Shi Mingyuan coldly said, “Not even sent out yet and you dare have a relationship with a man? If I don’t educate you well, my family’s reputation will go down the drain! Someone come! Hit her with a plank 10 times!”

Hearing these words, Shi Jingxuan’s legs went soft. But pleading was useless by this point. Shi Mingyuan’s words are never taken back.

These ten plank hits were all hit on her legs. Shi Mingyuan was clearly warning her not to run around with others.

None of the people present dared to move. Seeing her punishment, many thoughts ran through her mind.

Shi Qingshan’s eyes swept over Shi Chenghuan.

She knew that in this house, Father was hard on everyone except for Shi Chenghuan.

Shi Mingyuan was a man with an eye for talent. He could see Shi Chenghuan’s beauty and talent and knew that she would be a ladder up in the future.

If everything goes well, she would marry into the royal family one day, the hope of the family.

Therefore, everyone treated Shi Chenghuan like the Buddha. Other people, especially her, Shi Qingshan, were trampled underfoot.

Shi Qingshan long knew the unfairness of the world, but she will not endure it blindly this time around! She will never obediently hand over what rightfully belongs to her!

Shi Jingxuan was not only beaten but also sentenced to copying the holy scriptures five times and posting it on the temple door.

This was a terrible scandal. No one cared to find out whether Luo Feifan was waiting for Shi Jingxuan tonight or not, the note and ruby bracelet was more than enough proof.

With such a ruckus, Shi Jingxuan hatefully glared at Shi Qingshan as she was taken away. This matter had blown up way out of proportions!

Shi Qingshan meekly said with red eyes, “Second Sister, I…”

The madam looked at Shi Qingshan, complicated emotions flashing by her eyes.

This incident was definitely caused by Shi Jingxuan’s wanton behavior. Shi Chenghuan also understood that. She was just surprised that Shi Qingshan stood up for herself; that was out of her expectations.

But then she thought about it: the panicked rabbit bites back.

She patted Shi Qingshan’s shoulder, “Don’t worry about it too much. If Jingxuan does something wrong in the future, come find me, your second sister. Second Sister thinks that it’s still best to not let Father know lest he be disappointed once again.”

The madam was satisfied with Shi Chenghuan’s response.

Shi Qingshan obediently nodded her head, sneering inside. If someone else heard this, wouldn’t they praise Shi Chenghuan for being a loving elder sister and caring towards her parents?

Shi Chenghuan, Shi Chenghuan, I’m going to tear off your mask and let people see your wicked heart!

She returned to her courtyard and finally let out a sigh of relief. She sat down by the window.

“Fifth Young Miss, your lowly servant has heated your dinner for you. Come and eat quickly! There’re chicken legs tonight, too!” Wen Cha set down the food and happily said.

Shi Qingshan sat at the table and looked at the leftovers. She couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile. Who would’ve thought the Prime Minister’s granddaughter would eat worse than a servant?

She smiled warmly at Wen Cha, “I ate some good snacks at Second Sister’s place. You should eat the chicken leg and throw out the rest.”

Wen Cha’s eyes lit up. She cleaned up as she happily said, “Then I’ll save the rest for Duan Xian. She’s probably hungry after working for a day.”

Watching Wen Cha close the door behind her, Shi Qingshan’s eyes involuntarily began tearing up. This weak self can’t even support her two servants! She can’t bear this devastating situation any longer…

“Heh heh, you’ll be even uglier if you cry!”

Hearing the light chuckle, Shi Qingshan snapped her head around and saw the playful scoundrel she met this morning lazing about on her bed. He crossed his legs and smiled leisurely.

Shi Qingshan wanted to scream but found it inappropriate to do so and merely watched him vigilantly.

Yang Ze yawned and squinted at her, “Why did you stop screaming? Tell all the Prime Minister’s men to come and capture me! I have many stories to tell for example… the story about a certain girl flipping over the wall to get a kite. I’m sure they would love to hear it!”

Shi Qingshan calmed down and relaxed her face. She respectfully bowed, “Greetings to the young master. I was in a rush this morning and had to leave quickly. Can you push back the matter regarding the money I borrowed?”

“Oh, how many days do you need?” Yang Ze leisurely asked with a sly look, “The Fifth Young Miss of the Prime Minister’s house doesn’t even have a few coppers. Is there something wrong?”

She smiled lightly, “The education of the family is strict. It’s not appropriate for us to hold money.”

“So the Prime Minister’s family all dress so… simply. You guys sure are frugal. The Emperor would be pleased if he knew!” Yang Ze laughed happily, shoulders shaking with laughter.

‘Looks like this guy is scheming something.’ Shi Qingshan smiled, “What does young master need?”

Yang Ze continued play catch, “Just passing by and decided to take a look at your ug— hey! Fifth Young Miss!” (Wu Xiaojie, Fifth Eldest Young Miss)

Bang bang.

Shi Qingshan subconsciously looked at the door. When she turned back around, Yang Ze was already gone. The window was still slightly open, letting in a cool breeze.

She was too nervous and didn’t feel the cold until now. Shi Qingshan quickly closed the window and opened the door, “Third Sister…”

The person who came was the third daughter of the Prime Minister Shi Hongxiao. Her birth mother was called Jiu Yue, the servant girl sent along as a dowry from the Jiu family. Bringing her over was also a slap in the face to Shi Mingyuan.

At the age of fifteen, Shi Hongxiao already had seductive curves. With every sweep of her charming eyes, thousands upon thousands of pure and innocent young men fell.

She was not a conforming young lady. Take for example today’s matter: if it were Shi Hongxiao that went out, no one would’ve said anything.

Shi Hongxiao swiveled her hip as she walked in, her eyes cold, “Why do you take so long to open the door? Look at your place, it’s like a freezer!”

Shi Qingshan and Shi Hongxiao don’t come by usually. Why did she visit today?

“Third Sister, please wait a moment. I’ll let Wen Cha brew another pot of tea…”

Shi Hongxiao reached out her small, jade-like hand, “Ah, no thanks! There’s no way your tea would taste good anyways!”

Knowing that she was a straightforward person, Shi Qingshan didn’t take it to heart.

Shi Hongxiao blinked her eyes, seemingly beside herself with laughter, “I heard that Jingxuan was punished because of you?”

Shi Qingshan pursed her lips. It was true, but why did it sound so warped coming from her mouth?

Seeing that she didn’t deny it, Shi Hongxiao rolled in laughter as she clapped her hands, “She’s so annoying! Always acting like a lapdog, licking at Second Sister’s shoes all day! What you did is very relieving!”

“Third Sister, I didn’t do anything…”

“Whether you did anything or not, the result greatly pleases me!”

Shi Hongxiao lifted her red lips and looked at her meaningfully, “Qingshan, you’re usually very timid and weak, I didn’t expect you to pack quite a punch! You’re finally not that foolish anymore…”

“Third Sister…”

“Your place is so cold! I won’t hold you up any longer! I was just here to give you some coal.”

Shi Hongxiao got up. Her maid Yixing had long put a basket of coal into the small stove.

After Shi Hongxiao left, her strong perfume continued to linger in the room.

Shi Qingshan was greatly despised, an unloved daughter, even her coal for heating was limited.

When the stove heated up, Shi Qingshan felt warm all over her body and sunk deep into thought.

In her past life, after Jiu Liu was sent to Dakong Temple, Jiu Yue instantly severed off all ties to them. She also hung around the madam, Zhang Rou, and Concubine Zhang and made merry with them too.

But after thinking about it carefully, Jiu Yue and Shi Hongxiao never did anything bad to her. In fact, they often sent coal over during the night like this…

It looks like the people she misunderstood in her past life was not only Jiu Liu, but also Jiu Yue!

Furthermore, just who was that mischievous young master?