Chapter 18: Twenty Strikes of the Cane

Shen Qianmo politely declined Qin Niansheng’s offer to escort her home. She had already spent too much time at the Ministry of Justice and needed to hurry back to the Duke’s residence; Lü Zhu and Madam Xu must be worried.

She rushed back, entering quietly through the west side gate as usual. Few people used this entrance, and it was closest to her small courtyard. Whenever she went out dressed as Moxin, Lü Zhu or Madam Xu would always meet her here.

But today, it was not Lü Zhu or Madam Xu waiting at the gate—it was Shen Mingxuan.

Shen Mingxuan was the son of Concubine Sun, thirteen years old this year. Concubine Sun had never been favored in the household, timid and fearful, especially in the presence of Madam Cui, whom she regarded as a cat to her mouse. As a result, Shen Mingxuan’s life in the residence was difficult and he suffered much bullying.

Once, Shen Qianmo passed a street corner near the Duke’s residence and saw Shen Mingxuan surrounded by a group of boys about his age, led by Shen Gaoxuan. Shen Gaoxuan, Madam Cui’s son, was a year younger than Shen Mingxuan but much taller due to better nutrition. He spent his days fighting and causing trouble with his gang—a true troublemaker.

Shen Mingxuan was badly beaten, his face bruised, and those boys humiliated him further. Shen Qianmo could not stand by and shouted to stop them. Shen Gaoxuan, seeing his “foolish” elder sister, became even more arrogant, ordering the older boys to step forward and insult her, even trying to rip off her veil and disgrace her publicly.

Shen Qianmo had not intended to intervene, but with these unruly boys, reason was useless—it required force. An orphan herself, she had subdued countless thugs since childhood; these idle youths were beneath her notice.

Her strikes were swift and precise, knocking down the two older boys, and she threw Shen Gaoxuan over her shoulder, dislocating his shoulder so he was bedridden for more than ten days. Shen Gaoxuan couldn’t admit she had bested him; it was too humiliating. Shen Yian assumed he was injured in a fight and scolded him thoroughly. Since then, Shen Gaoxuan always stared at Shen Qianmo with venom whenever he saw her.

Shen Mingxuan, however, admired Shen Qianmo even more. He had already been impressed when she exposed Zhao Sanhuai in the residence, but now, seeing her wisdom and fighting skills, his admiration was boundless. He wished to learn from her, to become stronger and protect himself and his mother, but his timidity meant he only dared to observe her quietly.

Because of this, he knew about Shen Qianmo’s occasional outings disguised as a man, and so he waited anxiously at the gate for her.

Seeing her return, Shen Mingxuan hurried forward, calling, “Elder Sister, you’re back!”

Shen Qianmo, seeing his anxious and fearful face, asked, “Mingxuan, what’s happened?”

Shen Mingxuan shoved a bundle into her arms and said urgently, “Elder Sister, change your clothes and go to the flower hall quickly—Lü Zhu… Lü Zhu is being beaten to death!”

Something had happened to Lü Zhu? Shen Qianmo, seeing Shen Mingxuan’s worry, grew concerned herself. She quickly changed out of her male attire and rushed toward the flower hall.

When she arrived, Shen Yian and Madam Cui sat at the head of the hall, flanked by Shen Qianxue, Shen Gaoxuan, and several concubines.

Lü Zhu was kneeling in the center, bound hand and foot. A burly man struck her repeatedly with a rod; Lü Zhu had collapsed, seemingly unconscious. Madam Xu knelt beside her, begging for mercy, her forehead bleeding from relentless kowtowing as she pleaded, “Master, have mercy! Madam, spare her!”

“Stop!” Shen Qianmo’s voice rang out sharply. The man paused mid-swing, recognizing the command of the eldest young lady. He stopped and looked to Shen Yian for direction.

Shen Qianmo hurried to Lü Zhu’s side, kneeling to check her injuries. Thankfully, Lü Zhu had only fainted; she was still breathing. Madam Xu, seeing Shen Qianmo, sobbed and threw herself forward, crying, “Miss, you’re finally here. Please save Lü Zhu, she can’t take much more!”

Shen Qianmo comforted Madam Xu, patting her back and signaling reassurance, then turned a cold gaze to Shen Yian. “Father, what has Lü Zhu done to merit such severe punishment?” Had she arrived a moment later, they would have beaten Lü Zhu to death.

Shen Yian snorted, “You’re finally back; everyone’s been looking for you. Where have you been all this time, not in your courtyard?”

Was this about her absence? Shen Qianmo thought quickly. “Today is the first of the month, I went to visit Grandmother, and lost track of time while chatting, so I returned late.”

She made up the story, knowing Shen Yian would not ask the old lady for confirmation.

At the mention of Grandmother, Shen Yian snorted again, a hint of jealousy toward his eldest daughter, who had won the old lady’s favor. Reflecting on her attitude toward him, he sighed.

“A young lady not yet married should behave properly. Now that you are betrothed to Prince Xuan, you must consider your status in all you do!” Shen Yian admonished righteously.

“Father is right; I shall obey. But what has Lü Zhu done to deserve this?” The rod was thick, and Lü Zhu, though usually strong, was still a woman; how could she endure such beating?

At this, Shen Yian’s face darkened. “Ask your mother!”

Shen Qianmo glanced at Madam Cui and her daughter, who wore smug expressions. Clearly, they were behind this. She suppressed her anger and said coldly, “Mother, please enlighten me.”

Madam Cui nodded to her maid, Madam Sun, who stepped forward, saying, “Eldest Young Lady, this wicked maid dared to consort with men, violating the Duke’s residence rules. According to the household regulations, she should be beaten to death!”

Consorting with men? Shen Qianmo’s face changed as she retorted, “Nonsense! Lü Zhu is my personal maid, always by my side. How could she consort with anyone? You have no proof—do you?”

“Indeed we do.” Madam Sun threw out a bundle and said, “Just now, this maid bumped into me in a hurry, dropping this bundle. When I looked inside, it was full of men’s clothing. I asked whose it was, but she refused to answer, so I suspected her of consorting with men and reported it to Master and Madam.”

The bundle did contain men’s clothing, but Shen Qianmo knew it was what she wore when disguised as a man. In the conservative customs of Dasheng, women rarely dressed as men or left the residence without permission—especially in the strict Duke’s household. If her secret was exposed, the punishment would be twenty strokes by house rules. Lü Zhu must have refused to speak to protect her.

Thinking of this, Shen Qianmo’s heart ached as she looked at the unconscious Lü Zhu and the tearful Madam Xu. Both had protected her with utmost loyalty. But she could not let Lü Zhu bear the charge of consorting with men; a woman’s reputation was priceless, especially for one not yet married.

She glanced at the bundle, gritted her teeth, and knelt with a thud. “Father, these clothes were purchased at my instruction; Lü Zhu only followed my orders. If there must be punishment, let it fall on me.”

Shen Qianxue, nearby, covered her mouth and sneered, “Elder Sister, why did you need men’s clothing? Are you preparing for Prince Xuan already? Too eager, aren’t you? Prince Xuan has just delayed the wedding, yet you’re so impatient.”

Madam Cui and the other concubines all looked at Shen Qianmo with mocking expressions, their eyes filled with derision.

Shen Qianmo lowered her gaze, ignoring them, and continued kneeling. “Father, these clothes are for myself. I dressed as a man and went out a few days ago, found it novel, and told Lü Zhu to buy more. If Father doubts me, I can try them on now to show they fit me.”

Now, she could only draw the fire toward herself; Madam Cui and her daughter’s target was her, Lü Zhu merely a pawn.

Shen Yian’s face was stern. “Do you know the punishment for a woman breaking the rules and leaving the residence without permission?”

“I know, Father. Please punish me.” Shen Qianmo remained kneeling, calm.

“Miss, no!” Lü Zhu, waking from pain, heard Shen Qianmo’s words and spoke weakly.

Shen Qianmo, relieved to see Lü Zhu conscious, moved to her side and checked her injuries. The wounds were superficial, and a few days’ rest would suffice. She grasped Lü Zhu’s hand and said, “Lü Zhu, you’ve suffered. Go with Madam Xu to rest.” She instructed Madam Xu to apply medicine and care for her well.

Madam Xu, however, kowtowed to Shen Yian, “Master, if there must be punishment, let it fall on me. I failed to watch over Miss, failed Madam’s trust—it’s my fault!”

Madam Xu invoked Xie Yun, hoping Shen Yian would be lenient for the sake of his late wife and the Xie family of Suzhou.

Shen Yian’s heart softened; he was inclined to show mercy. But Madam Cui interjected coldly, “Master, Mo’er is betrothed, yet so unruly and reckless. If Prince Xuan hears of this, he may have grounds to break the engagement. Where would the Duke’s house keep its dignity then?”

Shen Yian agreed; the family’s reputation was already declining, and any further scandal would ruin him among the capital’s elite. This must be punished severely to set an example. He ordered strict adherence to house rules, forbidding any pleas for mercy.

Under the eyes of Madam Cui and her daughter, filled with satisfaction or feigned pity, Shen Qianmo endured twenty strokes, finally losing consciousness. Yet, before she fainted, she was relieved that Lü Zhu was cleared of the charge of consorting with men.