This scholar is a bit cruel

Chapter 315: Asking for forgiveness
Night had completely fallen.

Lanterns were hung at every intersection and under the eaves of the Bai residence.

The night breeze blows, making it sway gently.

Hua'er carried the lantern and walked ahead.

The dim light and the frosty moonlight illuminated the path ahead.

Bai Qingtong frowned in thought and followed behind.

The master and servant did not return to their own courtyard, but instead went to the front hall.

Inside the hall, the light was bright and a brazier was burning.

Mr. and Mrs. Bai Ming, along with Miss Bai, were talking here at that moment.

When Bai Qingtong entered the room, all three of them turned their attention to her.

Bai Qingtong lowered her head and whispered, "Father, Mother, I believe in my brother-in-law... he won't leave our Bai family."

There was a moment of silence in the room.

Chu Meixiang looked at her and said, "I just heard Suzhen say that he has admitted that he wants to marry you?"

Bai Qingtong blushed and said, "That's what my brother-in-law said, but I think he just feels sorry for me and wants to take responsibility for me, not that he really wants to marry me."

Chu Meixiang frowned and asked, "Is there a difference?"

"Of course."

Bai Qingtong bit her lip and said resolutely, "Mother, I don't want to do this. We can't force my brother-in-law like this, and I won't agree to it."

At this moment, Bai Ming spoke in a deep voice: "Things have come to this point, what is there to hesitate about? This matter has already spread out of the manor, whether it is true or false is no longer important. Do you have any other choice but to marry him?"

He then said in a deep voice, "Qingtong, you have to consider the entire family. Since he took the initiative to ask Meixue to divorce him, it is clear that he has already decided to leave. At this point, we can only rely on you. You should know better than anyone how important he is to the Bai family, especially at this time."

At this point, he couldn't help but sigh deeply, saying, "Now all countries are in chaos, even the Great Yan is on the verge of collapse, only our Great Liang has preserved its strength, and all forces are vying to win it over. That one in the palace now holds great power and has gained momentum. The court officials all understand this, but none of them dare to speak out; they have clearly submitted..."

“Although our Bai family has also shown submission, that person is clearly still suspicious. After all, your elder brother is still in Yujing, serving the Great Yan.”

"Look at the other families, some have perished, some have been destroyed. Of the former four great families, only the Bai family remains..."

"The life and death of my Bai family rests on that person's whim, and now, he is the only one who can protect our Bai family..."

Bai Qingtong lowered her head and listened silently.

After he finished speaking, Chu Meixiang gave a bitter laugh and said, "Qingtong, do you think your mother's fainting spell this morning was fake? Your mother really didn't know that things had progressed to this point between you and him. You didn't come home all night, and this morning you actually crawled out from under his bed, with so many people watching... At that time, your mother was truly angry, ashamed, and shocked..."

"He was just a son-in-law who married into the family. If it weren't for our Bai family back then... well, Mother wouldn't dare say that about him now..."

"Your father and I discussed this for a long time today, and we feel that since the matter is already set in stone, let's just let nature take its course. Anyway, we're all family, so let's keep the good stuff in the family. Besides, you won't have to marry into another family, which is great..."

"As for the gossip among the people in the manor and the jokes from outsiders, we'll pretend we didn't hear them."

Bai Ming snorted coldly and said, "What's so funny? Sisters marrying the same man happens everywhere. As long as that kid gains power in the future, who will dare to say anything?"

Chu Meixiang suddenly looked at him and said, "Master, when my sister came to stay in the manor, didn't you also..."

"Let's get down to business!"

Bai Ming suddenly glared at her.

At this moment, Miss Bai, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Aren't you all being a little presumptuous?"

All three of them looked at her with puzzled expressions.

"Where did you get the idea that I'm being presumptuous?"

Chu Meixiang asked.

Bai Meixue said expressionlessly, "He never said from beginning to end that he wanted to marry both sisters."

The room suddenly fell silent.

Chu Meixiang said, "That young man was too embarrassed to say it, and too embarrassed to agree. He is a scholar, and he knows his place. He knows that he is a son-in-law who has married into the family, and he knows that our Bai family protected him and his sister and brother-in-law. So he doesn't dare to ask for too much. Scholars should abide by the etiquette of gentlemen. It's not good for a mere son-in-law to marry both the older and younger sisters, and the younger sister was someone he secretly seduced. It's not good if word gets out."

Bai Qingtong blushed and said weakly, "Mother, my brother-in-law didn't secretly seduce me..."

Chu Meixiang glared at him: "So you were secretly flirting with him?"

Bai Qingtong said, "I didn't either..."

At this moment, Miss Bai coldly said, "It seems they're secretly flirting with each other."

"elder sister……"

"Okay, let's get down to business."

Bai Ming interrupted them, saying, "Meixue, your mother is right. That boy is probably just putting on an act, acting coy and hesitant, but he's secretly overjoyed. We just need to prepare for his wedding. Now that things have come to this, he has no right to refuse."

Chu Meixiang said, "I'll go to the Su State Mansion later to talk to his sister and brother-in-law."

Bai Ming nodded and said, "We should go and talk to them. His older sister is like a mother to him. His sister and brother-in-law raised him from childhood. After something like this happened, it's not appropriate for us to speak up. His sister and brother-in-law are the most suitable people to talk to."

At this moment, Miss Bai suddenly spoke up: "Aren't you going to ask me if I'm willing or not?"

All three of them turned their gazes to her.

Chu Meixiang then asked, "Suzhen, are you willing? Are you willing to serve... to be served by that boy along with your sister?"

"I don't want to."

Miss Bai said coldly.

Chu Meixiang was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Why are you unwilling? Qingtong is your own sister. Wouldn't it be better if you were together forever?" Miss Bai said coldly, "Precisely because Qingtong is my sister, I am unwilling. Do you know that he already has many women outside? If not a hundred, then at least eighty. Are you willing to let Qingtong marry such a lecherous man?"

Bai Qingtong said weakly, "Sister, there aren't that many... In the Grand View Garden, including the maids, there are only about twenty people in total..."

Miss Bai looked at her and said, "What about Chujian Bookstore, Baoan Hall, and the outer city, West Lake Academy? There were even two women who came to the Bai residence back then. I estimate that all the female students and teachers at West Lake Academy have connections with him."

Bai Qingtong: "..."

Chu Meixiang was speechless: "That kid... is he really that amazing?"

Miss Bai suddenly added, "And the palace too."

"In the palace?"

When these words were spoken, all three of them were shocked.

Bai Ming's expression changed, and he quickly glanced at the door, whispering, "Mei Xue, don't talk nonsense!"

"Humph!"

Miss Bai snorted and said nothing more.

Fearing she might say something even more outrageous, Bai Ming immediately said, "This matter is decided. The fate of the entire family is in your hands. Only if you sisters hold on tightly to him can our Bai family have any hope of continuing to prosper and endure."

Just then, a maidservant suddenly reported from outside: "Master, Madam, Young Master Luo's sister and brother-in-law are requesting an audience. Also, Young Master Luo... he's been tied up with ropes, and there are thorns stuck in his back. He's outside too."

The four people in the room immediately exchanged glances.

"Let his sister and brother-in-law come in first."

Bai Ming gave a deep order, then whispered, "Don't reveal what just happened. Let's see what they have to say."

Chu Meixiang nodded, deliberately keeping a sullen face and looking very angry.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingtong immediately prepared to leave.

Bai Ming frowned and shouted, "Qing Tong, where are you going?"

Bai Qingtong stopped and said weakly, "Father, I want to go see my brother-in-law..."

Chu Meixiang immediately glared at her and scolded, "So what if you tied that kid up? Look how anxious you are! If anyone should be anxious, it should be your sister. You're just a sister-in-law, what right do you have to be anxious? And you're acting so anxious in front of your sister, in front of me and Father. Don't you respect the three of us?"

Bai Qingtong said aggrievedly, "Mother, you misunderstood me. I just wanted to see how my brother-in-law looked now. He's always so arrogant and domineering outside, afraid of no one. Now he's suddenly tied up obediently. It's funny to think about. I wanted to go and make fun of him."

Miss Bai also stood up from her chair: "Together."

Chu Meixiang: "..."

Bai Ming immediately shouted, "Nonsense! Everyone stay here and don't move!"

The two sisters immediately quieted down.

Just then, a series of somewhat unsteady footsteps came from outside the door.

Then, Li Zhengshan helped Luo Jiaorong, whose eyes were red, and they walked in from outside the door with shame on their faces. As soon as they entered, the two of them knelt down on the ground with a "thump".

Luo Jiaorong slapped herself twice and cried, "Master, Madam, my elder sister is like a mother to me. It's my fault for not disciplining her properly. I've already brought that little bastard here. You can beat or kill him as you please!"

Li Zhengshan kowtowed and said, "As the eldest brother, I am like a father to you. Ziju has violated the law and etiquette, and committed such immoral and shameless acts. It is all my fault for not teaching her well. You two can do whatever you want to me. Please spare Ziju's life and give her and her brother a way out..."

It's not that the two people are exaggerating; it's simply the truth.

In any dynasty, a son-in-law who dared to seduce his sister-in-law would be beaten to death.

They were just commoners, desperate and seeking refuge in the Duke's mansion. Not only did the Duke not despise them, but he also took their younger brother as his son-in-law, never treating them as servants. Their kindness was immeasurable. Yet, in the end, their brother committed such an ungrateful and immoral act. How could they not feel ashamed, heartbroken, and afraid?

This is the prestigious Duke's mansion!

They were upright people throughout their lives, always repaying kindness, and they couldn't bear such a blow.

Hearing this devastating news and hearing everyone's comments felt like the sky had fallen.

Luo Jiaorong suddenly kowtowed to Miss Bai again, crying, "Miss, that little bastard is kneeling outside. Go and punish him as you please. If he dares to frown or utter a sound, I will personally beat him to death!"

The four people inside the room looked at each other in bewilderment.

At this moment, Luo Zijun suddenly said from outside, "Sister, brother-in-law, get up. This is all my fault, it has nothing to do with you, I..."

"Shut up! You little bastard, how dare you talk!"

Luo Jiaorong shouted angrily at Li Zhengshan, who was standing to the side, "Go get the thorny branch on his back and whip him! Whip him until the young lady is satisfied!"

Li Zhengshan hesitated and said, "You go..."

Luo Jiaorong glared and said, "Didn't you just say that the eldest brother is like a father? Go ahead! You have the strength! Give me a good beating!"

Li Zhengshan said weakly, "Didn't you just say that an elder sister is like a mother..."

Luo Jiaorong was furious: "Li Zhengshan, are you looking for a beating too?"

Li Zhengshan shrank back, not daring to utter another word or get up.

Seeing that she couldn't get close to him, Luo Jiaorong had no choice but to get up herself and said angrily, "Fine, I'll go and whip him! If I don't whip that ungrateful little bastard into submission today, I'll take his surname!"

Li Zhengshan: "..."

Luo Jiaorong was furious and about to leave when Miss Bai suddenly produced a small leather whip covered in barbs from somewhere and said, "Use this to whip me, it will hurt more."

The house fell silent instantly, both inside and out.

(End of this chapter)