"Don’t cry, don’t cry~" Wang Shouzhe gently rubbed Wang Yingxuan’s head, his heart aching. "You’re still young, with a playful heart and little self-control; it’s normal. Grandpa doesn’t blame you. If there’s blame, it’s only that your father hasn’t fulfilled his responsibilities as a father."

Having said that, Wang Shouzhe’s gaze shifted, and he coldly instructed the Household Generals, "Haven’t you eaten your fill? Hit each strike solidly for me. If anyone dares to let this unworthy son who fails his father’s duties off easily, I’ll make sure they have a hard time."

The Household Generals felt a chill in their hearts; how could they dare to hold back in the slightest? They quickly increased their strength, almost using all their might.

"Smack, smack, smack!"

Each strike made the ground around tremble faintly.

After a few more strikes, Wang Zongrui could no longer hold on and cried out in agony. However, in the face of his father’s family discipline, he never dared to resist with Profound Qi. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Mother, Mother~" The face of Lady Faang turned ashen, her heart ached terribly. She urgently grabbed Liua Ruolan, pleading bitterly, "Mother, you’re the one who loves your husband the most, please ask for mercy for him. If this continues, Feng’er’s husband’s life will be gone."

Liua Ruolan couldn’t stand it any longer either, her voice angry: "Wang Shouzhe, Zongrui has been obedient and never defied you since he was a child. Even if he did fail in handling Xuan’Er’s matter this time, he is still our son by blood. A few symbolic strikes are enough. If you continue, don’t blame me for turning against you."

Understanding the Lady of the House’s status, the Household Generals immediately stopped their beatings.

Lady Faang also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her heart eased by half. With her mother-in-law interceding, it seemed her husband was saved.

Unexpectedly.

Wang Shouzhe glanced coldly at Liua Ruolan and snorted angrily: "Hmph, such indulgent mothers raise useless sons. Isn’t Zongrui this way because of the bad habits you’ve been fostering? This little beast can’t even manage his daughter, what can he accomplish? Might as well beat him to death and be done with it. You are not to interfere in this matter any longer; stand aside."

Liua Ruolan trembled with anger, "Wang Shouzhe, how dare you be so harsh with me? Fine, fine... Wang Shouzhe, if you despise me so much, I might as well return to the Liua Family now, so you can have some peace!"

"Hmph, unreasonable. Go if you want!" Wang Shouzhe seemed to be infuriated too, uncharacteristically refusing to back down. He then turned to the Household Generals and said, "What are you standing there for? Do you also wish to defy the orders of this Patriarch?"

The Household Generals were truly frightened now.

In all their years of service, this was the first time they had seen the Patriarch so harshly reprimand the Lady of the House. At this moment, they dared not delay in the slightest, striking down heavily once more.

"I can’t stay in this house any longer! Wang Shouzhe, I’ll be waiting for your letter of divorce at the Liua Family..." Liua Ruolan immediately flared up, both ashamed and angry.

"Mother, Mother, don’t be upset, Father is just speaking in anger, don’t take it seriously." Lady Faang too was frightened to the point of her face losing color.

This affair had escalated to the point where even the parents-in-law were in such a fierce argument. As much as she felt for her husband, she dared not persuade any further.

Especially that phrase "indulgent mothers raise useless sons" left Lady Faang’s heart trembling.

Yingxuan’s disposition reaching this point today, with such poor achievements, was inseparably linked to her partial protection and the pampering and spoiling from her own maternal family members.

At this moment, the most stunned of all was Wang Yingxuan.

She had never seen, or even imagined such a scene; she was so frightened that she didn’t even dare to cry, much less plead for leniency with her grandfather.

All she could think was: It’s over, it’s over; with Father beaten like this, how could there be a good life for her in the future?

Fifty strikes, solidly, not a single one less.

Wang Zongrui’s back was already torn and bloody, a pitiful sight, with blood streaming down his back to the floor, while his forehead and face were covered in cold sweat from the pain, his complexion ghastly white.

He didn’t dare to treat his wounds, yet tremblingly put on his clothes, and bowed to Wang Shouzhe, "Thank you, Father, for your teachings. I will remember this lesson and not repeat the mistake."

"Having learned your lesson, you may rise." Wang Shouzhe said lightly, "Take care of your injuries properly to avoid any lasting issues."

"Thank you, Father, for your concern."

Only then did Wang Zongrui dare to get up, bowing deeply to Wang Shouzhe once more.

Then, he glanced coldly at the terrified Wang Yingxuan, "Father, I have some personal matters at home I need to attend to. Please excuse me."

Wang Yingxuan’s heart dropped; she instantly realized the danger.

She turned to run but was promptly caught by Wang Zongrui, who grabbed and lifted her, despite her struggles, it was of no use.

Meanwhile, Wang Shouzhe sipped on Immortal Tea, unconcerned: "Rui’Er, go take care of your matters."

"I take my leave, Father."

With that, Wang Zongrui carried Wang Yingxuan, his face dark, striding off toward his own courtyard.

Seeing this, Lady Faang turned pale once more.

After hurriedly giving her respects to Liua Ruolan and Wang Shouzhe, she quickly dashed back. With this situation, if she was even a fraction late, wasn’t her precious daughter going to be beaten to death by her husband?

As the Second Legitimate Son, Wang Zongrui’s family’s courtyard wasn’t far from Wang Shouzhe’s small courtyard, separated by only a few dozen yards.

In a matter of moments, the distant screams akin to ghost wails came from his courtyard, along with pleas and promises like "Father, I’ll never dare again," "I’ll study diligently and not be mischievous," and so on.