At the end of February, the snow had just started to melt, and the weather in the capital was getting warmer day by day.
In the main hall, He Xiao and Ouyang Yuqing were sitting opposite each other, slurping noodles with their own sets of chopsticks and bowls. Juan'er was a good cook. The noodles she made tasted quite like those from Xiliang. After a few mouthfuls of the noodle soup, Ouyang Yuqing felt warm all over.
He saw He Xiao sitting upright across from him, looking haggard with heavy dark circles under his eyes and saying nothing. Ouyang Yuqing asked carefully, "Brother He, did my snoring last night keep you up all night?" Why don't you take a nap later!
He Xiao heaved a deep sigh. There had been too much commotion from the heir's side in the first half of the night. It had taken most of the night, and he couldn't help but prick up his ears and listen for half the night. Just when he finally managed to wait for the two of them to quiet down, this brat Yuqing snored like thunder in the second half of the night! He Xiao felt like he wanted to die.
Seeing that He Xiao didn't say anything, Ouyang Yuqing didn't say much either. He just casually asked, "Hey, why are Master and the others getting up so late today? Isn't he usually an early riser?"
He Xiao said speechlessly, "Why do you ask so many questions about adults' affairs?"
Just as he was speaking, Shangguan Yun strolled out of the room. Seeing this, Juan'er quickly wanted to go and cook noodles for him. She also asked by the way, "Has Miss Luoluo woken up? Should I cook a bowl for her too?"
Shangguan Yun replied with a beaming smile, "Let her sleep a little longer." Then he turned around and went to the courtyard to wash up.
That day, Ouyang Yuqing was surprised to find that Wu Luoluo didn't get up until around noon. After she casually ate something, she went back to her room and went to sleep again.
Ouyang Yuqing was extremely surprised. Could it be that his mistress was sick?
Three days later, with the help of Wu Luoluo's acupuncture and herbal medicine, Ouyang Luofeng's body miraculously improved by more than half, which amazed everyone.
So, Ouyang Yuqing took his aunt back to the Xiang Mansion to ask for her dowry jewelry.
When Master Xiang saw that his wife had returned safe and sound, he knelt down and wept bitterly. He held the silver he had scraped together by selling everything he had and hugged Ouyang Luofeng's thigh, begging for forgiveness. He claimed that he would surely reform and never gamble again.
Ouyang Yuqing couldn't help but curl his lips. The Xiang family's business had been going badly in the past two years, and they were in a complete mess. They were probably counting on his aunt's dowry silver to turn things around. If his aunt softened her heart and went back to take over the mess of the Xiang family, wouldn't she still have to pay off his debts!
Seeing Master Xiang crying with snot and tears, Ouyang's aunt obviously softened her heart. Wu Luoluo stepped forward, grabbed Ouyang Luofeng's hand, and whispered, "Aunt, he tried to kill you! You must never forgive this kind of man!"
Ouyang Yuqing nodded in agreement.
Ouyang Luofeng was a bit embarrassed. She didn't really want to forgive Master Xiang in her heart, but if the Xiang family just collapsed like this, what would happen to her two children?
He Xiao clanged a dagger down in front of Master Xiang and snorted at him, "You keep saying that you'll never gamble again. Then show some sincerity to prove it! Words are no proof. Who knows if you'll go back on your word!"
Master Xiang looked up and saw that it was He Xiao who was speaking. His face turned pale with fright. He trembled all over like a sieve and asked in a low voice, "H-how can I prove it?"
He Xiao sneered coldly, "It depends on how determined you are to reform. Are you willing to cut off an arm or a leg? We'll accept either."
Master Xiang turned ashen with fright when he heard this. This man actually wanted him to be disabled? He quickly grabbed his wife's arm and pleaded desperately, "Luoluo! Please plead with this hero for me! I can't live without my hands and feet! I still have to take care of you and our children!"
Everyone: ...
Ouyang Yuqing rolled his eyes so hard that they almost turned inside out. His uncle was really shameless to say such things! How did he take care of his aunt when he was in good health? He had coveted that dowry and almost beaten his aunt to death! And now he still had the nerve to say such things?
He Xiao impatiently patted Master Xiang on the shoulder. Master Xiang shrank back in fright and quickly let go of Ouyang Luofeng's hand. He Xiao raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "If Master Xiang doesn't have the guts to do it, I'd be happy to do it for you."
When Master Xiang heard this, he quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed non - stop, shouting, "Spare my life, hero! I really know I was wrong..."
He Xiao waved his hand angrily and said, "Enough! Don't talk nonsense to me. You beat your wife almost to death and abandoned her on the street. Just these two crimes alone are enough to send you to prison for life! I didn't let the yamen servants take you away that day because I took into account that you're the biological father of the two children. Now you're still being so indecisive and unrepentant. I think it's useless to keep your dog's life. I might as well send you on your way and save some food for the children!"
He Xiao grabbed Master Xiang's hair again, making him cry out in pain with snot and tears streaming down his face.
Seeing his pitiful state, Shangguan Yun coughed lightly and said, "Master Xiang, if I were you, I'd quickly bow my head and admit my mistake. Cut off three fingers to show your sincerity, and this matter will be over!"
He Xiao looked up and saw that his heir was actually rarely interfering in other people's business. Shangguan Yun also winked at him. He Xiao understood and deliberately shouted loudly, "Only three fingers? Can we let him off so easily?"
Ouyang Yuqing chimed in, "Well, three fingers it is. Forget it! For the sake of the children being so young!" He didn't really want to speak up for his uncle. He just knew quite clearly that Hero He would definitely follow his master's instructions. He was just bluffing and scaring Master Xiang on purpose.
Master Xiang was both shocked and terrified. He nodded nervously and said, "Spare my life, hero. I'm willing to cut off three fingers to show my sincerity... Please spare me!"
Only then did He Xiao throw Master Xiang down. He took out a handkerchief with a look of disgust and wiped his hands. He snorted and said, "For the sake of your children, go ahead and do it!"
Seeing that there was really no way out, Master Xiang had to tremblingly pick up the dagger and reach for his left hand.
Wu Luoluo quickly hid behind Shangguan Yun and didn't dare to look. She only heard a heart - rending scream. Master Xiang was pale - faced and curled up on the ground, trembling all over. Blood gushed out from his left hand, and three severed fingers were soaking in a pool of blood.
Ouyang Luofeng felt a bit sorry for him and turned her face away. She couldn't believe that the man who had once vowed to protect her for a lifetime had turned into such an ugly figure. He had roared at her, beaten her, and thrown her out of the Xiang Mansion when she was on the verge of death without caring about her life at all. Ouyang Luofeng felt completely disheartened. Originally, even if Master Xiang died, it had nothing to do with her. But why did she still feel pity when she saw him crying so pitifully?
Alas, after all, the children were still young.
He Xiao glanced at Master Xiang and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, we'll trust you this time. But remember, from now on, if you dare to treat your mistress, Mrs. Ouyang, badly again, I'll surely dig out your heart and feed it to the dogs!"
Master Xiang replied pale - faced and trembling, "N-no, I won't! I'll never dare again!"