Chapter Nine: The Beating

The young man was angry.

Gu Qiulan realized this was a serious matter. Yet she truly had no experience in coaxing someone; back in Yanzhou, the delicate beauties there would all approach her of their own accord.

"Qiaoyun, what do you think about this—"

Before she could finish, Qiaoyun flatly refused, "Don't ask me, I don't know!"

Gu Qiulan smirked mischievously. "Looks like you don't have much experience in this either."

Qiaoyun sneered, "As if you do!"

Gu Qiulan immediately bristled. "I won't stoop to argue with a maiden who's never even touched a man. I'll go ask Madam Zhuang—she's far more experienced."

Qiaoyun waved her off coolly, "She surely won't want to share that sort of experience with you."

"Hmph! Jealous!"

Gu Qiulan threw a punch at the air, then marched off with great determination to find Madam Zhuang.

It was late summer, dusk, and the heat clung heavily to the air. The little courtyard's stone path had been sprinkled with water, and flowers, grass, and trees lined the way, easing the stifling atmosphere just a bit. Still, there was no breeze, and after a short walk, Gu Qiulan already felt sweat beading on her forehead. Suddenly, a girl of about ten came running toward her—it was Miaomiao, always at Madam Zhuang's side, panting and breathless. At the sight of Gu Qiulan, she looked as if she'd found her savior and flung herself forward.

Gu Qiulan crouched down to sweep her up in a hug. "What's wrong? Have you been mischievous again, little one?"

"Boss, boss! Something terrible has happened! The little beauty is in trouble!!"

"Miaomiao, how many times have I told you, you must address her as 'young mistress' or 'young madam' now!" Qiaoyun scolded her, exasperated. "A young lady like you, always saying 'little beauty'—what kind of example is that?"

Miaomiao instantly puffed her cheeks out like a bun, looking irresistibly cute. Gu Qiulan couldn't help but poke her, making a "pfft—" sound.

"Boss, boss, doesn't it sound like blowing a raspberry?" Miaomiao kept her cheeks puffed, making "pfft—pfft—pfftpfftpfftpfft—" noises.

Gu Qiulan: "..."

Qiaoyun: "..."

"Miaomiao, what did you come to find me for, exactly?" Gu Qiulan forced herself to be patient, clutching at her throbbing temple.

Miaomiao wiped the drool from her mouth. "Young mistress, something terrible has happened! Your little husband is in trouble!!"

"What?!"

"I'm small, so I sneaked behind Grandpa Zhao without being noticed. I saw Grandpa Qin holding a really thick wooden board, getting ready to spank your little husband's butt. Luckily it's just a spanking, young mistress, you don't need to worry."

"Just a spanking? That's the most beautiful behind in the capital!" Gu Qiulan could stand it no longer, grabbed Qiaoyun and immediately ordered Miaomiao to lead the way.

Gu Qiulan's heart was in turmoil.

Earlier, Qiaoyun had mentioned that Qin Muchuan was taken away alone by Gu Zhongyun at the Gu estate, and that layer of dust on him must have come from Gu Zhongyun! Beautiful people have always been doomed to tragedy. If Qin Muchuan was not to die on her bed... The more she thought about it, the more indignant she became!

Halfway there, Madam Chen suddenly blocked their path, followed by three or four maids who all curtsied in unison. Madam Chen spoke softly, "Young madam, the lady invites you to Ninghui Hall—she wishes you to look at the new fabrics for early autumn garments."

Gu Qiulan was about to curse, but Qiaoyun pinched her hard at the waist, forcibly swallowing her words. She changed her tone. "...Right now?"

"Yes, the lady has specially invited embroiderers from Jinxiu Hall today, all of them masters from Jiangnan. The brocades they've brought are simply exquisite."

A group of women making clothes—what did she care about that? "Well... Very well, then—please, lead the way."

"Of course!" Madam Chen at once guided her off.

Miaomiao was baffled. Weren't they going to rescue the little beauty? Why were they turning away? She tugged Gu Qiulan's sleeve, but Qiaoyun shot her a warning glare. Ahh, Qiaoyun was so infuriating! Miaomiao puffed out her cheeks in frustration and trailed along, but when Qiaoyun's attention slipped, she darted away like a little mouse.

"You wretched creature, how could you do something so beastly!"

In the front courtyard, the Duke of Qin was swinging a wooden plank, striking Qin Muchuan hard again and again. Qin Muchuan howled in agony, yet not a soul dared step forward to plead for mercy.

The Duke was truly enraged this time.

That morning, Steward Zhao and Dr. Ning had come to congratulate him, saying his son and daughter-in-law were newlyweds in perfect harmony. Qin Muchuan, too, seemed a changed man—gone was the reluctance of the wedding day, replaced by tender attentiveness to his bride.

The Duke had been so proud—his son had finally come to his senses! Steward Zhao and Dr. Ning, both loyal retainers, had spoken freely. "Now that he’s married, he should become responsible. In a few months, I'll have my daughter-in-law supervise his studies, and then I can go to His Majesty and ask for a post for him—a proper official position at last! The boy is truly my son!"

But that afternoon, Steward Zhao had come, hesitant. "Master... The young master went to Drunken Fragrance Brothel on his wedding night..."

Slap, slap, slap, slap!

His own son had utterly disgraced him!

"You neglect your studies and spend your days carousing!" the Duke bellowed, raining blows with the plank. "Associating with such disreputable women—you're ruining the family name!"

In Ninghui Hall, Madam Zhou was showing Gu Qiulan the new fabrics, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. No one knew how the Duke of Qin had learned of Qin Muchuan's scandalous escapade on his wedding night. This time, the Duke was truly furious; to plead for Qin Muchuan now would only fan the flames. All Madam Zhou could do was pretend to chat and laugh with her daughter-in-law, though her heart ached for her only son.

She stole a glance at Gu Qiulan. Could the daughter-in-law have tattled? Yet everyone, from maids to stewards, said the young couple were getting along well.

Was it all an act?

"Qiulan," Madam Zhou tried to sound as usual, "What do you think of Chuan'er?"

"Hmm?" Gu Qiulan was puzzled. "My husband is most kind to me."

"Is that so..." Going to the brothel on his wedding night—was that kindness? "You know, the Duke and I have only him as a son. Sometimes we spoil him, but Chuan'er is good at heart. Every year of famine, he joins me in giving out porridge and prayers for the poor."

"My husband truly has a compassionate heart. Mother, rest assured, I will join him in these good works in the future."

Gu Qiulan spoke with such sincerity that Madam Zhou could not find a single flaw. Though her heart burned with anxiety, she heard Gu Qiulan suddenly ask, "Mother, Uncle Zhao just called my husband to the front courtyard. It's nearly dinnertime—when will he be back?"

"Well..." Madam Zhou wished she knew how things were going. But when the Duke was angry, none could intervene.

Both mother- and daughter-in-law were full of worry, each hiding it from the other. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, and Madam Zhou could sit no longer. "What is it?"

Madam Chen hurried in, her face grave. Miaomiao followed, her big eyes wide with curiosity as she gazed at the dazzling silks and brocades in the room.

"Madam—" Madam Chen began, but could not continue. Miaomiao, seeing her falter, blurted out, "I just saw outside the window—Grandpa Qin is about to beat the young master to death! There's blood everywhere, and no one dares intervene; they're all just standing around watching!"

"What?!" Madam Zhou staggered and nearly fainted.

"Madam!"

The maids rushed to support her. As Madam Zhou steadied herself, she realized Gu Qiulan was nowhere to be seen.

"The young madam has already run off!" Madam Chen cried urgently.

Madam Zhou, beside herself, exclaimed, "Go see what’s happening! My Chuan'er... this will be the death of me!"

Gu Qiulan ran so quickly that none could keep up. As she neared the front courtyard, she heard the shouting within, and her heart leapt into her throat.

"My lifelong reputation, ruined by this wretched boy! Better to beat you to death now than to raise a beast!"

"Go ahead, Father—just kill me if you can!" Qin Muchuan gritted his teeth, sweat streaming down his face. No one knew how many blows he had endured. "I never wanted this marriage in the first place. Now that you know, we might as well divorce!"

"You—"

The Duke of Qin trembled with rage, about to strike again, when suddenly a woman's voice rang out from outside: "Stop!"

"Young madam?"

Steward Zhao turned in shock as the door was flung open and Gu Qiulan strode in.

The stench of blood inside made Gu Qiulan frown, and when she saw Qin Muchuan sprawled across the bench, barely conscious, she rushed to his side, her face full of distress and pity. "Husband, husband, wake up! I'm here—no one will hurt you now!"

Qin Muchuan had been holding on by sheer willpower, but as soon as Gu Qiulan broke through, his strength gave out. Recognizing the woman before him, he managed only, "Gu Qiulan... you... you..." before fainting completely.

"Husband!!!"

Madam Zhou had just reached the doorway and heard Gu Qiulan's anguished, heart-wrenching cry from within. She peered in, trembling—Qin Muchuan lay limp over the bench like a corpse, and she, too, collapsed in a faint.

The front hall descended into utter chaos.