The Sickly Senior Sister Ran Away After We Got Intimate - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: If You Persist in This, I Will Inform Master

He Chen’s explanation had originally been intended as a vague evasion, yet she had nearly blurted out her previous secrets in the process.

Chang Nong’s face shifted between shades of blue and white, her expression growing increasingly somber. Seeing He Chen stop abruptly, she knew the girl hadn’t finished her thought.

In this tense atmosphere of questions and answers, Xiang Qingqing felt as if she were sitting on a bed of needles. She sensed Chang Nong’s gaze pressing down on her like a heavy hammer; her heart was filled with terror, cold sweat trickled down, and she completely lost her composure.

She hung her head, raised a trembling hand, and said in a timid voice: “Replying to Master, it… it wasn’t that ‘whatever-it-is,’ it… it was me…”

“Why did you do it?” The tension in Chang Nong’s cheeks relaxed slightly; she had already anticipated this answer.

Xiang Qingqing rose slowly and explained in a weak voice: “Junior Sister was injured, and I mistakenly thought she hadn’t finished. Thus, I took it upon myself to write a copy for her. Junior Sister was unaware.”

Thwack! The disciplinary ruler in Chang Nong’s hand struck the desk heavily, emitting a dull, resounding crack.

“Every single one of you… do you treat your Master’s words as wind passing through your ears? Schoolwork is your personal cultivation, not something you do for me! Two absurd incidents have broken out one after another today. Yingyi, as the Eldest Senior Sister, you also bear an inescapable responsibility!”

Chang Nong was not considered a strict teacher; she rarely lost her temper and did not often punish her disciples. Regarding the incident in the medicinal fields, if handled strictly according to the Hall’s rules, everyone involved should have been punished long ago. Had this scene in the study not occurred, she had intended to let the destruction of the herbs slide and turn the page.

But He Chen had challenged her bottom line time and again, ignoring the rules and refusing to reform despite repeated warnings, leaving her deeply disappointed. If she did not punish this behavior, she feared her authority would never be established, and He Chen would never feel remorse. Worse yet, if other disciples followed suit, it would foster a toxic atmosphere.

“It is my failure for not setting a good example and failing to discover my sisters’ misconduct in time. I ask Master for punishment.” Wen Yingyi stood up, sincerely taking the blame of her own accord.

From the moment He Chen tried to blame the ancestors for the transcription, Wen Yingyi had wanted to confess that she was the one who wrote it. She hadn’t expected to be stopped twice by Chang Nong. Afterward, Xiang Qingqing was the first to admit her mistake, which made Wen Yingyi finally understand the whole story. It turned out that besides her, Xiang Qingqing had also helped He Chen; that was how Chang Nong had spotted the discrepancy.

In the past, when He Chen lived with her, there were occasionally times when transcriptions were unfinished, and she had secretly imitated He Chen’s handwriting to help complete them a few times. Later, after He Chen moved out to live alone, she stopped helping and only kept a close watch, reminding her frequently, and He Chen had managed to finish them on her own.

But this time, because He Chen was injured, Wen Yingyi mistakenly assumed He Chen hadn’t written a single word. Fearing she would be punished for the destroyed medicinal field, and considering her Coming-of-Age ceremony was approaching—a day that should be celebrated—she worried a punishment before the ceremony might leave a psychological shadow. Thus, she decided to help once more.

As the saying goes, “If you walk by the river often enough, your shoes are bound to get wet.” Wen Yingyi silently resolved in her heart that she would never again violate her principles to shield He Chen. Once the ceremony passed, He Chen would be an adult in name and fact; she truly could not coddle her any longer.

“Though He Chen wrote her own transcription, the two of you knowingly violated the rules, colluded together, and lied to deceive your elder. This violates the Hall rules. Considering it is a first offense, the punishment will be light: ten lashes of the whip. As for Senior Sister Wen Yingyi—” Chang Nong paused, looking at Wen Yingyi.

She remembered that Wen Yingyi had just suffered a miasma flare-up; her body was weak and could not withstand a beating. After a moment’s thought, she announced: “The penalty is fifteen days of labor in the back kitchen.”

“Master, everything was caused by my lack of strict discipline. Seeing as my two junior sisters have not committed a grave error and have a sincere attitude in admitting their fault, could Master lighten the punishment and let the two of them serve in the kitchen with me instead?” Wen Yingyi hurriedly pleaded. She turned back to glance at He Chen.

A tiny cut and a slight waist injury were enough for the girl to shamelessly insist on sleeping in Wen Yingyi’s room; if she took ten lashes, that small frame wouldn’t be able to bear it. She would likely move in permanently and never leave. Moreover, Wen Yingyi’s flare-ups had become frequent lately, so she couldn’t easily let He Chen stay over, and with the lingering effects of the Ten Thousand Wonders Bone-Eroding Pill, she couldn’t take care of her up close.

Though Xiang Qingqing was strong and healthy, both had made a mistake, and she couldn’t favor one over the other without giving people cause for gossip. Therefore, she decided to shoulder it all together. At this thought, Wen Yingyi shook her head, even more determined to take the punishment for them.

But how could Chang Nong let her have her way?

“I have already shown extraordinary mercy by giving only ten lashes for a first offense. This is not up for negotiation.” Chang Nong’s tone left no room for discussion. She stood up, gave Wen Yingyi a meaningful look, and turned to leave with her hands behind her back, but Wen Yingyi called out to her.

“Master, the primary responsibility lies with me. I am willing to take the punishment on behalf of my sisters. I ask Master to grant this.” Wen Yingyi implored.

Chang Nong knit her brows tightly, appearing displeased by the suggestion: “Those who make mistakes should bear the consequences themselves. As the Eldest Senior Sister, you failed to be a role model, and I have already given you a corresponding penalty. One thing at a time; what are you trying to prove by showing off now?”

Hearing Wen Yingyi offer to take her punishment, He Chen was startled and immediately stood up, saying urgently: “Master is right! One person acts, one person bears it. Second Senior Sister and I have realized our mistakes and are willing to accept the punishment. This has nothing to do with Eldest Senior Sister; she shouldn’t take it for us.”

As He Chen spoke, she didn’t forget to wink at Xiang Qingqing, signaling her to speak up: “Second Senior Sister, say something!”

Xiang Qingqing felt conflicted. She had thought that if Chang Nong agreed to Wen Yingyi’s request, she could avoid physical pain. Although it felt a bit wrong to do that to Wen Yingyi, the prospect of escaping punishment made her hesitate. She hadn’t even finished being happy when He Chen shattered her fantasy. Not only was He Chen ungrateful, she even demanded they reject the kindness together.

Xiang Qingqing sighed and nodded helplessly along with He Chen’s words: “Yes… yes, one person acts, one person bears it. We made a mistake, so we should bravely bear the consequences.”

Seeing that all three had stated their positions, Chang Nong decided: “Fine, it is settled. Remember this lesson and do not repeat it. Follow me to the ancestral shrine to receive punishment.” She swept her sleeves and left.

Seeing this, everyone hurriedly packed their belongings and followed closely with their bags. The group braved the scorching sun, moving from the study to the ancestral shrine.

“Let’s go, time for the shrine,” He Chen shrugged at Xiang Qingqing, offering an apologetic smile. “I’ve dragged Second Senior Sister into this. Let me apologize first; from now on, I’ll take care of all the weeding in your medicinal field.”

“Forget it, even your own field is managed by others. I appreciate the thought,” Xiang Qingqing declined with a shake of her head. She stood up to straighten her clothes, her hands busily fiddling behind her back as if adjusting something.

“Second Senior Sister, let’s go.” He Chen had already walked out of the study. Seeing Xiang Qingqing still lingering inside, she stood in the courtyard to wait for her.

The two left the courtyard, following at the back of the group, their faces heavy. After walking a short distance, He Chen thought of the upcoming whipping and felt a shiver run through her body. She looked ahead, leaned toward Xiang Qingqing, and asked in a low voice: “I remember Second Senior Sister was punished before. Do you know any good ways to lessen the pain?”

“This.” Xiang Qingqing turned around and pointed at her bottom. “Feel it.”

He Chen touched it lightly and found a thick layer of padding. She asked in surprise: “Senior Sister, did you stuff it with cotton pads? But how did you know beforehand that you’d be punished today?”

Xiang Qingqing raised an eyebrow, looking smug. “My eyelid was twitching this morning; I felt like something was going to happen, so I prepared a backup. I didn’t expect it to actually come in handy.”

“Sigh—” He Chen sighed, suddenly overcome with sorrow. “Then what should I do now? I haven’t prepared anything…”

Xiang Qingqing looked left and right, then secretly pulled a cotton pad from her satchel and stuffed it into He Chen’s bag. “I already prepared one for you. Quick, take it and find a hidden spot to pad yourself.”

“Senior Sister, you’re a genius!” He Chen’s eyes lit up, and she gave Xiang Qingqing a sudden hug. “You’re my savior!”

The two were immersed in their little cleverness, thinking they could lessen the coming pain, unaware that Wen Yingyi—who was behind them—had seen everything.

“Do not,” Wen Yingyi spoke suddenly, her voice cold. “Do not play small tricks. Master will personally supervise the punishment today.”

“Why not?” He Chen turned to face Wen Yingyi, nervously clutching her satchel behind her back.

“Look at the clothes you are wearing.” Wen Yingyi tilted her chin, signaling them to check their attire.

He Chen turned in a circle and said in confusion: “Is there a problem? It’s the same as what we usually wear.”

Xiang Qingqing was startled to find Wen Yingyi right behind them. She stammered: “Senior Sister, I… I know this is inappropriate, but Junior Sister has a weak constitution. With those thin arms and legs, how can she survive ten lashes?”

She had experienced the whip herself and knew the feeling better than anyone. Without a cotton pad for protection, one would be bedridden for ten days to a fortnight. Furthermore, it was the height of summer; if one wasn’t careful, the wounds could easily fester. She didn’t want to remove the pad and feared Wen Yingyi, so she used He Chen as an excuse.

Xiang Qingqing had a vague sense that Wen Yingyi was always more lenient toward He Chen than others, and she gambled that Wen Yingyi wouldn’t want to see He Chen suffer.

“If you persist in this, I will inform Master, and then it will not be ten lashes.” Wen Yingyi’s words carried a threat. She shook her head slightly, her gaze sweeping across Xiang Qingqing’s back.

With a thick cotton pad stuffed in her seat, Xiang Qingqing’s profile was unnaturally bulging as she stood sideways. Summer clothes were thin to begin with; the outline of the cotton pad was glaringly obvious.

“Inform?” Xiang Qingqing froze, her face turning pale instantly.

“Eldest Senior Sister, can you please just pretend you don’t know?” He Chen pleaded. Her gaze followed Wen Yingyi’s line of sight, and what she saw gave her a fright. Her eyes went wide and she gasped: “Second Senior Sister, Eldest Senior Sister is right, take it out quickly!”

“Junior Sister, even you—” Before Xiang Qingqing could finish, He Chen added: “Take it out fast! Summer clothes are thin and the cotton pad is very obvious. Plus, Senior Sister’s bottom looks way too perky; Master will definitely notice.”

“Eh? Is it that obvious?” Xiang Qingqing turned back in a panic. “Looking at it like this, it really is a bit obvious. What if I pat it down flatter?”

Xiang Qingqing was unwilling to give up and slapped it several times, but the cotton pad remained fluffy. “Fine, I’ll take it out.”

“The others have almost reached the shrine. Hurry your pace and do not be late.” Having said this, Wen Yingyi bypassed them and strode toward the ancestral shrine.

“Thank you for the reminder, Eldest Senior Sister—” He Chen shouted her thanks.

Fortunately, Wen Yingyi had warned them in time; otherwise, if they were caught during the punishment, a true catastrophe would have followed. The two quickly stuffed the pads into their bags and hurried to keep up with Wen Yingyi.

Xiang Qingqing looked perplexed. As they walked, she asked: “I’ve been wondering, why did Junior Sister write a transcription herself but still have me write another one?”

He Chen stopped and leaned mysteriously toward Xiang Qingqing’s ear, whispering: “I didn’t write it! It truly was like seeing a ghost; I really thought the ancestors had manifested. It happened several times before and Master never noticed.”

Wen Yingyi suddenly stopped walking and let out an involuntary sneeze. Her body trembled slightly as a chill washed over her.

“How strange… but there’s no use talking about it now. Eat a ditch, gain a wisdom (learn from your mistakes). Junior Sister is almost of age; you must be more serious about your schoolwork in the future.” Xiang Qingqing lightly pulled He Chen’s sleeve, and the two continued at a brisk pace.

Soon, everyone arrived at the ancestral shrine. Chang Nong said nothing more and simply had the disciples stationed at the Discipline Hall bring the whips.

He Chen and Xiang Qingqing knelt side-by-side inside the shrine, kowtowing three times to the spirit tablets of the past Hall Masters. Afterward, the two rose and walked outside to the courtyard, each lying face down on a wooden bench facing the spirit tablets. They gritted their teeth, prepared to receive the punishment.

“All of you shall take these two as a warning,” Chang Nong stood on the steps before the door with her hands behind her back. Although a flash of pity crossed her eyes, she turned her head away and raised her hand, waving it once. “Begin.”

As her voice fell, the disciples executing the punishment raised their whips.

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