Chapter 15 Chapter 15 "My Lord, something bad has happened. My concubine has been...
"Yes." Jasmine was not curious at all. She stood up obediently and took Qi'er's hand and walked out of the main room.
The Third Young Master's wife was extremely anxious when she saw Jasmine leave, but she had no other choice but to take things one step at a time.
The Duke's all-seeing gaze fell on the Third Master's face, and the Third Master didn't even dare to look up.
"Third brother, are you in such a hurry to leave because you know I'm coming?"
The third master had a blank face and said nothing.
Duke: "How much money did you lose in total?"
The Third Master said sarcastically, "My Lord, are you asking me this? Are you planning to pay it back for me?"
Duke: "Why should I pay back the money you owe me?"
"Of course..."
Before he could continue, the Duke said sharply, "You are the one who thinks the Duke's Mansion owes you something. I don't admit it."
The Third Master was shocked, not sure whether he had heard what he and his aunt said in the courtyard, or had guessed it long ago.
But none of this matters. The Third Master's expression twisted as he said, "Since the Duke isn't here to repay my debt, then he's here to question me. Sorry, I don't have the money, but if you want my life, take it."
The Duke's face darkened: "Do you really think I don't dare?"
Third Master: "Do you dare? You just returned to the capital, and you are accused of killing your own brother. I'm afraid your reputation as a Duke will be ruined."
The third master bets that he dares not.
The Third Young Master's wife was afraid that the Third Master would really anger him. A man who had been guarding the border for more than ten years, accustomed to seeing blood and killing without blinking an eye, who could say for sure.
The Third Young Master's wife tried to pull the Third Master, but the Third Master pushed her away.
The Third Young Master's wife smiled and apologized to the Duke, "Don't be angry with him, Duke. He just went gambling because he was sad. He hasn't gambled in a long time, only once or twice recently, but he wasn't lucky... Please forgive him this time, Duke."
The Duke said: "He doesn't repent. If we forgive him this time, there will definitely be another time."
The Third Master didn't think he could do anything to him. Over the years, the Duke's Mansion had been cleaning up his mess.
At the beginning, when he had no money, he borrowed from the old lady and then from the eldest young lady's wife. Later, everyone thought he was a bottomless pit and refused to lend him money.
He was not afraid, so he asked those he owed money to come to his house to ask for repayment.
For the sake of the Duke's Mansion's face, the old lady had no choice but to give it every time.
The old lady couldn't do anything to him. She was well-known for her virtue and she didn't dare to be called a bastard.
Now, the Third Master is certainly not afraid of the Duke.
The Third Master was leaning back in the armchair with his legs crossed, looking at the Duke with a defiant and provocative look on his face.
The Duke, with the same solemn expression as before, spoke: "Over the years, you, Yan Long, have been in and out of the casino at least a hundred times. You won't return until you lose everything, right?"
The Third Master didn't understand why he was asking questions even though he knew the answer, but he was the Third Master who took responsibility for his actions! "That's right."
"Write down every word he says."
After hearing the Duke's words, the couple realized that there was someone standing in the hall. It was his deputy general Chun Li.
Chunli said, "I'll take note, General."
Then the Duke asked, "You lost a total of 300,000 taels of silver. Didn't the Duke's Mansion pay you back 200,000 taels?"
The Third Young Master's wife's heart was pounding. Seeing that something was wrong, she quietly retreated from the main room.
Seeing Jasmine playing with Qi'er catching butterflies outside the courtyard, the Third Young Master's wife hurried over.
"Auntie, auntie, help me!"
Jasmine didn't want her to say that in front of Qi'er, so she wanted to pull her aside, but the Third Young Master's wife was so panicked that she couldn't move her at all.
The Third Young Master's wife held Jasmine's hand tightly and said, "Auntie, you can't just stand by and watch someone die. Qi'er is still young and can't be without a father. As long as you can help persuade the Duke, I will serve you like a slave in the future!"
Jasmine felt that the Third Young Master's wife was even more difficult to deal with than the First Young Master's wife. At least the First Young Master's wife wouldn't threaten her with words like "working like a slave for her."
Her third young master's wife gave her a concubine to work like a slave. How proud her concubine was.
Jasmine was extremely angry.
But she pretended to be like that on the surface. With an embarrassed look on her face, she advised the Third Young Master's wife: "Madam, don't worry. The Duke and the Third Young Master are brothers after all. I'm sure the Duke won't really take the Third Young Master's life."
The Third Young Master's wife was still very emotional: "Yes. What if it happens? Aunt, for Qi'er's sake, please help me."
As the Third Young Master's wife spoke, she pulled Qi'er over and said, "Look at her, Auntie. She's only six years old. Without a father, and her mother is just the daughter of a poor scholar, Qi'er really has no future in this Duke's Mansion."
When Qi'er saw the Third Young Master's wife crying miserably, she also hugged her mother's thighs and cried loudly.
Jasmine didn't know what to do.
Just then, the door of the main room clanged open.
Chunli stood in the corridor and shouted loudly: "Someone come here."
Immediately, four fully armed guards rushed into the courtyard and then rushed into the main hall in one breath.
In a flash, the Third Master was carried into the courtyard.
Not only the Third Young Master's wife, but Jasmine was also shocked. No way, is the Duke really going to kill the Third Young Master?
The Third Young Master's wife was about to rush over, but stopped and turned back to beg her, "Jasmine..."
Even Qi'er hugged her legs and said, "Aunt, please save my father..."
Jasmine suspected that the Duke was provoked by the Third Master's words. If he was killed on sight, it would be too late to regret later.
Jasmine saw her grandfather come out, turned to look at the Third Young Master's wife, and stepped forward.
Just as I stood beside him, I heard his calm voice: "Just break one leg."
Chunli shouted again, "Everyone, be careful. Move!"
Using a long bench and a thick wooden stick, two people held down the Third Master's body while one person carried out the execution.
Jasmine felt relieved when she heard that only one leg was broken. She fell silent.
The Third Young Master's wife was still very anxious and tried to make eye contact with Jasmine, but Jasmine pretended not to notice at first.
When Qi'er came to hold her hand, Jasmine sighed inwardly. She didn't want to talk much with the Third Young Master's wife.
After thinking about it, it seems that I can only...
Just as the stick was about to fall on the Third Master, Jasmine covered her head and stretched out her hand to ask Shancha to help her to the side.
The Third Young Master's wife came to help her, and Jasmine simply collapsed, letting the two of them hold her up.
"Auntie, Auntie?"
Auntie can't hear, she can't hear.
The only sounds coming from the courtyard were the "bang bang" sound of wooden sticks hitting the ground and the wailing of the Third Master.
Qi'er was so scared that her sobbing stopped.
Jasmine was originally being held up by two people, just stable. Suddenly, her left side loosened and she almost fell. Fortunately, Shancha was strong and supported her.
Jasmine half-closed her eyes and turned back slightly, and saw the figure of the Third Young Master's wife running towards the Duke.
Jasmine heard the Third Young Master's wife's anxious cry: "My Lord, something bad has happened! My aunt has fainted from fright!"
Jasmine: “…”
Between pretending to be unconscious and being awake, Jasmine chose to continue pretending to be unconscious.
After all, if she woke up now, the Third Young Master's wife would definitely suspect her, and she would have one more enemy, and a terrifying enemy like the Third Young Master's wife.
Besides, Jasmine thought that the Duke would not stop for her.
Just as I was thinking about it, I heard steady, powerful and swift footsteps coming from behind.
Jasmine, who was leaning in Shancha's arms, was taken over by the Duke in an instant.
"Jasmine, wake up!"
Jasmine didn't dare open her eyes.
It wasn't until the Duke carried her for a while and she felt they were some distance away from the North Courtyard that she slowly opened her eyes and said, "Master, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."
This is what she really thinks.
She struggled to get down. The Duke scolded her, "Don't move."
And so, we returned all the way to the main courtyard.
The court doctor came to see her, and Jasmine was terrified when he took her pulse.
After hearing the court doctor say that she was just frightened and would be fine after drinking two doses of decoction to calm her nerves, Jasmine was completely relieved.
After Jasmine drank the medicine and the court doctor left, the Duke sat on the edge of the bed, frowning and asking, "Why are you so frightened?"
Jasmine didn't dare to speak.
I only heard the Duke sigh: "I didn't expect you to be so timid."
Just when Jasmine was wondering if the master was going to say something like, "I'll pay more attention in the future," she heard the Duke ask her, "Does Jasmine have a heart disease?"
Jasmine shook her head.
The Duke sighed again, this time with relief. As long as she didn't look like the Imperial Concubine, it would be fine.
"That's good. I'll find a way to help you build up your courage later."
Jasmine's heart was pounding as she wondered how she could train herself to have such courage.
But she couldn't refuse, so she could only agree obediently: "Then... then this servant will thank you first."
The Duke nodded.
Because the concubine was frightened, the Duke immediately ordered people to stop the punishment.
The Third Master was only hit twenty times and his leg was not broken, but it was not much better.
The Duke ordered Chunli to take the court doctor to check the injuries and confirm that the Third Master would not be able to go out in the next few days.
The Third Master, however, thought that the Duke was checking to see if his leg was broken. If not, he would continue beating him until it was broken.
The Third Master still felt that he was not afraid of death, but he was afraid of becoming disabled! He was afraid of lying in bed waiting to die!
He howled loudly, shaking the earth. Finally, he gave up his stubbornness and lay on the bed, begging the Duke to give him another chance. He really wouldn't gamble anymore.
When Chunli came to report, the Duke had no other reaction, but only asked Chunli to send someone to keep an eye on him.
Jasmine knew that this master probably didn't trust the Third Master.
The next day, the Third Young Master's wife came to visit Jasmine, and Jasmine said that she felt much better after taking the medicine.
The Third Young Master's wife apologized to her: "I was too impatient that day. I shouldn't have pushed you. Will you not blame me?"
Jasmine shook her head. "Madam was also eager to save the Third Master. Jasmine was only touched. To be honest, Jasmine didn't help either. It just happened to be a coincidence."
The Third Young Master's wife said sincerely, "It happened to be a rescue. It was also because of Auntie that the Third Master was able to save his leg."
Jasmine said vaguely: "As long as the Third Master is okay."
The Third Young Master's wife said, "Qier just now wanted to come and see Auntie. I was afraid she would bother Auntie, so I didn't bring her along. If Auntie feels bored someday, she can always call her over to serve."
Jasmine said sternly, "What do you mean by serving? Qi'er is the daughter of the Duke's Mansion. Madam, please don't say that again."
The Third Young Master's wife smiled and nodded.
After the Third Young Master's wife left, Shan Cha approached her and started to talk badly about her. "The Third Young Master's wife is very sinister. She deliberately invited us over yesterday morning. She said it was to celebrate her daughter's birthday, but she actually knew the Duke would pick a fight with them. She's treating you like a fool."
Jasmine was surprised: "You noticed it too?"
Shancha: "Is it hard to tell? Anyone would know if they saw the Duke in their yard, right?"
Jasmine nodded: "So, do you think the Third Young Master's wife is stupid, or does she think we are stupid?"
Shancha: "She must be stupid. She thought we couldn't see it. She even pretended to come see you."
Jasmine nodded again. "You're quite right. But being treated like a fool isn't bad either. Just don't let yourself get caught."
Shancha: "Don't worry."
Needless to say, Jasmine was very confident in her.
Shan Cha asked again, "What if the Third Young Master's wife comes to see you again?"
Jasmine: "It's impossible not to have any contact. But you reminded me, if Qi'er comes here again in the future, I'll try to avoid her if I can."
Shancha wondered, "What can a little kid do?"
Jasmine: "The child will definitely side with her mother. Qi'er is cute and we get along very well, but it would be too boring if every time we interacted, we had an ulterior motive."
Shancha: "I understand."
When Jasmine looks at Qi'er, she thinks of herself. When she was little, she was often told, "You're just like your mother."
She was always very angry, thinking that those people were slandering her and spreading rumors about her. She was nothing like her mother.
But when she grew up, she slowly realized that it was true. Not only did they look alike, but they also had the same ability to steal, cheat, and scheme against others.
Jasmine secretly vowed that she would never be like before.
Now that her life is better, she doesn't have to worry about anything anymore. She just needs to be her obedient and docile Aunt Jasmine in the backyard.
The bedroom door opened, and a tall, steady figure emerged. Jasmine smiled broadly, waiting for him to approach.
The Duke carried her back to the main courtyard, and Jasmine never returned to her courtyard. Jasmine did go back, but the Duke told her not to bother.
Of course Jasmine listens to me.
Last night, the main courtyard's large bed was reduced to two beddings again. The Duke took the initiative to carry it out of the box.
Jasmine felt a little guilty towards him, because she had pretended to faint.
She was also very surprised that her grandfather actually held back.
Of course she was also a little touched.
Hiding in the quilt, Jasmine turned sideways, with only her head exposed. She said to the Duke with a feeling in her heart, "I think it's nice to chat with you like this."
The Duke, who was also lying in bed, tossing and turning and unable to fall asleep, did not feel good.
The Duke had his back to his concubine, but he knew that his concubine was staring at his back with her eyes that could speak.
Hearing the sweet and soft words from his concubine, the Duke deliberately remained silent.
Jasmine: "Is the master asleep?"
The Duke didn't like to lie, and he struggled to utter two words: "No."
Jasmine: "This morning, the Third Young Master's wife came to visit me and thanked me, saying that it was because of me that the Third Master was able to save his leg. Will the Master blame me?"
The Duke turned around and faced his concubine. "This matter has nothing to do with you. When I beat the Third Brother, I was just furious. After I brought you back, my anger had subsided a bit, and the Third Brother begged for mercy, so I decided to give him a chance."
Jasmine looked relieved. "Then I'm relieved. By the way, do you think the Third Master will change his ways?"
The Duke was silent for a moment.
Jasmine's heart skipped a beat. She regretted asking.
Just as he was thinking about how to fudge this issue, the Duke spoke up, "He's always felt that the old Duke and the Duke's Mansion owed him something. As long as he can't let go of the frustration in his heart, he won't change."
Jasmine slowly relaxed and asked curiously, "Then let's find a way to relieve his frustration?"
Duke: "It's useless. His whore mother hanged herself. The whore thought she was pregnant with the old Duke's child. After entering the mansion, she thought she could have her own way like she did in the brothel, but she looked down on the Duke's mansion. Ever since she entered the mansion, the whore was thrown aside by the old Duke. Because of her status, she was isolated by the entire Duke's mansion. Even after giving birth to the third child, the Duke's mansion didn't even look at her. The whore's life in the mansion was probably not as good as that of a handyman. When the third child was 31 years old, the whore knew that there was no hope, so she hanged herself. How hard the prostitute's life was, how hard the third child was. Even though he was later allocated an independent house and the old Duke wanted to make up for it, the third child was not very receptive."
Jasmine was amazed that her grandfather had told her so much, and it was all about the secrets of the Duke's Mansion! Jasmine was delighted.
Jasmine: "So, Third Master is quite pitiful. However, I think the person Third Master should blame the most is his mother. She thought she could gain wealth and status through trickery, and not only did she harm herself, she also harmed an innocent child."
The Duke: "Have you heard?"
Jasmine was stunned for a moment, then she remembered that the Duke had not said how the Third Master's prostitute mother entered the mansion.
Jasmine breathed rapidly and said, "I heard it from Shancha. Shancha must have overheard it while eating with other maids or when she ran into them."
The Duke reached out and patted her face, which was red with nervousness. "Don't be afraid to talk to me in the future. I am not a cannibal."
Jasmine looked at him, rolling her eyes and saying nothing.
The Duke: "That's all. Even if you say something wrong in the future, I promise I won't blame you, okay?"
Jasmine was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously.
The Duke couldn't help laughing when he saw this.
Jasmine asked confidently, "So, it was really Third Master's whore-wife who seduced the old Duke?"
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