Liu Feng served as a lowly servant in the esteemed Li family, responsible for tending to the prized steed of the second young mistress, "Midnight Frost."
Caring for a horse as illustrious as Midnight Frost was no easy task. Late into the night, Liu Feng was required to feed the horse a special mix of soy milk, eggs, soybeans, and other meticulously prepared supplements. After feeding, he would lead Midnight Frost to the training grounds for a run, ensuring that the horse remained in peak condition for the next day when the second young mistress, Li Yuxian, would take her out for a ride.
But that morning, Liu Feng had been distracted, having stolen a moment to observe martial arts training within the inner courtyard. The sight of Li Yuxian's guard, Zhao Shen, demonstrating the "Dragon Claw Grip" had captivated him, causing him to forget his duties.
When Liu Feng finally reached the training grounds, it was too late. Midnight Frost was already being ridden by Li Yuxian, her regal demeanor making her appear as if she was born on horseback.
Surrounding her were several guards and young noblemen and women, each riding their own horses with an aura of cultivation that spoke of their superior status.
"Liu Feng, you've brought disaster upon yourself! Why are you not kneeling and begging for the young mistress's forgiveness?" an old man shouted as he rushed over, his face twisted with anger.
"The Head Steward, I had... I had an upset stomach this morning," Liu Feng stammered, trying to come up with an excuse.
The old man, Zhong Qiang, was the chief steward of the Li family's stables. He had overseen Liu Feng's work since he was a child and knew when the young servant was lying.
"I don't care what your excuse is! Delaying the young mistress's affairs is a grave mistake. You were taught from childhood that the master's commands are more important than anything. How could you forget that?" Zhong Qiang reprimanded him harshly.
"You there, are you Liu Feng, the one responsible for Midnight Frost? The young mistress demands your presence immediately!" barked another man, a guard with sharp eyes and an intimidating presence.
Before Liu Feng could react, the guard's hand shot out, his fingers curling like an eagle's talon as he gripped Liu Feng's shoulder with the "Crane's Grip." Liu Feng's body went rigid as the guard lifted him effortlessly, the strength in the grip far surpassing anything Liu Feng could muster.
"This technique... It's much stronger than anything I've seen," Liu Feng thought, recalling his morning of sneaking peeks at the martial arts training.
But there was no avoiding it. Liu Feng knew he had no chance of escape. Even if he had learned some martial arts, he was nowhere near the level of the guards who had trained their entire lives. His only option was to submit and face the consequences.
With a sudden jolt, Liu Feng was thrown to the ground, his body aching from the impact.
"Get up, wretch!" the guard barked, kicking Liu Feng's leg to force him to stand.
Liu Feng struggled to his feet, bowing his head in pain and submission. "This lowly one is Liu Feng."
The woman riding Midnight Frost was Li Yuxian, known for her powerful presence and unforgiving nature. She gazed down at Liu Feng with a cold, disdainful expression.
"My Midnight Frost has been well cared for, so it's clear you've been doing your job. But this morning, you failed in your duties," Li Yuxian said icily. "I don't care what your excuse is. As a servant, your only concern should be your master's needs. This horse is your life. You must dedicate yourself to it completely. Do you understand?"
"The lowly one understands," Liu Feng replied, his voice trembling. "This lowly one will give his life for the young mistress's horse. The lowly one begs for forgiveness for today's mistake."
As Liu Feng spoke, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Li Yuxian's boots, intricately designed and adorned with jade. One day, he thought, he would rise above his station and make others look up at him in the same way.
"Give him ten lashes as a reminder," Li Yuxian ordered, her voice cold and detached as she turned her horse away.
"Yes, Mistress!" A nearby guard immediately picked up a whip and began lashing Liu Feng without mercy.
Each crack of the whip tore into Liu Feng's flesh, the pain searing through his body. But he gritted his teeth, determined not to cry out. He knew that showing weakness would only make things worse. Sweat poured down his face as the lashes continued, his vision blurring from the pain.
Finally, the guard ceased, and Liu Feng collapsed to the ground, his body trembling from the agony.
"Thank you, Mistress, for the punishment," Liu Feng managed to say, barely able to speak through the pain.
Li Yuxian, now mounted and ready to leave, nodded with a satisfied expression. "I believe in rewards and punishments. You neglected your duties, so you were punished. However, you've done well in raising Midnight Frost, and I have found no evidence of you stealing feed like some of the others. For that, you deserve a reward."
With a flick of her wrist, Li Yuxian tossed a silver ingot towards Liu Feng. It landed in the dirt beside him, shining brightly.
The silver ingot, engraved with a flame motif and the official seal of the empire, was worth more than Liu Feng's annual earnings. It was a significant reward, one that most servants could only dream of receiving.
"Remember, as a servant, you will be punished for your mistakes, but you will also be rewarded for your loyalty and hard work. As long as you remain loyal, there will always be benefits," Li Yuxian said, turning to her companions. "Let's go. We don't want to be late for the hunt."
"Miss Li manages her household well," one of the young noblemen remarked as they rode away.
"Indeed," Li Yuxian replied coolly. "With such a large household, discipline is necessary. But it's important to balance authority with fairness. Rewards and punishments must be given in equal measure."
As the group rode off, the other stable hands crowded around Liu Feng, eyeing the silver in his hand with envy.
"You're lucky this time, Liu Feng. Ten lashes for five taels of silver—seems like a fair trade," one of them remarked.
"Yeah, I'd take that deal any day," another chimed in.
Liu Feng forced a smile, though his body throbbed with pain. "I'll treat everyone once I've recovered. But for now, I need to rest."
As he limped away, Liu Feng's thoughts were consumed by his earlier musings. "If only I could master the martial arts I've been secretly observing," he thought. "Would I still be the one kneeling, or would I be the one administering the punishment?"
Returning to his small quarters, Liu Feng examined the silver ingot, realizing the true nature of his situation. The reward and punishment system was designed to keep the servants in line, to maintain their loyalty while ensuring they remained subservient.
But Liu Feng had always despised the life of a servant. His father had taught him that it was better to be an outcast than a slave.