Daqi had a strict hierarchy. Once you became a servant, you would be a servant for life. Once you were a master and servant, you would be a master and servant for life.
Servants and maids were their master's property. The master had the highest authority over them, including their bodies and lives.
The master could kill the servant but the servant could not resist. At most, they would be punished with a small fine. If the servant bullied the master, it would be considered treason. The lightest punishment would be exile to the army, the heaviest punishment would be beheaded in public.
Madam Xie had always treated her servants well. Although there had never been a case of a servant bullying their master, there were still times when they slacked off. Today, Madam Xie's sudden change of heart scared the servants.
Agatha paled, her hands clasped together on her abdomen trembling. She thought she had just left the Tiger Prison to enter a demon's lair.
Madam Xie said sternly, "Li Chengfeng, I'm telling you, don't be angry!
The Zhan family of the northwest has a Marquis title since the founding of the country!
At that time, even our Li family would not dare to face them head-on!
Not to mention now that we're in such a sorry state!
How dare you, for the sake of a servant, you want to throw our whole family into this mess!
That's impressive, isn't it?! "
Asparta was an honest man. When Madam Xie told him to hit hard, he did so mercilessly. After ten hits, Li Chengfeng saw stars. When he heard his mother's words, he could not help but say, "That bastard was the one who started this!"
Madam Xie raged, "Then when you saw a tiger pouncing at you, would you charge at it?"
Li Chengfeng straightened his neck. "Of course, I killed it with one punch!"
Madam Xie was furious. She picked up the teacup next to her and threw it at Li Chengfeng, hitting him squarely on the forehead. With a loud clang, a gash appeared on his forehead and fresh blood flowed down his forehead.
Li Chengfeng did not even wipe it, as if he did not feel anything. "If someone powerful bullies us, we'll swallow it. But there are so many people more powerful than us in this world!
Are we just going to let them bully us? "
Madam Xie was so angry she could not speak. Her entire body trembled as she pointed at Li Chengfeng. "You … Are you really not afraid of bringing disaster upon your family?"
Li Chengfeng was, of course, afraid but he was still young and rash. Now that he was talking back to his mother in front of so many servants, of course he would not back down. He said, "I'll deal with whatever comes my way. I can't afford to offend her but I can hide from her!
What's there to be afraid of? "
Before Madam Xie could speak, a voice suddenly came from outside, "Well said!
What's there to be afraid of? "
Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice and saw Patriarch Li Chun standing at the entrance. He looked dignified and his eyes were sharp, unlike his usual muddle-headed self.
Although this Grand Elder often lost his mind, he was still the Patriarch. When he was clear-headed, no one dared to act rashly.
Li Chun's gaze swept across the crowd and he said in a dignified manner, "My Cleansing Moon Li Family has been established for hundreds of years, we have never been afraid of anyone!"
Madam Xie forced a smile and went down the hall to welcome Li Chun. She held Li Chun's elbows with both hands and supported him. She said gently, "Why are you here?
Are you feeling well today? "
Li Chun pretended not to hear her and said seriously, "You don't have to be afraid of the Zhan family. The Champion Marquis is powerful in the northwest but he can't touch us!
Plus, our Li family still has a treasure! "
Madam Xie smiled bitterly. There were so many servants here so she had to take care of her husband's pride. She asked, "What treasure?"
Li Chun said word by word, "The Death Exemption Medallion!"
Everyone in the hall was shocked. Green Bead, who had not dared to speak, exclaimed, "The Death Exemption Medallion?"
Asparta and Agatha looked at each other. Although they were from different clans, they knew that there were only a handful of families in Daqi who had the Death Exemption Medallion!
Madam Xie said in shock, "When did our family ever have the Death Exemption Medallion?
Why didn't I know about it? "
Li Chun said proudly, "Our ancestors followed the World Emperor to assist the Heavenly Emperor Zhang Zhaoyang in defeating the Demon Lord Sun Heluo. They made a great contribution in saving the Emperor at the Immortal's Pass, hence the Death Exemption Medallion!"
Madam Xie was skeptical. "Then why haven't I seen it before?"
Li Chun smiled. "The Death Exemption Medallion has always been kept by the Patriarchs. Of course you haven't seen it."
Madam Xie thought to herself, 'Which part of your body have I not seen?
Which part of the Li family have I not turned over?
Where is the Death Exemption Medallion? '
Seeing how serious Li Chun was, Madam Xie could not help but feel lucky. "The Death Exemption Medallion is with you now?"
Li Chun nodded and reached into his robes. Everyone's eyes widened. Even Li Chengfeng and Xiaobao were sprawled on the ground, trying their best to raise their heads and stretch their necks to see.
Li Chun took something out from his robes. He raised it up and said with a serious expression, "Look closely, this is the Death Exemption Medallion!"
Everyone saw that the thing in his hand was white and soft, with a few finger prints on it. It was obviously a steamed bun that sold for five copper coins in Hutong Street!
Yuehan, who was watching from the side, almost burst out laughing. The rest of the servants lowered their heads, their faces tense as they thought about the most tragic and painful thing they had ever experienced in their lives. They looked as if they hated each other, afraid that they would laugh out loud.
Li Chengfeng covered his face with his hands, wishing he could find a hole to hide in. Compared to being spanked in front of so many servants, this scene was much more embarrassing!
Madam Xie did not notice anything amiss. She forced a smile, her voice trembling slightly as she said to Green Bead, "Green Bead, send Master back to rest."
Li Chun was confused. "Look, this really is the Death Exemption Medallion!
With this, the Zhan family won't dare to touch the Li family! "
"Send him back!" Madam Xie suddenly screamed hysterically, her entire body trembling.
Two strong servants hurried over and carried Li Chun away. Only Li Chun's screams could be heard. "This really is the Death Exemption Medallion!
We really have the Death Exemption Medallion! "
His voice gradually faded into the distance. After a long while, Madam Xie finally spoke, her voice a little hoarse. "Xiaobao, since you've taken care of Chengfeng for so many years, I'll spare your life today."
Xiaobao was overjoyed, struggling to get up and kowtowing to the ground. "Thank you for your mercy, Madam!
Thank you … "
Madam Xie suddenly said coldly, "He can be spared from death, but he cannot escape punishment!
Green Bead, give Xiaobao a hundred silvers and send him away! "
Xiaobao stood rooted to the ground as if he had been struck by lightning. The hall was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Li Chengfeng was even more shocked!
He cried out emotionally, "Mother, please don't!"
Xiaobao kowtowed furiously, banging his head against the stone floor loudly. He wailed, "Madam, I know I'm wrong!"
Madam Xie's face darkened, not saying a word.
Xiaobao cried, "Xiaobao has grown up in the Li family ever since I was born. This is Xiaobao's home. If Madam chases Xiaobao away, Xiaobao will become a homeless ghost!"
Madam Xie was unmoved, her heart made of stone. "A country has its laws, a family has its rules. If I can be forgiven today, what about tomorrow?"
Li Chengfeng raged, "Mother, if you chase Xiaobao away now, won't he die?"
Madam Xie said coldly, "If he doesn't leave, we'll all die. Aren't the lives of so many people here worth more than his?"
Xiaobao fell into despair. He turned around and kowtowed to Li Chengfeng a few times. "I can't serve you anymore, Young Master. Please take care!"
Li Chengfeng stared at his mother's face, as if trying to discern her true intentions. After a while, he stepped forward to help Xiaobao up and whispered to him, "Go to the place where we hid our money near Cheng Family Village. Take out all the money and find a way to exchange it for silver. Then wait for me there. Three days later, if I'm not there, act according to the circumstances and come find me."
Xiaobao nodded slightly, relieved. He wiped his tears and followed Green Bead down the stairs.
…
After the battle at Liu Sumei's loft, Li Chengfeng fought a stronger opponent as the weaker one. Although he won, he was still injured. When he returned home, he was beaten up for being a hero and Xiaobao was chased out of the house by his mother. After a series of setbacks, Li Chengfeng could barely take it after he was helped to bed.
"How is Young Master now?" Green Bead sat by his bed, looking at Madam Xie nervously.
Madam Xie took his pulse, her brows furrowed. "His pulse is very messy, and he's injured …"
Li Chengfeng struggled to grab Madam Xie's wrist and whispered, "Mother!
Xiaobao and I are like brothers and he's offended the Zhan family. If you chase him away, he'll definitely die! "
Madam Xie was silent for a while. She looked at Green Bead, who immediately understood. She walked to the door and looked around, then closed it. Su Yuehan walked to the window and lowered it.
Green Bead looked at her strangely, as if she did not understand why she had left.
Madam Xie sensed her confusion and smiled to show her trust in her. Green Bead also nodded slightly at Yuehan, her eyes observing her.
Madam Xie said to Li Chengfeng, "We're leaving Cheng 'an!"
To Green Bead and Yuehan's surprise, Li Chengfeng was not surprised. After a moment of silence, he said, "When are we leaving?
After the ancestral worship? "
Madam Xie thought for a moment. "We'll leave on the day of the ancestral worship. That way, we won't attract attention.
Once we're outside the city, we'll take the water route to Yongle City in Lu County. "
Li Chengfeng asked, "Why Yongle?"
"I've already settled a few properties there two years ago. It's also very close to the Divine Sect."
Li Chengfeng said, "So today is just a warning to the rest?"
She said slowly, "It's time to clean up the family rules."
Li Chengfeng struggled. "But what about Xiaobao?
… "
Madam Xie cut him off. "A country has its laws and a family has its rules!
Don't talk about this anymore!
Rest well, the ancestral worship is in three days. You'll have a lot of trouble then. "
With that, she stood up and walked out.
When she opened the door, she saw snowflakes falling from the sky. At first, they were scattered, but soon, they covered the entire sky. Snowflakes fell from the sky like goose feathers, covering the entire sky in a grey haze.
Madam Xie exhaled. A puff of white smoke rose from her mouth. She stared blankly at the drifting mist and said softly, "It's snowing."
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