“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
The crisp sound of slaps echoed, accompanied by Zhang Er Gongzi’s cries for mercy.
Cruel reality and merciless discipline awaited everyone who disobeyed.
Each slap stripped away Zhang Er Gongzi’s self-respect, arrogance, and what little dignity he had left.
Ning Yue also became a senior; from a good younger brother, he became a good godfather, and then a good grandfather, rising three ranks in a short time.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Elder sister’s face was already clean. She had also applied light makeup and changed into a clean, waist-cinching dress.
Thanks to her proper upkeep in her younger years, although a few crow's feet had appeared at the corners of her eyes, her beauty was still passable. At least, no one in the entire Sanyang Street could compare to her.
As the wife of a merchant, she might have been a bit worldly, but she was fundamentally different from women from humble families. Now, over thirty, she could still be described as charming and well-preserved.
Of course, if not for her looks, the eldest young master of the Zhang family, who was successful in business back then, wouldn't have been so desperate to marry her.
However, Ning Qian dared not leave the room. She peeked out cautiously from her room, also covering her little niece’s wailing mouth.
She saw Ning Yue’s personal attendant slapping Zhang Er Gongzi. After just a few slaps, Zhang Er Gongzi’s face swelled up like a large steamed bun, and his originally somewhat lewd peach blossom eyes were squeezed into slits.
The burly men from earlier seemed fierce, but their beating for a long time wasn't as effective as a few slaps from this attendant.
No matter how much Zhang Er Gongzi cried out for his parents, the attendant grabbed him by the collar and continued to slap him, ignoring his pleas.
Ning Yue also ignored him.
Ning Qian watched, her heart clenching.
She thought: He truly is different now. He has transformed from the ridiculed to the abuser, from a nobody to someone important!
Her younger brother had grown up, but Elder sister felt no joy.
She also saw Ning Yue pick up the broken jade hairpin.
Huh?! That Brother Wang threw it with such force, yet the jade hairpin wasn't damaged further!
Ning Qian felt suspicious and finally stepped out of the room.
“A-Yue, is there something special about this jade hairpin? It doesn't look like an ordinary item. That old geezer of the Zhang family solemnly entrusted it to this little lecher before he died!”
Ning Yue said, “It is indeed extraordinary, but it's so broken now. Otherwise, if it were placed in Elder sister’s hair, it would surely be beautiful.”
Elder sister pursed her lips.
“No matter how much my younger brother changes, he still loves and dotes on Elder sister.”
Thinking this, the resentment she had felt towards Ning Yue, which had filled her mind and face, quietly dissipated.
“If I work hard, I might even get a taste of official life in this lifetime.” Ning Qian saw a glimmer of hope, thinking about how she had only followed merchants in the first half of her life, and suddenly felt a little wronged.
Of course, now wasn't the time for sentimentality. She asked, feigning reserve, “A-Yue, have you thought about how to settle me and your niece? Surely you won't make us live here.”
“It's not just the inconvenience; living with this thing is simply disheartening!”
“Of course not!” Ning Yue said firmly.
He waved his hand, finally signaling Liu Song to stop.
Any more hitting, and the man would likely be beyond saving.
Then Ning Yue turned and sincerely said, “Elder sister, do you still remember my old houses?”
Ning Qian’s eyes lit up, and she nodded like a chicken pecking rice.
“Although they haven't been renovated for a long time, I imagine they are better than staying here. Elder sister can stay there with your niece for a while.” Ning Yue spoke, reaching into his bosom, but after fumbling for a long time, nothing appeared...
Elder sister merely curled her lips inwardly, but her face showed no unusual expression.
Ning Yue finally awkwardly withdrew his empty hand and said, embarrassed, “Your younger brother is truly strapped for cash right now. Once I settle down, I will definitely come to your house to bring Elder sister into the city. Elder sister can live in that house with peace of mind!”
Elder sister: “???”
Where's the money?!
You should at least take out some!
Not a single penny?!
Don't say it, don't say it, he truly is a descendant of the Old Ning family!
Suppressing it again and again, Ning Qian’s face still fell, and she finally remained silent.
She didn't even bother to pack her things. She pulled her niece and left the house.
Heading west, without looking back!
It was uncertain whether her heart would break again when she arrived at her old home and saw the dilapidated state of the old house.
......
Ning Yue smiled as he watched Elder sister’s retreating figure disappear before turning his gaze to the already unrecognizable Zhang Er Gongzi.
In the corner, Zhang Er Gongzi, with his remaining strength, huddled, almost embedding himself into the wall crack.
Snot and tears smeared his face, bearing no resemblance to his former arrogant self.
Ning Yue lamented, looking down, “If you had spoken properly, we are family, why would it come to this?”
“Do you know, I came here this time specifically to help you all.”
Zhang Er Gongzi, of course, didn’t know, and now, hearing it, he didn't believe it either.
His current life felt like a heavy barbell pressing on his chest, his hands already powerless.
Yet, he had a 'good younger brother' like Ning Yue by his side, whose recent actions clearly showed he thought he wasn't miserable enough, so he eagerly added more weight plates to him!
But he still nodded vigorously, “Ning, you are magnanimous and have always been a good person, never doing bad deeds. You are a truly excellent official!”
Heh heh heh, with those slaps to the face, he finally understood pain.
Ning Yue secretly chuckled in his heart, but on his face, he still said regretfully, “Yes, I have always liked to strengthen family ties and cannot bear to see family members down on their luck.”
“I heard that Zhang Er Gongzi likes beautiful women?” Ning Yue changed the subject.
“No! Nonsense! Which loose-tongued gossip is spreading rumors? If I find out, I'll tear his mouth apart!” Zhang Er Gongzi vehemently tried to prove his innocence.
Ning Yue flicked his sleeve and said magnanimously, “Why should a great man worry about not having a wife? It is human nature for Zhang Er Gongzi to enjoy beauty; why be so coy and unwilling to admit it?”
“I was originally thinking of finding some maids to take care of you, but if you continue like this, then forget it!”
Zhang Er Gongzi’s eyes gleamed with an indescribable light. Life seemed to have hit rock bottom and was now offering him a lifeline!
He pushed his bruised legs, crawled to Ning Yue, grabbed Ning Yue’s pant leg, and asked with a half-believing gaze, “Is that true?!”
“Bang!” Ning Yue kicked him away and declared, “My word is my bond; I would never deceive you!”
“Liu Song, go to my residence immediately and summon all the maids there. Listen carefully, I said all of them! Instruct them to serve Zhang Er Gongzi every night without fail.”
Liu Song was stunned.
He had never been to Ning Yue’s new residence.
Oh my goodness! Has Brother Yue lost his mind? Is he really going to be benevolent?
Zhang Er Gongzi was also stunned.
He completely disregarded the kick to his chest just now, and with a burst of unknown strength, he immediately got up, knelt straight on the ground, and began kowtowing with loud thuds.
While kowtowing, he also shouted, “Ning, you are truly a rebirth for this humble one! Your grace is a hundred times greater than that of my parents!!!”
Ning Yue didn't mind being demoted in seniority and smiled, waving his hand, “It's nothing, nothing! Please rise quickly.”
Then, ignoring Liu Song’s questioning gaze, he urged, “What are you waiting for? Go!”
Liu Song, helpless, finally left with a belly full of doubts.
Once the person had gone far, Ning Yue helped up Zhang Er Gongzi, who was still happily kowtowing.
He mused, “It's just that giving you these maids for no reason, I truly... truly...”
“Heh heh, to be honest, Zhang Er Gongzi, I feel a bit like I'm losing out.”
Zhang Er Gongzi maintained a respectful expression, but inwardly, he began to despise him.
“How petty! It's just a few beautiful maids, and he's already feeling the pinch. He'll probably never achieve anything great in his life!”
When the Zhang manor was prosperous back then, there were more than a hundred maids, and he certainly didn't dote on them any less.
So, Zhang Er Gongzi cautiously asked, “What does Ning want? Anything in this courtyard that catches your eye, you can take it all.”
Ning Yue looked around the empty courtyard, where only a small, lame-legged stool swayed in the wind.
He then stepped into the house to look.
How to describe it?
Bare walls!
Even the walls were pitted and uneven; the house-robbing rats would shake their heads at the sight.
Ning Yue merely glanced and then angrily left the house, encountering the embarrassed Zhang Er Gongzi.
“Sigh!”
Ning Yue finally let out a long sigh.
“Never mind, never mind, just let this broken jade hairpin be my compensation...”
“We are all close friends and relatives; what does it matter if I suffer a little loss?!”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Er Gongzi was overjoyed and once again bowed down, kowtowing,
“You are truly magnificent and generous, I am utterly incomparable!”
......