Chapter 2

Fang Han, as a servant in the Fang family, had the task of raising horses, specifically a famous steed for the second young miss, "Qianli Xue" (Thousand Mile Snow).

Raising horses was a hard job, requiring him to get up in the middle of the night to add fodder, especially for a famous steed, which had even more rules. At this time, Fang Han should have been making soy milk for "Qianli Xue," mixing eggs, soybeans, and various fine feeds, then taking the horse to the field to walk around to aid digestion, waiting for the second young miss to arrive.

However, because he had secretly watched the inner courtyard martial arts training this morning, and the appearance of "Gulinhands" Fang Tong, who explained the mysteries of the Corporeal Realm and the Divine Power Realm, he became so engrossed that he neglected the most important task.

Sure enough, when Fang Han hurriedly walked to the field, he saw the "Qianli Xue" he was raising being ridden by a woman with a cold and noble demeanor.

Beside this woman stood maids and imposing guards, as well as several young men and women on horses, all of whom had bright eyes, indicating their high cultivation.

"Fang Han, you have caused a tremendous disaster! Hurry up and kneel down to apologize to the second young miss!" Seeing Fang Han appear, an old man rushed over and roared at him.

"Chief Steward, I had a stomachache this morning..." Fang Han stammered.

This old man was the chief steward of the Fang family's horse field.

"I don't care about your reasons. Neglecting the second young miss's affairs is a tremendous disaster. Your father taught you from a young age how to be a servant. Don't you understand that the master's affairs are more important than the sky?" the old man scolded.

"Are you Fang Han, the one who raises Qianli Xue? The second young miss wants to ask you some questions!"

At this moment, a maid with high eyebrows and a haughty demeanor walked over. Seeing Fang Han, she shouted, spreading her fingers like an eagle catching a rabbit, and directly grabbed Fang Han's shoulder.

Fang Han immediately felt as if his whole body was bound, and he was lifted up by the maid.

"This move is called Crane Claw Imprint... This maid is three times stronger than me." Fang Han, looking at the maid's technique and strength, immediately recalled his experience of secretly learning martial arts.

However, he couldn't dodge at all. Although he had been secretly watching for a month and had some insights, he still needed a lot of practice, and how could he compare to the second young miss's personal maid?

Moreover, even if he could dodge, he wouldn't dare to. Otherwise, a disaster would immediately befall him.

Bang!

Fang Han was thrown to the ground, feeling numb all over.

"Kneel down and answer." The maid kicked Fang Han.

"Your servant is Fang Han." Fang Han lowered his head and answered through the pain.

He knew that the second young miss was named Fang Qingwei, who was very powerful. As a servant, if he showed any dissatisfaction, his fate would be dire.

"My Qianli Xue has been well cared for by you, which shows that you have put effort into it. However, this morning, you neglected your duties." Fang Qingwei said coldly, "I don't care about your reasons. As a servant, you must always think of the master. This is the rule of the Fang family and the rule of all servants. This Qianli Xue is your life. You must serve it with your life. Do you understand?"

"Your servant understands. In the future, I will serve the second young miss with my life, ensuring that the horse is well cared for. I beg the second young miss to forgive me for my negligence today." Fang Han bowed his head, knowing what he should do.

While bowing in fear, Fang Han's eyes secretly fell on the boot of Fang Qingwei, who was riding the magnificent "Qianli Xue."

Fang Qingwei's boot was pure white, adorned with jade, exquisitely and elegantly. Looking at this high and mighty boot, Fang Han thought, "One day, I will make others look up to my boots."

"Give him ten lashes and remember this lesson."

Fang Qingwei, on the horse, slightly waved her hand.

"Yes!" A maid immediately picked up the horsewhip and lashed Fang Han's body fiercely.

Smack! Smack! Smack! ...

Fang Han's body trembled, the pain piercing his heart. The maid had great strength, and each lash, flying through the air, produced a loud crack, almost breaking his bones. But he gritted his teeth and endured, sweating profusely.

After ten lashes, he was almost collapsing on the ground.

"Thank the second young miss for the lashes!"

After the lashes, Fang Han, with his last breath, said, "This is the rule for a servant. If I don't say this, it means I am not convinced, and I will receive more than just lashes."

"Good!" The second young miss, Fang Qingwei, nodded in satisfaction on the horse. "I am fair in my rewards and punishments. You neglected your duties today, so you must be lashed. However, you have taken good care of this Qianli Xue, making it strong and not secretly withholding its feed. I will reward you. Take it!"

A shiny silver ingot fell from the horse, landing in front of Fang Han.

This silver ingot, with exquisite flame patterns and the words "five taels of pure silver," was clearly an official silver ingot of the Dali Dynasty.

Five taels were equivalent to Fang Han's annual income, a generous reward.

The Fang family's horses were fed better than people, with a large supply of eggs and soy milk every day. Many servants secretly withheld the horse feed for themselves, but Fang Han did not do this.

This reward showed that Fang Qingwei was keenly observant.

"Remember, as a servant, if you make a mistake, you will be punished, and if you do well, you will be rewarded. As long as you are loyal and devoted to the master, you will always have your rewards." After giving the reward, Fang Qingwei said to the young men and women beside her, "Let's go. We shouldn't miss the hunting time."

"The second young miss manages the household well."

A young man, after seeing Fang Qingwei deal with Fang Han, praised her.

"With a large household and many people, managing these servants requires rules." Fang Qingwei's voice was always cold and noble. "However, the key is to balance kindness and authority. If you show kindness, you must also show authority. It's all about the right balance."

As these young men and women spoke to Fang Qingwei, they rode away like a dragon.

"Oh! Fang Han! You have gained a lot this time. Although you received ten lashes, you also received a five-tael official silver ingot from the second young miss. It's a good deal."

"Yes, I would be willing to receive ten lashes for five taels of silver."

"Who wouldn't? Even a fool would be willing."

"Fang Han, you've made a fortune this time. Treat us to a meal."

After Fang Qingwei and her group left, the horse grooms in the field gathered around, looking at the silver in Fang Han's hand with envy.

"This time, you received lashes and a reward. Next time, it might be your execution and a proper burial." Fang Han smiled coldly in his heart.

"I will definitely treat you, but I am in pain now. After I recover, I will definitely treat you to a meal." He groaned in pain, his face contorted, and limped away from the crowd.

"If I can achieve the Divine Power Secret Realm as described by Gulinhands Fang Tong, I wonder if the second young miss will first lash me and then give me a reward. Will the positions be reversed? Will I be the one lashing her and giving her silver?"

After returning to his small house, the pain from the lashes on Fang Han's body eased somewhat. Holding the five-tael silver ingot, he knew this was a common management technique: first, to show that he was fair in rewards and punishments; second, to show that he was keenly observant, warning other servants; third, to prevent servants from harboring resentment and to make them more loyal to the master.

However, Fang Han had been tired of this life of servitude since he was young.

This was a lesson his father had secretly taught him: "Better to be a beggar than a servant."