Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

The Li residence was shrouded in deathly silence at midnight, except for the lights still on in the main house of the west courtyard.

Li Nanyu lay face down on the couch, her face ashen, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

The pain of twenty strokes felt like a branding iron burning her flesh, each breath bringing excruciating agony.

This was King Cheng's punishment for her, because she had failed in her duties and allowed the young prince and his companions to escape.

Li Nanyu was pampered since childhood, and this continued even after she got married. She was served by maids and nannies, and had never suffered such hardship before.

But the other party is a powerful prince. What good would it do if she accepted the punishment?

Getting a beating hurts, but it's better than losing your life.

She's still young, she doesn't want to die!

Dongkui carefully lifted her blood-stained undergarment, her eyes slightly red: "Miss, that was too much..."

Who beat you up like this?

"This servant will fight her to the death."

Dongkui is a very loyal girl, but she's just too stupid.

"Stop talking nonsense and hurry up and apply the medicine." Li Nanyu gritted her teeth, squeezing out her voice through the gaps between her teeth.

The image of Tao'er looking back before jumping into the Zimu River kept replaying in her mind; there was no fear in those eyes, only cold hatred and mockery.

What exactly was that wretched girl Tao'er mocking her about?

And what exactly did she mean by those words?

The harsh words that King Cheng said when he sent her back still send chills down her spine.

"We must find the young master and that damned girl, alive or dead."

"Otherwise, your brother will never be able to set foot in officialdom, and your Li family's business will be shut down."

There was a gentle knock on the door, and a maid brought in hot water.

Dongkui took the cloth, wrung it out, and gently wiped away the blood and dirt around the wound.

"Miss, why didn't I see Peach Girl and Young Master coming back with you?"

The young lady only said that the young master and the others were missing, and she had to go find them, otherwise there would be danger outside.

But now only Miss has returned.

"They jumped into the Zimu River and died. You are not allowed to mention those two people in front of me anymore."

To tell you the truth, I originally intended to give them both to the prince.

I'm not some great philanthropist, why should I risk my life to save them?

Alright, hurry up and apply the medicine...

Ouch, be gentle...

Clumsy...

Li Nanyu, too lazy to hide it any longer, cursed impatiently.

Dongkui was shocked. So that was what her mistress was thinking. Had she almost harmed the young master and the others?

Fortunately, they escaped from the young lady, but do they still have a chance to survive if they jump into the Mother-Child River?

Dongkui sighed and could only pray silently in her heart that they could survive.

"Yes, Miss, this servant dares not ask any further..."

Li Nanyu didn't bother to look at Dong Kui, closed her eyes, and forced herself to think calmly.

Tao'er and Ayan jumped into the Zimu River. The river was swift and turbulent, and even boatmen who were good at swimming dared not go into the water easily.

Their chances of survival are extremely slim, but...

But what if?

What if they survive...

She felt uneasy, and once again remembered what that wretched girl Tao'er had said.

Could it be that something really happened to my brother?

Li Nanyu suddenly opened her eyes: "Dongkui, go and call the young master over, right now."

"But Miss, it's already past midnight..."

He's probably asleep.

You know the young master's temper...

I said now...

Did you hear that?

You brat, hurry up and go!

Why are you being so long-winded?

Li Nanyu's voice suddenly rose, aggravating her wound and causing her to gasp in pain.

Dongkui dared not persuade him any further and hurriedly called the servant outside the door to invite Li Yuxuan.

Time ticked by as she waited, and pain and anxiety wove together into a fine net, trapping Li Nanyu tightly.

At the time, she thought it was just the girl's crazy talk, but now, thinking back, every word seemed ominous.

Hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and the servant rushed in, his face pale, and knelt down with a thud: "Miss... Miss..."

Young Master he...

he...…"

Li Nanyu's heart sank: "What's wrong with him?"

explain!"

"Young Master..."

"Dead..."

The servant's voice trembled uncontrollably, "Yes..."

Under the bed in the side courtyard…

She's already dead..."

Li Nanyu's vision went black, and her ears began to ring.

The cries of Dongkui and the weeping of the servant boy became distant and indistinct.

Tao'er's words exploded in her mind like a curse.

"He's not a man..."

"There's a surprise waiting for her at home..."

"Miss!

Miss!"

Dongkui's voice pulled her back to reality from her dizziness.

Li Nanyu bit her lower lip hard until she tasted blood, barely managing to maintain a sliver of clarity.

"Go and invite the master and madam over..."

She heard her own voice was unusually calm.

"Yes, Miss..."

"The side courtyards were also sealed off, and no one was allowed to enter or leave."

"Winter Mallow, help me over there."

"Miss, your injury..."

"Help me to Yuxuan's room!"

Dongkui dared not disobey and helped Li Nanyu to her feet with difficulty.

With every step she took, the wound on her buttocks felt like it was being cut by a knife, but Li Nanyu was completely unaware of it.

She had only one thought in her mind: her younger brother was dead, most likely killed by that seemingly weak maid right under her nose.

That's incredibly audacious!

The side courtyard was in complete chaos.

Several servants on night watch gathered at the door, their faces filled with fear, whispering among themselves.

Upon seeing Li Nanyu arrive, they all lowered their heads and stepped aside.

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the horrifying scene on the bed.

Li Yuxuan lay on his back on the bed, a dagger embedded in his chest, down to the hilt.

Even more shocking was that his lower body was soaked in blood, clearly indicating that he had suffered cruel mutilation.

His mouth was stuffed with something, and his hands and feet were tightly bound.

The manner of their death was extremely gruesome!

Li Nanyu felt a churning in her stomach, almost vomiting, but she forced herself to step forward.

"Get out, everyone," she commanded.

The servants, as if granted a pardon, hurriedly withdrew. Dongkui looked at her worriedly, "Miss..."

"You go out too and stand guard at the door. No one is allowed to come in."

Only after the door closed did Li Nanyu allow herself to stagger a step and grab the bedpost for support.

She stared at her brother's pale, contorted face. If she hadn't captured that wretched maid, he wouldn't have met that damned girl, and he wouldn't have...

Li Nanyu was still a little sad, after all, he was her own brother.

Now she's more worried about how to explain this to her father!

This is her father's only son.

She then tried to justify herself: it's not her fault; if her brother hadn't been so lecherous, he wouldn't have died.

Although that lowly maid is powerful, she wouldn't kill innocent people indiscriminately.

She then muttered under her breath, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks, "Brother, how many times have I told you, lust is a knife hanging over your head..."

Hurried footsteps and Madam Li's cries came from outside the door: "My son..."