Chapter 61: The Iron Law of the Punishment Hall Shatters Souls

Chuxiu’s mouth and nose were tightly covered by a large hand, her arms pinned firmly behind her back. Hot, masculine breath spilled over her ear—unmistakably forceful, yet unfamiliar. Panic surged within her as she struggled desperately, muffled cries pleading for release. Who was it? Who in broad daylight would dare to violate her in the Yun household?

A single name flashed through her mind, but before she could grasp it, the man behind her let out a slow, deliberate laugh. “Caught you at last. You’ve caused me so much pain.”

It was Yun Qi—of course it was him. What did he want? Chuxiu whimpered, trying to scream, but Yun Qi only gripped her tighter, his voice laced with venom. “You got me confined in the garden for a hundred days, made me the laughingstock of the entire household. Today, we’ll settle this score.”

Her heart leapt to her throat. Suddenly, Yun Qi released his hand from her mouth and nose. Chuxiu took a deep breath, ready to shout, but a cloth was instantly shoved between her lips.

Now that one hand was free, Yun Qi grew bolder. He slid it to her waist, a mocking laugh on his lips. “My brother and sister-in-law are so happily in love. Does it sting, watching them?”

He sneered, resting his chin on her shoulder, his mouth nearly grazing her cheek. “What now? Still hoping my brother will come save you? You’re nothing but a discarded servant, not even fit to be a concubine. What dreams are you still dreaming?”

Chuxiu could only beg and resist in muffled desperation, praying Yun Qi might show mercy and let her go.

“Stop struggling, or I’ll get rough.” His hand slid upward from her waist, pressing firmly against her chest. “Even my brother couldn’t resist you—you must be quite a treat.”

He squeezed her cruelly, clicking his tongue in satisfaction. “I’ve waited two months, just to let you recover after losing the child. Today you’re not going anywhere. Behave and serve me well—you’ll suffer less.”

As he spoke, his tongue traced her earlobe, his words lewd and obscene. “You think that cripple can satisfy you? Why not try me? I promise you ecstasy you’ve never known. Well?”

By now, tears welled in Chuxiu’s eyes—fear and shame overwhelming her. Yun Qi wiped her cheek, seeing the wetness on his hand, cursing under his breath. “Pretending to be some chaste maiden! I knew you looked familiar the first time I saw you. Now I remember—you’re Han Chu!”

The words chilled Chuxiu to the bone, her struggles faltering.

Yun Qi’s laugh grew even more vulgar. “Please me and I’ll claim you for myself. I’ll keep your secret, too. How about it?” He pinched her again, sighing with satisfaction, then let his arm fall around her waist. “Beautiful women need not speak—I prefer you silent.”

He could hardly wait to taste the famed beauty of Nanxi. Ever since recalling where he’d seen Chuxiu, resentment had burned in him. Learning she’d lost Yun Ci’s child emboldened his desire.

A servant cast out by his elder brother—a fitting plaything for him. He’d waited months for this day and, now that the chance had come, he would not let it slip away.

Her delicate scent drove him wild. Heat surged through his body, his desire hard and insistent against her back, his hands already fumbling at her sash, eager to disgrace her behind the rockery.

Seeing Yun Qi about to act, Chuxiu nearly fainted with terror. In a last, instinctive act to protect her chastity, she reached back and grabbed him tightly where it hurt most. The moment his groan escaped, she squeezed with all her might and stomped hard on his foot.

Yun Qi’s scream pierced the air, his agony absolute. At such a vulnerable moment, no matter how strong, he was rendered helpless. Though Chuxiu was not especially strong, she had shown no mercy.

“Wretched woman!” Yun Qi doubled over, clutching himself, cursing viciously.

Seizing the chance, Chuxiu broke free from the rockery and, not caring for her disheveled clothes or the pouring rain, fled as fast as she could.

Yun Qi, unwilling to let her escape, gritted his teeth and staggered after her, shouting, “Guards! Guards! Seize that wicked maid!”

The commotion brought the household guards running. Seeing Chuxiu’s disarray and Yun Qi’s agony, they quickly guessed what had happened and seized her at once.

The captain of the guards spoke in a low voice. “Forgive us, miss.”

*****

Half an hour later, in the Yun household’s Hall of Justice.

The Dowager Madam and Yun Ci sat in stern silence at the head of the hall. To the east, Second Lady Hua Wuying, Fourth Madam Luan Qing, and the physician Qu Fang sat side by side, their faces grave—only the soft sounds of Second Lady Hua’s sobs broke the silence.

At the center of the hall, two people remained: one kneeling, one seated.

It was Chuxiu who knelt, her face pale, still shaken, her soaked clothes clinging to her; her arms wrapped around her chest, whether for modesty or warmth, her body shivering uncontrollably.

Opposite her sat Yun Qi, his clothing now fresh, but his face twisted with pain and fury, a faint groan escaping his clenched teeth.

The atmosphere was ice-cold. Rain pattered outside, adding to the chill.

“I have examined the Second Young Master; there is… no serious injury. A few days’ rest should suffice,” Qu Fang reported, breaking the tense silence.

Second Lady Hua ceased her sobs, exhaling in relief, but not before casting a venomous glare at Chuxiu.

“What on earth happened here?” The Dowager Madam finally spoke, her voice heavy with authority.

“Mother! You must give me justice!” Yun Qi cried. “She—she tried to ruin me! She holds a grudge and tried to seduce me!”

“Speak clearly!” the Dowager Madam reprimanded. “Why would you involve yourself with a servant from Zhiyan Court?”

“Mother, you must see the truth! She’s no servant—she’s a courtesan!” Yun Qi seized the moment. “Her real name is Han Chu, famed as Nanxi’s greatest beauty, once the star of Drunken Flower House in Jingzhou! We’ve all been deceived!”

His words stunned everyone but the Dowager Madam and Yun Ci. Second Lady Hua gasped aloud, her face openly scornful.

At the mention of the name “Han Chu,” Chuxiu could not raise her head, only hugging herself and biting her lip in silence.

Yun Qi, emboldened by her silence, pressed on, “A courtesan who faked her death to join my brother—who knows who sent her! She’s here to disgrace the Yun family with her charm and cunning! Mother, how can we keep such a woman in our house?”

“And how do you know she was a woman of the night?” The Dowager Madam’s voice was measured, unwilling even to utter the crude term.

“I… I saw her perform when I was in Jingzhou on business,” Yun Qi stammered. “She’s notorious, rumored to have been involved with the Ninth Prince and the eldest grandson of the Helian clan—a real enchantress!”

At this, Chuxiu raised her head, glaring fiercely at Yun Qi. “That’s not true!”

“Not true?” Yun Qi shot back. “Helian Qi was your patron—everyone knows it. And the Ninth Prince wrote you love poems that are famous throughout the land! How can you deny it?”

He pointed accusingly at Han Chu, growing bolder. “Mother, Brother, you must question her thoroughly—who sent her to change her name and infiltrate our household?”

“I am not!” Chuxiu’s tear-filled eyes sought not Yun Qi, but Yun Ci, who sat in judgement.

From the moment the incident began, Yun Ci had said nothing, his face cold and unreadable.

“My lord… it isn’t true,” Chuxiu pleaded, her voice trembling, drenched and shivering.

Only now did Yun Ci look at her, his eyes bloodshot. “Are you truly the famed courtesan of Jingzhou?”

Their gazes met, and seeing the unreadable expression in his eyes, Chuxiu was struck speechless. She longed to deny it, had always dreaded deceiving him, but now, there was nothing left to say.

At last, she lowered her head and gave a silent nod, her face ashen.

She had once believed that following Yun Ci into the Yun household would allow her to shed her past and begin anew. He had given her a new name and identity—she had accepted it, full of hope and trust.

But fate was cruel. She could not escape the word “courtesan”—shameful, lowly, and wanton.

Now, she dared not look at Yun Ci, terrified of seeing his disappointment and regret—for her, and for their love.

If only she had confessed everything on the day they bared their hearts. That unspoken truth had led to today’s humiliation—not only had she been disgraced, but it was as if she had slapped him as well.

“I knew it!” Lady Hua burst out. “What decent girl would do such a thing—grabbing a man like that! Of course, it takes a woman of the streets to know such tricks!” Remembering her son’s ordeal, she poured out her spite.

Her words were met with silence. At length, Yun Ci’s voice rang out, low and sorrowful, “Chuxiu, you have disappointed me too deeply.”

With that, her fate was sealed, condemned beyond redemption.

Only the Dowager Madam narrowed her eyes, puzzled by Yun Ci’s demeanor. She knew he had always been aware of Han Chu’s true identity—why this performance now?

After a moment’s reflection, she spoke, “She is from your Zhiyan Court—you may handle her as you see fit.”

With that, no one dared add a word. Yun Ci closed his eyes, pressing a hand to his chest as he coughed softly, then opened them with renewed composure. “Lock her in the Hall of Justice and await further punishment.”

Tears brimmed in Chuxiu’s eyes, pain and grief swelling beyond all humiliation and injustice. Was she defeated? Did she hate? Was she heartbroken? Through her blurred vision, she tried to see Yun Ci, but only his profile came into view—he was facing Fourth Madam, asking her something in silence.

How beautiful Fourth Madam was—wild and exotic. Chuxiu wondered why Yun Ci had summoned her, a woman with no stake in the matter. Was it simply to watch her shame?

She refused to believe Yun Ci could be so callous. She closed her eyes, letting tears slip down her cheeks. When she opened them again, her gaze was clear.

She saw Fourth Madam give a subtle shake of her head—was it regret or sympathy?—and Yun Ci’s face fill with disappointment.

In the end, she had disappointed him after all. Her hopes and dreams, like the scars on her arms from hairpins, lay shattered and unspeakably painful.

Chuxiu wanted to cry, wanted to laugh, but in the end, she could only look up at the two characters for “Iron Law” above the hall, bowing low. “I accept your command.”