Chapter 25: Close the Door, Become a Monk (1)

Close the door, bring out the family rules.

"Close the door, bring out the family rules."

As soon as Madam finished speaking, Qu Tan'er sighed once again in her heart, as expected, the main event was about to commence.

First, splash water.

Second, use the family rules, truly one after another, leaving nothing out.

"Master..." Jing Xin was somewhat anxious.

"..." Qu Tan'er shook her head, gave Jing Xin a faint smile, and comforted her.

The door, with a creak, closed.

Instantly, the room was eerily silent, not a single sound could be heard.

At this moment, the butler walked out from the inner room, holding a plate in his hand; on the plate lay a thin board, which made anyone who saw it feel a shiver of dread.

Utilizing the family rules.

"Utilize the family rules."

For the Nth time, Qu Tan'er had already recited Madam's words in her heart. For the past two years, she hadn't been idle in the Qu Manor; she knew exactly what everyone in the Qu Family would say to her.

From beginning to end, there were many people in the room, some sitting, some standing, yet not one person would come forward to utter a word in her defense; they were either secretly laughing or completely indifferent, cold as ice.

"Tell me, how many family rules have you violated today?" Madam took down the board and asked Qu Tan'er gloomily.

"Please, Madam, enlighten me." Qu Tan'er lowered her head, waiting for the board to strike, tightly gripping her hands, enduring as she ought to.

Suddenly, she regretted not preparing to escape the day she married into the Eighth Prince Manor; otherwise, at this very moment, her plight would not be this miserable.

"First, you violated one rule of the Qu Family, showing no respect to your elders. Should you be beaten?"

"I should be beaten," Qu Tan'er replied.

"Second, you violated seven rules of the Qu Family. Failing to serve your husband's family properly. Should you be beaten?"

"I should be beaten."

"Third, you..."

"I should be beaten." Please beat me quickly, she was waiting.

Qu Tan'er grew a bit impatient. One, two, three, counting each violation. Madam wasn't tired of saying it, but she was tired of listening. Moreover, Madam wasn't tired sitting and talking, while she ached standing and responding.

"Then, how many strikes do you think you should receive?"

"As many as you wish to give." Madam's question was straightforward, and Qu Tan'er's reply was even simpler, readily yielding to Madam's will, as long as it wouldn't be fatal, although the one being beaten was herself.

"Alright, this is what you said."

"I..."

Slap!

Qu Tan'er meant to say something, but before she could, the first strike from the board came down harshly on her back, nearly knocking her forward to the ground.

Pain!

It was truly painful, a searing agony!

The moment the board struck, the pain radiated through her body from her back, leaving her speechless.

"Master." Startled, Jing Xin rushed to shield Qu Tan'er from the blows.

"Stop, do not come over." Qu Tan'er glared coldly at Jing Xin, one brief glance with a fierce eye, and then she quickly lowered her head again. Her movements were too swift for anyone to follow. Jing Xin, in that moment, froze, not daring to move closer.

This debt, Qu Tan'er would remember; someone owed her, and one day, she would make them repay, every single bit.

Slap!

The second strike came down harder, causing Qu Tan'er to lose her balance and stagger forward.