"I..." He really didn't dare.
The Marquis of Ningyuan's face grew darker and darker. Lady He was also in a panic. She really didn't know about Jiang Zhong's gambling.
"Speak up, Jiang Zhong. Tell this Marquis the truth," the Marquis of Ningyuan suddenly slapped the table and stood up. "If you tell a single lie, I'll break your legs myself!"
Jiang Zhong's legs went weak, and he slumped to the ground. Jiang Yunxi didn't dare to help him up anymore and silently shrank to the side, acting like a timid quail.
Jiang Zhong could no longer withstand the pressure and was in a complete mess. "Father, I was deceived into it!"
"I didn't want to do it either! They said it was just for fun. I really didn't know!"
Jiang Zhao curled her lips and smiled boldly. "So, you're admitting that you gambled."
As soon as the words came out, Jiang Zhong regretted it. It was no different from confessing without being forced.
Seeing this, although Lady He was angry at Jiang Zhong's incompetence, she still pleaded for him. "Husband! Zhong'er is young and doesn't know any better. He was deceived and confused for a moment!"
"You mustn't punish him severely. If this gets out, it will be a stain on him! Zhong'er's future will be ruined!"
The Marquis of Ningyuan's face was ashen, and the veins on his temple throbbed.
He knew very well that family scandals should not be made public. Severely punishing Jiang Zhong would be detrimental to the family's reputation and future.
Jiang Zhao saw the Marquis of Ningyuan's reaction and added fuel to the fire in a timely manner. "Father, the emperor once ordered that it is strictly forbidden for the royal relatives and nobles to gamble. Those who violate it will be severely punished."
"He, Jiang Zhong, dared to gamble in private. Isn't that despising the imperial power!"
"Young age is not an excuse. Today, he not only slandered my reputation but also dared to ignore the emperor. In the future, Jiang Zhong might even do something that would bring disaster to the family!"
"Father, you are the head of the family. If you show favoritism and protect Jiang Zhong just because he is the legitimate son, how will you discipline the other juniors in the future? What will others think of you!"
Jiang Zhao knew that the Marquis of Ningyuan valued the family's reputation, power, and status more than anything else.
Even his own legitimate son could not shake his foundation in the slightest.
The Marquis of Ningyuan looked at Jiang Zhao thoughtfully and then said coldly to Jiang Zhong, "You unfilial son, Jiang Zhong, are good - for - nothing and have brought disgrace to the family!"
"Someone, bring out the family law and give him twenty strokes with the cane!"
"If there is a next time, expel Jiang Zhong from the family and never recognize him again. He will no longer be my son!"
Jiang Zhong sat there in a daze, as if he had lost his soul. He just gambled a little. His father and Jiang Zhao were trying to kill him!
"Husband, you can't do this! You must think twice!" Lady He threw herself at the Marquis of Ningyuan's feet. "If you want to beat someone, beat me! It's my fault for not educating my son well. If Zhong'er has any mishap, I won't live anymore!"
The Marquis of Ningyuan waved Lady He's hand away. "Women's benevolence!"
"Someone, help the madam go in and rest!"
He would never allow all his painstaking efforts to be ruined by family unrest!
Lady He was dragged away crying and shouting, still shouting non - stop, "If Zhong'er is not okay, I won't live anymore!"
"You heartless man. I'll go back to my natal family right now!" At this moment, Lady He didn't look like the noblewoman she usually was at all.
Jiang Zhong was lifted up from the ground. Looking at Jiang Zhao, his eyes were full of hatred as if he wanted to devour her alive. "Jiang Zhao, I'll never rest until one of us is dead!"
Before long, Jiang Zhong's miserable cries came from outside.
Jiang Zhao leaned her shoulder against the door frame and watched the scene with great interest.
The person who was administering the punishment really laid on the blows. After a few strokes of the cane, Jiang Zhong's buttocks were torn open and blood oozed out.
Jiang Yunxi covered half of his face and winced while watching.
"Aren't you scared?" he couldn't help but ask.
Jiang Zhao was puzzled. "I've seen scarier dead bodies than this. What's there to be scared of?"
An ordinary woman would surely turn pale with fright. In contrast, Jiang Zhao could even smile.
He even began to wonder if Jiang Zhao was really a woman.
The twenty strokes were soon over. Just when Jiang Yunxi thought it was all over,
Jiang Zhao turned and walked into the room. "Father has punished elder brother for gambling according to the law. Daughter is completely convinced."
The Marquis of Ningyuan suddenly had a bad feeling. Sure enough, the next second he heard Jiang Zhao say, "However, the matter of Jiang Zhong slandering my reputation is not over yet."
"Mother said that a daughter's reputation is of the utmost importance. Please allow daughter to seek justice for herself."
The Marquis of Ningyuan looked at Jiang Zhao with a complex expression.
This daughter of his was ruthless, decisive, and good at taking advantage of the situation. He saw it clearly today.
She had a bit of his style. If she were a boy, she would be no worse than Lan'er.
It was a pity that she was a girl.
It would be good to take this opportunity to teach that good - for - nothing Jiang Zhong a lesson.
Jiang Yunxi thought the Marquis of Ningyuan would not agree, after all, Jiang Zhong had already been punished. But unexpectedly, the Marquis of Ningyuan really agreed.
"Granted," the Marquis of Ningyuan stood up and walked out while saying, "It's your own business. Settle it yourself. Be discreet."
"Thank you, father," Jiang Zhao nodded and saw the Marquis of Ningyuan off.
Looking at Jiang Zhong on the bench, who was either dead or alive, Jiang Yunxi felt sorry for him and advised, "Jiang Zhao, that's enough. Elder brother has already been punished. Just spare him this time."
Jiang Zhao was expressionless and lowered her head to look for a suitable weapon. "If I don't teach him a lesson this time, he'll never remember."
"If fourth brother feels sorry for elder brother, you can take his punishment."
Jiang Yunxi waved his hands repeatedly. His injuries were not fully healed yet. He couldn't bear it.
"Um, just make a show of it," Jiang Yunxi couldn't bear to watch anymore and turned away.
As soon as Jiang Yunxi left, Jiang Qinian suddenly popped up from somewhere.
Nanfeng pushed him in front of Jiang Zhao.
Jiang Zhao looked up. "What, third brother, are you also here to plead for him?"
"Third brother, I might even beat you up too."
Jiang Qinian coughed lightly. He knew Jiang Zhao definitely could do it. Besides, he wasn't here to plead for Jiang Zhong.
Jiang Qinian played with a long whip in his slender white hand. "Use this. Don't hit his face."
It was good that Jiang Zhong was unconscious. If he heard this, he would surely jump up in anger.
Jiang Zhao didn't refuse and calmly took the long whip and walked towards Jiang Zhong.
"Elder brother, now it's my turn to settle the score. For every insult you gave me, I'll whip you ten times," Jiang Zhao leaned down slightly and whispered in Jiang Zhong's ear. "It's very fair, right? If you don't say anything, I'll take it as your agreement."
Jiang Zhao mercilessly whipped the long whip and lashed it hard on Jiang Zhong's back.
There were barbs on the long whip. One whip almost tore out Jiang Zhong's flesh and woke him up in pain.
His wails and pleas for mercy never stopped.
Jiang Qinian squinted his eyes slightly, and a faint smile appeared on the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.
Only a ruthless and revenge - seeking Jiang Zhao, who was just like him, was worthy of being his younger sister.
As for Jiang Zhong, he deserved it.
After Jiang Zhao finished, she walked back happily with Jiang Qinian's whip.
Jiang Qinian said he would give this whip to her.