Si Yan pretended to be overwhelmed with rage and said sternly, “This incense burner was a treasure entrusted to me by a dear friend. For you to break it — you have committed a grave error!”
Su Tao’er had been here for a long time, but Si Yan had never been this angry. It clearly terrified her. Her small face turned pale as she quickly explained, “Mas… Master, Tao’er didn’t do it on purpose.”
Si Yan huffed and said, “I know you didn’t do it intentionally, but it was still a mistake born from your recklessness. You must still take responsibility for it.”
“Ye… yes, this disciple knows her mistake.”
Su Tao’er clutched her skirt, feeling completely lost. This was the first time she had seen Si Yan so angry. Aside from her anxiety, she naturally thought of the punishment she would face. Within the sect, the Sect Rules were always strict. Furthermore, Su Tao’er came from a noble background, so she knew how severe such rules could be. Angering one’s elders often led to dire consequences.
Although Su Tao’er was afraid, she also felt heartbroken. In the Destiny Pavilion, she relied heavily on Si Yan. Even though they hadn’t known each other long, she treated him like a father or an older brother and trusted him completely. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have overstepped just now to joke with him. But who would have thought that the moment she turned around, she would be scolded so harshly? Her heart felt heavy, and she couldn’t help but feel deeply wronged.
However, Si Yan did not notice Su Tao’er’s emotional state. Following the logic of giving a slap followed by a sweet date, he suddenly softened his tone and said, “Tao’er, it’s not that I wanted to be this angry today, but this incense burner was indeed a gift from a friend. That friend passed away long ago, so this item was a significant memento for me.”
Hearing this, Su Tao’er felt even more guilty. Tears welled in her eyes as she said, “Master, Tao’er didn’t know… Tao’er didn’t mean it. Tao’er is sorry…”
Seeing this, Si Yan’s heart wavered slightly, and he felt a bit reluctant, but he knew his chance had come. He sighed and said, “Alright, since it’s already broken, there’s nothing that can be done. Even people cannot be brought back to life, let alone an object.”
Su Tao’er sobbed, still unsure of what to do since she hadn’t heard her sentence yet. However, she was clever. Even though her chest felt tight with sadness, she knew that taking the initiative to admit her fault would make it easier to gain forgiveness. She stepped forward, lowered her head, and said, “Master, Tao’er was wrong this time. This disciple… this disciple begs for Master’s punishment.”
Si Yan was delighted. ‘This girl walked right into it,’ he thought.
He nodded solemnly. “Mhm! The Destiny Pavilion still has its Sect Rules. Since you’ve made a mistake, you must be punished according to them.”
Su Tao’er blanked out. ‘My calculations were wrong!’ she thought. She had assumed that by being proactive, her master would let her off and forgo the punishment. How was she still going to get hit?
Su Tao’er wiped her tears and asked tentatively in a pitiful manner, “Mas… Master, how are you going to punish Tao’er?”
Si Yan kept a straight face and huffed. “You saw how I punished Lan’er back in Shenlie Valley, didn’t you? Those are the Disciplinary Precepts of my Destiny Pavilion. If you understand, then come forward and receive your punishment!”
Su Tao’er hesitated for a moment. Then she remembered that back in Shenlie Valley, Bai Lan had been disobedient, and Master had given him a spanking. Su Tao’er had thought it looked very painful at the time.
‘S-So, am I going to be hit too?!’
Si Yan’s face was full of gravity, showing no flaws in his act. He patted his thigh and knee. “You wicked disciple, hurry up and come forward for your punishment!”
Seeing Su Tao’er still standing there with her head bowed, her two fingers fidgeting in hesitation and her face turning bright red, he questioned her again, “Wicked disciple, do you refuse your punishment!?”
Su Tao’er didn’t dare look up. She mumbled, “Mas… Master, this disciple accepts the punishment. This disciple accepts it.”
“Then come here quickly!”
Su Tao’er summoned all the determination she could muster and took small steps forward. For the first time, she lay across the man’s lap…
*Smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack!*
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.