"... stealing green stalks to feed the livestock at home,... caught... wanted me to step in, said that since corn stalks were broken, we should send him to the County Yamen for strict handling,... I didn't agree. ...He was in the wrong, for sure. According to village rules, we give a beating, exact a compensation, teach him a lesson not to do it again, and that should settle it. If we really send him to the County Yamen, the County Magistrate is watching this closely, it might not be easy to explain to Master Shen Liu, and they might even flay him alive. Stealing green stalks is detestable, and he should be punished accordingly. But we can't abuse Sixth Master's power..."
"That's right; one is one, two is two," Lady Zhang agreed.
Hearing this, Lian Manman finally fully woke up. She moved, and Lady Zhang, sitting beside her, could feel it.
"Awake now? Go wash your face," Lady Zhang said.
"Mmm," Lian Manman sat up, "Dad, when did you get back?"
