The doors were tightly shut, plunging the entire Flower Hall into boundless darkness.
Xuan Xiaowu lay sprawled over a chair, his frail body heaving, his face streaked with tears. He could no longer even cry.
The little black snake hid inside his shell, curling tightly into himself.
At first, Xuan Xiaowu had struggled. Then Chen Pozi came in and locked him firmly in an armbar, leaving his entire backside exposed to ensure that every stroke Jian Ruonan delivered landed good and solid.
Unable to struggle free, Xuan Xiaowu began to cry, calling for Nan Nan, Jia Rou, the Fourth Prince, his maternal grandmother, his maternal grandfather, his imperial grandfather, his imperial grandmother...
Jian Ruonan said, "You could scream your throat raw, and no one would come to save you!"
"Aah, uh, aah, uh-" The little turtle was beaten until he brayed like a donkey.
Watching from the side, Commandery Princess Jiarou sucked in a sharp breath. "Fifth Miss, it's only five thousand taels! There's no need to kill him over it! Can't I just forget the debt?"
Jian Ruonan said, "Commandery Princess, you don't understand. If he dares owe five thousand taels today, tomorrow he'll dare owe fifty thousand, or five hundred million!"
"Steal needles as a child, and you'll steal gold when you grow up!"
"I'm not beating him. I'm helping him!"
Xuan Xiaowu: "..."
Am I supposed to thank you, too?!
"Awooo-"
Once she had beaten him enough, Jian Ruonan set down the cane. A maid immediately brought a towel and basin to wipe her sweat and massage her shoulders.
The doors opened, letting sunlight stream in again, but Xuan Xiaowu felt not a trace of warmth. Jian Ruonan's gaze was so cold that it sent him shivering.
The fragile little turtle sniffled and sobbed, vowing to wash