Chapter 9

Ning Ziming had just returned to the mansion when he heard a commotion coming from the western courtyard, so he came over to check it out.

But when he saw Ning Chen, who was bruised and unconscious, his face suddenly changed.

A chill ran down Ning Ziming’s spine, making him dizzy.

The Xuan Emperor had just warned him to treat Ning Chen well, and now this had happened. Wasn’t this asking for his life?

If the Xuan Emperor found out about this, not only would he be in trouble, but everyone here would suffer.

“Father, you’re finally back... Ning Chen has become more and more outrageous. A few days ago, he injured Second Brother’s head, and today he stole First Brother’s silver.”

“When we confronted him, he not only refused to admit it but also attacked us... Look at my arm, he bit me.”

“Father, you must do something for me!”

Ning Mao immediately started to cry, a tactic he had used many times before, which always worked.

But this time it didn’t work. Ning Ziming turned around and slapped him hard across the face.

Ning Mao lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Ning Gan was stunned.

The servants were also stunned.

Ning Mao felt a burning pain on his face, covering it in disbelief... He couldn’t believe that his father would actually hit him?

“Scoundrel, you scoundrels... You are blood relatives, yet you dare to do such a heinous thing. How could I have such cruel sons?”

Ning Ziming’s hands trembled with anger as he pointed at Ning Mao and scolded him.

Thinking of the consequences if the Xuan Emperor found out, he couldn’t help but kick Ning Mao again.

Ning Gan was shocked, even suspecting if his father had taken the wrong medicine?

“Father, calm down! This isn’t our fault. Ning Chen stole first and then attacked us. Look at these servants and Third Brother’s arm, it was all Ning Chen...”

Ning Gan’s words only added fuel to the fire. Before he could finish, Ning Ziming stepped forward and slapped him hard.

Ning Gan was dazed, covering his face with a blank look.

Father had always doted on him and had never touched him, but today he hit him for Ning Chen?

“Scoundrel, you scoundrel... You’re courting death, aren’t you?”

Ning Ziming roared.

The Xuan Emperor had just warned him, and now Ning Chen was beaten unconscious. This was a deliberate provocation of the emperor’s authority.

If the Xuan Emperor was enraged, even the Left Chancellor couldn’t protect him.

“You wicked servants, how dare you lay hands on your master? Is there no law in this house?”

“Bring these wicked servants to me, each to receive thirty strokes and be expelled from the mansion.”

Ning Ziming was furious.

“Spare us, sir!”

“Spare us, sir, spare us...”

“First Master, save me, First Master, save me...”

The servants who had beaten Ning Chen were terrified, kneeling and begging for mercy.

Thirty strokes might sound simple, but few could endure them.

Those rods were made of solid wood, rough and uneven... Not to mention thirty, a normal person could barely withstand ten.

Thirty strokes would leave one severely injured, if not dead.

A group of servants immediately rushed in and dragged the culprits away.

“Bring Ning Chen to the eastern wing and get a doctor immediately!”

The eastern wing was where the master should live, while the western courtyard was for the servants.

Ning Chen was carried away.

Ning Gan and Ning Mao, covering their faces, looked at each other in disbelief.

“Brother, is Father crazy? Why would he side with Ning Chen, that bastard?”

“Father hitting me is one thing, but he always doted on you, and now he hit you too?”

Ning Gan was also puzzled.

He even suspected if this father was real?

“Father wouldn’t do this without a reason. There must be a cause... Let’s go find Mother!”

“Brother, my arm hurts.”

“Bear with it. We’ll have Mother look at it.”

The brothers, covering their faces, went to find Chang Ruyue.

...

In the eastern wing, Ning Chen was still unconscious.

“Doctor, is my son alright?”

The doctor bowed, “Lord Ning, the young master’s condition is not optimistic. External injuries can be treated, but he has two broken ribs, which will take some time to heal.”

“Also, the young master has been malnourished for a long time, with weak constitution. His recovery will take longer than usual.”

Ning Ziming frowned.

“Doctor, do your best to treat him. Use the best medicine.”

The doctor nodded, “Lord Ning, rest assured. I will do my best. I will write a prescription, and I need someone to fetch the medicine.”

“However, the young master’s weak constitution needs to be nourished. This will greatly benefit his recovery.”

Ning Ziming nodded and instructed the Ning Mansion steward, “Wu Steward, you go with the doctor to fetch the medicine.”

“Yes, sir!”

Wu Steward, a plump, fair-skinned man who had been in the Ning Mansion for a long time and was deeply trusted by Ning Ziming, was also puzzled. Why had the master suddenly become so kind to Ning Chen?

Ning Ziming added, “Also, tell the kitchen to select a good old hen and stew it to bring here.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ning Ziming thought for a moment and said again, “Also, inform everyone that if anyone dares to spread today’s events, I will not be lenient!”

“Doctor, please keep today’s events confidential.”

The doctor hurriedly bowed, “Lord Ning, rest assured, I understand!”

Ning Ziming rubbed his temples. This matter must not reach the Xuan Emperor, or his position as Minister would be over.

At the same time, Chang Ruyue was leading Ning Gan and Ning Mao to the eastern wing.

Ning Gan and Ning Mao had exaggerated the events when they returned!

Although Chang Ruyue was puzzled, seeing the slap marks on Ning Gan’s and Ning Mao’s faces and the bite mark on Ning Mao’s arm, she couldn’t hold back any longer.

She had to find Ning Ziming and ask for an explanation.

Seeing Chang Ruyue, Ning Ziming’s headache worsened.

If Chang Ruyue was just his wife, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but she was also the daughter of the Left Chancellor, and he owed his current position to the Left Chancellor.

“Sir, I don’t understand. Ning Chen stole first and then attacked. The fault is entirely his... Even if you want to protect him, you can’t be so blind, can you?”

“Look at Mao’s arm, he almost bit off a piece of flesh. He is your own son. Don’t you feel heartbroken?”

Chang Ruyue accused, tears streaming down her face.

As a smart woman, she knew not to be too aggressive. Playing the emotional card and pretending to be weak was the best strategy.

“Lady, it’s not as you think...”

He stopped, remembering the Xuan Emperor’s words. No one else was to know about today’s conversation.

The Xuan Emperor, though known for his benevolence, was ruthless when necessary.

Last year, the Minister of Revenue, after drinking, leaked the Xuan Emperor’s words and was executed with his entire family.

Ning Ziming was in a difficult position.

“Lady, I haven’t figured everything out yet... Take Mao to get his wound treated first. You will understand why I did this in the future.”

“All I can tell you now is that Ning Chen’s life is crucial to the survival of our Ning family.”

Chang Ruyue and her sons were shocked to hear this.