There is loss and gain.

  Yu Family Compound

  In the snowy night, looking far away, there was a chill, and the deserted courtyard was covered with desolation. Chu Qingcang saw it from afar and remembered the scene when he came last time. The sunset was setting in the west, and someone was singing on the wall. The inside and outside of the courtyard were swept clean, making him seem to have returned to his childhood, living in Yu's house for a while.

  At that time, every day with Yu's brother ran wildly in the fields, played enough to come back, far away can see the courtyard on the rising smoke. Back to the yard, mother will do delicious food for them, a kind of pancake added wild flowers, eat into the mouth slightly bitter but full of fragrance...

  That's the feeling of home! He always associates that taste with a warm and cozy home, deeply nostalgic and treasured in his heart.

  It's been a long time since I had that feeling of home, until the day I saw Xiao Zong sitting on the wall. In that instant, I don't know if it was an illusion or not, but I suddenly felt like she was waiting for him at home, and behind her was the warmth of home, his mother was also waiting for him at home, as long as he walked in, he could have the warmth he had lost...

  But... at this time, Xiao Congrong was no longer on the wall, only the cold snow light was reflected, casting a hard and cold wall head, and the courtyard outside was covered with withered leaves and dust, desolate as if it had always been like this, completely erasing the traces of Xiao Congrong's stay here!

  Time is so heartless, it constantly breeds new things and erases old marks. Who knows what this place will be like in ten or twenty years? Where is he now, and where is Xiao Zong again?

  Hong glanced around and saw that Chu Qingxian had not pushed open the courtyard door to enter, but instead jumped over the wall and arrived in the backyard after a few ups and downs.

  He stood on the wall, looked around again, walked to a dry well and grabbed the well railing with his hand, falling down. This dry well had collapsed and been abandoned for many years. The last time Xiao Zong found Zhang Qing, he cleaned up the well in front of the yard but neglected this one.

  However, even if he noticed this well, he couldn't come down. This well had a mechanism, and unless one knew the mechanism, they would collapse halfway down and be buried alive in the well.

  But so far, no one has died inside. Firstly, the rumors of Yu's mansion being haunted are enough to deter most people, and secondly, even if someone brave comes in, they will likely be scared away by the eerie atmosphere. Very few people can find this dry well, let alone think of coming down to check the mechanism, so this secret passage has always been very safe.

  When Xiao Congrong lived in this courtyard, because they couldn't be sure whether she had chosen it unintentionally or intentionally moved in, they once abandoned this entrance and chose another secret passage as the entrance. It's just that the entrance is a bit far away and not very convenient. So after Xiao Congrong left, this place was reopened again.

  The dry well had fallen by more than half when it reached a stopping point. Chu Qing crazily opened the mechanism on the wall, revealing a small door that could only allow one person to pass through.

  As I walked in, the stone steps beneath my feet were winding and zigzagging, but slowly opened up. The tunnel had several forks, and along the way, there were oil lamps illuminating the path. Chu Qingxian chose one of them and walked straight ahead, finally seeing a large gate at the end.

  Two stone lions stood guard in front of the gate, just like a royal palace, with a solemn and majestic atmosphere. The door's ring was made of pure copper, exuding an air of wealth and luxury.

  Chu Qing stood still from a distance, unlike the shock he felt when he first arrived here and saw this door. Now, he wasn't wondering how such a world existed underground, but was thinking that when he met his adoptive father later, could he still say calmly and fearlessly that he didn't want to marry Shui Pei?

  Providing you with the best online romance novels.

  Both father and teacher, Chu Qingcang and Gu Jing are equally conflicted in their feelings towards Chu Yun'an.

  He is their common adoptive father and also the main master who teaches them martial arts knowledge.

  He doesn't joke around, is strict with others, and has clear rewards and punishments. Whoever does something wrong will be punished the same way, even if they try to plead their case to the king or an old master. When he was young, Chu was mischievous and often got into trouble, so he didn't avoid punishment.

  In comparison, Gu Jing was much better. Occasionally being penalized was also due to Chu Qing's involvement... According to Chu Yun'an, Gu Jing was good in every way, but he had a soft spot for Chu Qing's instigation and couldn't withstand his incitement, which led him to do foolish things!

  Towards Chu Yun An, the two were both fearful and respectful. The respect was due to his devoted teaching. Among Chu Yun An's more than ten disciples, they were recognized as having the best talent, learning martial arts or whatever quickly, so they also deeply gained Chu Yun An's favor, whenever he obtained some new martial arts secrets, he would share them generously with the two.

  Gu Cheng entered the Chu Qing Kuang's sect earlier than him, already ranking fourth, while Chu Qing Kuang was ninth. Those in the sect who were older than him called him "Little Ninth", and those who entered later addressed him as "Ninth Shixiong".

  Everyone, including Gu Jing, felt that Chu Yun An was a little different from this old nine and them, and this difference wasn't very obvious at first.

  Chu Qingkuang made mistakes and was beaten just like everyone else, Chu Qingkuang slept and ate the same as them. Slowly, this difference began to show up, Chu Qingkuang not only learned martial arts but also literature, Gu Xing and others also learned it, but not as much as Chu Qingkuang did.

  Chu Yun'an specially invited a teacher for Chu Qingkuang, who taught him Confucian classics, national studies, etiquette, Book of Songs, history, geography, military strategy and so on.

  What he learned was so vast that it left Gu Xing speechless at first, but later on, he also figured out Chu Qing's unique style. Although he didn't know why, he could guess that Chu Qing would definitely be reused by his master in the future!

  Because Gu Jing was intelligent and quiet, he somehow caught the eye of Chu Yun'an, who picked him out and allowed him to study with Chu Qingkuang. This kind of life lasted for about two or three years. The two ate and slept together, their martial arts skills and knowledge mutually honed, and they unexpectedly developed a very deep affection for each other compared to other fellow disciples.

  One day, Gu Jing suddenly left without saying goodbye, and it wasn't until Chu Qingchuan was brought by Chu Yun'an to travel through the capital that he met Gu Jing again after several years.

  Gu Cheng and Chu Qingcang's fear of Chu Yun'an is justified. The child was scared, having been beaten a few times before.

  Their fears are not unreasonable, Chu Yun An's punishment is different from the usual beating, the usual one is just flesh and blood suffering, once healed, they forget the pain.

  Chu Yun's punishment was usually done with a small whip, covered in reverse thorns. If you did something wrong, he would stretch out his hand and give you twenty lashes on each palm, not too many, but after the whipping, both palms would be bloody and have small holes like a sieve, making every move and eating painful, constantly reminding you of the cost of making mistakes...

  The pain at that time was still bearable, but after a few months, the scars that appeared whenever I lifted my hand could indeed serve as a warning to many people not to make mistakes. However, Chu Qing's nature was stubborn and reckless, often adding new injuries before old ones had healed...

  Such pain has been going on for a long time and can't get used to it, but instead becomes a kind of psychological fear. When I see Chu Yun'an, I feel entangled with fear and fear, even if I haven't done anything wrong, I still can't help feeling guilty.

  Chu Qing knocked gently on the door, and before long, it was opened from inside. Following closely behind Chu Yun'an, Zhuge Ling stood at the doorway, smiling and beckoning: "Xiao Jiu, you're here?"

  "Sixth Uncle, you're here too?" Chu Qingkuang was slightly surprised, and followed him in: "I didn't hear Mo Yu mention it earlier!"

  Romance Station: Providing you with the best online romance novels.

  "He came when I was out on an errand, didn't meet him!" Zhuge Ling took the opportunity to lean in close and whisper: "How come you don't even respond after receiving several letters? Your adoptive father is angry!"

  "I know, thanks for reminding me, Fourth Uncle!" Chu Qingxuan put away her smile and walked in.

  The gate is built in imitation of a palace, with several thick bronze pillars supporting this underground palace. Although it doesn't have the golden splendor of an imperial palace, it's not far off either.

  Chu Qing walked hastily to the front hall, and saw a person standing with his back to him, hands behind his back. A green robe on his tall figure didn't look shabby at all, but rather gave off an air of elegance and wildness...

  "Uncle! Chu Qingkuang has paid his respects!" He bowed deeply towards the figure's back and stood with his head lowered.

  Chu Yun'an didn't turn around, still looking up at the dragon and phoenix wall painting in the grand hall. Zhuge Ling quietly pointed to the small whip on the table with a sly smile, then pointed to his own mouth.

  Chu Qing looked at the whip with a hint of stubbornness in her eyes, lowered her head and remained silent.

  After a long time, Chu Yun'an turned around, her expression gloomy as she looked at him, coldly smiling: "You're getting arrogant? You also dare not listen to my words? Are you holding onto the idea that I'm far away and can't do anything to you, or have you really been blinded by beauty?"

  "Guilty as charged!" Chu Qingkong extended both hands without another word, his downcast eyes calm and unruffled.

  "Hmph... Admit fault? What fault should I admit to? What mistake did you make that requires me to punish you... Speak!" Chu Yun An suddenly raised his voice, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed in anger, glaring fiercely at Chu Qing Kuang.

  Chu Qing's eyes remained downcast as he said calmly, "Kuang'er disobeyed advice and secretly returned to the capital, that's the first mistake; receiving family letters and lingering in the capital without returning is the second mistake; privately using the money from the silver store without informing his adoptive father is the third mistake; engaging in a fight with government troops and revealing one's true abilities is the fourth mistake. Kuang'er admits to these four mistakes, please punish me, adoptive father!"

  With a loud "slap", Chu Yun'an slapped the table, and the red wooden table split in two. Chu Yun'an shouted angrily: "Since you know where you went wrong, why did you still do it? Do you think one word of blame can make up for your mistakes?"

  Chu Qing lowered his head and didn't speak, while Chu Yun'an was furious, pointing at him with trembling fingers: "Go and receive your punishment first, think it over clearly before coming back to find me. Otherwise, you can leave the capital and go back to Jiangnan, I'll hand this place over to Gu Jing!"

  Chu Qing hesitated for a moment and said, "Uncle, can you stop hitting me? It will cause suspicion when we go out to socialize..."

  Chu Yun'an sneered and looked at Chu Qing-kong, saying: "Four mistakes, eighty lashes... Not hitting the hand is okay, think about where you want to hit and tell your fourth uncle!"

  Fourth Uncle Lü Zhēng has also arrived? Chu Qīng's heart skipped a beat, turned around, and saw a dark-skinned man with thick eyebrows and a square face standing beside him, holding that small whip with an expressionless face.

  Several uncles have carried out family law, Sixth Uncle Zhuge Ling's heart is kind, hitting them all high and putting them down lightly.

  Lü Zhēn has never been soft-hearted, he does whatever he wants, and says that a strict teacher produces excellent students, and that talented people emerge from under the rod. Being lenient with them would be harmful to them, so since they were young, several of Lü's disciples have feared him taking action.

  Lü Zhēng walked over with a poker face and looked at Chǔ Qīngkuáng coldly, asking: "Where do you want to hit?"

  Chu Qing's eyebrows slightly furrowed, she untied her long gown, took off the outer robe and placed it aside, then untied the inner garment, baring her upper body silently turned around: "Give me a back massage!"

  Lü Zhēng glanced at Chǔ Yún'ān, and Chǔ Yún'ān nodded. He then lit up without hesitation.

  Providing you with the best online romance novels.

  Chu Qingcang's body suddenly felt a sharp pain, and in just a few moments, he could feel the blood flowing out. He gritted his teeth, and for some reason, he thought of Xiao Congrong - had she suffered like this when Wu Mingyuan flogged her?

  Or it's even more painful for him, after all he is a man and she is a woman, how can such delicate skin endure?

  She recalled the day he carried her back, her bloody and bruised fingers, and suddenly the pain on her own body didn't seem so painful anymore! If a girl like her could endure that kind of pain, what couldn't he?

  Lü Zheng's method of punishment has an advantage, it is quick and effective. After a few dozen lashes, the pain becomes numb, and the subsequent ones are almost imperceptible. By the time he finishes the flogging, it's all over, and by the time the pain sets in, he's already done for!

  Chu Qingkuang only felt that his pants were soaked in blood, Lü Zheng had finished beating him and went to report back with the whip, still looking at Chu Qingkuang with great satisfaction. Throughout the whole process, this kid didn't even move a bit, let alone make a sound, he's a real man, daring to do what he wants!

  Chu Yun An obviously didn't think so, as he watched Zhuge Ling help Chu Qingkuang sit down, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his fingers unconsciously pinched the armrest, leaving two deep fingerprints on the solid copper armrest.

  He stood up and said in a cold tone: "I'll be staying in Beijing for a while, think it over carefully before coming back to find me, huh?"

  Chu Qing struggled to get up: "I know, Crazy!"

  Chu Yun'an gave Chu Qingkuang a glance and made an eye signal to Lü Zheng, then turned around and walked into the back hall, with Lü Zheng following in.

  Zhuge Ling hastily pulled out the wound medicine he had prepared in his bosom and poured it onto Chu Qing's back, scolding softly as he did so: "You little brat, why are you being so stubborn? Clearly, all you needed to do was say a few nice words and you could have avoided this punishment. Why didn't you say anything? Your status now is different from what it was in the past, Big Brother doesn't necessarily want to hit you!"

  The medicine poured onto the wound, and the originally numb injury suddenly seemed to be burning up. Chu Qing's cold sweat flowed down instantly, he opened his mouth to breathe heavily, but didn't let out a sound. After half a moment of catching his breath, he smiled and said: "With loss comes gain, Sixth Uncle doesn't understand!"