Chapter 26 It's All Because of Hu Lihua!

"Mother, isn't this too much?" Hu Rui'an asked, pleading.

"Oh? Are you trying to tell me how to act in this house now?" Song Xiuyan asked coldly, glancing at Hu Rui'an.

"No, Mother, it's not like that," Hu Rui'an quickly lowered her head. She glanced at Hu Haoran, hoping for help, but who would have thought that Hu Haoran would turn away immediately? In the end, she could only glare at Hu Lihua with eyes full of hatred.

Feeling someone's sharp gaze, Hu Lihua turned her head. Her eyes met Hu Rui'an's, and she flashed a smile at her. That smile only made Hu Rui'an's anger boil even more, but she could do nothing except swallow it.

Qinqin, whose mouth had been stuffed with a cloth, struggled slightly, trying to break free from the grip of two large-built servant women. But her efforts were in vain.

A loud slapping sound echoed through the courtyard. Qinqin's body jolted as searing pain spread across her back, as if her skin was being torn apart. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead. She wanted to scream, but with her mouth gagged, only weak, muffled whimpers escaped her throat.

She was lying face down on a long bench, her hands tightly bound to one end while her feet were securely tied as well, leaving her completely immobile. Each strike landed heavily on her back and thighs, forcing her body forward, but the ropes held her firmly in place.

After twenty blows, her vision began to blur. Her breathing was ragged, and silent tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking into the wooden surface beneath her face.

Her head spun, and her body weakened. Another blow landed with a sharp crack, but her body barely reacted anymore. Slowly, darkness began to consume her.

A servant woman hurried over with a bucket of cold water and, without hesitation, dumped it over Qinqin's body. The freezing water shocked her awake, sending her gasping for air. A fresh wave of pain surged through her raw wounds, making her body tense up, on the verge of passing out again.

But the servant gave her no time to recover. Without mercy, she lifted the punishment board once more and swung it down onto Qinqin's body. The sharp smacking sound filled the air again, each strike sending jolts of pain through her battered form.

By the time the fiftieth blow landed, Qinqin was barely breathing. Song Xiuyan immediately ordered Manager Peng to dispose of her in a mass grave, and then she rewarded the servant who found Hu Rui'an's jade hairpin with ten taels of silver and gave one tael to each servant who helped with the search.

Hu Haoran still felt a little sorry for Hu Rui'an. He stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder, trying to comfort her. "An'er, don't blame Second Brother for not helping with Qinqin. A servant who steals and slanders others isn't someone who should be by your side." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Don't worry, Second Brother will find you a more capable servant."

Hu Rui'an lowered her head, hiding the flash of hatred that crossed her eyes. When she looked up again, her face was filled with sadness. "Second Brother, how could I blame you? I'm truly grateful that you always stand by my side."

Hu Haoran let out a small sigh of relief. His Second Younger Sister was still the same as always—gentle and understanding. Perhaps he had been overthinking things earlier.

However, just as he reached out to pat her head like he usually did, the words Hu Lihua had spoken earlier echoed in his mind. His hand froze mid-air, unable to move forward.

Was he really just overthinking things? He had heard from his friends about the schemes women played in the inner courtyards. Could Hu Rui'an be capable of such things too?

Doubt crept into Hu Haoran's mind, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

Hu Rui'an noticed his hesitation, making the anger inside her flare up even more. She glanced toward Hu Lihua. That wretched woman! Was she going to make the Second Brother distance himself from her too? She couldn't accept this!

"Second Brother, my head feels dizzy. Could you help me back to my room?" Hu Rui'an asked weakly, swaying slightly.

Hu Haoran, standing right beside her, instinctively reached out to support her, preventing her from falling. But before he could say anything, Song Xiuyan's warning voice rang out.

"Haoran, you and Rui'an are both adults now. Besides, you're not blood siblings. Men and women must maintain proper boundaries!"

Song Xiuyan's words left Hu Haoran stunned. Without thinking, he immediately let go of Hu Rui'an, causing her to fall to the ground.

She landed with a heavy thud. Her shoulders slumped, and her hands trembled as she tried to push herself up, her body looking pitifully weak. Her face was pale, and tears welled up in her eyes, silently streaming down her cheeks. Her lips quivered as soft, heartbreaking sobs escaped. In that moment, she looked utterly fragile and helpless, as if she had just suffered the cruelest injustice in front of everyone.

[Ha! Ha! Ha! Is this the legendary White Lotus Falling Pose? I can't believe I get to witness it in person!]

"Second Brother..."

Hu Haoran panicked, instinctively reaching out to help her up, "An'er, I'm sorry! I—"

"Haoran!" Song Xiuyan's sharp voice interrupted him again, making him freeze in place. She then gestured to one of the servant women and ordered, "Take the Second Miss back to her room!"

"Yes, Madam," the servant woman answered obediently. She then helped Hu Rui'an up and escorted her away. As Hu Rui'an left, she threw a pitiful glance at her family.

"Hah... Finally, today's drama is over," Hu Lihua said with a satisfied sigh. She then turned to Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan. "Father, Mother, thank you for helping me. Can I go out for a walk with Xixi today?"

Song Xiuyan smiled before asking, "What do you need? Can't you just send someone to do it for you?"

"No!" Hu Lihua blurted out. Then, realizing her response might raise suspicion, she quickly stepped forward and clung to her mother's arm, acting spoiled. "Mother… I just want to go for a stroll and take a look around. Please?"

[I can't let my family know about my plan. After all, this place will be where my mother and I escape to once we cut ties with the Hu Family!]

Hu Zhangwei immediately frowned. Wait, is Hua'er still not including him in her escape plan? How heartless! He is still her biological father, you know!

Hu Haoran was dumbfounded. His mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg. Was Hu Lihua really planning to cut ties with the family? How could this be? Why?