Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 8: Bring Out the Family Discipline

After paying his morning respects, Xie Shi'an still had to attend school.

He would always arrive over an hour earlier than required, studying and practicing calligraphy there with great diligence.

Just as he was about to leave, a commotion suddenly erupted in the courtyard.

Yun Chu furrowed her brow.

Ting Feng hurried in from outside: "Madam, the Second Young Master has taken a liking to the cricket in Chen Bo's hands. What should we do about this matter?"

At the mention of crickets, Yun Chu's mind conjured the image of yesterday's delicate, jade-like child.

Although that child had lacked manners and decorum, jumping all over her and acting recklessly, for some reason, she couldn't muster any dislike toward him.

She rose and walked toward the courtyard.

The morning was bright, and the concubines had brought their sons and daughters to pay respects, making the courtyard quite lively.

It so happened that Chen Defu arrived carrying a cricket cage, and when the two groups encountered each other, Xie Shiwei spotted the cricket.

The eight-year-old Xie Shiwei lifted his chin and commanded: "Give me that cricket!"

Chen Defu looked troubled: "Second Young Master, this cricket was specially ordered by Madam for this old servant to find for..."

"Just hand it over when I tell you to! Stop wasting time with excuses!" Xie Shiwei snorted through his nose. "Mother has always been the most generous—how could she possibly begrudge me a single cricket!"

"Wow, this cricket looks really strong!" exclaimed the four-year-old Xie Shi'an, his eyes wide open. "Second Brother, can I play with the cricket too?"

Xie Shiwei felt displeased.

Mother had always doted most on Third Brother, giving him whatever he wanted. How could he now come to snatch away a mere cricket...

"You're just a little brat—what do you know about playing? Get lost!"

He shot a glare at Xie Shi'an and strode toward Chen Defu.

After all, Chen Defu was merely a servant, and he knew that Madam had always indulged these young masters.

He wasn't certain whether Madam would give this cricket to the Second Young Master and then have him search for another one...

While he hesitated, the cage was snatched from his hands by Xie Shiwei.

Xie Shiwei tore the cage open, and the cricket leaped out, darting toward the nearby bushes.

"How dare you run away!"

Xie Shiwei threw down the cage and gave chase.

An eight-year-old boy is at his most agile age—with one pounce, he trapped the cricket beneath his palm.

He scrambled up from the ground and, lifting his head, saw Yun Chu standing on the steps not far away.

He hastily bowed: "Mother."

Only then did the others in the courtyard notice Yun Chu's presence, and they all lowered their heads in greeting.

Yun Chu's gaze fixed on Xie Shiwei.

The Second Young Master of the Xie family had not inherited Xie Jingyu's intelligence and diligence. He was mischievous by nature, disliked studying, and at eight years old still refused to attend school.

He slept until late morning every day, and it was considered fortunate if he showed up to pay respects three or four times in half a month.

Although Xie Shiwei wasn't her most beloved child, she had never shown favoritism, striving to raise and educate each child equally...

Since Xie Shiwei showed no promise in his studies, she had asked her elder brother to use the Yun family's influence to send this son into the military camp... It was precisely this mistaken decision that granted Xie Shiwei free access to the Yun Family Army camp. The evidence that confirmed the Yun family's rebellion had been personally hidden by Xie Shiwei among her father's correspondence...

As these thoughts churned within her, Yun Chu's aura grew intimidating.

Xie Shi'an, standing behind her, keenly sensed the shift in her mood."Shiwei." Xie Shi'an stepped forward, speaking with an elder brother's authority. "Taking the cricket without permission is no act of a gentleman. Our Xie family has built its reputation through scholarship. Such behavior brings shame upon us. If Grandfather and Father were to learn of this, they would surely punish you with wall-facing reflection. Quickly return the cricket to its cage and apologize to Mother!"

Xie Shiwei first glanced at Yun Chu.

Normally at such times, Mother would say it was just a cricket, nothing significant, and let him take it to play with.

But now, Mother's face was stern, her eyes somewhat frightening.

He had no choice but to open his palm.

"Eh, why isn't the cricket moving?" Xie Shiyun exclaimed from the side. "Oh no! It seems Second Brother has smothered the cricket to death!"

Xie Shiwei poked at it, but the cricket remained motionless.

He frowned. "How could it die so easily..."

"Kneel down!"

Yun Chu coldly spat out these two words.

Xie Shiwei could hardly believe it. "Why?"

"All these years, I've been too indulgent with you, allowing you to develop this lawless temperament!" Yun Chu's voice was sharp. "Taking without asking is theft. Our dynasty's laws state clearly that thieves shall be branded on the forehead. This is a lifelong disgrace. How would your father maintain his position in official circles? How would your elder brother pursue his studies and official career..."

"I didn't steal anything!"

Xie Shiwei grew somewhat panicked. Despite his mischievous nature, he knew better than to accept the label of thief.

"Mother, I was just being playful. I was wrong. I'll never do it again..."

He had taken Mother's things like this before, and she had just smiled and let him have them.

Why was she making such a big deal of it this time...

But he didn't dare ask further, only obediently admitting his fault, hoping Mother would let the matter drop.

Yun Chu turned slightly to look at Xie Shi'an beside her. "An Ge'er, what do you think should be done about this?"

Xie Shi'an bowed his head. "To recognize one's fault and correct it is the greatest virtue. Since Shiwei acknowledges his mistake, let him compensate with another cricket of equal value."

Xie Shiwei's face fell miserably.

His elder brother shared the same mother with him—why wasn't he pleading on his behalf? Instead, he suggested compensation.

All his money had been spent on food, drink, and entertainment. Where would he get money to compensate Mother? Wasn't this making things difficult for him?

Yun Chu smiled. "An Ge'er, do you know who this cricket was intended for?"

Xie Shi'an shook his head.

"It was meant for the Young Son of Prince Pingxi's household." Yun Chu's smile vanished abruptly, her voice turning cold. "If it were my things, Wei Ge'er could take them as he pleases—we're family, I wouldn't mind! But what status does Prince Pingxi hold? You must have heard. The Young Son of Prince Pingxi's household—can our Xie family afford to offend him? Today, Wei Ge'er smothers the Young Son's cricket; tomorrow, he might ruin some princess's dress; the day after, he might pick flowers carefully cultivated by some Princess Consort... If we don't punish him properly, do you think Wei Ge'er will learn his lesson?"

Xie Shi'an was utterly astonished.

Mother had actually connected with a household like Prince Pingxi's—she must have expended considerable effort.

This cricket, painstakingly obtained to please the Young Son, had died in Shiwei's hands. No wonder Mother was so furious.

Xie Shi'an spoke slowly. "Then let it be dealt with according to family rules."

Yun Chu curved her lips. "Indeed, An Ge'er understands propriety and considers the bigger picture. Someone, bring the family punishment tools.""No!" Xie Shiwei's eyes widened in terror. "I don't want to be caned, I don't! Can't I just compensate for the cricket..."

The Xie family had established this rule since its founding: those who committed serious offenses must face family discipline, starting with twenty strokes of the cane.

There was once a maidservant who colluded with an outside servant to embezzle the Xie family's silver. Old Madam had her beaten so severely she became permanently disabled, never able to leave her bed again.

This incident left a tremendous psychological shadow on Xie Shiwei.

He feared being beaten until his skin split and flesh tore, feared he might never be able to get out of bed again...