They were in charge of being beautiful, and she was in charge of taking the hits.

Chapter 122 Are You Afraid?

Sima Lingyu, his face streaked with tears, pleaded, "Your Highness, please stop hitting him."

He even knelt down at Wu Chengye's feet, hugged her legs, and shook her clothes, but she never looked at him.

Finally, growing impatient, he kicked him away. He looked at the executioners and waved his hand: "Splash him with water to wake him up, then continue beating him!"

Everyone was drenched in sweat. They never expected their master to be so ruthless. That was really just a child. If the beating continued, he might die. Even if he survived by chance, he would be crippled.

"Hit me if you want, stop hitting him!" Sima Lingyu stopped kneeling, stood up, and knelt in front of those people.

As the master of the house, he was in a difficult position, but they were loyal to Wu Chengye. She shifted her position, crossed one leg, and looked at him with interest: "Since the master loves his servant so much, then let him have his way and beat him."

Upon hearing this, Huang Ziliang couldn't sit still. Ignoring his image in the eyes of others, he walked over and whispered in Wu Chengye's ear, "I heard that Your Highness's master is the Prime Minister's second son. No matter how angry you are, you can kill that servant, but you can't touch him."

"so what!"

"In the imperial court, you will still be somewhat constrained by the prime minister. If something happens to his son in the household, do you think he won't have an excuse to impeach you? Or, since he is on your side now, won't he instigate others to impeach you?"

Wu Chengye stared at him, never expecting a man to say such things. How did he know about the situation in the court? Was he not as simple as she imagined?

"How do you know this?"

"I asked the servants in the house when I came." At this moment, he looked at someone he had spoken to before, and that person could indeed testify. Huang Ziliang had asked him these questions; he had only told him what had happened in the mansion, and yet Huang Ziliang was able to deduce so much from it.

Wu Chengye laughed. This was truly a stroke of luck. She was just worried about not having a strategist, and now one had been sent to her from heaven, and he was a man who couldn't serve as an official in the court.

He glanced down at the master and servant below, who were weeping uncontrollably. The executioners held the basin of water, unsure whether to pour it or not.

"I'm feeling down today, so let's all eat lunch separately," Wu Chengye said, dismissing the group.

Those people couldn't wait to leave. Ever since Wu Ziyan went to court, Wu Chengye had become unpredictable, often losing his temper and hitting people.

They were having dinner with Wu Chengye, so how could they possibly eat? They quickly slipped away.

"My God, this is terrifying, it's so bloody."

"What's so special about this? Last time, when Zhang was in office, his tongue was cut out by his master himself!"

“What’s wrong with this mistress lately? She wasn’t like this before. Ever since her husband came into the family, she hasn’t been happy.”

"Let's not talk about it behind their backs. If someone hears us, we'll get a lot of flak too."

The kitchen has confirmed the notification that there will be no meal. The cook, who has been busy all morning, thought to himself, "Damn it, are they treating me like a fool?!" and replied, "Okay, okay, I know."

Then they heard that something had happened in the front hall, which scared them so much that they were cooking with trepidation, afraid that if they weren't careful, they would be dragged away and beaten too.

Lan'er was carried away, and the blood was quickly washed away. It was as if the incident of beating people in front of the hall had never happened.

After everyone left, only Huang Ziliang and Wu Chengye remained. When they were alone together, Wu Chengye returned to normal.

The fierce look in his eyes completely disappeared, replaced by a gentle gaze, like that of an ordinary friend: "Are you afraid, Ziliang?"

“Chengye, you are dealing with your own family matters, why should I be afraid?”

"Are you really just an ordinary Confucian scholar?"

"Why keep testing me? Miss Chengye, why don't you just send me back to Shiyuan Lane? I'll go back to my hometown in a few days."

Does he mean you invited me here, and now you're going to doubt me?

"What do you like to eat? I'll have the kitchen prepare it now."

"I'm not picky. Steamed buns and plain water can fill my stomach, but Your Highness's residence is filled with delicacies from land and sea. What do I have to complain about?"

"I'm sorry, I was planning to introduce you to everyone during lunch, but this family incident happened, you see..."

"The fact that I was able to sit next to you, Chengye, just now already speaks volumes about my status."

"I have already ordered the steward to prepare a study in the side hall. Tomorrow, you can have those officials and servants study there properly."

"Although they are supposed to be students, I don't know what to teach them?"

“Teach them to write poetry and paint.”

"it is good."

Wu Chengye grabbed his hand, and Huang Ziliang's body trembled. His eyes were filled with doubt as he looked at her face. Wu Chengye's expression changed again, and his eyes were full of suspicion: "You wouldn't happen to be someone sent by my fourth sister, would you?"

Her eyes seemed to see right through him, but she was still too inexperienced. Huang Ziliang's gaze remained gentle yet slightly distant as he pulled his hand away from hers. "If Your Highness has any doubts, I would have no complaints even if you dragged me out and beat me to death."

He was truly angry. Everyone called her "Your Highness" instead of "Chengye." She still preferred him to call her "Chengye." She loosened her grip: "Did I scare you? Well, I had no choice. Being in a high position, I had to be careful."

She was actually willing to tell him all this; he really had a way with words. But so what? Sooner or later, she would find out the truth, and he was really looking forward to her expression.

"No, Your Highness, I will still call you that from now on."

"Just call me Chengye, I'm used to hearing it that way."

"Yes."

"Why be so respectful to me? Are you still intimidated?"

Huang Ziliang remained silent, knowing full well that too much talk could lead to mistakes. He simply smiled and looked at Wu Chengye's hand, gently patting the back of his hand.

"You must be tired. Take a good rest. If you need anything, just call the steward. After you've rested this afternoon, the steward will take you around the mansion to get to know the people there."

Huang Ziliang nodded. When Wu Chengye got up to leave, he didn't stand up to see him off. He knew that throwing a little tantrum would make her find it more interesting.

He returned to his room, his fists clenched. Before coming, he had investigated the officials in her household. Some were genuine and without any sway from power, while others were planted or flattered by those with power. The first one he wanted to approach was the one who liked to gossip.

He had already decided on the candidate, which was Feng Langguan from the manor. He was a man who was not swayed by power and influence, and who was talkative. Wu Chengye also liked to listen to him talk.

He closed the door to write a note, opened it again, and went out with his hands in his pockets. Two servants stood at the door, watching him every moment. He decided to let them be. He called the steward and went to pay his respects to Master Lingyu.

"Mr. Huang, this..."

"Your Highness, did you ask me to take you to recognize people this afternoon?"

"Yes"