Chapter 233 Do you know your mistake?

May 14th.

Xingning Ward, the Jiang residence, the small dining hall.

Eat slowly! No one is fighting you for it!

At 7-9 am, Lin Fuyao placed a peeled egg into her son’s bowl and reminded him, ‘Remember to come back early today. After your sister finishes her studies, the two of you are to go to Yongxing Ward to pay your respects to the Heir Apparent. I have already prepared the gifts; don’t forget to take them.’

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan looked at his mother with a fawning smile and negotiated, ‘Mother, can I not go?’

No!

Lin Fuyao picked up another egg, tapped it gently on the table a few times, and said sternly, ‘He is your own blood brother. Now that he has come to Central Heaven, how can you not go to see him?’

Oh.

Jiang Xuan replied sheepishly, his eating speed noticeably slowing down.

Lin Fuyao naturally understood her son’s thoughts.

The Heir Apparent, Jiang Jing, took much after his father; he was strict and rarely smiled. Jiang Xuan had been afraid of him since childhood.

But seeing her son’s anxious appearance, she couldn’t help but feel heartache.

When it came down to it, the three of them still lacked support.

Thinking of this, Lin Fuyao handed the freshly peeled egg to her daughter and smiled, ‘Waner, we mentioned inviting the Duke of Chu County to dinner at home last time. If you have time, go personally to invite him. After all, he once served in your Maternal Aunt’s residence and was on good terms with your grandfather, so he’s not an outsider. There’s no need for so much formality.’

Ever since the Prince Anping rebellion, Lin Fuyao had become increasingly direct. Jiang Yuan blushed slightly, but thought about it seriously before saying, ‘Mm, I will remember that. The Duke of Chu County has his rest day on the 19th. I will personally deliver the invitation two days in advance.’

Lin Fuyao smiled silently upon hearing this. Since her daughter even knew which day the Duke of Chu County had his rest, she must have secretly put some thought into it.

Madam, Nanny Zhai is here.

A servant suddenly announced from outside the door. Lin Fuyao was startled and subconsciously asked, ‘Which Nanny Zhai?’

Nanny Zhai from the Prince’s residence in Yongning Ward.

Oh!

Lin Fuyao hurriedly stood up, ‘Please show her to the parlor for tea.’

With a servant from Prince Yinyang’s residence arriving, Lin Fuyao acted as if she were facing a formidable enemy. Jiang Yuan saw this and sighed silently.

A short while later.

Lin Fuyao led her two children quickly to the parlor. She saw an elderly nanny with her hair combed meticulously, wearing a dark-colored vest, sitting in the guest seat. Seeing her enter, the nanny hurriedly stood up to salute.

I pay my respects to you, Madam, and inquire after the young lady and Young Master.

Seeing that Nanny Zhai’s etiquette was impeccable, Lin Fuyao couldn’t help but smile, ‘Please sit, Nanny Zhai. You’ve come so early; is there something the matter?’

Nanny Zhai bowed slightly, her tone respectful, ‘In reply to you, Madam, the Heir Apparent has instructed that the young lady and the Young Master accompany this old servant to the residence.’

Now?

Yes, immediately.

…

Lin Fuyao’s heart skipped a beat.

Summoning people over so early in the morning was somewhat unusual.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Fuyao’s face already wore her habitual fawning smile, ‘I was just saying earlier that I would have Waner and Xuan go to the Prince’s residence to pay their respects. It’s just…’ She looked at Nanny Zhai with a slightly troubled expression, ‘Waner still needs to attend the Law Academy today. After she finishes her studies this evening, I will have the siblings go to the Prince’s residence to greet the Heir Apparent. How would that be? It would also appear more solemn.’

The kind-looking Nanny Zhai slowly raised her eyes. Her gaze was calm and waveless, and her tone remained respectful, yet it carried an undeniable pressure, ‘The Heir Apparent specifically instructed that the young lady and Young Master are to go immediately.’

9-11 am.

Jiang Yuan and her brother stepped into Prince Yinyang’s residence. In name, this was also their home.

But in their memories, the number of times they had been here could be counted on one hand.

The mansion was vast, with towering green trees.

Along the way, hardly any servants were seen. At corners, covered walkways, and gates, there were Soldiers wearing armor and carrying military sabers on their waists, standing guard.

Jiang Jing had joined the army at sixteen. He carried the habits of a Soldier, and even the atmosphere of the entire Prince’s residence had become stern and murderous.

Well done!

The Heir Apparent is mighty!

Nanny Zhai led the siblings quickly through the first two courtyards. While still a hundred paces from the martial arts training ground, they heard thunderous cheers erupting from within.

In the center of the training ground, Jiang Jing was bare-chested, his strong, bronze-colored skin glistening with rolling beads of sweat. The long spear in his hands moved like a Dragon emerging from the sea, creating sharp, piercing sounds in the air.

He spun and delivered a horizontal sweep. A deep blue Qi blade erupted from the spear tip, and wherever it passed, waist-thick wooden posts shattered and splintered.

Well done, Heir Apparent!

The many subordinates watching from the sidelines erupted in another round of deafening cheers.

Jiang Jing leaned on his spear to steady himself. Nanny Zhai hurried forward, bowed, and whispered. Jiang Jing glanced toward Jiang Yuan and her brother, nodded, then casually tossed the long spear to a personal guard. He grabbed a sweat towel and walked over while wiping the sweat from his body.

Although she was not very close to Jiang Jing, he was, after all, her nominal blood brother. Jiang Yuan felt some joy at the long-awaited reunion and bowed properly, ‘Younger sister greets Elder Brother.’

Greetings, Elder Brother.

Jiang Xuan also followed his sister in offering greetings.

Jiang Jing stood before the two of them, silently sizing them up. His gaze was cold and hard as iron, ‘Do you two know your crimes?’

…

Jiang Yuan looked up, slightly stunned. She had not expected this to be the first thing her brother would say upon meeting.

Showing no respect for elders, clashing with relatives. Now that Father is not in Central Heaven, I, as your elder brother, shall take over the discipline, lest you become lawless and disgrace the family name!

Jiang Jing put his hands behind his back, his voice dropping,’Someone, give Jiang Xuan ten military cane strikes! To uphold family law!’

The personal guards who had been watching the commotion responded and stepped forward, grabbing Jiang Xuan’s arms and pinning him to the ground.

Jiang Xuan was frightened pale, ‘Brother, Brother, we are family, please spare me this once.’

The personal guard paused intentionally and looked up at Jiang Jing, who remained expressionless. The guard understood; he quickly pulled down Jiang Xuan’s pants. Before the cane had even landed, his wailing screams already echoed across the training ground.

Brother!

Jiang Yuan suddenly stepped forward. She understood now that her brother had summoned them early in the morning to vent his anger on behalf of Lady Zhang.

If they were elsewhere, she might have just accepted it, but they were currently on the martial arts training ground, with dozens of people watching.

Being punished in public was almost no different from being a servant.

If this got out later, how would her younger brother have any face left?

She forced herself to calm down and pleaded, ‘Elder Brother is enforcing family law on behalf of Father, so this younger sister dares not interfere. But regarding my younger brother’s mistake, as his elder sister, I have failed to teach him well, and I am willing to receive punishment alongside him.’

Jiang Yuan wanted to use this method to subtly remind Jiang Jing, but unexpectedly, he glanced at her, his voice devoid of any warmth, ‘Even if you didn’t say anything, I would still punish you for your arrogance.’

After saying this, he waved his hand, ‘Nanny Zhai, bring the ruler. You are to punish Waner with twenty strikes to her palms on behalf of Mother Consort.’

Yes.

Nanny Zhai bowed her head in response and quickly brought over an ebony ruler, walking up to Jiang Yuan, ‘Please extend your hand, Miss.’

Jiang Yuan looked around blankly, a sour feeling in her heart that words could not describe. However, she also knew that if she did not cooperate obediently, things would likely become even more undignified.

She straightened her back and slowly extended her hand.

Smack.

The burning pain caused Jiang Xuan to shudder, and he subconsciously bit his lower lip.

Smack.

Brother, one person should bear the consequences of their own actions! Don’t hit my elder sister! If you want to hit someone, hit me. It’s all because I was stupid and caused trouble; it has nothing to do with my sister!

Jiang Xuan, who was pinned to the ground, wailed.

Hearing her younger brother’s cry, Jiang Yuan’s eyes turned red, and the tears she had been holding back finally rolled out of her eyes.

Smack, smack.

Aow!

Behind her, the sound of the wooden cane landing on buttocks accompanied Jiang Xuan’s wails.

In stark contrast to him, Jiang Yuan, apart from biting her lip tightly, simply refused to make a sound.

She neither cried out in pain nor begged for mercy.

After about ten strikes, her delicate palms had quickly swollen up. Although Jiang Jing’s expression remained cold and stern, he raised his hand to stop Nanny Zhai from continuing the punishment and simply asked, ‘Waner, do you know your mistake now?’

Before the siblings were punished, Jiang Yuan had already taken the initiative to admit fault.

Jiang Jing was essentially offering her a way out.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yuan, whose right hand was red, swollen, and trembling slightly, raised her head this time to look her brother in the eye. Her voice was not loud but was exceptionally clear, ‘I accept Elder Brother’s punishment. But if you ask where I was wrong, I do not know.’

…

Jiang Jing probably did not expect that this seemingly weak and fragile younger sister would say such a thing. After being slightly stunned for a moment, his expression grew even colder, and he raised his hand, saying, ‘Nanny Zhai, continue hitting.’