Chang Jin and A Luo immediately begged for mercy when they heard that they would be beaten and then expelled, but Tang Zhan waved his hand and several disciples of the Punishment Hall rushed up and dragged them to the backyard.

  "Master sister, Flying Swallow master sister, save me!"

  "Swallow Master Sister, we are......"

  Chang Jin's words were not yet finished, when two flying stones hit their foreheads, knocking them both unconscious on the spot, with blood flowing freely.

  "What a big fuss over nothing!" Tang Lei calmly adjusted his sleeves, as if he was just tired of their nagging.

  Tang Feiyan bit her lip and didn't say a word, she knew in her heart that her father's behavior was to protect herself.

  "Swallow, did you see it yourself, or are you just listening to those two women's nonsense?"

  Facing her grandmother's inquiry, Tang Feiyan blinked: "It...it was those two who told me."

  "Ah, I see! You've been with Tang Xiao for a long time, so it's natural that you'd be mindful of the rules. But next time, make sure to see it for yourself, don't let others take advantage of you like this."

  Tang Feiyan hung her head in shame and replied: "Yes, Grandma."

  In the crowd, Tang Liu, who had been paying attention to the commotion, let out a sigh of relief as he saw that the matter was being handled this way. A smile also appeared on his face, but Tang Ji beside him remained expressionless.

  "Grandma turned her head and looked at Hua Rou: 'Hua Rou, tell the truth, why were you in the forbidden area?'"

  Hua Ruo looked up at her grandmother and replied sincerely, "Grandma, I really want to find a quiet place to comprehend the manual given by my master."

  "Preposterous! If no one had brought you, you wouldn't have been able to get into the restricted area. Tell me, who exactly brought you there?"

  Hua Rou was taken aback for a moment, then immediately reacted, wondering if someone like her, a newcomer, really didn't know where the restricted area was or how to get there.

  But she would never be able to reveal Mu Junwu, so she gritted her teeth and insisted: "Grandma, it's true that no one took me there, I just accidentally stumbled upon the place myself."

  Tang Xiao saw the situation and thought it was not good, immediately leaning forward one step to hug her into his arms, but at this time Grandma suddenly shouted loudly: "Tang Jian!"

  This voice was quite heavy, and the grandma who seemed to be shouting at Tang Jian's mother was staring at Tang Xiao with a fierce gaze.

  Tang Xiao's heart tightened as he knew it was his grandmother stopping him, and for a moment, he didn't dare to speak again.

  Tang Zhan loudly declared the penalty at this time: "Hua Rou, although you have not trespassed into the forbidden area, it is clearly written on the door rules that loitering around the forbidden area is not allowed. Those who violate this rule will be flogged fifty times. You take the punishment!"

  Hua Rou was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, I accept the punishment."

  Tang Xiao's eyes had a helpless look as he glanced at Hua Rou, then swept another glance at his grandmother's gloomy face, and helplessly retreated.

  Tang Zhan waved his hand, and the disciples of Xing Tang immediately came forward to drag Hua Rou. However, Tang Lei stepped forward and said, "Linger in a forbidden area is not a small mistake, since you want to punish, let's do it here, also to warn the disciples in the door not to take the rules lightly."

  Tang Jian furrowed his brow upon hearing this and then glanced at his grandmother.

  "What the host says makes sense, let's take the punishment publicly!" Grandma spoke up, and Tang Jian naturally waved his hand to drive his disciples away, and he personally took action.

  Tang Zhan took a long whip from the execution rack, pointed at Hua Rou and gestured to the pillar in the courtyard. Hua Rou walked forward voluntarily, hugged the pillar, closed her eyes and waited for punishment.

  Seeing Hua Rou about to suffer, Tang Xiao's face was filled with unbearable expression, his fists clenched tightly.

  Ziqi and Zihua, who were watching from the crowd, had a long-lost smile on their faces.

  On the other side, Tang Liu was so anxious that he wanted to rush out, but was held back by Tang Ji, who also covered his mouth with one hand.

  Tang Feiyan glared at Tang Xiao with uncontainable anger, at this moment she didn't care whether Hua Rou was punished or not, all she cared about was the pained expression on Tang Xiao's face for Hua Rou!

  Tang Jian raised his whip, but just as he was about to lash out, a loud shout rang out.

  Slow!

  This shout came from the gate of the courtyard. Upon hearing it, everyone turned their heads to look at each other and then unconsciously made way for him.

  Hua Rou, who was waiting to be punished on the pillar, was startled by this word. She turned her head back anxiously and tensely, only to see Mu Junwu walking in with a slight raise of his chin, an air of dominance about him, and said calmly: "It was I who took Hua Rou to the forbidden place, if you want to punish someone, punish me!"

  Hua Rou was stunned, and everyone else was shocked.

  Grandma looked at Mu Junwu, her eyes deep and dark like a black hole. Tang Jiuer's eyes were filled with worry, without any joy. On the other hand, Tang Xiao was looking at Mu Junwu with confusion and shock, as if he couldn't tell whether his words were true or false.

  "How could he..." Zi Qi's face was filled with anger, squeezing out three words before she couldn't speak anymore. Mu Junwu didn't go to Grandma's side to be punished, but instead walked directly in front of the stunned Hua Rou.

  "I'm sorry to trouble you." Mu Junwu said softly, and Hua Rou smiled slightly, making Hua Rou flustered and hastily say: "Mu Big Brother, don't talk nonsense, this matter has nothing to do with you..."

  "Why don't you hand me over?"

  Although Mu Jun interrupted her, he still smiled at her. The smile was exactly the same as the one he had when he was drunk that day. This made Hua Rou feel inexplicably that something bad had happened to him.

  "Because... because..."

  The unease in her heart disrupted Huajou's train of thought, and for a moment she couldn't think of an answer. But Mochunwu gazed at her with a smile, saying: "If I hadn't brought you here, would you have found it?"

  Your voice is exceptionally gentle, not the usual coldness and detachment, nor any hint of the clear boundaries of the past. This unprecedented gentleness suddenly made Huajiu lose her composure, and also caused many female disciples in the audience to let out intoxicated sighs and gasps.

  In the midst of Huā Róu's stunned silence, Mù Jūn turned his head towards Nǎi Nai: "It was I who took Huā Róu there, choosing a forbidden place because few people go there, precisely suitable for me and her to be alone together."

  Huā Róu's heart suddenly burst, she suspected that she was dreaming, but Mù Jūn Wú's words caused a commotion around her.

  "Alone?" Grandma's eyebrows were raised high, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

  "That's right." Mu Junwu said, turning his head to glance at Hua Rou, who had already been completely stunned: "I'm most comfortable with her, I don't want to be disturbed."

  At this moment, Mu Junwu's face was calm, but his behavior made everyone unsure of how to react.

  Some onlookers were shocked, some envied, and others scoffed.

  Of course, Ziqi clenched her fists and looked at Hua Rou with envy, while Zi Hua beside her had her mouth agape, clearly not understanding how Hua Rou, who was inferior to her sister in every way, could win the favor of Mu Junwu and have him publicly declare it.

  "In the midst of the uncontrollable din, Mu Jun took two steps forward towards Tang Jian: 'Master, it was I who brought her here, those who are unaware should not be blamed. This punishment should be mine to bear. Please, proceed!'"

  Tang Zhan held a long whip and turned to Nai Nai: "Master of the house, you see..."

  Tang Xiao saw the situation and took another step forward, but Grandma seemed to have expected it, a string of violent coughs, Tang Xiao was flustered and gave her a back massage while helping her catch her breath.

  Finally, Grandma stopped coughing, but her sharp eyes staring at Tang Xiao and the unhidden anger on her face made it clear that she didn't allow him to speak.

  Go ahead and try saying something.

  Tang Xiao understood Grandma's eyes, her lips opened and closed twice.

  Grandma felt relieved and stared at Mu Jun for a moment: "You're somewhat responsible, so this punishment... one person takes half of it!"

  Tang Zhan was about to pronounce judgment on Zhang Mou.

  "Wait!"

  At this time, another sound arose...