Chapter 55 Punishment
Zhang Damao kicked the door open and entered the room, pointing at Li Cui and cursing. The room was dimly lit, and after cursing for a few words, Zhang Damao saw the Second Wife standing up from the chair, and was immediately stunned. The person in front of him was really a fairy, such a beauty was not found in the world, and Li Cui's appearance made him covetous, and he couldn't sleep thinking about it. Compared with Mengxi, it was like a crow and a phoenix. For a moment, his saliva flowed a lot, and he forgot who his parents were.
Mengxi had learned from Zhiqiu that this was the evil young man Zhang Damao, and she had long hated what he had done. But when she saw him staring at her with such lustful eyes, her face immediately turned cold.
The servant that Mengxi brought with him had also followed in at this time. When he saw this situation, he hurriedly shouted:
"You are so bold, you dare to be so rude to my mistress of the Xiao family, why don't you kneel down!"
As he said that, he stepped forward and held down Zhang Damao. The people Zhang Damao brought were stunned by Mengxi's beauty. When they heard that this person was the mistress of the Xiao family, they thought that only the Xiao family could afford to marry such a woman. They had hit a wall today. They didn't care about Zhang Damao's life or death. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared. He was faster than a rabbit. Mengxi ordered the servants to tie up Zhang Damao and sent two people to take Xiao Jun's business card to the government.
After everything was settled, Mengxi sat down again. When the Li family saw that Zhang Damao had been sent to the government, they were immediately in high spirits and smiled. Old Man Li's illness was half cured at that moment, and they were so moved that they filled with tears. The whole family was even more devoted to the Second Grandma, and they talked for a while about the relevant matters of the pharmacy. Mengxi signaled Zhiqiu to take out the silver prepared yesterday. This was the money that Aunt Zhao secretly gave to her before she got married, fearing that she would suffer in her husband's family. It was also Aunt Zhao's half-life savings, a total of dozens of taels of silver, plus the money she took out from the account office yesterday, making up 100 taels.
He took the silver and handed it to Li Du, but Li Du refused to take it. After pushing him away for a long time, Meng Xi had no choice but to say:
"Brother Li, this is not for you. This is the initial capital for the pharmacy. Take this money first. Once you find a shop, pay the deposit first and then think of a way to tell Zhiqiu."
Li Du reluctantly accepted it, and Mengxi and the others said goodbye and left. As soon as they left, they ran into the servant who had escorted Zhang Damao back. Seeing the Second Madam coming out, he hurried forward and said,
"Replying to Second Madam, I have sent Zhang Damao to the government and personally handed him over to the county magistrate. When the county magistrate saw Second Madam's note, he promised to investigate the matter thoroughly and punish severely. He was arrested and imprisoned immediately."
Mengxi nodded and responded. Several people got in the car. Sitting in the car, they listened to the people on the roadside talking about how the evil young man Zhang Damao was finally imprisoned. Everyone clapped their hands and some even bought firecrackers to celebrate. The whole town was as lively as New Year's Day. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart that the Xiao Mansion's brand was really useful. It seemed that he could use it as a banner and a tiger skin when he went out of the mansion in the future to get more benefits for himself.
When they arrived at the place they had agreed to meet with Hongzhu, it was already a quarter before the evening hour. Hongzhu was anxiously running around. When she saw Second Madam's carriage coming, she hurried forward to stop Second Madam from getting off:
"My great-grandmother, you are finally back. If you are any later, the gate will be locked and we will not be able to get in or out. We will also alarm the housekeeper and the first wife and make the second master angry."
As he spoke, he waved his hand and asked people to get in the car and go back home.
Seeing that Hongzhu was about to cry, Mengxi felt a little embarrassed and just said that she was playing too much and forgot the time.
When the group hurried back to Xiao's house, the servant at the second gate was about to close and lock the door. Hongzhu hurriedly stepped forward and gave the servant some small change, and said some nice words. The servant then let Mengxi's car into the house, saying:
"Young lady, remember to come back on time next time you go out. Fortunately, the first wife is busy arranging for the old lady to burn incense and fulfill her vows tomorrow, otherwise the house would have been closed long ago."
Hongzhu nodded repeatedly, and the group entered the mansion and went straight to Xiaoxiangyuan.
As Mengxi, Zhiqiu, Hongzhu and other maids entered the main hall, they saw the Second Master sitting there with a gloomy face. Hongzhu shuddered subconsciously. Mengxi had long been accustomed to the Second Master's unchanging cold face for thousands of years. She thought it would be strange if she could see any other expression on the Second Master's face.
The maids had already come forward to pay their respects to the Second Master, who just sat there playing with the ring on his hand without saying a word. Seeing the maids pay their respects, Meng Xi then slowly stepped forward and bowed:
"Hello, Second Master. This is my first time out of the house. I was a little curious and playful, so I forgot the time and came back late. Please forgive me, Second Master."
After Mengxi finished speaking, she stood there waiting for a long time before hearing Xiao Jun's voice:
"Come here, take Hongzhu and Zhiqiu, these two ignorant servants, down and slap them ten times." The second master said this, and the maids immediately knelt on the ground, begging the second master for mercy. Two maids came forward to pull Hongzhu and Zhiqiu who were kneeling on the ground.
"stop!"
Seeing that the old woman was really going to take action, Mengxi hurriedly called her back, looked directly at the Second Master, slowly knelt down, and kowtowed to him:
"Second Master, what happened today was my fault. I was too playful and missed the time. It has nothing to do with the maid who followed me. Please let them go. If you want to punish someone, please punish me alone."
Xiao Jun was stunned, he didn't expect that the willful girl would actually kneel down, let alone that she would plead for the two maids. He knew that she had always been spoiled, so why would she care about the two maids?
"Well, since you want to be punished, don't blame me. I will punish you by confining you to your room for three days to reflect on your mistakes."
Xiao Jun looked straight at Meng Xi for a long time before speaking coldly.
"Thank you for the punishment, Master."
Mengxi said it lightly.
"Second Master, today's incident is all my fault. It has nothing to do with Second Madam. Please forgive Second Madam and punish me. I am willing to take the punishment on her behalf."
Zhiqiu knelt down and crawled in front of the Second Master, begging bitterly. She knew that everything that happened today was because of her, so how could she let the Second Mistress take the punishment for her.
Xiao Jun thought to himself, this maid is really loyal and protective of her master. I will punish you severely today as you said. Let's see if you will still protect her in the future. Thinking of this, he shouted to the old woman:
"Pull him down and slap him five times"
"Second Master, don't do that!" Mengxi looked up at Xiao Jun and said.
"Take him away," Xiao Jun repeated coldly.
"I beg you to release Zhiqiu. This matter has nothing to do with her. Please have mercy on me."
"Take him away and slap him ten times!"
Zhiqiu was dragged away. Facing the Second Master's tyranny, Mengxi suddenly felt powerless, and even a trace of hatred arose in her heart. She really could not be protected by anyone in this mansion.
"Everyone, get up and set the table."
After Mengxi stood up, she looked calm, as if nothing had happened just now. Hongzhu took the water brought by the maid and helped the Second Madam wash her hands. At this time, the meal was ready. Mengxi took the chopsticks handed over by Hongxing and began to serve the Second Master.
Xiao Jun saw Mengxi's calm face, as if he had not punished her just now, nor had he pleaded for mercy with her just now. He couldn't help but even angrier, and his face became even gloomier.
