Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Why He Was Expelled

Qi Shu Xian stared at Sheng Zhi Wan, trying to find even the smallest trace of emotion on her face. There was none.

Sheng Zhi Wan only smiled. Sheng Zhi Wan was not as tall as Qi Shu Xian, yet the indifference in her eyes pressed down so hard that he could not say a word. Qi Shu Xian’s fists loosened, then clenched again.

“If the Heir Apparent doesn’t want to choose, that’s fine. The Princess can’t forcibly keep the Heir Apparent here.” Shang Xing Yu’s voice came again from downstairs.

Qi Shu Xian closed his eyes. How could he not know? If he did not apologize today, tomorrow there would be several impeachment memorials in court against him and against the Duke’s Manor.

First Eldest Sister had been involved in private salt. Then Father kept a Mistress. Then he divorced Sheng Zhi Wan… If it was only an impeachment for insubordination, fine. He feared something worse-that Shu Lang stealing and swapping the dowry, or something else, would reach His Majesty’s ears.

“I choose thirty lashes!” Qi Shu Xian finally said through clenched teeth.

The moment he spoke, Shang Xing Yu added, “Is the Princess able to carry out the punishment? If the Princess finds it inconvenient, I am willing to do it on the Princess’s behalf!”

Qi Shu Xian said nothing. Qi Shu Xian wanted to stuff Shang Xing Yu’s mouth shut.

“Then I’ll trouble Young Master Shang Er.” Sheng Zhi Wan turned and went back into the room.

Qi Shu Xian stared at the closed door and drew a deep breath.

Soon, the sharp sound of a whip cracked downstairs again and again. With so many eyes watching, Qi Shu Xian did not make a sound.

Back in the army, when someone made a mistake, punishment was carried out the same way in front of everyone. Back then, he was the one watching. He had not been the one taking it.

Now…

Qi Shu Xian’s temples pulsed violently with each strike. Only after thirty lashes did blood begin seeping through his winter clothes.

“Shizi really is a real man!” Shang Xing Yu sighed, shaking out his hand.

Qi Shu Xian only swept Shang Xing Yu with a cold glance. Then he pressed his lips together and looked upstairs.

The door was still shut.

Qi Shu Xian withdrew his gaze and strode away.

“Oh, oh, Shizi should be careful with that back injury. My strength isn’t big, but it must hurt…” Shang Xing Yu’s voice chased after him.

Qi Shu Xian acted as if he had not heard a thing.

Only after Qi Shu Xian returned to the Duke’s Manor did his body suddenly stagger.

Duke Qi had been waiting. When he heard Qi Shu Xian was back, he hurried over at once.

“Shu Xian…” Duke Qi saw Qi Shu Xian’s deathly pale face and froze. Only then did Duke Qi notice the mottled blood on his back. “Th-this… what happened? Someone, come! Hurry!”

Qi Shu Xian swayed and Duke Qi caught him.

“What on earth happened? Weren’t you going to find Sheng Zhi Wan? How did you end up like this?” Duke Qi was anxious and worried. He ordered Servants to carry Qi Shu Xian into a room.

When Qi Shu Xian’s clothes were removed and the injuries on his back were exposed, Duke Qi’s face changed in shock. Even the two House Physicians sucked in a breath.

Qi Shu Xian also realized it then. Shang Xing Yu, that useless man, actually knew martial arts!

Thirty lashes-each one looked light, yet every single strike carried inner power. That was why the skin and flesh along each lash mark had split open.

The House Physicians began applying medicine.

A figure rushed in from outside.

“Elder Brother! What did she say? Can I go back to the academy tomorrow?” Qi Shu Lang charged in, then saw the blood on Qi Shu Xian’s back. Qi Shu Lang’s steps stopped cold. His eyes widened. “Elder Brother, what happened? Didn’t you go to see Sister-in-law-no, didn’t you go to see her? How did you get hurt?”

Qi Shu Lang could not believe it.

Elder Brother’s martial arts were that good. What kind of person could injure him like this? Unless Elder Brother had stood still and let someone beat him. The wounds were all on his back. Could it be Elder Brother had offended some noble lady?

Qi Shu Lang could think of it, and Duke Qi could too. For a moment, Duke Qi did not press him. Only after the House Physicians finished bandaging and left did Duke Qi prepare to ask.

Before Duke Qi could speak, Qi Shu Xian looked at Qi Shu Lang.

“Shu Lang! Tell me. Why were you thrown out of the academy?” Qi Shu Xian’s tone was harsh.

Qi Shu Lang paused. Qi Shu Lang’s eyes flickered. “I don’t know either. The Headmaster just said I couldn’t stay at the academy anymore.”

“Tell the truth!” Qi Shu Xian grabbed him suddenly.

Qi Shu Lang jumped. Toward this Elder Brother, Qi Shu Lang had always been respectful. Because of that, Qi Shu Lang had always felt that Sheng Zhi Wan, who had chased Elder Brother and insisted on marrying him, did not deserve to be his Sister-in-law at all.

But now Sheng Zhi Wan truly divorced, and he could not even enter the academy.

Qi Shu Lang hated Sheng Zhi Wan to the bone.

With Qi Shu Xian gripping him, Qi Shu Lang’s eyes instantly reddened.

“Enough!” Duke Qi’s face turned dark. “Why are you frightening him? What happened to your back?”

Qi Shu Xian took a deep breath and told them what had happened at the teahouse.

“What? Has she gone mad?!” Qi Shu Lang gritted his teeth, eyes wide. Sheng Zhi Wan actually dared to make Elder Brother perform a full kowtow to her? Hadn’t she loved Elder Brother the most? Hadn’t she clung to him and catered to him in everything?

Now she actually humiliated Elder Brother like this!

Qi Shu Lang’s teeth ground so hard his jaw trembled. A vicious glint flashed in his eyes.

Duke Qi had also not expected Sheng Zhi Wan to lose face for the Duke’s Manor the moment the divorce happened. No matter what, Shu Xian had been her Husband. Making her Husband perform a full kowtow…

It was outrageous. Completely outrageous!

Duke Qi slammed his palm down on the couch, face flushed with anger.

Qi Shu Xian did not want to talk about it anymore. Qi Shu Xian looked at Qi Shu Lang. “Tell me honestly. Why did the academy expel you? If you won’t tell the truth, I’ll go to the academy and ask myself!”

At Gathering Sages Teahouse, Sheng Zhi Wan was also curious.

Qi Shu Lang was rotten to the core, but it was still too early for his worst crimes. Could it be that, in this life, her rebirth had caused things to happen sooner?

Sheng Zhi Wan decided to pay Great Scholar Du a visit. She went as soon as she decided. Now there were no Husband or Parents-in-law controlling her.

“Princess, are you leaving?” The curio cabinet opened, and a figure looked at her with a bit of grievance as she reached the door.

Sheng Zhi Wan did not stop. Shang Xing Yu could only shrink back obediently.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s mood lifted for no reason.

The driver was still Zhang Da. Although Zhang Da had been promoted to the Princess Residence’s Household Guard Steward, Zhang Da knew his limits compared to the dozens of elite guards Shopkeeper Lin had sent.

So aside from driving for the Princess, Zhang Da spent the rest of his time asking those guards for pointers and training. Not only him. The other bodyguards Sheng Zhi Wan had risked herself to save that day were all grinding their teeth and working hard too, trying to prove themselves to the Princess.

Azure Cloud Academy was the largest academy in the capital city. Nobles, officials’ sons, poor scholars, and even merchant families all studied there, so the scholars on duty had seen plenty.

When they learned Sheng Zhi Wan had come to visit Great Scholar Du, one scholar led the way while another went to deliver the message. The academy’s areas were strictly divided. For visitors like Sheng Zhi Wan, there were special paths and zones, so there was no risk of disturbing students.

“So this is the academy? It’s amazing!” Liu Shang could not help looking around in envy. “If I were a man, maybe I could study in an academy like this too!”

Liu Shang’s so-called Brother had studied before. Because his grades were bad, he had not continued. It was a pity Liu Shang was only a woman…

Liu Shang had heard of Great Scholar Du too. He was said to be an incredible Teacher. Liu Shang could hardly believe she would meet such a person today. The thought made her nervous.