Chapter 123: Deterrent
Xie Pinghuai felt helpless.
He had been hanging on the tree for a day. His body was so stiff, it was uncomfortable.
At that moment, his eldest brother held a whip in his hand. He looked like he would whip him anytime. It was just too upsetting!
Xie Pinghuai’s voice was a little husky as he said while biting the bullet, “Eldest Brother, I’ve told you many times that I didn’t lose it! Someone stole it!”
Pei Wanyue buried her neck in fear. “Eldest Brother, it’s just a piece of jade… How can you do this to our brother—”
“Did Sister Pei see the jade Eldest Sister gave Pinghuai?” Xie Pinggang’s voice was scary.
Ms. Lu felt weak in her knees.
She was terrified, especially when she saw Xie Pinggang holding the whip. She recalled that a servant had betrayed Xie Pinggang a few years ago, and he had beaten him to death. At that time, Xie Pinggang had been at the age of 17 when he had killed that person.
“N-No,” Pei Wanyue shook her head immediately.
Ms. Lu’s heart was beating fast, and the corners of her lips were dried up. She held Pei Wanyue’s hand and said, “H-How would she see it? Pinghuai is a boy. It’s impossible that Yue’er went to his house…”
Xie Pinggang glanced at Ms. Lu with a grim expression.
Xie Niushan knew that his eldest son was angry, so he dared not interfere. He stood aside like a coward.
“It’s great that she didn’t.” Xie Pinggang remained cold as he lifted the whip. “Since nobody has seen it, then it’s Xie Pinghuai who was reckless in taking care of it. I’ve already asked everything that I should, but there’s still no clue. However, there must be someone who will take responsibility for this. Since Father and Mother won’t, then he’ll have to do it himself.”
The moment Xie Pinggang was done speaking, an ear-piercing sound echoed. He really whipped Xie Pinghuai’s legs!
At that moment, Xie Pingguai was groaning and screaming from the pain.
“Are you trying to kill me, Eldest Brother? I’m really innocent!” Xie Pinghuai felt terrible. The pain stemming from his legs was the only thing he could feel now.
Xie Niushan’s eyelids twitched. He did not want to bear the responsibility. If they were to fight, he would lose to his son, right? His youngest son… He should bear the pain. He would not be a man if he could not bear the pain, no?
The family members watched as Xie Pinggang whipped Xie Pinghuai ten more times like a maniac.
After he was done, he got someone to release Xie Pinghuai. The entire courtyard was so quiet that one could even hear the sound of a chicken feather.
“You’ll be hung here tomorrow as well to repent.” Xie Pinggang showed no mercy at all. He taught Xie Pinghuai a lesson as if he was facing his mortal enemy, giving people goosebumps.
Someone brought Xie Pinghuai back to the house for treatment.
Everyone left then.
Ms. Lu dragged Pei Wanyue back to the house and closed the door as soon as they entered. The maidservant was guarding attentively outside.
Pei Wanyue had chills all over her body. “H-How could Eldest Brother really beat him up? What if he hurt him—”
“What to do? That’s the punishment that he’ll have to bear! That fellow has no control. Pinghuai aside, even if it’s his father, he might dare to beat him up as well if he made a terrible mistake.” Ms. Lu’s face paled. “Also, do you think he’s merely hitting Pinghuai? It’s just a deterrent!”
Pei Wanyue lifted her head in shock upon hearing that. “What do you mean by that, Mother?!”
“What do I mean? He’s definitely suspecting you! He got you to watch Pinghuai being punished. Whether it was you who did it or not, you wouldn’t dare to repeat the same mistake in the future!” Ms. Lu said immediately.
Pei Wanyue clenched her fists immediately while shaking.
“Yue’er, tell me. Was it you… who did it?” asked Ms. Lu.
Pei Wanyue trembled. She felt rather troubled. “Mother, did you bring me to the Imperial City to accuse me of being a thief? How can you do this to me!?”