Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Contempt

Brother Zhang’s legs trembled uncontrollably.

Even Shang Xiu Yuan’s usually calm face changed from shock to panic.

“This humble one pays respects to Princess Qing Ning…” Shang Xiu Yuan closed his eyes briefly and bowed deeply toward the upper floor.

The scholars’ final hopes shattered. It was already unfortunate enough that Shang Hang Yu overheard their gossip—but how could Princess Qing Ning herself appear here?

Wasn’t it said that after marrying into Duke Qi’s household, she stayed secluded, rarely stepping outside or sending news?

Why were they so unlucky today?

Regret was pointless now. With pale faces and fearful hearts, each of them hurriedly rose to pay respects, voices shaking, “We humble ones pay respects to the Princess!”

Among them, some had already passed their examinations, while others held no official title yet. Though their family backgrounds were impressive compared to ordinary folk, only Shang Xiu Yuan and Shang Hang Yu truly stood above the rest.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s gaze swept slowly across everyone before finally settling on Zhang Yuan Zhuo.

“You said that Heir Apparent Qi returned from the battlefield with great merits—and also brought back a lovely beauty, stirring jealousy. So you imply that Qi Shu Xian received only a Junior Fifth Rank because I was consumed by envy?”

“I…I…” Zhang Yuan Zhuo broke into a sweat. Gathering all his courage, he stammered, “That’s not what I meant.”

“Oh?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked softly. “Then what did you mean? Go on, explain clearly.”

Zhang Yuan Zhuo sweated even more heavily. Silence hung heavily in Gathering Worthies Teahouse, as if an invisible hand gripped his throat. After a long, tense pause, he couldn’t hold on any longer. With a loud thud, he slammed his forehead onto the ground.

“This humble one begs forgiveness, Princess! It was reckless nonsense. Please spare me!”

Crack! A cup flew through the air, striking Zhang Yuan Zhuo squarely on his cheek. This time, no one intervened.

A fleeting smile crossed Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes.

[Throwing cups at people feels surprisingly satisfying. Had I known, I would have asked for more cups earlier!]

“Since you admit your nonsense, slap yourself thirty times,” Sheng Zhi Wan said.

“Princess…” Zhang Yuan Zhuo tried to plead.

Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow. “As they say, women and carved figurines are difficult to please. You’ve already offended me, yet you think I’ll just let it go? Even if I spare you now, aren’t you afraid I’ll trouble your father?”

Zhang Yuan Zhuo’s expression worsened. His cheek stung from the cup, but with so many eyes watching, he had no choice. Lifting his hand, he began slapping himself, left and right, again and again.

“Too soft.”

“Not hard enough.”

After thirty slaps, his once-handsome face became swollen and nearly unrecognizable.

Sheng Zhi Wan turned her gaze to another man—the one who had accused her of being a pampered lady scheming against heroes while enjoying the safety provided by border soldiers.

Realizing he was about to be confronted, the young man summoned his pride and rose directly from the floor. Though his face was pale, his spirit remained strong as he met Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes boldly.

“Am I wrong? Princesses like you, sheltered within luxurious mansions, surrounded by countless maidservants, dining on rare delicacies, dressed in priceless silks—have you ever thought that the food you toss away in disdain might be a rare treat, earned by soldiers at the border only after risking their lives?”

The more Wang Huai Zhi spoke, the more disdainful his eyes grew.

Since he had already offended Princess Qing Ning today, he might as well stand by his words proudly. Moreover, he truly believed he wasn’t wrong.

Pampered women confined in mansions!

Every day they were either scheming jealously or indulging themselves with idle pastimes. What could they know of national affairs?

“What is your name?” Sheng Zhi Wan stood up and walked slowly down the stairs.

Unfazed, the young man replied loudly, “This humble one is Wang Huai Zhi!”

“Wang Huai Zhi?” Sheng Zhi Wan thought briefly, then recalled his identity. “Your father is Wang Ye from the Censorate?”

“…Precisely!”

“If I remember correctly,” Sheng Zhi Wan continued calmly, “Your father, Wang Ye, hails from the Wang family in Yuan Prefecture. With your proclaimed righteousness, may I ask, what exactly have you done for the soldiers at the border?”

Wang Huai Zhi choked momentarily, but met her dark eyes defiantly. “I haven’t yet entered officialdom. When I do, I’ll ensure those soldiers receive adequate clothing and food!”

“So, as of now, you’ve done nothing?” Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow mockingly. “What about your father, Wang Ye, who is already in an official position? What has he done for them? Or perhaps…”

She smiled contemptuously. “What has your prestigious Madam Wang household contributed?”

Wang Huai Zhi’s face turned bright red, but he stubbornly retorted, “My Wang family runs schools and businesses—at least we aren’t as extravagant as you, Princess!”

“Hah!” Sheng Zhi Wan couldn’t help laughing aloud.

She turned suddenly to Ting Lan, who was glaring angrily at Wang Huai Zhi, and instructed, “Ting Lan, tell them clearly—this extravagant princess, how much grain have I sent to the border in these past years?”

Ting Lan raised her voice proudly, “In the past two years alone, Princess, you’ve sent one hundred thousand stones of grain to the Northern Desert, another hundred thousand stones to the Western Frontier, and to Cangnan—one hundred thousand stones of grain, thirty thousand winter coats, and sixty cases of medicine.”

“Impossible!” Wang Huai Zhi sneered. “Sheltered women like you probably don’t even know the price of grain!”

“Three hundred thousand stones of grain, thirty thousand coats, and medicine—at current market prices, each stone costs five hundred copper coins. That’s at least one hundred fifty thousand taels of silver, not counting the coats and medicine. Altogether, that totals no less than one hundred seventy thousand taels!”

“You’re merely a woman—where did you get such a fortune?”