I fell into the hands of Cui Anren.

On the way back, Cui Anren had a cold face and remained silent.

As soon as we entered the mansion, he grabbed my hair and forcibly dragged me into the backyard's side room.

Before I could even cry out in pain, I saw Cui Anren approaching with a whip.

He leisurely rolled up his sleeves, full of malice and hatred on his face, raised the whip, and fiercely struck me with it.

Instantly, I felt a burning pain on my back.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to beg for mercy, staring straight at him, knowing that in this life and the past, he had always been so hypocritical and cruel.

"Wench!"

Cui Anren was like a wild beast out of control, mercilessly whipping me, even stomping on me harshly.

"What are you, daring to humiliate me! I command you to break off the engagement! I command you to squander all your family's wealth!"

"Shameless slut, cavorting with wild men in the Taoist temple, you have brought shame upon your ancestors!"

"Why so silent? Weren't you very eloquent in front of Prefect Li?"

"Ji Wanwan, very good, don't you dare beg for mercy."

I gritted my teeth, remaining silent, as the whip fell on me like a gust of wind.

My cotton robe was soon torn to shreds, stained red with blood.

I lay on the ground, cold sweat dripping like beans. My suffering was bearable, but my biggest concern now was Luan Zhong.

An official's power can crush a person. That Inspectorate official is the backer brought in by the Zhou family father and daughter; he probably won't let him off easily.

At that moment, I noticed a figure at the door, and upon closer look, it was Aunt.

Aunt leaned against the door frame, holding a string of Buddhist beads, watching Cui Anren's brutality coldly.

"An'er, give her a few more lashes for me!"

Aunt stepped forward, standing above me, gritting her teeth as she scolded, "I raised you for several years, you show no gratitude, and even bring shame upon me in public."

I weakly chuckled, "Do you have any kindness towards me? Old hag, you must have long been eyeing my money."

Aunt, enraged, smashed the Buddhist beads on my head, "So what! If it weren't for the few coins you have left, why would I waste my food and drink on you."

Look, this is the true face of close kin, no pretense at all.

Aunt furrowed her brows and asked Cui Anren, "When you went to the Taoist temple to capture her, did you find the house deed?"

Cui Anren shook his head, then lashed me twice, "No, her room only had a few dozen pieces of silver."

Aunt squatted down, grabbed my collar fiercely, and menacingly asked, "Where is the deed hidden? Speak up, or your life ends today!"

I spat blood and saliva at this wicked woman, "I handed it over to Prefect Li. You and your mother can go ask him for it."

Aunt slapped me across the face.

Feeling weak, I passed out, but faintly heard the conversation between them.

Aunt worried, "What do we do now? Prefect Li definitely won't return it to us."

Cui Anren sneered, "Don't listen to her nonsense. I saw her packing her bags, she must be planning to return to Huaiyang. I guess she probably gave the deed to Luan Zhong, asking that scoundrel to sell it for her."

Aunt nodded hurriedly, "Shall we go to the Weihai Escort Agency?"

Cui Anren pondered, "Now that Zhou Xuezheng has invited Inspectorate official Chang to sit in Songyang Prefecture, if Prefect Li doesn't cooperate, we can easily find a reason for Chang to handle it. Let's go discuss with the Zhou family, withhold the thirty thousand taels of inheritance that Ji Wanwan deposited in the inspection office, saying that Wanwan regrets it and doesn't want to donate it anymore. After settling this, our families can secretly split the money, as for the person..."

Cui Anren lowered his gaze to me, "Those who deserve to die will die, those who deserve imprisonment will be imprisoned. Anyone who dares to betray me must be prepared to face my revenge."

Aunt smiled contentedly, looking at her son, "Then let's go to the Zhou mansion tonight."

Cui Anren frowned, "No, let's go now. Prince Qin is leading his troops north, and will pass through Songyang Prefecture in a few days. We need to resolve this matter early to avoid any complications."