Chapter 264: Chapter 264: Way Out (5)
Xiqiu’s gaze fell on the basin, silently sighing!
The concubine rushed over, almost crazed, incredulously looking at Xu Tianqing and said, "Are you mad?"
"Yes! I am mad!" He laughed at the concubine and said, "I am mad because you forced me. What did you promise me? You said you would let me marry Sixth Sister into the house, but what have you done?" He pointed at Sixing and said, "Did you collude with this girl to push Sixth Sister to marry me as a concubine? When Sixth Sister disagreed, you planned to send her to the temple? Mother... you are ruthless. If you have anger, direct it at me, because Sixth Sister is innocent. It’s been years that I’ve been devoted to her. Son begged her to go away with me..." Xu Tianqing was somewhat hysterical. Initially, he held onto hope, thinking that if he tried hard, his mother and Sixth Sister would understand, and eventually, their marriage would receive everyone’s consent and blessing!
But now, with things at this impasse, Sixth Sister surely must resent him. He no longer has the face to meet her!
They will never again have the chance to share their lives!
Every time he recalls this matter, he feels heartbroken, living in pain worse than dying. Four years of love turned into a bubble, and due to his mistake, he hurt Sixth Sister. He deserves a thousand deaths!
"So, do not blame me for not caring about the kindness of your nurturing!"
The concubine trembled with anger, her face gradually turning purple. Xu Tianqing criticized her in front of so many people, making it unbearable; she lifted her hand and slapped him solidly across the face, saying with eyes reddened, "For your mother forced you? For your mother thinking for you in every aspect, you have no conscience!"
Xu Tianqing seemed indifferent. He suddenly turned to look at Xiqiu and said, "Sixth Sister, please forgive my offense!" After speaking, he turned to Lady, saying, "Nephew is overstepping!" Without waiting for Xiqiu and Lady’s reaction, he pointed at Sixing and Moju, and to the servants behind him said, "Seize them! Drag these two girls out and execute them with sticks!" He couldn’t confront the concubine, but he could use Sixing and Moju to set an example!
Xiqiu displayed an expression of surprise. It was the first time seeing such a Xu Tianqing.
Lady hesitated for a moment, took a deep look at Xu Tianqing, and nodded slightly, showing an approving expression. Sixing, this girl, really couldn’t be kept, thinking that Xu Tianqing would eventually take her in. Since he showed no intention anymore, it’s up to him. As for Moju, being Xu Tianqing’s personal maid, she had no right to intervene!
Moju collapsed in fright and pleaded with the concubine, while Sixing fell with a thud to the ground, crawling a few steps to Xu Tianqing and pleading, "Young master cousin, everything slave has done was for you, without a grain of deceit. Please spare slave; slave will serve you for life without complaint or hatred."
"I cannot bear your intentions," he shrugged and made a hand gesture. Nanny Fang exchanged glances with the servants, who stepped forward. Sixing trembled violently, her gaze moved from Xu Tianqing’s hardened expression to the concubine who was protecting Moju, losing sight of her. Sixing turned to look at Xiqiu, who was frowning deeply. Her gaze flickered and she broke free from the servants to plead with Xiqiu, "Sixth Miss, young master cousin listens most to you; please save slave!"
Xiqiu knit her brows without answering, while Chunyan turned her face away, unwilling to watch. Chunliu, unable to bear it, angrily stepped in front of Xiqiu, isolating Sixing from Xiqiu, "Matters have reached this stage, yet you do not repent and speak nonsense. You deserve to die!" She wanted to personally whip her.
Seeing this, the servants were unencumbered and stuffed a cloth in Sixing’s mouth, and dragged her out as she cried, eyes filled with terror...
Now, pulling Moju, the concubine protected Moju and told Xu Tianqing, "Moju has been with you since childhood. What’s her mistake today? With me here, you cannot harm her!" Xu Tianqing approached the concubine like an arrow, aiming at her coldly, "Even mother said she has been with me since childhood; then her life and death should be decided by me!" He waved his sleeve and the two servants standing behind him stepped forward to seize Moju, who shook her head, crying "Madam, slave doesn’t want to die, please save slave!"
The concubine holding onto Moju sobbed, angrily retorting to Xu Tianqing, "You unfilial child! If you hurt Moju today, I will kick you out of home!"
Xu Tianqing remained unmoved, coldly saying, "Mother, do not hesitate!" He then ordered the servants, "Drag her out!" The concubine’s and Moju’s strength couldn’t compete with several servants plus the strength of the rough-and-common maids, quickly dragging Moju outside!
Soon, sounds of sticks hitting flesh and Sixing and Moju’s muffled cries for mercy could be heard from outside. The concubine listened, horrified, never expecting that the son she raised would treat her like this over a woman. Clutching her chest, she pointed at Xu Tianqing, too choked with anger to speak. Lady couldn’t stand it, coming forward to support the concubine angrily, "Tianqing, you are unreasonable; apologize to your mother!"
Xu Tianqing didn’t pay attention to the concubine and walked to Xiqiu, bowing deeply. He lowered his head, saying, "Six Sister, everything is cousin’s fault; cousin’s incompetence harmed you!" Finished, he swung his sleeves, turned, and strode out. Startled, the concubine rushed to hold him, "Tianqing, where are you going?"
Xu Tianqing, determined, didn’t look back. Following behind, the concubine chased him, but her pace couldn’t match Xu Tianqing, watching helplessly as he left through the door!
Lady pointed to Daihe, "Quickly follow and see." Daihe answered and went, while Lady sighed, wearily waving, "Everyone disperse!"
Xiqiu lowered her face and quietly exited. Outside the courtyard, Sixing and Moju were tied to a long bench, flanked by maids holding their sticks. Each harsh tear of flesh echoed, driving tears from Chunyan’s red-eyed face, unable to hold them back. They had been together for six years, sharing hardships until today. Miss had asked Laiwang’s family to inquire about a marriage proposal for her. If she remained decent, she wouldn’t have sought high fortune but could live stably. Yet, unexpectedly, she focused solely on the young master cousin, heeding the concubine’s words to harm Miss. Who was concubine? She was naively stupid, believing it. Chunyan shook her head, quickening her pace!
Chunliu supported Xiqiu, preventing her from pausing in front of Sixing, leading her quickly back to Zhiqu Courtyard!
Xiqiu’s silent tears fell. She had conceived multiple plans for arranging Sixing’s marriage, imagined her life, but never foresaw it concluding like this!
Chunliu sighed, "Do you think young master cousin... will be alright?" Xu Tianqing’s behavior today was too unusual, and someone typically gentle turned frighteningly angry!
Xiqiu shook her head; Xu Tianqing seemed like a dying man, disregarding everything, and she couldn’t predict what he would do next.
By noon, no one had the mind to eat. Xiqiu sat quietly in the room, mind replaying the image of Sixing covered in blood, and Chunyan entered quietly, weeping, "Miss... slave wishes... to prepare Sixing’s remains."