"You really do have a wonderful child, Adviser Guo." Lui Xin Yang sneered. "Acting innocent and pure. I wonder what other good things she did to Li Jing."
Adviser Guo's was near bursting from trepidation. Li Jing is now considered Liu Xin Yang's and Yiyi, his other daughter, dared to bully what Liu Xin Yang considered as his. That's could be considered as courting death.
"Lo-Lord Liu, this uh, this humble servant loves both my children equally. I can't bear to lose one of them. I'll make sure it will never happen again. I'll severely punish Yiyi, this I promise, Lord Liu." His throat worked in a convulsed manner.
"Oh, pray do tell me, what punishment would you give to your beloved daughter?" Liu Xin Yang said, voice laced with icy humor.
Adviser Guo could not answer Liu Xin Yang immediately. His gaze was drawn to the deadly black metallic object in his hand. Liu Xin Yang was turning it this way and that. Aiming at random areas and those areas would be cleared in mere seconds.
Li Jing had been an avid spectator in all of this, loving how domineering Liu Xin Yang is. She didn't even have to lift a finger before the man would swoop right in. how commendable is that?
Liu Xin Yang's mood dropped when Adviser Guo did not answer him.
Seeing that Liu Xin Yang's eyes turned frosty black, Adviser Guo steeled his, faced his beloved daughter and backhanded her.
"Ah!"
Guo Yiyi sprawled on the floor from the sudden impact. Her ears on her left side kept ringing. She felt like her jaw was dislocated as she touched her numb cheeks with a trembling hand.
Horror-stricken, she faced her father with wide watery eye. She couldn't believe that her father who doted on her slapped her so harshly.
"A-Yi!" Tang Ruyi screamed and helped her daughter to sit. She gave Adviser Guo an accusing glare, "Dear, how could you?! This is our daughter our Yiyi is not at fault here it's that damned girl Guo Li -"
"Silence!" Adviser Guo cut Tang Ruyi's tirade, his eyes nearly bulging. Did this woman want to end their lives?! Liu Xin Yang is volatile as he is. If another accusation was put on Li Jing's head they might not get out of this hell alive.
Seeing the crazed look on Adviser Guo's eyes, Tang Ruyi swallowed all her grievances and consoled her pitiful daughter. But her eyes were spitting fire when they lock-on to Li Jing. This is all that woman's fault. Her daughter was hurt because of that damn woman!
You dare hurt my daughter. Guo Li Jing, you are courting death!
"Is this your answer, Adviser Guo?" Liu Xin Yang leaned in on his seat quite appeased by the old man's performance.
Adviser Guo nodded. Even if his heart is aching for his beloved daughter, she needs to learn how to submit and endure. She will be married in a month. If she wants to live in harmony with her future in-laws then she needs to tone down that domineering attitude of hers.
"I'll punish her thoroughly, Lord Liu. You don't need to worry."
Liu Xin yang laughed mockingly, "And what? Your daughter is pregnant. What if something happened to her? Wouldn't Li Jing and I bear the guilt?"
Adviser Guo turned to her pregnant daughter, he forgot that she was with child. He didn't hit her too fiercely, right?
At this point Adviser Guo didn't know what Liu Xin Yang wanted from him. It seems like everything he did was no good for the man.
"Then, I will not punish her?"
Liu Xin Yang snorted, "You are making me laugh Adviser Guo." He then turned to Li Jing by his side.
"What was your punishment last time again? Didn't you kneel on the Ancestral Hall for three days without eating?"
Li Jing nodded timidly, her dimming eyes that came from being reminded of those torturous nights were heartbreaking.
Liu Xin Yang saw her sad-looking face and red haze suddenly covered his vision. He wanted to hurt everyone who put Li Jing through hell.
A soft hand patted his arm. It was warm and comforting. he turned and saw Li Jing's concerned look.
Immediately, his mood lifted, "I'm alright, don't worry."
While Liu Xin Yang and Guo Li Jing are having a moment, Shen Ru stepped in and addressed once again the crowd of nobles.
"Say goodbye to your daughters for now. They will stay in the Guo's Ancestral Hall and kneel there for three days. Without food of course. That is their punishment. Since Guo Yiyi is pregnant, it is only right and just that her closest friend endure this punishment for her. Zhang Feng Yi, you will go in Guo Yiyi's stead. Guo Yiyi will be staying in her room for three days to think of the things she had instigated. Everyone is dismissed."
Dissent from everyone came after Shen Ru delivered his words.
"Or do you want them to stay in the Liu's Ancestral Hall instead?" Shen Ru said, his voice monotone, indifferent but carries a hint of frost in it.
His statement this time was met with silence and some occasional sniveling from the distressed mothers. Soon, the guards ushered the crying daughters of the nobles inside the Guo's Ancestral Hall.
As parents one by one left, they did not forget to cast Guo Yiyi a menacing glare. Their daughters will suffer for three days because of her. And she, being heavily pregnant, goes unscathed. how lucky is that?
Tang Ruyi ushered her pale and listless daughter to her room. The Zhangs left immediately with the inconsolable mother Zhang after bidding their daughter goodbye. Father Zhang announced that he will pay a visit to Adviser Guo tomorrow, the look on his face wasn't good that Adviser Guo was sure their talk tomorrow wouldn't end on a good note.
The Assembly was emptied shortly, only Liu Xin Yang and Guo Li Jing remained. Even the guards were dismissed. The hall quiet and peaceful while birds perched on trees outside started their melodious songs lulling those who are inside into sleep.
The woman daintily sipped her tea while enjoying the full blooming cherry blossom tree outside the window, as the wind picked up the petals stirred, dancing with the wind. The woman smiled, her face exquisitely blossoming like the flowers she's admiring.
The man had a contented look on his face, his contentment didn't come from watching the scenery outside but from studying the woman beside him seemingly enjoying herself while in his company.
They are not doing anything other than drinking tea and enjoying the sights they found beautiful but the harmony between the two people is palpable. Like old lovers gratified with the presence of their loved one by their side.
A gust of wind brought in some swirling petals inside the hall and one had landed in her cup making ripples on the amber liquid. Just like the man beside her. He came and made ripples on her tranquil heart. Nobody had ever done that to Li Jing.
Even in her previous life, no one had touched her heart. No one had sent ripples on it like the man before her now. Too bad she will leave this place soon.
She was in deep contemplation when her name was called.
"Li Jing?"
Li Jing put down her cup and faced the man beside her. "Yes, Lord Liu."
"What do you think of marrying me?"