By the time the beating was done, Wei Liuying couldn't feel her legs anymore. It was hurting so badly because the servant didn't hold back at all. However, she never let any of her emotion out. Outside from the perspiration on her forehead, she still struggled to keep standing.

Beside her, Xiao Yu was crying waterfall. She wanted to stop Wei Liuying but no words came out from her throat. She could only cry and cry.

Wei Liuying looked at Ji Shu. "Is this enough, Your Highness?"

Ji Shu turned his head to look at Wei Xiao Hua. "What's the punishment that your family usually gives for mistakes?"

Wei Xiao Hua blinked her eyes and replied softly, "It would be to stay in the shed without dinner, Your Highness?"

"It's still afternoon, but you can stay in the shed from now on. Not eating lunch and dinner should be alright for you, right?" Ji Shu asked.

Wei Liuying's eyes flashed for the first time. She understood that Ji Shu wanted to thoroughly destroy her. If her legs were not treated in time, it was inevitable that scars would remain. When she got married in the future, her future husband would look down at her because of the scar.

But what can she say?

"Your Highness wants this servant to skip lunch and dinner?" Wei Liuying asked softly.

Ji Shu looked back at Wei Liuying. "That's right. Any objection?"

The two sentences were blatantly telling her that Ji Shu wanted to use his position to oppress her. There was no need to hide it as it was plainly clear outside. But even if others knew he was bullying her, they would never side with her and could only comply with Ji Shu's demand.

After all, he has much higher status.

"This servant understands."

"Send her to the shed."

Wei Liuying raised her hand to stop them from moving. She was still looking at Ji Shu with a calm expression. "There's no need. This servant can walk by herself."

The prince kept on trying to destroy her reputation with each sentence he said. It seemed that she better stayed out of Ji Shu and Wei Xiao Hua's field of sight in the future if she didn't wish to get involved in something nasty again.

"In that case, you should go."

Even though her legs were under extreme pain, Wei Liuying didn't flinch. She turned her head to look at Xiao Yu, who promptly stood up and supported Wei Liuying. She was still crying and Wei Liuying was also hurting. The location of the shed was not far from here, but she would still need to walk for some time.

Ji Shu took the cup of tea on the table. "Make sure she reaches the shed."

"Yes, Master."

After settling that, Ji Shu turned his head to look at Wei Zilin. "I believe this is already the second time you tried to interfere, Second Miss Wei. Do you think that I'm stupid to not realize it?"

Wei Zilin's face was pale as she kowtowed on the ground, asking for mercy.

All along, Wei Xiao Hua didn't do anything but standing quietly. She wanted to smile, but she knew that it was inappropriate. Even though things were progressing differently, she was happy with this outcome. At least, it showed that Prince Ji Shu had started to genuinely care for her.

All she had to do was make sure to keep him interested in her. Hehe, as long as she followed after what she knew, it would be easy.

…

"Miss," Xiao Yu called out when they were near the shed. "Please… take care…"

"I'll be fine."

Wei Liuying patted Xiao Yu's hand and walked to the shed. She was partially dragging her legs, but she withstood the pain until she sat down on the shed. Xiao Yu was still crying and the guards had to remind her to leave. After she had left, they locked the door.

The guards held complicated expressions. Even though they knew that Wei Liuying was punished, they felt that it was a bit unfair. However, what could they possibly say and do?

If they go against Ji Shu, what awaits them is only their death.

Inside the shed, Wei Liuying lied down on top of the hay and looked at the ceiling. There were no tears or any sort of emotion on her face. All that could be seen was an expression that looked like she was tired.

'Again, huh?'

This was not the first time Wei Liuying was beaten up. In the past, it was even worse on the day her mother decided to have her as Wei Hong Zheng's sparring partner to increase his capabilities. She was very poor and her entire body suffered countless hits. It was to the point that she had fever for the entire week.

Her mother berated her, saying that she was too weak. The harsh treatment continued and only reduced slightly when she entered the academy when she was 12 to start learning many things that a lady required to learn. However, it was also the start of her time getting scorn all the time because of her poor result in the academy.

Back then, she had cried and begged her mother to allow her not to become Wei Hong Zheng's sparring partner.

But what she got was just another beating.

Since then, Wei Liuying never cried again. It was simply useless to show tears and weakness in front of others. What they did would be to simply use her weakness to scorn her and make her submit before them over and over.

Xiao Qing once asked her why she did not ask her mother for more, but Wei Liuying could only ask back, 'What's the use?'

In front of Feng Chun, she was nothing more than a daughter whose only purpose was to help his son become better. Neither Feng Chun or Wei Hong Zheng would care for her. As long as she was still useful, they would show some kindness, but it was only up to a certain limit.

She was not stupid enough to long for something that she knew she would never get. Love and care from her mother were included in thoe.

There were many things that Wei Liuying knew she would never get.