From school to home, Shi Yunshu did not say a word to Pei Ruoqing. Pei Ruoqing wanted to say something, but when she met Shi Yunshu's calm gaze, she lowered her eyes and remained silent.
When Pei Ruoqing and Shi Yunshu reached home, Pei Yuanshao and Song Yuyan had already returned. The two of them were having dinner. As long as she had time, Song Yuyan liked to cook by herself. She felt that this was more like a home.
Seeing the two of them enter, Song Yuyan called out,"Little Shu, did Little Ruo eat? If you haven't eaten yet, come and eat together."
Pei Ruoqing looked at Shi Yunshu and whispered," Brother, I…"
Shi Yunshu ignored him and thanked Pei Yuanshao and Song Yuyan before going to the kitchen to get some cutlery.
Looking at Shi Yunshu's handsome figure, Pei Ruoqing was reminded of her previous life. At that time, Shi Yunshu was only twenty-five or twenty-six years old. He had good control over his emotions. When he faced others, he would always smile gently. When he faced Pei Ruoqing, he would always have a cold expression. Pei Ruoqing would never be able to see his second emotion.
Shi Yunshu had just become an adult. Although he controlled his emotions very well, there was still a trace of him. Pei Ruoqing smiled bitterly. Should he be glad that Yunshu still had feelings for him in this life?
Shi Yun put down his chopsticks and looked at Pei Ruoqing and Shi Yunshu." Did you make your brother angry?"”
"Yes."
Shi Yunshu walked out with two sets of bowls and chopsticks. He heard Pei Yuanshao say to the child," Eat first. Come to my study after you're done."”
"Martial Uncle?" Shi Yunshu called out.
Pei Yuan Shao glanced at him." As the old saying goes,'letting a son go is like killing a son'. Since he has made a mistake, how can he not be punished?”
The deep meaning in these words made Shi Yunshu feel ashamed. He bowed and apologized." I'm sorry, Uncle-Master. I didn't do well enough."”
"You can't let go of your mistakes. You're the older brother, so you can punish them.”Pei Yuan Shao picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the food as he spoke slowly.
Shi Yunshu looked at the overly quiet child who was standing at the side with his hands down. He was not as impetuous as before. He sighed in his heart. Forget it, he had to teach her slowly, right?
He was angry at Pei Ruoqing's attitude. Judging from the child's appearance, she should know that she was wrong. However, he knew that it was wrong, yet he still did it. This was clearly a deliberate offense.
He said to Pei Yuan Shao," Yunshu understands that this is the power and responsibility of an older brother.”
An hour later, in the study.
Pei Ruoqing stood in front of the desk and repeated the scene in the office. As he recounted, Pei Yuanshao's face became darker and darker. It was so heavy that he could not breathe. He did not mention what happened at the stairs at all. He…
When he spoke of the few impolite questions he had directed at Wei Tiedai, Pei Yuan Shao snapped," Kneel down.”
Pei Ruoqing pursed her lips and landed on her knees without saying anything. Pei Yuanshao stood up and stood in front of him. He squatted down and looked straight at him." Say what you just said again!”
"I…I'm sorry." Pei Ruoqing whispered these words.
"Sorry?" Pei Yuan Shao asked, his tone unable to hide his anger.”
Pei Ruoqing's fingers moved slightly." As the Head of Teaching, you made a conclusion before the matter was fully investigated. You have violated the responsibility of the Head of Teaching, spoken ill of the students, violated the morals of a teacher, and acted recklessly as a role model for the students and teachers…"
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Yuan Shao gave him a slap. The loud slap did not leave any face. Pei Ruoqing's fingers curled up and slowly relaxed. She still said," I'm sorry.”
"Do you think you should fight? Indiscriminately speculating about his teacher and slandering him.”Pei Yuan Shao's every word was like a sharp blade, not allowing him to escape.
"I…should…hit you."
"Judge right and wrong by yourself, and listen to others. Pei Ruoqing, do you feel at ease ruining a teacher's reputation like this? What did he do to you? Do I need to endure your questioning? School hasn't started for long, and you're already familiar with him, yet you're making such a rash judgment?”
"I know I was wrong." Pei Ruoqing said calmly with a burning face.
After Pei Ruoqing finished speaking, Pei Yuan Shao slapped her back. He moved his fingers and knelt properly. He then heard his father say," Pei Ruoqing, how many times are you going to make the same mistake?”
The disappointment in her words was about to materialize. Pei Ruoqing's heart shrank and the words in her mind almost escaped her mouth. Her nails dug deep into the flesh of her palm as she lowered her head to avoid Pei Yuanshao's angry gaze.
Pei Yuan Shao stood up and looked at the child who had his head lowered and did not speak. His voice was a little tired." What happened when you fought with your classmate? Who started it?”
Pei Ruoqing was silent for a long time. Just as Pei Yuanshao was about to lose his patience, she opened her mouth to speak. Her voice was a little hoarse," We had an argument. I was the one who started it. I'm sorry.”
Hearing Pei Ruoqing's words, Pei Yuanshao looked at him in disappointment," Pei Ruoqing, I originally thought that you had really changed. I didn't expect you to still be…so willful and willful.?”
Pei Ruoqing's eyes trembled when she heard this. She bit her lips tightly and tasted the sweetness.
After a while, Pei Yuan Shao said," Go and ask your brother for punishment. In the future, as long as he's around, all the mistakes you make will go through his hands."”
"Yes." Pei Ruoqing replied in a low voice.
Pei Ruoqing did not look for Shi Yunshu first, but Shi Yunshu came over with a phone.
Looking at the child who had two clear palm prints on his face, Shi Yunshu rubbed the top of his head as he passed by him, as if he was pitying him.
Pei Yuanshao looked at Shi Yunshu's phone and raised his eyebrows slightly. He seemed to have understood something. He took the phone that Shi Yunshu handed over with both hands and stood up straight." Brother."”
Shi Yihong reprimanded him mercilessly." Secretary Pei, you can't remember, can you? You had to have me call you so that you could lower yourself and listen to me?"”
Shi Yihong was speechless.
Pei Yuan Shao's mouth twitched and he said helplessly," Elder Brother, why do you have to mock me? How would I dare?"”
"Heh." Shi Yihong chuckled, his meaning unclear. Pei Yuan Shao could even imagine his current posture, his legs crossed as he leaned on the sofa, his hands holding a cup of tea casually, seemingly idle but everything was in his heart.
Pei Yuan Shao knew Shi Yihong's intentions. In the past, he did not speak openly and it was understandable that he did not contact Shi Yihong for ten days to half a month or even years. However, now that Shi Yunshu was staying at his house and his son had become his disciple, it was inevitable for him to contact him. Moreover, as Shi Yihong's junior brother, it was a rule to greet him often.
Pei Yuan Shao sighed. It had been a long time since he was asked to do this. Many deep feelings had dissipated in time, and there were only a few who could be picked up. His brother wanted to smooth out the strangeness between them.
Shi Yihong asked casually," Returning to Northern City during the Mid-Autumn Festival?”
"Yes, I promised the old man that I would return it.”
Shi Yihong was silent for a long time before he spat out," Why do you have to do this?”
Pei Yuanshao did not speak. He knew that Shi Yihong must have investigated the situation he had encountered when he returned to the Pei family all these years.
Ever since that incident twelve years ago, the eldest son of the Pei family had practically become the talk of the Jingdou courtyards. Things like drugging an orphan girl with a human face and a beast's heart, acting willfully, killing his birth mother, and so on were all said to him with malicious intent.
Pei Yuan Shao had never explained himself and allowed those people to insult him. Old Master Pei's attitude towards this matter was unclear, causing many people to get the wrong information and hit Pei Yuan Shao while he was down.
Shi Yihong could hear his silence and finally said," In short, no matter what, your room here will always be prepared for you.”
Pei Yuan Shao's eyes were bitter. He lowered his head to hide the strange feeling in his heart. His voice was trembling," Brother…"
"Alright." Shi Yihong interrupted him and instructed," Pass the phone to the little bastard. Speaking of which, he's the one who needs to be taught a lesson."”
Pei Yuanshao looked up. His emotions had already calmed down. He looked at his son with a complicated expression and said to Shi Yihong," Please wait a moment."”
Pei Ruoqing looked at the phone in front of her and looked up at his father. Pei Yuanshao signaled him to answer the phone with his eyes. He then turned back to look at Shi Yunshu. Shi Yunshu rubbed his head and leaned over to whisper in his ear," Try to listen to the teacher. Don't talk back."”
Pei Ruoqing took the phone with both hands." Teacher.”
"Let me guess, you got slapped?”
Pei Ruoqing slowly blinked her eyes and remained silent.
However, Shi Yihong's tone changed and he said sternly," You should be glad that you're not by my side. I'll definitely smash your face if you say such disgraceful words."”
Pei Ruoqing was not surprised that Shi Yihong knew about the news so quickly. He looked up at Shi Yunshu and saw a faint apology in his eyes.
Pei Ruoqing shook her head at him. Her eyes were clear and Shi Yunshu suddenly understood.
Shi Yihong's predictions were extremely accurate. After listening to Shi Yunshu's retelling, he knew that Pei Yuan Shao would not condone Pei Ruoqing's rude words and disrespect to her teacher. However, he also knew that Pei Yuan Shao had turned a blind eye to Pei Ruoqing for so many years, so his punishment would not be too severe.
Pei Ruoqing had people he respected and protected, so he would be the person he feared, the ruler of his life, and the measure of his words and actions.
The last descendant of the Shi family, the eldest son and grandson of the Pei family for three generations. It would be fine if he did not step into this circle. Once he stepped into it, he would be a weather indicator and would inevitably be compared. Shi Yanjie, the previous head of the Shi family, was well-versed in both ancient and modern times. He was almost universally acknowledged as a leader in the literary world.
With such a brilliant maternal grandfather and a founding grandfather, this child was destined to be the center of attention from the moment he was born. Moreover, his parents had a very interesting " relationship."
Instead of letting him bear too much pressure in the future, it was better to polish him into a sharp sword now.
"I want to hear your explanation. Tell me why you said those words and hit me. There is a cause and effect in this world. If you have a proper reason, I can forgive you today.”Shi Yihong's tone was no longer as relaxed as before. Every word carried the dignity of a teacher.
He had spent some time with Pei Ruoqing in the Cloud Fountain Temple and had some understanding of her. It was precisely because of this that he did not believe that Pei Ruoqing would say such words. There must be a reason.
Even through the phone screen, Pei Ruoqing could feel the sternness in Shi Yihong's words. His tense expression softened a little and he did not know how to answer. The reason…
Pei Ruoqing lowered her eyes." It was my fault. Please punish me."”
Pei Ruoqing's expression did not change much, but Pei Yuanshao saw it clearly. He silently looked away and walked forward to pat Shi Yunshu's shoulder." I'll leave it to you."”
Shi Yunshu bowed and watched him leave. He turned to look at the child and sighed softly." Give me the phone."”
Shi Yihong seemed to have heard his voice as he instructed Pei Ruoqing," Put your phone on speaker.”
Pei Ruoqing put her phone on speaker. Shi Yihong's voice turned serious." Your father has already punished you for your rude remarks and disrespect to your teacher. Do you think you've learned your lesson?。”
Pei Ruoqing's face returned to normal." It's not enough.”
The corners of Shi Yihong's lips seemed to curl up." Count ten times yourself. Follow your father's strength."”
Shi Yunshu naturally heard his father's words. He glanced at Pei Ruoqing, who had her eyes lowered, and called out with a frown," Dad?”
He wondered if this was too much. After all, the child was only twelve years old. It was a little unreasonable to ask him to punish himself. However, Shi Yihong said meaningfully," He's not as fragile as you think.”
Shi Yunshu did not speak. He looked at Pei Ruoqing and sighed slightly. He said into the phone," Yes."”
Shi Yunshu squatted down and caressed Pei Ruoqing's swollen face with his jade-like fingers." Little Ruo, once you enter the Shi family, you have to abide by the rules of the Shi family. Even Senior Brother and I are no exception. The ultimate goal was to remember the lesson and not make the same mistake again.”
Pei Ruoqing understood the pity in Shi Yunshu's eyes. He nodded and suddenly smiled at Shi Yunshu. That smile was very faint, but it was like the sun dispersing the dark clouds and the pine and cypress shaking the cold snow. It made his entire person relax. Shi Yunshu was stunned by his smile and did not come back to his senses for a moment. This was the first time in so long that he had seen a child smile.
Pei Ruoqing stopped looking at him and said to Shi Yihong on the phone," Teacher, I admit my punishment.”
After saying that, he returned the phone to Shi Yunshu and slapped himself in the face. The crisp slap woke Shi Yunshu up.
He looked at the child with a complicated gaze. The child punished herself as if she did not know the pain. He moved his lips but did not say anything in the end. He turned off the speaker and stood up to listen to Shi Yihong's instructions respectfully.
"Is it really…necessary?" Shi Yunshu hesitated for the first time. He lowered his eyes and thought of the child's smile that was like the sun after the rain. It was blazing, pure, and simple. He did not want Pei Ruoqing to be restrained like this.
He thought that he would never forget that smile, that kind of unreserved trust and trust.
However, Shi Yihong said coldly," Do you think that this kind of control is restricting his freedom?”
Shi Yunshu did not reply. Instead, he said," Dad, what do you want to teach him?”
Shi Yihong did not reply to his question. Instead, he reprimanded in a low voice," Shi Yunshu, where are your rules?”
Shi Yunshu's face turned pale. He pursed his lips and apologized," I'm sorry. I forgot the rules and avoided answering you."”Shi Yihong narrowed his eyes, his gaze deep." Shu 'er, your heart is in a mess.”
Unless it was someone he really cared about, no one could make him waver even a little. In the eyes of others, Shi Yunshu was too perfect. Whether it was his family background or his studies, he was an existence that ordinary people could only dream of. However, in the eyes of a father, he hoped that his son would be more lively.
However, he really did not expect that Pei Ruoqing, that little brat, was really capable to make Shi Yunshu, who had such a cold personality, intercede for him. One had to know that Shi Yunshu had been bound by his family rules since he was young and had never escaped them in the slightest.
Shi Yihong curled his fingers and knocked on the sofa's armrest subconsciously." Fate gave him this identity, so he has to bear the responsibility. You can't bear the storm for him in the future. As his brother, you can teach him and protect him, but you can't tie him up for the rest of his life.”
After Shi Yihong finished his instructions, Pei Ruoqing had taken out a cane and knelt in front of Shi Yunshu. Shi Yunshu put down his phone with a solemn expression. In the past, it was his father and senior brother who held the family law. He was the one who was taught a lesson. He never thought that he would one day become the one who was in charge of torture.
Power and responsibility had always been equal. Looking at the person in front of him whose small face was swollen a few feet high, Shi Yunshu seemed to feel a heavy burden on his shoulders. He took the cane and suppressed all his emotions. He asked in a calm voice," I'm here to punish you on behalf of my master today. Do you accept it?"”
"I'm convinced."
Shi Yunshu was stunned for a moment. The strange feeling in his heart lingered. He paused for a moment before he spoke. His voice was gentle and calm, neither fast nor slow, as if he was reasoning, but also as if he was simply stating the truth." Disrespecting the teacher, speaking rashly, contradicting the teacher, and beating up the students. Uncle-Master has already punished me for disrespecting Teacher, so I won't punish you any further. As for the rest, they were twenty each, so that was…sixty.”
"I understand. Thank you, brother. I will change.”Pei Ruoqing replied.
He continued," The Shi family's family precepts have been passed down for a hundred years and have been passed down to this day. I'll tell you today. Remember this. If you make a mistake in the future, remember these two family precepts and accept your punishment according to the rules.”
Pei Ruoqing blinked, and his already burning cheeks became even hotter. He seemed to find it hard to imagine himself taking the initiative to ask for punishment with a ferule. However, when he met Shi Yunshu's clear and cold eyes, he straightened his face." Yes."”
"Hand."
Pei Ruoqing extended her left hand.“
The rules of punishment are that you can shout, but you are not allowed to dodge. If you shrink back once, the punishment will be doubled. Do you remember the rules?”
"Yes." Pei Ruoqing nodded.
"Raise your hands steadily." As soon as Shi Yunshu finished speaking, the rattan in his hand slashed down. A sharp pain exploded in his palm. This was the first time he had been hit by a rattan since his rebirth. It was really…too painful.
Shi Yunshu said," The Shi family precepts are to be careful with your words and actions. Think about your own mistakes when you sit quietly. Don't talk about other people's right and wrong when you chat. Read it by yourself and comprehend it properly until the punishment stops.”
Following the rhythm of the vine falling, Pei Ruoqing said calmly," Sit quietly and reflect on your own mistakes. Don't talk about others 'mistakes when chatting…"
" Meditate…often think…of your mistakes…" At the end, Pei Ruoqing's breathing was unstable. There was a hint of hoarseness in her words, but he suppressed it and restored a stable voice. Shi Yunshu silently lowered his strength.
Pei Ruoqing did not even beg for mercy when the number was more than half. Shi Yunshu was very surprised and his heart ached.
Even when Shi Yunshu had gone easy on him, he was still sweating profusely. His long black eyelashes were covered in crystal beads of sweat, and he was trembling, making him look weak and pitiful for no reason.
Pei Ruoqing had always been able to tolerate it. Even if she was in pain or uncomfortable, she would never say it. An Su knew this very well and often felt a headache because of this.
However, they were all made of flesh and blood. No matter how much they could endure, it did not mean that they would not feel pain.
The ten fingers were connected to the heart. The dull pain coming from his fingertips tore his nerves, as if his bones were broken one by one, and he rolled mercilessly in a mountain of knives and a sea of flames.
He thought absentmindedly that this gentle young master of an aristocratic family was merciless in the face of family rules. However, after Pei Ruoqing witnessed Shi Yihong and An Chengxi's methods, she realized how gentle Shi Yunshu was to him.
Shi Yunshu looked at Pei Ruoqing, whose face was pale but did not say a word. He sighed and asked," Can you get up?”
Although Pei Ruoqing did not understand, she still replied," Yes.”As he spoke, he supported himself on his knees and staggered up. From the moment he entered the door until now, he had been kneeling for more than an hour. Moreover, when he fell at school, his knees were already numb from the pain. He could even feel his casual pants sticking to his knees and calves.
When Shi Yunshu saw that he could not stand steadily, he subconsciously wanted to help him up, but he stopped in the next moment. The hand that was holding the rattan tightened slightly and he ordered indifferently," Support yourself against the wall."”
Pei Ruoqing's body stiffened slightly. After a while, she replied," Yes.”
He had to admit that such a fragile child could easily arouse people's pity, but Shi Yunshu knew that he could not be soft-hearted. The more fragile a person was, the easier it was for them to become dependent. He could not give the child the illusion that " the child who was beaten will have candy to eat."
Family discipline had always been a serious matter.
Pei Ruoqing did not feel that anything was wrong with Shi Yunshu not helping. In his previous life, he was used to struggling alone. He was used to being alone, and he was also used to dealing with illnesses alone. Although An Su was around, he would not rely on An Su for everything.
He leaned over and placed his hands on the desk. His left hand was in pain as he said," I can hold on. Please…don't feel bad."”He could feel that Shi Yunshu was going easy on him. If Shi Yunshu was punished because of him, it would not be worth it.
Shi Yunshu's heart suddenly ached and he almost cried." Little Ruo…"
He didn't know why he was so sad, so sad that he couldn't suppress the sorrow in his heart. He went forward and gently hugged him." Let's not punish him today, okay?”
Pei Ruoqing straightened her body and shook her head at him. Her voice was slow and slow." Brother, let me be at ease. Moreover, if you reduce my punishment for me, I won't forgive you easily.”
Shi Yunshu wanted to blurt out," Then punish me," but his rationality stopped him. He didn't know how he managed to say that word.
There were still thirty hits left, and all of them landed on Pei Ruoqing's perky buttocks. Even through her pants, she could feel a burning sensation. It was rubbing, tearing, and rising and falling in pain. Shi Yunshu finally noticed that something was wrong. There were only three hits left, and he quickly finished it. Shi Yunshu grabbed the child who was already in a daze and pulled down his pants. The friction between his pants and his skin caused Pei Ruoqing to subconsciously hiss in pain.
Whip marks crisscrossed on his buttocks, and blood had already filled the heavy part of his hand. Shi Yunshu's lips trembled. He really did not expect such a result.
The first time he took charge of the family law, it had left a shadow in Shi Yunshu's heart. It made him extremely cautious every time he made a move on Pei Ruoqing.
Pei Ruoqing turned around and pulled up her pants. She looked at Shi Yunshu who had lost his composure and comforted him," Brother, I'm fine. It's just that I look a little scary. Don't…"
Shi Yunshu acted as if he did not hear what he said. Ignoring Pei Ruoqing's struggle, he carried her in his arms and quickly left the study room, returning to his room.
"Where is the medicine box?" Shi Yunshu carefully placed Pei Ruoqing on the bed.
"In the closet." Pei Ruoqing's forehead was still covered in sweat as she replied with a pale face.
Shi Yunshu took out the medicine box and returned to the bed. Just as he was about to take off his clothes, Pei Ruoqing turned her body sideways and held down Shi Yunshu's hand that was about to take off his clothes." Brother, let me do it myself."”
Shi Yunshu frowned unhappily." You can still apply your own medicine now?”
"Sure." Pei Ruoqing tilted her head and looked at Shi Yunshu. There was no blood on her snow-white face. She was like an exquisite ice sculpture. Even her breathing was light and could disappear at any moment.
"Little Ruo, don't force yourself at home and don't be shy.”
"How can that be? I really can do it.”Pei Ruoqing pursed her lips. Although her tone was light, it was very firm.
After that, the room fell into silence. The two of them did not speak anymore. Pei Ruoqing looked at Shi Yunshu with a cool gaze, not backing down at all.
"If you can't do it yourself, call me.”Shi Yunshu said and turned to leave.
With the sound of the door closing, Pei Ruoqing propped herself up, picked up her pajamas, and walked barefoot to the bathroom.
If one ignored the fact that his body was a little unstable, it was really an excellent bearing.
Pei Ruoqing turned on the shower and placed his clothes on the rack at the side. These two simple actions had exhausted all his strength. He leaned against the wall and panted. When he took off his clothes, he was covered in sweat.
A large piece of flesh had been scraped off his leg and arm. Without any treatment, he had knelt on the ground for a long time. At this moment, it was stuck to his clothes. If it was anyone else, it would be difficult not to show some abnormality.
Pei Ruoqing frowned slightly and tore off her clothes. Blood flowed down her snow-white calf. He leaned against the wall and stood under the shower. He closed his eyes and raised his head to let the water pour down from the top of his head. Only when he felt suffocated did he lower his head to wipe the water off his face.
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