Chapter 17 The young master's anger over his concubine made the princess ill.

How could the princess not understand Shen Yujiao's thoughts? But thinking about it, she had just been humiliated by Xiao'er that morning, and now she was only punishing a maid. She would let her do whatever she wanted and let her vent her anger.

Thinking this, she nodded and, supported by her maid, went back to her bedroom to rest.

After the princess left, Shen Yujiao smugly approached Yunxi, looking down at her with disdain. She said, her eyes filled with contempt:

"Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson on behalf of your brother, so you'll understand who you are."

Shen Yujiao naturally wouldn't just make Yunxi kneel. She ordered someone to bring a bucket of ice water and poured it directly on Yunxi, drenching her from head to toe.

Although it is almost April, the temperature is still very low. When this bucket of ice water was poured over her, Yunxi's whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Yunxi knew that although the guards in the courtyard couldn't stop this woman from carrying out the imperial decree, someone would definitely inform Gu Nanxiao. She just didn't know what Gu Nanxiao would do, since the order came from his mother.

Seeing that Yunxi, despite being drenched in icy water, was not disheveled but instead appeared delicate and beautiful, Shen Yujiao's jealousy and hatred intensified.

She then ordered two buckets of ice water to be brought over, and poured them all over Yunxi.

At this moment, Yunxi's clothes were completely soaked, inside and out, and water was dripping from her cheeks and hair. She was shivering from the cold, and her face turned pale again.

Seeing Yunxi's disheveled state, Shen Yujiao finally showed a hint of satisfaction. She walked to a chair and sat down. While sipping her hot tea, she gave her instructions:

"Please, you two old ladies, take the disciplinary slips and keep an eye on this lowly servant girl. If her kneeling posture is not up to standard, please punish her properly."

Granny Li and Granny Wang were elderly women who had come from the Xu family as part of the princess's dowry since she married. They had been in the Yong Prince's mansion for over twenty years and had never been bullied or beaten by anyone.

I was just slammed to the ground by that little maid, and my wrists, back, and the back of my head are still throbbing with pain. Now that I have the chance to fight back, I naturally won't hold back.

Using Yunxi's trembling as an excuse, they used the leash in their hands to lash her all over her body, on her back, shoulders, arms, and even on her jaw.

When Gu Nanxiao led a group of guards into Qingfeng Garden, what he saw was Yunxi kneeling on the ground wearing only a soaked undergarment, her whole body covered in bloody whip marks.

He strode over to Yunxi's side, kicked the two old women to the ground, then took off his cloak, draped it over Yunxi, and bent down to pick her up in his arms.

He said to the two old women who were lying on their backs, screaming in pain, "Tell Mother that from now on, the people in my courtyard will not need her to bother disciplining them."

Seeing Gu Nanxiao's gloomy face, everyone shrank back, not daring to breathe, trying to minimize their presence, for fear of being affected by his anger.

The moment Yunxi was pulled into Gu Nanxiao's arms, a sudden wave of grievance welled up inside her. But she didn't show it on her face, and looked up at the man expressionlessly.

For a moment, she didn't know whether she should thank him for coming to her rescue or hate him for causing her trouble and making her suffer this undeserved disaster.

The slight pity in Gu Nanxiao's eyes was nothing to Yunxi. But Yunxi would definitely find an opportunity to personally avenge what happened today.

Yunxi's face was clearly expressionless, and she didn't say a word, but Gu Nanxiao felt that the little girl seemed to be resenting him.

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Yunxi closed her eyes wearily. Gu Nanxiao looked at her pale face and felt the trembling body in his arms, but in the end he said nothing and carried her to his courtyard.

As Gu Nanxiao passed by Shen Yujiao, he stopped and stared at her with a gloomy expression, but spoke to his subordinates behind him:

“Today, each of the guards of the courtyard shall receive thirty lashes. From now on, no matter whose orders you are given, you are not allowed to let anyone in, especially those cousins ​​or young ladies. If there is a next time, you will no longer need to follow me.”

Shen Yujiao was so frightened that she needed her maid's support to stand. Gu Nanxiao's murderous gaze made her feel as if her neck would be snapped at any moment.

Shen Yujiao kept reassuring herself that she had her maternal grandmother and aunt backing her up, and her cousin wouldn't do anything to her.

Even if that lowly maid was punished, it was only because of my aunt's orders. My cousin wouldn't truly despise me over such a trivial matter.

At this moment, her cousin was just angry. She only needed to humble herself and coax him a little, and he would naturally calm down.

As soon as Gu Nanxiao carried the person out of Qingfeng Garden, he immediately ordered, "Quickly summon the physician and find two more charcoal braziers."

The physician was grabbed by the collar and carried into the room by Qian Yu. The physician, who was over fifty years old, hadn't even caught his breath before Gu Nanxiao summoned him to the bedside to examine Yunxi's injuries.

A moment later, the physician reported: "Miss Yun's injuries are all superficial. The wound on her jaw will heal quickly with continuous application of ointment."

Although there are some bruises on the knees, there is no injury to the tendons or bones. To help them heal faster, use some blood-activating medicinal wine and massage the area repeatedly.

As for your body that was splashed with ice water, I'll prescribe a remedy to dispel the cold. After taking it, you should be fine.

Gu Nanxiao waved his hand, signaling the physician to hurry up and do it. He then went to the bedside, personally changed Yunxi's cold, wet clothes, and then hugged Yunxi tightly in his arms.

Yunxi felt the warmth emanating from Gu Nanxiao's hot chest, which did dispel the chill from her body, but it could not dispel the coldness in her heart.

Gu Nanxiao had long noticed that Yunxi was acting very strangely. She was like a puppet devoid of emotion, her eyes fixed on one spot, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.

Considering that Yunxi had been humiliated by people sent by Consort Xu when she first entered the manor, and subsequently committed suicide by drowning, a sense of unease inexplicably rose in Gu Nanxiao's heart.

He pulled her closer to him, thought for a moment, and said, "I know you were wronged today. I will inform Mother so that no one will set any rules for you in the future."

After Gu Nanxiao finished speaking, he didn't receive a reply from Yunxi for a long time. He held her for a while longer, then instructed Zisu to make the charcoal brazier burn brighter before heading to Qingfeng Garden.

Gu Nanxiao stayed in the princess's room for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before coming out. But as soon as he stepped out of the room, he heard cups shatter and the princess crying.

Then a maid rushed out of the room and hurriedly went to summon the family physician. Gu Nanxiao paused for a moment, but finally left Qingfeng Garden.

In no time, the news that the eldest son had angered the princess to the point of illness because he was protecting his concubine spread throughout the entire mansion.

Subsequently, Gu Nanxiao was summoned to the study by Prince Yong and severely reprimanded.

He had just returned to his courtyard when a servant came to report: "Young Master, Miss Yun has suddenly developed a high fever, but the royal physicians are currently treating the Princess. What do you think..."