong, may father please discipline. But the crime of being disobedient and unfilial, daughter cannot afford to bear. Father, please express where daughter was unfilial?â
Mu YingRuiâs hand slammed the table. He self-confidently scolded, âFather wants to see you. You refuse many times. You let father wait for you. If this isnât being unfilial, then what is it?â
Zi You was not panicked and unhurriedly replied, âDaughter was practicing internal strength. If interrupted halfway, the results would range from being lightly injured to severely going mad. Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. If daughter is injured or goes mad, wouldnât the whole Manorâs elders be busy worrying for daughter and have a bad holiday? That is really unfilial. Daughter could not immediately come see father but didnât the servants explain to father? If father says daughter is disobedient and unfilial based on this matter, then daughter cannot accept the blame.â
Zi Youâs words almost made Mu YingRui collapse. He pointed violently at her, âIs this the attitude you should have as someoneâs child? Your elder says one sentence, but you return so many?â
Zi Youâs face was filled with grievances. She said with hidden bitterness, âFather is considered an official of the common people. When you judge cases and someone has a grievance, do you not let them cry injustice?â
âYou...you...â Mu YingRui, this prefectureâs official, was made speechless.