Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Liu Tai fled. She had said she would marry even if her legs were broken, but being a cripple and being dead were two entirely different things!

As soon as she climbed down, she saw Chunxiao standing dejectedly under the tree.

Chunxiao was supposed to be keeping watch for her, but now she stood there like a mouse that had seen a cat-crestfallen and gloomy. She called out to her weakly, “Third Young Lady.”

Liu Tai looked toward the veranda. She had expected to see Madame Zhou, but to her surprise, it was Liu Chengshan.

The old man’s chest heaved violently with rage. “Where are your shoes?”

Liu Tai used her skirt to cover her feet and didn’t answer.

A servant hurried back. “Master, we couldn’t find them.”

Liu Tai knew they were talking about her shoes. She thought to herself that besides the shoes, there was also a pouch.

Liu Chengshan was beyond furious. “Someone, bring the family disciplinary rod!”

She really was going to have her legs broken!

Liu Tai had spent three years kneeling in the Ancestral Hall, yet she still wasn’t used to it.

That was because whenever no one was watching, she would just lie down on the prayer mat and sleep. In any case, she never listened, nor did she seek the ancestors’ protection.

“Trysting over the wall! Have you no shame? Speak-who were you meeting in secret?”

Liu Tai’s stubborn streak flared up again. She gritted her teeth and remained silent.

Enraged, Liu Chengshan picked up the rod to strike her.

Madame Zhou interceded. “Master, if this rod falls, it will cause permanent damage. How will she marry then?”

The rod was made of solid iron encased in wood, exactly like the heavy paddles used in a magistrate’s court.

“Can she even marry now? As a woman, she meets a man in secret and… and even loses her shoes! If I marry her off and that adulterer shows up at her husband’s house with her shoe one day, she’ll lose her life, and I’ll lose my dignity!”

“Master! If it comes to that, just find the man. Whether he’s a common peddler or a lowly laborer, just marry her to him! Why resort to violence against your own daughter? If someone actually dies and the reason is investigated… our two elder daughters have just been married off. It’s their reputation that will suffer!”

After persuading Liu Chengshan, Madame Zhou turned to Liu Tai. “Tai’er, if you won’t do it for my sake, at least think of your two sisters.”

Thinking of her sisters, Liu Tai finally relented.

“He promised me he would come to propose.”

Madame Zhou pressed further, “Who is he?”

Liu Tai shut her mouth again.

Liu Chengshan finally lost his patience. “Bring the whip.”

Seeing that Liu Tai didn’t know what was good for her, and knowing the whip wouldn’t kill her, Madame Zhou stopped protesting and stepped aside to watch.

Liu Chengshan raised the whip and brought it down hard. The clothes on Liu Tai’s back instantly tore open, leaving a bloody, raw welt that made Chunxiao close her eyes in terror.

“This strike is for your recklessness and your refusal to repent!”

As he spoke, he lashed down again with even more force.

“This strike is for your shamelessness and your illicit tryst!”

Beyond the burning pain in her back, Liu Tai felt a metallic taste rising in her throat that she couldn’t suppress.

The blood felt stifling in her chest. She opened her mouth and spat out a glob of gore.