432: Beat him first and talk later

“There is a way… but it requires the Prefect’s approval.”

Xu Sanyan, having somewhat regained his composure, asked curiously, “Can’t Uncle make the decision on this matter?”

Prefect Qin shook his head, “You are not in officialdom, so you don’t understand the key. This concerns the responsibility of city defense, which is outside my jurisdiction. It requires the Prefect’s approval, and then He Shubie’s agreement, before this matter can be implemented.”

“He Shubie?”

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow slightly. He Wenshu’s father?

“That’s right. Qian Province City already has a Formation protecting it. This Formation can only be activated by three people: one is the Governor, who holds overall authority over Qian Province; the second is the Prefect, who is responsible for all matters in Qian Province City; and the third is He Shubie, who holds the important responsibility of city defense. My jurisdiction is not in this area, so even if I wanted to help, I couldn’t.”

Xu Sanyan slowly nodded, gaining some understanding of officialdom.

“I think, Nephew, you might as well go and visit He Shubie first and ask him how to prepare. He is more familiar with this matter.”

Xu Sanyan nodded, “Thank you for your guidance, Uncle.”

According to Prefect Qin, if he wanted to set up a Formation in Qian Province City, he would first need the Prefect’s approval, and then he would also need to build a good relationship with He Shubie, otherwise it would be extremely difficult to implement.

If that’s the case…

Xu Sanyan planned to visit him right away. He wondered what He Shubie was doing now…

…Meanwhile, at the He Manor,

“Father, stop hitting me, stop hitting me! I was wrong, boo hoo…”

He Wenshu, with snot and tears, jumped around to avoid the iron rod representing paternal love, his backside covered in bloody welts.

Originally, he had obediently taken the beating, thinking that his father might stop after a few hits. After all, he was his own son; would he really beat him to death?

But as the beating continued, he felt something was wrong. His survival instinct prompted him to dodge, and at the same time, he began to suspect whether his mother had been unfaithful.

Looking at his father’s appearance, whether he was his biological son still needed to be investigated.

“Master, please stop. He Wenshu still has to participate in the provincial exam tomorrow. It’s not too late to beat him after the exam is over.” A beautiful woman pleaded with tears, but did not dare to actually step forward to intervene.

“Hmph, provincial exam? With your son’s pathetic, hollowed-out body, do you still expect him to pass the provincial exam?”

He Shubie was red-faced with anger. Thinking that since he had already started hitting, he might as well give him a good, thorough beating to teach him a lesson. As for the provincial exam…

To hell with the provincial exam, beat him first!

With his official position, even if He Wenshu was useless, he could still arrange things for him. Anyway, his son was a piece of mud that couldn’t be molded, so it was good that he could vent his anger!

“If you dare to dodge again, I’ll break your leg!” He Shubie raised the stick and pointed it fiercely at his son, his expression ferocious.

He Wenshu froze, looking blankly at his mother… Mother, honestly, whose child am I?

“Bang!”

The iron rod slammed hard onto He Wenshu’s upturned backside, and a piercing scream echoed through the sky. The servants in the manor kept their eyes down, pretending not to hear, and continued with their work.

They had seen this kind of thing so many times that they were numb to it. If the Eldest Young Master didn’t get a beating for three days, his backside might itch. He always had to come up with new ways to make the Master angry.

Usually, a few hits would be enough, but looking at the situation today, the trouble he caused must be significant.

At this moment, a servant ran over, about to speak, but seeing He Shubie’s appearance, he swallowed his words back.

Madam He wiped away the tears she had squeezed out of her eyes, her expression instantly returning to normal. She looked at the servant and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Replying to Madam, someone is at the gate asking to see you, saying his surname is Liang.”

“Liang?”

Madam He looked at her son who was being beaten, thinking it seemed He Wenshu was taking this beating because of this person.

“Alright, invite him in first… Never mind, I’ll go myself.”

Madam He looked at her husband, who was in a fit of rage, and then at her son, whose screams were still full of Qi. She turned and walked away, a hint of lightness in her steps.

It was only right for a father to beat his son. It was just a beating, what was the big deal? He Wenshu should be used to it by now, right?

As for her previous performance, it was all just for show. She had seen it performed this way in plays: when a father beat his son, the mother had to cry and beg for mercy on the side to make it more lively.

Actually, she wasn’t a mother who spoiled her child, and she didn’t know why He Wenshu had gone astray.

Fortunately, she still had a second son who was well-behaved and adorable.

Before Xu Sanyan even stepped into the He Manor, he heard the piercing screams and immediately had a guess. So he chatted with the gatekeeper, “What’s going on?”

The gatekeeper smiled helplessly, “It must be the Eldest Young Master making the Master angry again. From the sound of it, this time the beating is very severe. He might not be able to get out of bed for half a month.”

“Tsk… really hitting him?”

“Yes, a truly miserable beating…” The gatekeeper grimaced and shook his head, seemingly with pity.

At this moment, a melodious voice came from inside the gate,

“Is Young Master Liang here?”

Xu Sanyan looked up, and his eyes immediately lit up. He saw a Madam approaching gracefully, dressed in a pink long dress, wearing a gilded Phoenix-winged hairpin, and moving with light, elegant steps, truly possessing the demeanor of a noble lady.

Anyone could wear this Phoenix-winged hairpin; it was not exclusive to the imperial family.

The gatekeeper bowed in greeting, “Madam.”

Only then did Xu Sanyan realize that this woman was He Shubie’s wife. He was indeed blessed.

“I am Liang Yongzhuo. Greetings, Madam.”

“Please, come in quickly.”

Madam He was very enthusiastic, her smile full of warmth, but combined with the screams coming from nearby, it revealed an absurd hilarity.

Xu Sanyan did not rush in. Instead, he asked, “Is He Shubie at home?”

“He is. Young Master Liang, please wait a moment. The Master has something to attend to and will be right out. Please don’t take offense at the delay.”

“No offense, no offense.” Xu Sanyan smiled and waved his hand. Not only did he not take offense, he even wanted to watch the commotion.

Madam He led him into the main hall, offered him tea, and chatted with him while waiting for He Shubie to finish his business.

After a while, the screams gradually subsided, and He Shubie strode into the reception hall, a smile on his face, as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him.

“Liang brother, you’ve arrived. My apologies for not coming out to greet you.”

“He adult is too kind. I apologize for my unannounced visit; I hope I haven’t disturbed your affairs.”

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Madam He, understanding the situation, excused herself. She was going to play the role of a loving mother and visit her son.

The couple, each performing their duties, had always had a tacit understanding: one was responsible for the beating, and the other for counseling. Only He Wenshu suffered, still believing that his mother loved him the most.

He Shubie stood up and said solemnly, “My son is ignorant. I hope Liang brother will not take his actions to heart.”

Xu Sanyan smiled and waved his hand, his tone teasing, “Where are you talking about, old brother? I’ve long forgotten about such trivial matters. If this beating was because of that, I’m afraid your son took it for nothing.”

As he spoke, he smoothly changed his address from “adult” to “old brother,” subtly drawing the two closer.

Seeing him say this, He Shubie also relaxed and laughed loudly, “Hahaha, that’s excellent.”

Thus, a world where only He Wenshu was injured was achieved.