Chapter 217

Chapter 217: A Small Lesson

Shang Hang Yu’s words left Old Madam Shang speechless.

“Is there truly no other way? If you make them leave now, where will they stay?” Old Madam Shang wiped away tears.

She knew exactly why Shang Hang Yu was being like this. It all came down to his mother’s death and Shang Tian Hao’s quick remarriage afterward. She had done her best—scolding him, even beating him, and had moved herself away to the country estate for years. By now, Shang Hang Yu should have gotten over his grievances. After all, Yuan’er was his brother, bound by blood. Was it really worth causing this much trouble because of the older generation’s issues?

“What about the residence His Majesty granted you back then? Can’t they live there?”

“The Emperor’s orders cannot be ignored. If Grandmother doubts this, let General Shang stay. But when the gift list doesn’t match what I submit to His Majesty, and he gets angry, I’ll have no choice but to tell the truth.” Shang Hang Yu placed all the blame onto Emperor Chong Sheng.

If Shang Tian Hao was brave enough, he could confront the Emperor directly. Clearly, he wasn’t. Instead, he’d tried using Grandmother to persuade Shang Hang Yu.

Finished speaking, Shang Hang Yu showed Old Madam Shang the date sent from the palace.

“So soon?” Old Madam Shang exclaimed anxiously.

“Yes. The betrothal gifts must first be shown to the Empress Dowager.”

“Empress Dowager must inspect these? That doesn’t seem right according to our traditions.”

“Traditions are for ordinary people, not the royal family. Empress Dowager adores the Princess. Do you know how much dowry Empress Dowager gave the Princess? Even ten times Mother’s dowry wouldn’t amount to half of it.”

“That much?” Old Madam Shang suddenly worried about how her grandson might fare at the Princess’s manor.

“Grandmother needn’t worry about General Shang either…”

“He is your father!”

Shang Hang Yu gently took her hand. “Grandmother, visit Elder Brother and my two sisters’ rooms later. Elder Brother’s inkstone alone, and the jade pendant on his robe, cost thousands of taels. The girls’ jewelry, too. Madam Shang is skilled at managing household affairs.”

“Is that true?”

“Absolutely!” Shang Hang Yu nodded. Yet he didn’t mention that these luxuries were bought using his mother’s dowry. What had been taken before must now be returned.

Still, he didn’t want Grandmother to worry. She had humble beginnings and lived simply even on the country estate. The General’s household becoming modest wouldn’t affect her greatly, especially with him around.

His reassuring words swayed Old Madam Shang’s heart. That evening, Shang Tian Hao returned frustrated after Liang Rao pressed him impatiently for answers.

“The betrothal gifts must be sent on the fourth day of the third month. The Empress Dowager herself will inspect everything.” Liang Rao collapsed onto a chair.

This was truly driving her to despair!

Chaos engulfed the Shang household. Shang You Xi, fourteen, and Shang You He, twelve, wept upon learning they must leave their childhood rooms. They ran to their mother, crying loudly.

Listening to her daughters, Liang Rao bitterly regretted her past decisions. Had she known this would happen, she would never have kept Shang Hang Yu, that bastard!

…

Inside the palace gardens, little Hui hid behind a rockery, chatting with the sleepy fish in the lotus pond. Then she overheard two women’s voices.

At first, she didn’t care. But when they mentioned Qing Ning, her beloved sister, she quickly shushed the fish and began carefully listening.

Commandery Princess Ming Jia snapped impatiently, “What’s the point of all this nonsense? Sheng Zhi Wan was your sister-in-law for two years, yet you have nothing against her?”

“Commandery Princess, I doubt Princess Qing Ning will say anything about your situation. She saved you, after all. Why must you oppose her?” Qi Fei Rui gently persuaded.

“She had no choice! If she really had a good heart, she would’ve handed over those guards!” Ming Jia touched her injured neck, which had delayed her palace visit until now. “Anyway, don’t fall for Sheng Zhi Wan’s tricks. She’s incredibly fake!”

“No, she’s not—!” came a tiny but firm voice.

Ming Jia and Qi Fei Rui jumped in shock.

Hui stood with her little hands on her hips, glaring. “Who are you? How dare you speak badly of Sister Qing Ning? I’m going to tell Empress Dowager Grandmother!”

She turned to run but Ming Jia swiftly grabbed her. She examined Hui’s face, then laughed mockingly. “Your mother is Consort Fu, right?”

“How did you know?” Hui tilted her head.

Now Ming Jia felt fearless. A minor princess, daughter of an unfavored consort, was even lower than Sheng Zhi Wan. Could she really threaten Ming Jia?

“Were you hiding behind those rocks, listening to us?” Ming Jia asked sharply.

“Hui wasn’t eavesdropping! Hui was talking to the sleepy fish when you came talking badly about Sister Qing Ning!”

“You dare deny it?” Ming Jia had purposely dismissed her attendants earlier, so no outsiders were nearby. Looking at the rockery, then at Hui’s short, chubby legs, an idea formed. This bold little princess needed a lesson.

“Fei Rui, help me.” Ming Jia lifted struggling Hui under her arm.

Hui kicked and screamed.

Qi Fei Rui paled. “Commandery Princess, she is still a princess. You should put her down.”

“What’s there to fear? A lowly princess born of a minor consort? I’ve even hit imperial princes. She’ll learn to respect me!”

Qi Fei Rui stepped back, frightened.

“You’re so cowardly! Fine, I’ll do it myself.” Ming Jia carried struggling Hui up onto the rockery, placing her on a high ledge. “Stay here and wait for Sheng Zhi Wan to rescue you!” she taunted before climbing down.

Hui trembled in fear, tears filling her eyes. Her mother had been angry about her last visit to Sister Qing Ning and had locked her in the room. Hui had secretly escaped through the window to feed the sleepy fish. Now, no one would even know she was missing!

“I’m sorry! Let me down! I’m scared! Royal Mother! Sister Qing Ning!” Hui sobbed helplessly.

“Commandery Princess, maybe we should bring her down,” Qi Fei Rui pleaded, anxious.

But Ming Jia ignored her, walking ahead confidently. Qi Fei Rui glanced back nervously, reassuring herself someone would find the little princess soon.

Yet, as they walked farther, the cries of little Hui gradually faded behind them.