Volume 1, Chapter 17: The Young Master’s Concubine Angers the Princess Consort to Illness

The princess consort certainly understood Shen Yujiao’s intentions. However, considering that she had just been humiliated by Xiao’er that very morning, and now it was only a matter of punishing a mere maidservant, she decided to let her vent her anger as she pleased.

With this thought, she nodded and, supported by her maid, returned to her chambers to rest.

After the princess consort left, Shen Yujiao proudly approached Yunxi, looking down on her from above with disdain in her eyes.

“Today, I will discipline you on behalf of my brother, so you understand your place,” she said contemptuously.

Shen Yujiao was not content with simply making Yunxi kneel. She ordered someone to bring a bucket of ice water and poured it over Yunxi, drenching her from head to toe.

Though it was nearly April, the temperature remained cold. The icy water caused Yunxi’s entire body to tremble uncontrollably.

Yunxi knew there were guards in the courtyard who, though powerless to stop this decree, would surely inform Gu Nanxiao. Yet she did not know how Gu Nanxiao would respond, since the order came from his mother.

Seeing Yunxi soaked and yet not looking defeated but instead appearing fragile and beautiful, Shen Yujiao’s jealousy only deepened.

She ordered two more buckets of ice water to be poured over Yunxi.

Now not a single spot on Yunxi’s body was dry; water dripped from her cheeks and hair. Shivering violently, her complexion turned pale.

At the sight of Yunxi’s miserable state, Shen Yujiao finally showed a faint expression of satisfaction. She sat down on a nearby chair, sipping hot tea as she instructed:

“Two of you, Ma’am Li and Ma’am Wang, take the whips and watch this wretched maid closely. If her kneeling posture falters, be sure to punish her thoroughly.”

Ma’am Li and Ma’am Wang had been with the princess consort since her marriage, accompanying her from the Xu family as dowry maids. They had served in the Yongwang Mansion for over twenty years without ever being mistreated.

Having just been harshly knocked to the ground by this lowly chambermaid, their wrists, backs, and the back of their heads still throbbed painfully. Now that they had the chance to retaliate, they would not show mercy.

Using Yunxi’s trembling as an excuse, they lashed her whole body with the whips: her back, shoulders, arms, and even once striking her jaw.

When Gu Nanxiao and his guards entered Qingfeng Courtyard, they saw her kneeling on the ground wearing only a soaked undergarment, her body covered in bloody whip marks.

He strode to her side and kicked Ma’am Li and Ma’am Wang to the ground. Then, removing his cloak, he draped it over Yunxi and bent down to lift her horizontally into his arms.

Turning to the two wailing maids on the floor, he said, “Tell Mother that from now on, no one in my courtyard needs her supervision.”

Everyone present shrank back, afraid to breathe too loudly, trying to diminish their presence lest Gu Nanxiao’s wrath fall upon them.

At the moment Gu Nanxiao embraced her, a surge of grievance welled up in Yunxi’s heart. Yet her expression remained blank as she looked up to meet his gaze.

For a moment, she was unsure whether to thank him for his rescue or resent him for bringing trouble that led to her undeserved suffering.

The faint pity in Gu Nanxiao’s eyes was meaningless to Yunxi. But today’s incident was something she vowed to repay in kind when the opportunity arose.

Though her face betrayed no emotion and she said nothing, Gu Nanxiao sensed that the young girl harbored resentment towards him.

They exchanged looks for a while before Yunxi, weary, closed her eyes. Seeing her pale face and feeling her trembling body, Gu Nanxiao said nothing further and held her close as he walked toward his own courtyard.

Passing by Shen Yujiao, Gu Nanxiao stopped and fixed her with a murderous glare, though his words were directed at his subordinates behind him:

“Each guard on duty in the courtyard today is to receive thirty lashes. From now on, no one is allowed entry under any orders, especially those involving any Miss Biao or Miss Gu. If it happens again, they need not accompany me.”

Shen Yujiao was so frightened she had to be supported by her maid. Gu Nanxiao’s murderous gaze made her feel as if her neck could be snapped at any moment.

She repeatedly comforted herself inwardly: she had the backing of her grandmother and aunt; her cousin would never truly do her harm.

Even if that wretched maid was punished, it was by her aunt’s command. Her cousin would not despise her over such a trivial matter.

He was merely angry now; once she humbled herself and appeased him, his anger would naturally subside.

No sooner had Gu Nanxiao carried Yunxi out of Qingfeng Courtyard than he ordered, “Send for the house doctor and bring two charcoal braziers immediately.”

The house doctor was dragged inside by Qian Yu, barely catching his breath before being summoned to examine Yunxi’s injuries.

After a moment, the doctor reported, “Miss Yun’s injuries are all superficial. The marks on her jaw only require continuous application of ointment and will heal quickly.

“Although her knees are bruised, there is no damage to ligaments or bones. To hasten recovery, apply some blood-activating medicinal wine and massage repeatedly.

“As for the cold from the ice water, I will prescribe a warming remedy; once taken, she should avoid serious harm.”

Gu Nanxiao waved his hand to signal the doctor to begin treatment. Then he approached the bed, personally helping Yunxi change out of her wet clothes before holding her tightly in his arms again.

Feeling the warmth radiating from Gu Nanxiao’s chest, the chill in her body eased, yet the coldness within her heart remained untouched.

Gu Nanxiao had long sensed something was amiss with Yunxi. She seemed like an emotionless puppet, her gaze fixed blankly ahead, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

Recalling the humiliation she suffered when first brought to the mansion, sent by Consort Xu to be mocked, and her earlier attempt to drown herself, a sudden unease gripped him.

He tightened his hold, pondering a moment before saying, “I know you were wronged today. I will inform Mother not to impose any more rules on you.”

Having spoken, he waited long for a response that never came. After holding her a while longer, he instructed Zisu to stoke the charcoal braziers and then returned to Qingfeng Courtyard.

Gu Nanxiao stayed in the princess consort’s chamber for the duration of a tea session before emerging. No sooner had he stepped out than the sound of breaking porcelain and the princess consort’s sobbing echoed from within.

A maid burst out in a hurry to fetch the house doctor. Gu Nanxiao hesitated briefly but ultimately left Qingfeng Courtyard.

Within moments, news that the eldest young master had fallen ill from anger over protecting his chambermaid spread throughout the mansion.

Soon after, Gu Nanxiao was summoned to the study by the Yongwang and severely reprimanded.

No sooner had he returned to his courtyard than a young servant reported, “Eldest young master, Miss Yun has suddenly developed a high fever. But all the house doctors are currently attending to the princess consort. What shall we do…”