Chapter 192: The Whipping - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

Chapter 192: The Whipping

“She has just returned; can’t this be discussed tomorrow?”

Princess Wen Yi had never pleaded with Bai Silang before. Since their marriage, they had always treated each other with respect. Seeing his beloved wife in this state made Bai Silang feel distressed, but for the sake of the family, he had to act as he did.

He said to his elder brother and his wife, “Elder Sister-in-law, please take Princess Wen Yi back. Elder Brother, Father needs someone at home. Since Siruo is back, you should take care of her first.”

He glanced at Bai Siruo with a look of disappointment and frustration, making her lower her head. After a deep breath, she addressed everyone, “This matter is my fault. I will go with Father now.”

The father and daughter left resolutely, and Princess Wen Yi tried to follow but was stopped by Bai Lin.

This time, Siruo was likely to suffer. Princess Wen Yi, having fainted and woken up today, was afraid that the shock might be too much for her, so she told the maidservants, “Send the princess back to rest. Everyone else, guard the gates. If any inappropriate details get leaked, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Bai Lin was decisive and efficient in her actions.

As soon as Bai Siruo returned to the residence, strict orders were given to the servants to keep family matters confidential. Any hint of a leak would result in severe punishment. The servants were terrified and no one knew the real situation outside.

In the ancestral hall, the Bai family had prepared a whip, its cruel intent made more apparent under the dim candlelight.

“Do you know your mistake?”

“Yes, I know my mistake.”

“What was the mistake?”

“I should not have trusted others easily, which not only harmed myself but also caused my family concern.”

The dialogue between father and daughter was brief. Bai Siruo knelt in front of the ancestral hall, ready to be punished. Bai Silang felt heartache, but no matter how much he cared, he had to make her remember this lesson. He adjusted his attire, raised his voice, and spoke slowly.

“Since you were born, you have been the treasure of our family. Anything you wanted was granted. I thought it would be fine to spoil you a little, but I didn’t expect you to become so reckless. Your behavior has become increasingly inappropriate, and today, I will tell you where you went wrong!”

Bai Silang, a teacher who loved to educate, was not only Bai Siruo’s father at this moment but also a member of the Bai family and a guardian of the laws of the Great Jin Dynasty.

“First mistake: Knowing that only you and Sihan are left in the family, you did not think to support or advise each other. Instead, you acted recklessly, disgracing the Bai family and causing Sihan to suffer. Second mistake: You lacked the ability to discern right from wrong with outsiders. You easily believed rumors and did not verify them privately. With such simple-mindedness, how can you support the family in the future? Third mistake: Knowing you are already betrothed, you still left with another man, disregarding the reputation of the Prince Kang's mansion and the Bai family. Now rumors are spreading outside, and how can I explain this to Mu Qian? Fourth mistake: Your actions involved Elder Sister Lin’s family. Do you know that if His Majesty were to punish them, your Uncle Lin’s family could be demoted or even exiled? Fifth mistake: You had no ability to protect yourself in a dangerous situation. If it weren’t for Ah Yao’s timely discovery and immediate action, you would either be a corpse or a wisp of a soul. You made your loved ones worry so much that they couldn’t eat or sleep. This is the unfilial behavior of a child.”

Each of these mistakes was a severe accusation. Bai Siruo had no defense, and if given another chance, she would never let a single obsession harm her entire family.

She gritted her teeth and kowtowed heavily in front of the ancestral tablets.

Then she said to Bai Silang, “Father is right. It is my ignorance and trust that caused all this. I am willing to bear the consequences and will not say a word.”

“Good. Since you know your mistake, you must be punished accordingly. One mistake, ten lashes. The rules of the Bai family cannot be broken because of you. Whether you can endure it or not, you must receive it. Understand?”

“I understand.” She stuffed a silk handkerchief into her mouth, closed her eyes, and prostrated herself in the ancestral hall.

Bai Silang was heartbroken but had no choice. He instructed the executioner, “Proceed!”

The whip descended one stroke after another. Bai Siruo, who had been pampered since childhood, and being a woman with delicate skin, soon had her back marked with blood after just a few lashes. Bai Silang could not bear to watch any longer. He turned away, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his temples throbbing with anger. Each lash seemed to strike his own heart.

The relative in charge of the punishment acted swiftly and accurately, and the fifty lashes were soon completed. Bai Siruo, driven by sheer willpower, endured until the end.

When the executioner announced that the punishment was over, Bai Siruo fainted with a faint smile on her lips.

Bai Silang turned and hurriedly carried his bloodied daughter to her quarters. He instructed the servants to summon the family doctor and to bring various medicines for treating whip wounds.

Princess Wen Yi waited in the room while Bai Lin comforted her.

Before she could react, Bai Silang entered with his daughter. Seeing her condition, Princess Wen Yi’s usual grace and composure vanished. She rushed at Bai Silang, attempting to fight him.

“Isn’t she your own daughter? How can you be so harsh as to nearly beat her to death?”

“Sister-in-law…” Bai Lin tried to intervene but couldn’t stop Princess Wen Yi, who pounded Bai Silang’s back with her fists. He bore it silently without defending himself.

As a member of the Bai family, one cannot only enjoy wealth and honor. If their indulgence leads their children to lack the ability to make their way in the world, it is better for them to be punished now than to face oppression and humiliation later.

The family doctor arrived quickly, experienced in dealing with flogging wounds.

He had treated the wounds of Shen Shi before. Now, not only did they not affect her mobility, but her skin also showed no scars.

“Fourth Master, please place the eldest lady on the bed. I’ll examine her wounds.”

“Hmm.”

Her blood-stained clothes had stuck to the wounds. Haitang, who had always taken care of Bai Siruo, was now crying with swollen eyes. She carefully removed the blood-stained clothing from her back, cleaned the wounds with a cloth, and covered most of her body with an inner garment, leaving only the shoulder wounds exposed for the doctor to examine.

“These injuries are not severe. They look worse than they are, and they are only superficial. She will need to rest and avoid getting up for about two to three months.”

Princess Wen Yi, seeing the lack of healthy skin on her daughter’s back, shot a fierce glare at Bai Silang, who stood unmoving like a mountain.

“This is the medicinal ointment for the wounds. Apply it daily. It should scab over in about four to five days.”

Haitang nodded heavily and promised to take good care of Bai Siruo.

It was her carelessness. If she had persuaded the young lady sooner, today’s disaster might have been avoided.