Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1278: Convulsions

Brother Cheng harbored a constant fear of physical punishment, stemming from frequent scoldings and beatings by the Old Gu Family during his youth. Yet, at this moment, these words filled him with an unexpected joy.

The notion that his teacher was still willing to discipline him served as proof that the teacher intended to continue his tutelage, a prospect he viewed as undeniably positive.

Consequently, when Master Ouyang inquired if he had any objections, Brother Cheng loudly declared: "The student accepts, please proceed with the beating!"

With an expression that seemed to beg for chastisement, he swiftly knelt, preparing himself for the impending punishment. This unexpected reaction caused Master Ouyang to falter, the rattan in his hand descending with a forceful impact.

Bang bang bang! The blows were severe, ten strikes tearing through his clothes, revealing bruised skin beneath.

Master Ouyang observed the wounds on Brother Cheng's back, his expression freezing in surprise. Even his 'Good Brother An' had not held back.

Gritting his teeth, Brother Cheng endured the pain. His face had turned pale, sweat mingling with tears that traced paths down his cheeks. Despite the agony, he dared not cry out. Instead, he managed to choke out, "Teacher... please continue to beat me."

Master Ouyang was a mixture of anger and amusement. He had never encountered someone so eager to be beaten. Nevertheless, he stated, "You truly deserve this beating; this entire predicament was caused by you! Had you not acted so presumptuously, none of this trouble would have arisen."

Brother Cheng, having been scolded by Gu Jin'an, was not so foolish as to be unaware of right and wrong. Hearing Master Ouyang's words, he replied with a choked voice, "The student knows he was wrong. The student apologizes to Third Sister, to Master Ouyang, and especially to my elder brother."

He understood that his actions might cause his elder brother to incur the teacher's displeasure, thereby losing the chance to be close to Third Sister. Such an outcome would be a lifelong regret for his elder brother.

Master Ouyang let out a cold sneer. "Since you acknowledge your wrongdoing, if given another opportunity, would you still engage in such harmful and selfish acts?!"

Brother Cheng considered this for a moment before firmly replying, "I would."

"You would? You sound quite determined!" Master Ouyang's fury ignited. He had initially intended to cease the punishment, but this response enraged him, prompting him to deliver two more strikes.

Two sharp cracks echoed, and Brother Cheng could no longer stifle a cry of pain.

"You are incorrigible! I should beat you to death!" Master Ouyang declared.

"The student was not unwilling to change... Rather, I heard the teacher say that when faced with a quandary, it is better to fight desperately." Brother Cheng's back seared with pain, his mind reeling. Yet, he persisted, "The student does not want my elder brother to regret this for life, so I acted as the teacher instructed."

"Bah! Instead of preventing your elder brother's regret, your actions have greatly angered me! Your elder brother will not only regret this for life, but your entire family will be barred from rising for generations!" Master Ouyang spat out the word "Bah," a common expletive used by village women during disputes, his anger palpable.

These were not empty threats; the Ouyang Family possessed the power to easily obliterate the current Gu Family.

Furthermore, a noble daughter, particularly a legitimate one from a prominent family, held significant value. Throughout history, numerous impoverished youths, devoid of sense, had attempted to court such women, only to meet their end at the hands of the noble families.

Brother Cheng recoiled in fear upon hearing this. Hastily, he pleaded, "Teacher, please calm yourself... If you are truly incensed, then continue beating me to vent your anger."

*Continue beating him to vent his anger?*

Master Ouyang gazed at Brother Cheng's trembling form, his back already bleeding. He then turned to Gu Jin'an and commanded, "Kneel. You will take the remaining eight strikes for him!"

"Yes." Gu Jin'an immediately adjusted his robes and knelt, showing no sign of the twenty previous lashes he had received.

Master Ouyang felt a surge of frustration. What a bold young man, relying on his martial arts prowess to act so arrogantly. Very well, he would not hold back; he would strike him severely!

Bang bang bang! Master Ouyang delivered the remaining eight blows with fierce intensity.

Gu Jin'an grimaced slightly. Hmm, this felt even more painful than before.

After the arduous beating, Master Ouyang was utterly spent. He slumped into the Taishi chair, panting heavily. All this physical exertion had left him exhausted. Why was he the one feeling most drained, despite being the one delivering the punishment? Was he truly too overweight and in need of losing some pounds?

Ah Song promptly assisted Master Ouyang, helping him to calm down and pouring him a cup of warm tea to help him regain his breath.

After a brief rest, Master Ouyang finally regained his composure. He addressed Gu Jin'an, "Take that troublemaker away. Do not appear before me for three days. I do not wish to see either of you during this period."

"Yes." Gu Jin'an responded obediently. As he led Brother Cheng away, they paused to kowtow and express their gratitude to Master Ouyang. However, midway through the kowtow, Brother Cheng suddenly fainted, collapsing to the floor with a dull thud.

"Brother Cheng!" Gu Jin’an swiftly caught his companion, Brother Cheng, and felt his body blazing with fever, a tremor of fear running through him.

Master Ouyang rushed to examine him, noting Brother Cheng’s pale face now tinged with blue, and urgently instructed: "Ah Song, hurry and fetch Doctor Sheng!"

"Yes." Ah Song acknowledged and promptly departed to summon Doctor Sheng, who was in the employ of the Ouyang Family.

The Ouyang Family retained several physicians, and when Ouyang Ming and Ouyang Yu arrived, they brought along a doctor who was currently residing at the estate.

Within a mere quarter of an hour, Ah Song returned with Doctor Sheng.

"Second Old Master." Doctor Sheng bowed to Master Ouyang. Before the greeting was even complete, Master Ouyang exclaimed: "Quickly, no time to waste, come examine him! This child is having convulsions!"

Master Ouyang was filled with deep regret. If he had known this would occur, he would never have continued striking Brother Cheng. Should he have truly beaten the child to death, what compensation could possibly be offered to the Gu Family?

"Doctor Sheng, please save Brother Cheng!" Gu Jin’an’s eyes were red as he tightly held Brother Cheng, trying to restrain his convulsing body and keeping his jaw from biting his own tongue.

Doctor Sheng hurried over, grabbed a scroll that had been stuffed into Brother Cheng’s mouth for him to bite down on, and then earnestly began to insert silver needles from his medical kit into the boy.

After a period of intense work, Brother Cheng was finally stabilized.

"I will prescribe a few doses for the young man. With careful nursing over the next few days, he should recover soon," Doctor Sheng stated.

Gu Jin’an visibly relaxed upon hearing this and quickly inquired: "Doctor Sheng, why did Brother Cheng have a seizure? He only experienced this when he was very young; it hasn't happened since he turned five. Will this condition affect him in the future?"

Brother Cheng had nearly died in his mother’s womb and had endured great hardship since birth. Gu Jin’an most dreaded the thought of his younger brother passing away at a young age.

Doctor Sheng explained: "This young gentleman was overly frightened, caught in the rain, sustained injuries, and developed a high fever, all of which triggered the seizure. Children are less resilient than adults; occasional seizures during illness accompanied by fright are normal. With proper care, he will gradually heal as he grows older. There is no need for excessive worry."

That is precisely what Xiao Yu had also said.

Gu Jin’an, hearing the doctor's words, felt a measure of relief, but as he gazed at the unconscious Brother Cheng, a profound sense of guilt washed over him. Brother Cheng had endured all this purely because of him, and yet he had also struck him.

Furthermore, this young boy had not uttered a single word of complaint while ill, bearing his suffering in silence until he fainted.

"I am sorry; it is all my fault as the elder brother," Gu Jin’an choked out, holding Brother Cheng. He quickly suppressed the sorrow welling inside and then addressed the doctor: "Please, Doctor Sheng, prescribe the medicine for Brother Cheng."

"Eh." Doctor Sheng responded and swiftly penned a prescription.

Master Ouyang declared: "Ah Song, go and fetch the medicine."

He then added to Gu Jin’an: "Take Brother Cheng to rest in the adjoining guest room. We can speak further once he wakes up."