Chapter 11

Chapter 11: A Lesson on Mother’s Behalf

“If Elder Sister is unhappy with Imperial Father’s reward to the heir, why not say plainly the rank you prefer? I’ll immediately put on my court attire, enter the palace, and have Imperial Father arrange things according to your wishes.”

She smiled slightly, almost teasingly.

Qi Fei Yan’s expression stiffened instantly. “What nonsense are you spouting? How could I dare be dissatisfied with His Majesty?!”

“Oh?” Sheng Zhi Wan’s face grew cold. “Then what were those words you just spoke, Elder Sister? You claimed I was meddling maliciously, causing the heir’s rightful reward to drop by two full ranks!”

“In Elder Sister’s eyes, has the heir performed such astonishing deeds that Imperial Father’s Junior Fifth Rank reward seems too low? Then what exactly do you think he deserves? Or perhaps you truly believe the ruler of an entire kingdom would base his decisions solely on my wishes?”

Qi Fei Yan felt her whole body grow cold, speechless for a moment. She had only intended to follow Mother’s orders, taking Sheng Zhi Wan to kneel in the ancestral hall. How could she have thought so deeply?

Even though Sheng Zhi Wan was telling the truth—and indeed that was exactly what she and Mother thought—if these words were ever spread by Sheng Zhi Wan…

Then her own future would be utterly ruined!

[Since when did Sheng Zhi Wan become so clever with her words?]

“You—you’re talking nonsense!” Qi Fei Yan stammered, pointing with trembling fingers. “Give me back my jewelry!”

“Elder Sister must have forgotten. These things belong to me,” Sheng Zhi Wan calmly replied, her gaze falling upon Qi Fei Yan’s attire. “Even the cloth you’re wearing came from my dowry.”

She smiled slightly.

Qi Fei Yan immediately stepped back half a pace, fearful Sheng Zhi Wan might rip the clothes from her body right then and there.

Yet Qi Fei Yan misunderstood her.

No matter how much Sheng Zhi Wan despised her, she wouldn’t disgrace a woman in such a manner.

“Does Elder Sister still intend to take me to kneel in the ancestral hall?” Sheng Zhi Wan tilted her head and asked softly.

Though furious in her heart, Qi Fei Yan dared say nothing more. Even though she knew Sheng Zhi Wan was only jealous, trying to force them into driving Meng Yang away, what if?

What if Sheng Zhi Wan truly lost her senses and spread these damaging words? Then she herself would suffer greatly!

“Let’s go!” Qi Fei Yan gritted her teeth, preparing to leave.

But Sheng Zhi Wan smiled gently and walked ahead of her. “Perfect timing—I need to see Madam as well. Shall we go together?”

Hearing this, Qi Fei Yan nearly choked on her anger.

Madam Cui lived in Evening Tide Courtyard.

Ever since the Old Duke passed away, the second and third branches of the family had moved out, leaving only Duke Qi’s household within the mansion. Besides Madam Cui, Duke Qi also had two concubines, both raised from Madam Cui’s dowry maids. Since Madam Cui held their servant contracts and neither had borne children, their positions were scarcely higher than maidservants.

When Sheng Zhi Wan arrived, these two concubines were cautiously attending to Madam Cui.

“Mother, Concubine Lian, Concubine Ping.” Sheng Zhi Wan barely stepped through the doorway when Madam Cui slammed her teacup heavily onto the table—

“You still have the nerve to show your face here? You skipped greeting me this morning, and I assumed you were merely feeling lazy or upset, so I let it slide. But you secretly returned to the palace and sabotaged Shu Xian’s future? Sheng Zhi Wan, tell me exactly how our Duke Qi’s household has wronged you!”

“As soon as you married in, I gave you full control of household affairs. Everything in this mansion is already under your charge. What more do you want? You can’t even tolerate Shu Xian taking a concubine?”

Thinking of her son losing the Fourth Rank promotion pained Madam Cui deeply.

Sheng Zhi Wan stood calmly, a faint, almost mocking smile on her lips.

Qi Fei Yan trailed behind Sheng Zhi Wan into the room. When Madam Cui saw her daughter’s face and disheveled hair, she paused abruptly.

“Heavens! What happened to Elder Miss?” Concubine Ping gasped, rushing forward with concern.

Qi Fei Yan glared hatefully at Sheng Zhi Wan.

Only then did Sheng Zhi Wan speak, her tone mild yet piercing, “Today, Elder Sister came to my residence, speaking words that greatly disrespect the throne. She implied the heir’s merits were vast, yet Imperial Father’s reward insufficient, expressing her displeasure clearly. Even worse, she presumed to interpret Imperial intentions, insinuating that I influenced Imperial Father’s decisions.”

“If these words were spread, surely Mother understands the consequences. Thus, to ensure Elder Sister guards her tongue in the future and prevents calamity for Duke Qi’s mansion, I took it upon myself to discipline her on Mother’s behalf.”

“Oh right—what was Mother saying just now? I’m afraid I didn’t hear clearly.”

She smiled gently, her voice respectful, her demeanor unchanged from the past.

Madam Cui’s elegant face contorted briefly in suppressed fury.

Dissatisfied with rewards? Interpreting Imperial intentions!

If such rumors truly spread, forget Fourth Rank—perhaps even Shu Xian’s Junior Fifth Rank would be jeopardized! It might even implicate the entire Duke Qi household!

“Mother’s face looks rather unpleasant. Was it wrong for me to discipline Elder Sister? Or perhaps… ordering Elder Sister to take me to the ancestral hall was Mother’s idea?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked innocently, a look of confusion and hurt flashing across her features.

Madam Cui nearly choked, barely managing to catch her breath. After a long pause, she forced a strained smile and said, “How could that be? Your Elder Sister merely cares too deeply for Shu Xian and spoke rashly. As servants of the Imperial Family, how could we dare criticize the blessings and decisions of the throne?”