Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Disciplining on Mother’s Behalf

Sheng Zhi Wan looked at Qi Fei Yan with a faint smile: “If Eldest Sister is dissatisfied with Imperial Father’s conferment for the Heir Apparent, why not say which rank Eldest Sister thinks Imperial Father should give? I will change back into my court dress right now and enter the palace at once, so Imperial Father can do it exactly as Eldest Sister wishes.”

Qi Fei Yan’s expression stiffened hard: “Y-you-what nonsense are you talking about? How could I be dissatisfied with His Majesty?!”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s face turned cold: “Oh?”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Then what were those words just now? What did you mean by saying I stirred up trouble and caused the Heir Apparent’s rightful rewards to drop by two tiers?”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “In Eldest Sister’s eyes, the Heir Apparent made tremendous merit and Imperial Father’s Junior Fifth Rank reward was too low. Then what reward do you think the Heir Apparent should receive?”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Or do you believe the considerations of the ruler of a nation should follow my wishes?”

Qi Fei Yan went icy all over. For a moment, Qi Fei Yan did not even know how to argue back.

Qi Fei Yan only followed Mother’s meaning to seize Sheng Zhi Wan and send Sheng Zhi Wan to kneel in the ancestral hall. Qi Fei Yan never thought so far.

Even though Sheng Zhi Wan spoke the truth-and Qi Fei Yan and Mother truly meant it that way-those words sounded completely different once they came out of Sheng Zhi Wan’s mouth. If they spread like that, Qi Fei Yan would definitely be the one who suffered.

When did Sheng Zhi Wan become so sharp-tongued?

Qi Fei Yan’s finger trembled as Qi Fei Yan pointed: “Y-you’re talking nonsense! Give the headpiece back to me!”

Sheng Zhi Wan did not budge: “Eldest Sister must have forgotten. This is my thing.”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s gaze fell on Qi Fei Yan’s clothes: “And this outfit too. It was made from fabric taken from my dowry.”

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled lightly.

Qi Fei Yan immediately took half a step back, afraid that if Qi Fei Yan moved too slowly, Sheng Zhi Wan would strip the clothes right off her.

But Qi Fei Yan misread her.

No matter how much Sheng Zhi Wan hated Qi Fei Yan, Sheng Zhi Wan would not humiliate a woman that way.

Sheng Zhi Wan tilted her head: “Does Eldest Sister still want to seize me and force me to kneel in the ancestral hall?”

Qi Fei Yan hated her to the bone, but Qi Fei Yan did not dare say anything more.

Qi Fei Yan knew Sheng Zhi Wan spoke those words out of jealousy, trying to force them to drive Meng Yang away. But what if Sheng Zhi Wan truly lost her mind and spread that speech? Then Qi Fei Yan would be finished.

Qi Fei Yan ground her teeth: “We’re leaving!”

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled and stepped in front of Qi Fei Yan: “Good timing. I also want to see Madam. Let’s go together.”

Qi Fei Yan nearly choked on her own breath.

Madam Cui’s courtyard was called Wen Xi Courtyard.

After the Former Duke died, the second and third branches were separated out. Only Duke Qi’s branch still lived in the main residence.

Besides Madam Cui, Duke Qi also kept two concubines. Both were raised from Madam Cui’s own dowry maids. Their contracts were still held in Madam Cui’s hands, and neither had children, so their status was not much higher than maids.

When Sheng Zhi Wan arrived, the two of them carefully attended Madam Cui at her side.

Sheng Zhi Wan greeted them as she entered: “Mother, Concubine Lian, Concubine Ping.”

The teacup in Madam Cui’s hand knocked heavily against the table.

Madam Cui snapped, “You still have the face to come see me? You did not come to pay respects this morning. I thought you were being lazy and wanted to sleep in. Since you’ve been in a bad mood lately, I let it go.”

Madam Cui snapped, “But you secretly ran back to the Imperial Palace and dragged Shu Xian down? Sheng Zhi Wan, where did our Duke Qi residence wrong you!”

Madam Cui snapped, “When you first entered the household, I handed the household authority to you. The entire Duke Qi residence is already under your control. What more could you possibly want? Yet you cannot even tolerate Shu Xian taking a small concubine!”

Madam Cui thought of the Senior Fourth Rank that slipped away, and her heart ached.

Sheng Zhi Wan only smiled faintly.

Qi Fei Yan followed Sheng Zhi Wan inside. When Madam Cui’s furious gaze swept over Qi Fei Yan’s swollen face and ruined hair, Madam Cui froze on the spot.

Concubine Ping also jumped in alarm and quickly asked, “Oh! What happened to Eldest Miss?”

Qi Fei Yan stared at Sheng Zhi Wan with venom.

Only then did Sheng Zhi Wan speak in an even tone: “Today Eldest Sister came to my courtyard and said some extremely disrespectful words.”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Eldest Sister felt the Heir Apparent’s merit was great, and Imperial Father’s reward was not enough. Not only was Eldest Sister dissatisfied, Eldest Sister even guessed at the imperial will. Eldest Sister’s words implied I influenced Imperial Father’s conferment.”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “If such words spread, Mother knows what the outcome would be. So, to make Eldest Sister speak and act with more care in the future, and to keep Eldest Sister from bringing disaster upon the Duke residence, I disciplined Eldest Sister on Mother’s behalf.”

Sheng Zhi Wan added with a gentle smile, “Oh, right. What was Mother saying just now? I did not hear it clearly.”

Her smile was polite, her tone respectful, and her expression looked no different from before.

Madam Cui’s refined, furious face twitched hard.

Dissatisfaction with rewards. Guessing at the imperial will.

If those words truly spread, forget Senior Fourth Rank. Shu Xian might not even keep Junior Fifth Rank. It could even drag the entire Duke residence down with him.

Sheng Zhi Wan looked surprised and wounded: “Why does Mother look so unwell? Does Mother feel I was wrong to punish Eldest Sister? Or was it Mother’s idea to have Eldest Sister seize me and send me to kneel in the ancestral hall?”

Madam Cui choked, nearly unable to catch her breath.

After a long moment, Madam Cui forced a smile: “Of course not. Your Eldest Sister only loved Shu Xian too much and lost measure in her words and actions. Rewards from above are all the emperor’s grace, like rain and dew. As court officials, how could we dare comment on them?”