No one knew what the first family head of the Zhu family was thinking.
They decorated the entire old Zhu family mansion like a garden.
Walking inside, one felt refreshed and at ease.
Passing through a long corridor, Zhou Yu noticed diamond-shaped shelves on either side.
The items displayed on them looked old.
But to an expert's eye, they were all priceless treasures!
Looking at everything before him, Zhou Yu couldn't help but sigh.
Indeed, they were the foremost among the three great families of Jiangnan City.
Their profound heritage was truly eye-opening.
In no time, Zhu Ling'er led Zhou Yu to the guest room.
Opening the door, Zhu Ling'er said, "This is it."
"The guest room is cleaned daily, so you don't have to worry about dust."
"Zhou Yu, you rest first. I'll call you for dinner after the matters in the ancestral hall are concluded."
Zhou Yu nodded slightly.
He placed the medical kit by the bedside.
Then he turned to see Zhu Ling'er still standing foolishly at the door.
He was surprised and asked, "Aren't you leaving?"
It wasn't that Zhou Yu was heartless.
It was just that it was improper for a man and a woman to be alone in a guest room for too long.
It wouldn't be good for Zhu Ling'er's reputation if rumors spread.
Zhu Ling'er's expression froze.
She gave an awkward smile and tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear.
Then, somewhat flustered, she said, "My dad... asked me to entertain you here."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu understood immediately.
It seemed the Zhu family head hadn't given up on trying to set them up!
No wonder Zhu Ling'er's face had been so flushed on their way here.
So, the Zhu family head's instructions to her earlier were full of hidden intentions!
After careful consideration, Zhou Yu finally managed to say, "You don't need to entertain me here. I'll be resting soon."
"You should go and help out."
The Zhu family head only had this one daughter.
After Zhu Rong's matter was dealt with, he would undoubtedly have to argue with the elders.
If Zhu Ling'er wasn't there, it would be difficult for the Zhu family head to handle them alone!
Hearing Zhou Yu's words, Zhu Ling'er nodded nervously, her eyes fixed on the floor, not daring to glance at Zhou Yu.
"Then you rest well. I'll be going now."
With that said, Zhu Ling'er practically ran out.
She looked as if something was chasing her from behind!
Zhou Yu shook his head helplessly.
After a brief survey of the guest room, he sat cross-legged on the bed.
He took a Hongmeng Stone from the box and held it in his palm.
Then, closing his eyes, he began to circulate his internal energy, attempting to absorb the purple energy from the Hongmeng Stone!
Meanwhile, on Zhu Ling'er's side.
After fleeing the guest room in a panic, she soon returned to the ancestral hall.
Seeing Zhu Ling'er, the Zhu family head showed a hint of surprise.
"Why are you back?" Although the Zhu family head lowered his voice, his words clearly conveyed his disappointment and frustration.
Zhu Ling'er looked embarrassed, biting her lower lip, a flush spreading from her mouth to her rounded earlobes.
"Dr. Zhou said he wanted to rest and asked me to come and help you."
Looking at Zhu Ling'er's demeanor, the Zhu family head wished he could lecture her right then and there!
Fortunately, the elders of the Zhu family were all present.
It wasn't convenient for the Zhu family head to do so.
Otherwise, Zhu Ling'er would have had to listen to him until her ears went numb today.
"You girl, you always seem so clever, how can you be so foolish now?"
"He told you to leave, so you just left? Couldn't you have found an excuse to stay?"
The Zhu family head said, full of regret.
Zhu Ling'er lowered her head sheepishly.
Despite her usual boldness, some things were still a bit difficult for her to do.
Fortunately, the Zhu family head didn't scold her for long.
He only said this one sentence and then stood quietly, watching Zhu Rong's punishment.
With the prescription Zhou Yu had given, Zhu Rong's complexion visibly worsened, turning more purplish-blue.
But he just wouldn't die!
The elders, unable to bear it, suggested several times that Zhu Rong be given a swift end.
But how could the Zhu family head agree?
Today's event in the ancestral hall was not just about punishing Zhu Rong.
It was also a warning to others!
The Zhu family head had only one daughter, Zhu Ling'er.
He wanted to let everyone present know that they could touch him, but anyone who dared to touch Zhu Ling'er would suffer a fate worse than death!
Seeing the Zhu family head's resolute expression, and considering that after Zhu Rong's death, there was no one within the Zhu family who could contend with him, even if the elders felt unbearable sympathy, they could only hold back their words and say little.
As the sun began to set, Zhu Rong's punishment was finally complete.
His entire body, every inch of his skin and every pore, was no longer intact.
He looked like a mummy riddled with holes.
After the last punishment was administered, no one offered him any more medicinal slices or soup.
He was simply left on the wooden stool, while the Zhu family head and the elders deliberated his fate.
"Family head, I think Zhu Rong has already been reduced to a cripple from this ordeal."
"Since he managed to endure until the end without expiring, it is his destiny."
"Why not just throw him out and let him fend for himself?" the elder suggested.
The Zhu family head looked at the elder with a half-smile, finding it amusing.
He saw through the elder's scheme immediately.
The elder simply wanted to save Zhu Rong after he was thrown out, and then take over the remaining martial artists and wealth Zhu Rong had.
If it were in the past, the Zhu family head would never have agreed.
But now, Zhu Rong was already barely clinging to life.
Killing him now would be a waste of time.
Moreover, the Zhu family head was willing to give the elders this much face, as long as these old fuddy-duddies didn't cause him any trouble!
Thus, under the watchful eyes of the elders, the Zhu family head slowly nodded.
"So be it. He has already suffered his punishment, and he will be nothing but a cripple from now on."
"Let him live and continue to suffer in this world."
As soon as he finished speaking, the elder's face showed visible delight.
Before the Zhu family head could give any further instructions, the elder immediately took people and dragged Zhu Rong away.
Whether they dragged him to the entrance of the old Zhu family mansion, to the street, or to the elder's own home, the Zhu family head didn't care!
"Alright, thank you all for your hard work today."
"It's getting late, and the kitchen has prepared dinner."
"Esteemed elders, shall we all go and eat together?" the Zhu family head proposed.
These elders were already starving.
If it weren't for the fact that the punishment hadn't ended, they would have rushed back to eat long ago.
Hearing that the Zhu family head had prepared food, they readily agreed.
After all, eating at someone else's expense was better than eating their own!
A group of them majestically arrived at the dining hall.
They saw that the dining table was already laden with a variety of dishes.
After everyone was seated, the Zhu family head surveyed the room and realized that he had forgotten to call Zhou Yu.