Chapter Text
Jiang Cheng knew they were in trouble.
The pranks and trick of Wei Ying (his adoptive brother) were harmless and most people did not comprehend they were victims of the pranks themselves even after the tricks had been played. But with an old sacred tree cracked, chickens let out from Bai Feng's coop, one cow in the deep waters of the lotus lake, and a broken bone to the impish boy himself, it was unlikely for them to avoid a punishment, and it will likely be severer than the ones they usually endure on other days.
After their return from studying at Cloud Recesses. The situation within the inner home of Lotus Pier was tense and (stressful) than beforehand, with Jiang Cheng's mother becoming stricter with them. The times before they had left, she would have only thrown hurtful words and threatened to hit them. She never truly raised a hand against him or Wei Wuxian, but something had changed. Jiang Cheng did not have any hope for his brother because this prank of his caused trouble not only for the disciples but also for the people of the village, and this time there was someone hurt from his antics. His mother would show no mercy even if it was Wei Ying with the broken arm
That was why the moment Yanli-jie saw them coming up one of the pier´s pathways, Jiang Cheng asked her to take Wei Ying to the medic while he would attend their mother. Wei Wuxian objected and tried to go with him but he could do nothing with an arm like that. A-Li understood and just give him a worried glance then let him go before ushering Wei Wuxian away.
The elder siblings would regret that decision later regarding their younger brother.
Jiang Cheng wanders past his father’s office and noticed him leave with worried face, heading at a brisk pace to the infirmary. “He never showed such a face when Jiang Cheng was hurt, ever” the boy reflected within his mind.
Jiang Cheng gave an attentive knock on his mother´s door, before entering inside to witness a disciple whispering something in her ear. Judging by the expression on his mother´s face it was the news of the disaster made by his Ying-gege.
The disciple briskly walked out of the room after delivering the unpleasant news, throwing the Yunmeng heir a gaze full of pity as they passed, closing the door behind them swiftly. Yu Ziyuan had her back facing away from him. "Shouldn’t you be with that servant? Holding onto his hand, like always?" she said disdainfully with a hint of disgust.
The boy clenched his fist, hanging stiffly at his side. Jiang Cheng felt something dangerous charged in the air between the two of them, but he still decides not to yield “I came to take the punishment”
Jiang Cheng's response causes Madam Yu to spin around in clear fury, "You didn't do it, I know you're too coward to attempt something like the foolishness I just heard, even if you had half the wit to plan it yourself." She spat out her violet eyes glaring into her son's mauve-gray ones.
The young heir of Lotus Pier stood firm in both his stance and decision, refusing to react to the insult his mother had given him, and waited for her to finish speaking. "Yet, you are willing to take the punishment of that scum!"
Jiang Cheng stood with an expression of calm, "He is injured." He informed careful not to mention the name of his brother. The information was enough for his response, but as expected, his mother still wanted to discipline Wei Ying, even knowing he was injured. So Jiang Cheng swallowed his fear and disappointment, and kneeled in front of the door, preventing her from stepping through to discipline his older brother.
The boy could almost hear his mother's knuckles crack with her anger, "You certainly want to take the punishment from the one attempting to steal your place as the heir!?" Yu Ziyuan barked towards her only son and youngest child. Jiang Cheng's only response was to lower his face further into the kowtow, to the point where he was inches from touching the wooden floor. "Fine then." whispered the Violet Spider, and Jiang Cheng felt the relief running through his body.
Then he heard the familiar sound of Zidian sparking, and he did not have the time to think nor the comprehension to feel fear when he felt the first lash against his backside. The surprise and painful lash from Zidian ripped a scream from his delicate lips.
"Shut up and take your punishment like a man!" screamed the raging Madam Yu.
The next hit didn't take long to dig into Jiang Cheng's upper back, and he bites his lips hard enough until he could taste blood, but that didn't stop a few tears to escape from his eyes. His back felt as if it was lit on fire and burned painfully, so while nothing but a pit of dreadful coldness settled low in his stomach.
No wonder the punishments with discipline whip, and even worst with a spiritual weapon like Zidian, were restricted only to the worst crimes, like murderers or rapists. A part of Jiang Cheng wondered if the little mischief with his brother deserved such a harsh treatment, but the next electric lash came, and he could no longer hold his arms in place. His mother coldly snorted at it. "Pathetic."
The young Jiang heir could only agree with his mother's words because he was indeed pathetic. Jiang Cheng couldn’t even withstand how many hits were there? 4? 6? 10? He simply expected this would free Wei Ying from a similar treatment.
Another lash came down, and he could feel something thick and warm trickle down his back. 'That must be my blood.' Jiang Cheng hysterically thought though a part of him could care less, as he only wanted to end the agony.
CRACKLE! Jiang Cheng thought absently that maybe he will die of this pain burning throughout his body.
CRACKLE! His eyes flutter close, and all he can distinguish between the mist of foggy pain are the sweet eyes of his sister and the bright smile of his brother.
CRACKLE! He hears a distant cry, and then nothing.
Nothing.