Bai Haoyun said coldly, "Even if you become a princess, you are still a daughter of the Bai family. What are you doing putting on airs like a princess in the mansion? You should go and pay your respects to your mother first now that you're back."
Hearing the commotion, the four maids, Qingzhu, Qingshuang, Lanxiang, and Lanxin, quickly came out and stood behind Bai Chuxiao. They hadn't even had a chance to report the recent situation in the manor to the princess yet, and this young master had actually delivered himself to their doorstep.
Bai Chuxiao looked up at the sky speechlessly. Was Bai Haoyun an idiot? How could Bai Linan, the dignified Left Prime Minister, have produced such a scoundrel?
Lanxiang chuckled and said, "Young Master, the Princess is a first-rank official, while Madam Xie doesn't even have an official title. It should be her who comes to pay respects to the Princess."
Bai Haoyun's eyes showed some annoyance, "How dare you! What right do you, a mere servant, have to interrupt when I'm speaking?"
Bai Chuxiao looked at the strange young man in front of her, a half-smile on her face, "Lanxiang, why do you think Aunt Xie doesn't have an imperial title?"
Lanxiang smiled and said, "Princess, how could you forget? Madam Xie isn't even a second wife; she's just a concubine who was promoted to the position of wife without any official status. The court and His Majesty don't recognize such a person."
Qing Shuang covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then slowly said, "The respectful address of 'Madam' is only out of respect for the Master. In truth, she is still just a concubine. It's only because you, Princess, are kind-hearted that she's still addressed. Logically speaking, someone of Aunt Xie's status should come to pay her respects to the Princess every day, and on the fifteenth of each month, she should kowtow and offer incense at the memorial tablet of the First Madam."
Bai Chuxiao blinked. "Qingshuang, you're right. I've been busy with many things these past few days. It seems that it's time to establish proper rules in this manor. Go, summon Concubine Xie. I've been back for so long and she hasn't come to pay her respects yet. What kind of behavior is this!"
"Yes," Qing Shuang replied with a smile.
"Bai Chuxiao, what do you mean?" Bai Haoyun shouted angrily.
Lanxiang spoke coldly, "Young Master, watch your attitude. Miss is your elder sister and also a princess. Calling her by her given name is a grave offense."
Bai Haoyun sneered, "This is the Bai family, who dares to punish me! On the contrary, you lowly servant dare to yell at me, young master. Today, I will definitely teach you a lesson! Guards!"
Upon hearing his call, a group of servants rushed in, bowing and saying, "Young Master!"
"Grab this wretched maid and give her twenty lashes!" Bai Haoyun pointed at Lanxiang and loudly ordered.
The servants of Liuli Courtyard all looked at Bai Haoyun in disbelief. Had the young master gone mad? But in their hearts, they couldn't help but give him a thumbs up. He dared to say that he would hit Sister Lanxiang. His courage was commendable!
The servants who rushed in hesitated upon hearing Bai Haoyun's order, and no one stepped forward for a long time. The young master was not in the capital and was unaware that things had already changed in the manor. The maids serving the princess were usually only shown respect, and they dared not hit them. The head servant, Ah Ying, who was in charge of Bai Haoyun's courtyard, stepped forward and stammered, "Young master... perhaps we should go back?"
Seeing that no one moved, Bai Haoyun kicked him in annoyance, "I've only been away from the manor for a few months, and you're all disobeying my orders?"
Ah Ying lowered her head and advised, "Young Master, it's not our place to discipline the Princess's maid. Let's go back first."
Bai Chuxiao watched this scene with a half-smile. Her previous show of authority had been effective; now, no foolish servant in the Bai family dared to provoke Liuli Courtyard.
"Bai Haoyun, I'll give you a chance since you're about to participate in the autumn imperial examinations. Get lost now, or don't blame this princess for being impolite."
Having grown up pampered, Bai Haoyun couldn't stand this humiliation. He glared at the fearful servants beside him and said coldly, "A bunch of useless trash! Bring me the whip! I, this young master, will personally teach this wretched maid a lesson."
Ah Ying wanted to step forward and persuade him again, but the princess's words had already shown she was willing to let the young master off the hook. If the young master ignored her advice and insisted on doing as she pleased, Ah Ying could already foresee what would happen to him.
Before he could even speak, Bai Haoyun glared at him and said, "Get out of my way!"
The young master was determined, and the servants had no choice but to reluctantly offer him the riding whip.
Bai Haoyun didn't waste any words. Pointing at Lanxiang with his riding whip, he said, "You lowly servant, get out here right now!"
Bai Chuxiao and the maids behind her all smiled as they watched the 'imposing' Bai Haoyun. He truly was a spirited young man; anyone who saw him would have to exclaim, "Awesome!"
Enraged that these lowly servants wouldn't listen to him today, Bai Haoyun didn't want to say anything more and rushed forward to teach Lanxiang a lesson.
The people in Liuli Courtyard remained expressionless, while the servants behind Bai Haoyun all wore expressions of utter disbelief.
A moment later, a loud "bang" was heard, and Bai Haoyun was seen lying face down on the ground, spread-eagled, with his riding whip scattered to the side.
Ah Ying and the others rushed forward to help Bai Haoyun up. "Young Master, why are you doing this to yourself? We've tried to persuade you, but you won't listen. You're just asking for trouble."
"Bring the person in for me, the princess."
Bai Chuxiao gave a nonchalant order. She had given him a chance, but he wouldn't listen. Well, then let's have some fun. Bai Haoyun was clearly a rebellious teenager; he deserved a beating!
"yes"
Aying, who was supporting Bai Haoyun, hurriedly said, "Please, Princess, spare the young master..."
Qingzhu kicked him away, yelling, "Get out of here!"
Bai Chuxiao sat on the swing in the courtyard, smiling as she watched Bai Haoyun, who was tied to a long bench.
Ah Ying and the others knelt on the ground, begging for mercy, hoping that the young lady would spare the young master. They said that if the young master was hurt, the old lady, the master, and the mistress would not let them off, and in the end, they would be the ones to suffer.
Qingzhu shouted angrily, "Shut up, all of you!"
Ah Ying and the others immediately fell silent, but Ah Ying gave a wink to a servant behind them, who then quietly slipped away.
Bai Chuxiao noticed but didn't stop it. Isn't it too late to call for help now?
Bound and gagged, Bai Haoyun shouted, "Bai Chuxiao, what do you want to do? I am the eldest young master of this manor! If you dare to hit me, my grandmother and father will not let you get away with it!"
Bai Chuxiao raised her eyebrows slightly and said with a smile, "Not bad, you still have the strength to threaten this princess! Qingzhu, since the young master likes to play with the riding whip, then you should teach him how to use it properly."
Qingzhu nodded excitedly, "Yes."
Bai Chuxiao added calmly, "Young Master is going to participate in the Autumn Imperial Examination; his hands are delicate, so be careful not to hurt them."
Qingzhu drew her soft whip and smiled, "Princess, rest assured, Qingzhu knows what she's doing and will not delay the young master from writing."
Then, a series of "slap," "slap," "slap" sounds echoed from the Liuli Courtyard, along with Bai Haoyun's screams and curses. Bai Chuxiao calmly watched this scene, not even bothering to gag him. He still had the mood to curse; it seemed he hadn't been beaten enough.
"Qingzhu, did you not eat enough today?"
Feeling slighted by the rejection, Qingzhu was a little angry. The young master looked weak, but he was surprisingly resilient. He then became even more ruthless. Bai Haoyun let out a painful scream, no longer having the energy to curse anyone. In the end, he didn't even have the strength to scream anymore...
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