IDWBE -Chapter 508 Punishment

Lin Yi sighed, “Yu Xiaoshi was the same way—always muddled and careless. That wouldn’t have been so bad, but he’s become even more reckless. I heard that not long ago he actually dared to beat someone in the street. The Ankang Prefecture officials let it slide out of respect, but don’t think I don’t know.”

Hong Ying bowed, “Rest assured, Prince. I will convey your order and ensure he is punished without leniency.”

After putting on his clothes, Lin Yi ate breakfast while saying, “The law isn’t just for show. If ordinary people can follow it, everyone in our mansion should set an example. No more gossip or trouble. Otherwise, it will reflect badly on me.”

“These little brats really do need a lesson,” he added.

Once the word “face” was mentioned, even if Hong Ying wanted to let them off, it was impossible now.

Lin Yi picked up a pastry in one hand while motioning repeatedly to Hong Ying with the other, “Your sister is sick. You need to know what’s urgent and what’s not. I’m giving you seven days off—go and take care of her. Make sure everything at home is in order before you return. Until then, I don’t want to see you.”

Hong Ying smiled, “Thank you for your grace, Prince. I am deeply grateful.”

Lin Yi impatiently said, “Stop babbling like a woman—hurry up and go.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Hong Ying left, Zixia pouted and said, “Prince, I really don’t babble.”

Lin Yi laughed, “Fine, you don’t babble.”

Zixia hesitated, “Prince, if you go undercover without the chief steward by your side, this servant would be worried.”

Lin Yi snapped, “You just said you don’t babble, and now you’re nagging?”

Zixia defended herself, “I’m worried about you.”

Lin Yi shook his head, “Do I need no one to serve me? Jiao Zhong just got married, the blind man is busy preparing his wedding—both are on leave. Yu Xiaoshi and A-Dai, having made mistakes, must reflect in isolation. Taking them out would be too lenient. Notify Yu Xiaochun, and have Lei Kaishan accompany him.”

Zixia shook her head, “Prince, if you hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t have minded. But now that you have, I’m even more worried. Yu Xiaochun may be a Grandmaster, but he only has one arm. Wherever he goes, he draws attention. He’s stubborn, and even though you are guiding him, he may not understand what’s best. As for Lei Kaishan, he’s carefree, not careful in the slightest.”

Lin Yi said, “You have a point. Then who do you suggest I take? And just so you know, your choice is out of the question.”

Zixia thought for a moment. “Prince, I’d first recommend Chen Xilian. She’s meticulous and can take care of you without issue.”

Lin Yi shook his head, “She’s a doctor, not a maid—you really think of everything.”

Zixia explained, “Exactly because she’s a doctor, I thought having her accompany you would be wise. She’s skilled in medicine; if you catch a headache or fever on the road, she can treat you. She’s also a poison expert—monks who claim immunity to all toxins even feel uneasy around her.”

“She’s famous everywhere now, earning a fortune daily and working for the Ministry of Health—she doesn’t have the time,” Lin Yi replied after thinking. “Better not to trouble her.”

Zixia smiled, “Then take her apprentice.”

Lin Yi asked, “Who is her apprentice?”

Zixia said, “It’s Du Yinnang.”

“Who?” Lin Yi doubted his ears.

Zixia explained, “Prince, I told you before. Du Sanhe’s daughter, Du Yinnang, became Chen Xilian’s disciple while in Sanhe.”

She was used to her Prince’s poor memory.

“Oh,” Lin Yi said awkwardly, “I guess I wasn’t listening carefully then.”

If he had listened carefully, he certainly wouldn’t have forgotten. Her impression of Du Yinnang was too deep—it’s unforgettable even now.

“Prince, Du Yinnang is currently following Chen Xilian,” Zixia smiled, “If you wish, I can send her over now.”

“No, no,” Lin Yi shook his head decisively, “Taking her along would be too conspicuous. A beautiful woman like that would draw all eyes, making it obvious I have wealth and power. This isn’t a secret visit—it would be a ‘Versailles outing,’ not the purpose of this trip.”

Zixia protested, “Prince, we could disguise her so she doesn’t attract attention.”

“Impossible. Stop wasting words. Both master and disciple are out.”

Even in a backward feudal society, disguises are no match for Asia’s top secret arts—he scoffed at the idea.

Zixia, secretly pleased, still frowned, “I can only recommend Commander Pan.”

Pan Duo was a servant who had always taken perfect care of Qi Peng. Having him accompany the Prince reassured Zixia completely.

Lin Yi said, “Let’s stick with him.”

The Royal Guard’s duties were effectively led by Qi Peng, so Pan Duo’s presence or absence didn’t make much difference.

The sun rose.

Cui Gengren knelt in the stable yard with his brother.

The guards, having just finished washing up, teased them briefly before returning home or to their posts. No one paid them much attention.

The steward’s sister was staying here, so the steward would definitely come by. It was best not to linger and risk annoyance.

Cui Gengren refused the tea offered by Sang An and whispered to his silent brother, “Brother, no matter what the steward asks, just admit your fault. Don’t mention anything else. You know what happens if the steward gets angry.”

“Mm, mm.” A-Dai nodded miserably, terrified of being beaten. Even if his brother didn’t explain, he knew what to do—endure whatever the steward did.

Suddenly, Sang An announced, “Reporting to the steward.”

“Steward!”

Cui Gengren hurriedly pulled his brother around, kneeling to Hong Ying, “Reporting to the steward!”

“Hmph,” Hong Ying scowled at the two brothers. “You have some nerve.”

Cui Gengren sincerely said, “We are foolish; please show mercy, Steward!”

“Mercy?”

Hong Ying slowly approached A-Dai. Terrified, A-Dai froze as Hong Ying tapped twice on his chest. He felt powerless.

Then the force of the steward’s strike hit him—he had nowhere to dodge.

Cui Gengren watched as his brother flew over the courtyard wall, out the gate, unconscious without a single scream.

“Thank you, Steward!”

Seeing Hong Ying stop, Cui Gengren exhaled in relief, not rushing to check his brother. Although sealed at his acupoints, his brother was a Grandmaster and not easily killed.

“As the Prince’s enforcers, you display such irresponsibility—it brings shame to him,” Hong Ying said coldly. “Death sentence may be spared, but punishment cannot be avoided. Let him join Yu Xiaoshi at the mansion to face punishment: one month of hard labor.”

“Your grace will never be forgotten,” Cui Gengren said. He wasn’t surprised—Yu Xiaoshi’s reckless behavior had reached the steward’s ears.

“Good. Now leave, don’t disturb our peace.”

Hong Ying entered his sister’s room without looking back.

His sister leaned against the bed as a maid fed her porridge. Seeing Hong Ying, she tried to sit up, but he gently stopped her. “Sister, lie down. The doctor will treat you tonight; within three days, you’ll recover.”

She smiled, “You’re flattering me again. I’ve been taking medicine for half a year, even the county’s best doctor said it’s incurable. Don’t blame my eldest son; he has filial heart but no ability to earn money, so he gambled to earn enough to bring me to the city for treatment.”

“Sister,” Hong Ying took the bowl from the maid and fed her himself. Once she swallowed, he said with a reassuring smile, “Don’t worry too much. I was only scaring him.”

His sister was too soft-hearted, unwilling to let her son suffer. The money he provided over the years could have cured her or bought property in the city. He simply couldn’t contradict her wishes.

She continued, “You know him, he’s timid—don’t let anything happen.”

Hong Ying smiled wryly and nodded to Hong An. Once Hong An left, he continued, “Don’t worry, sister. I’ve already brought him back to serve you.”

She listened and smiled, “You’ve gone through so much trouble.”

“You’re my sister. We’re family. No need to speak formally.”

He brushed away her hair, “Rest well. Don’t talk too much—recover fully, then I can be at ease.”

“I, Hong Mei, am lucky to have a brother like you. When I walk around the village, the old gentry treat me respectfully. I’ve never been wronged.”

“Having a sister like you is my blessing,” Hong Ying said.

After feeding her, Hong An helped her lie down.

Qiu Lin stood trembling in the yard, uncomfortable and dirty, yet still dozing off.

Hong Ying stepped forward, sighed, “Your mother worries about you—show some spirit, don’t embarrass her.”

“Uncle,” Qiu Lin knelt, “I know my mistake.”

Entering the gambling house, he realized his uncle’s power. The owner served tea respectfully; gamblers followed orders—none dared speak harshly.

But the people inside were cruel—smiling in front, denying him sleep, meals, or bathroom use. Kneeling begged no help—they also knelt with him.

Hong Ying said, “Acknowledge your mistake and correct it. Go wash up, sleep, and appear neat before your mother. Don’t worry her.”

“Brother.”

The maid pulled her brother away, holding his nose.

“Steward.”

Tan Fei followed orders, but seeing how Hong Ying treated Qiu Lin made him uneasy. Had he misunderstood?

Hong Ying glanced at him, “Tomorrow, the Prince will go undercover. You will accompany him.”

Tan Fei bowed, “Rest assured, Steward. I will arrange everything.”

Hong Ying nodded and ignored him, sitting on a stone bench to rest.

At noon, Hu Shilu arrived with two female apprentices. They prepared medicine and began surgery at sunset.

The operation lasted over an hour. Sweaty and exhausted, Hu Shilu emerged from the room, “With your qi protection, Steward, recovery will take only a few days. No further visits are necessary. The sun is good for drying wounds.”

Hong Ying bowed, “Thank you, Doctor Hu.”

“Steward, you flatter me,” Hu Shilu secretly felt proud—when had this eunuch ever treated him so politely? Leaving the stable, he nearly sang in the carriage—finally vindicated.

Xiao Xizi waited until Hu Shilu’s carriage left, then entered the yard, “Master, the mansion is cleaned. I arranged a cook, two helpers, and two maids.”

Hong Ying calmly said, “Dismiss them. We are ordinary people—we don’t need servants.”

“I understand,” Xiao Xizi replied.

“Prepare the carriage at noon tomorrow,” Hong Ying added.

With too many eyes in the stable, it wasn’t convenient for his sister to sunbathe. Better outside the city.

Xiao Xizi said, “Your uncle and Second Brother’s carriage is already outside the city.”

Hong Ying thought, “Send them directly to the estate outside the city.”

The stable belonged to the He Mansion. Housing his sister and nephews there was already improper; bringing the husband would be worse. As steward, he must set an example.

Hong Mei woke at night, seeing Hong Ying by her bed.

Her hand touched his, waking him as well.

“Eldest and Second Daughter have been watching over you,” Hong Ying said, patting her hand. “I let them rest.”

“My stomach itches, and I feel uncomfortable all over.”

Hong Mei reached to scratch her wound.

Hong Ying held her hand, calming her, “Sleep on—it will be fine.”

Before she could speak, he activated her sleep acupoint.