It was only when He Changdiâs figure had disappeared into the dark alleyways of the small town that Mo Chenggui brought his men back, a gloomy expression on his face.
By his side was his old comrade, Huang Zhijian. Huang had become one of the He Familyâs private soldiers after retiring together with him.
The two of them were as close as real brothers.
Huang Zhijian patted his old brotherâs shoulder. âOld Mo, donât take it to heart. We shouldnât have been so rash as to leave Third Young Madam behind like that. If we hadnât tried to rush ahead of her, this wouldnât have happened.â
A bellyful of anger had long been brewing within Mo Chenggui. He had managed to suppress it this whole time, but after the past few days, it was about to spill out from his eyes. He had thought he would be able to dampen it eventually, but after the aggravation of todayâs events, he could no longer hold it back.
âI just canât understand why the matriarch sent a spoiled young girl like Third Young Madam out to the northern border! Isnât she just making trouble for Third Young Master? Look at her tiny size, what can she do? See, we havenât even reached Liangzhou and sheâs already caused trouble for Third Young Master! Military orders must be obeyed. Once Third Young Master returns to camp, heâll be punished by military law! And that military law...â
âOld Mo, thatâs enough, stop right there.â
Before Mo Chenggui could vent enough, Huang Zhijian shoved his arm.
âWhat! I canât even rant now?â
âOld Mo! Third Young Madamâs right behind us!â Huang Zhijian had no other choice but to lower his voice and try to remind him of their location.
Mo Chenggui paused and turned around to look. As Old Huang had said, Chu Lian was currently standing under the eaves of the courtyard with the support of Wenlan, frowning while staring at them. Her expression didnât look too good.
Mo Chenggui was still angry, so his tone wasnât very nice as he said to her, âItâs already dark. Third Young Madam should go and rest while itâs early, otherwise the Tuhuns might capture Third Young Madam again.â
Huang Zhijian quickly tugged his old comrade and turned to Chu Lian apologetically. âThird Young Madam, please donât blame Old Mo. This is just how he is.â
The two of them were both leaders of House Jingâanâs soldiers and old retainers of House Jingâan, so they held a high position within the estate. However, Chu Lian was still one of their masters, so they didnât have the right to speak to her in such a tone.
From the way He Sanlang had rushed to save Chu Lian- running headfirst into danger without concern for his own life- Huang Zhijian could tell that the young coupleâs relationship was not as bad as what the rumours outside would have them believe.
Third Young Madam was doted on by Matriarch He within the estate. Right now, the estate was still lacking the next male heir. If Third Young Madam got pregnant someday and gave birth to the first male of the next generation, her standing within the estate might even match that of Heir Jingâanâs wife. If Old Mo offended Third Young Madam greatly at this time, the ones to suffer in the future would be Old Mo and his family.
Furthermore, Third Young Madam wasnât as weak as she looked. That Guilin Restaurant she opened had become the top restaurant in the capital almost overnight.
If she was really that weak, how could her restaurant have become so popular?
It was just the stubborn Old Mo who refused to see things clearly.
Chu Lian didnât care about what Mo Chenggui had said at all. Her focus had been completely drawn by what Mo Chenggui had said before that.
She couldnât help but ask, âWhat did you say just now? My husband will be punished by military law?â
Mo Chengguiâs rage seemed to have been stoked by Chu Lianâs sudden question. âThird Young Master left his camp without permission. Of course heâs going to be punished!â
Chu Lian didnât really know much about the army, especially in the ancient Great Wu Dynasty. She was completely stunned by Mo Chengguiâs reply. âWhat... what kind of punishment will he receive?â
Mo Chenggui was practically huffing fire by now, so Huang Zhijian didnât dare to let him speak. He quickly replied first, âThird Young Master has disobeyed orders, so the minimum punishment heâll get will be twenty smacks with the rod. Third Young Madam, you donât have to worry too much. Third Young Master has a strong body and heâs all muscle. Those twenty smacks are nothing to him.â
After Huang Zhijian finished speaking, he shot a sideways glance at Chu Lian. When he saw that she was still in a daze, he quickly pulled Mo Chenggui away and bade his farewells. âIf thereâs nothing you need us for, Third Young Madam, Old Mo and I will withdraw for now. Please donât worry about the safety of this courtyard, weâve already set up watch over the area for the night.â
It was long after Mo Chenggui and Huang Zhijian had left that Chu Lian abruptly came back to her senses. She looked at Wenlan and sighed. âLetâs return.â
Wenlan was both happy yet sorry. âThird Young Madam, Third Young Master treats you so well! In the future, if anyone dares to say that Third Young Master doesnât treat you well, this servant will tell them this story to make them shut up!â
Chu Lianâs heart was a mess right now, so none of Wenlanâs words made it through to her head. She simply made a half-hearted tug of her lips in reply.
For some reason, when she thought of He Changdiâs smooth, muscled back being dotted with rod-shaped bruises, her heart felt extremely pained.
Chu Lian was already tired beyond belief. She should have fallen deep asleep for a good nightâs rest.
However, the moment she shut her eyes, Chu Lian had a nightmare about He Changdi being beaten by rods.
In the dream, the perpetually cool-and-collected He Sanlang didnât even make a sound as the rods struck blow after blow to his back. He simply stared at her until the punishment was done. Then, he stood up and showed his bloody back to her, forcing her to look at his once smooth, unmarred skin, now a messy canvas of bruises and blood. Only after she had gotten an eyeful did He Sanlang finally turn his head and meet her gaze, smiling at her with deep affection.
âLook and see, Chu Lian! This is all your fault! You better take responsibility for it!â