Chapter 34: A Slap in the Face

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Thanks to book friend 100610204017328 for the pink ticket and to several others for their PK votes. May I timidly ask, are there any more? During the Qingyun recommendation period, there will be two updates a day; if the collection reaches three hundred, one extra chapter will be added; and if the PK score reaches two hundred, another chapter will be added.

Ning Qian and Nian Yu discussed matters for a long time, only sorting out the road ahead by the time the sky began to lighten. Afterwards, they ate a simple meal and took Nian Yu and Shu Ni to the matriarch’s courtyard. Having been absent for two days, it was only proper to pay their respects early this morning.

Ning Qian’s heart was still uneasy. Although Yu Ziqi had said he’d spoken to Yu Old Master, the Old Master was one thing, and the matriarch quite another. Who could say what the matriarch would think?

Deliberately arriving early, Ning Qian and her companions reached the courtyard gate just as Jiao Ran, a servant in the matriarch’s quarters, appeared. Nian Yu hurried forward, “Miss Jiao Ran, our mistress has come to pay respects to the matriarch. Has the matriarch risen yet?”

Jiao Ran quickly bowed to Ning Qian, “Greetings, Third Madam. You’re here very early today. The matriarch went to bed late last night and hasn’t risen yet. Third Madam, please allow me to lead you to the hall. You may have to wait a while.”

“No matter, thank you, Miss Jiao Ran.”

“Third Madam, there’s no need for courtesy with us servants. Please, this way.”

Ning Qian and her two companions were the first to arrive and sat in the hall for quite some time before First Madam entered, accompanied by her maidservant. Seeing Ning Qian already there, she paused in surprise but quickly recovered. “Oh my, Third Sister-in-law, you’re early today! I thought you wouldn’t come so soon. Yesterday…” Though she left the rest unsaid, her face was full of mirth, clearly at Ning Qian’s expense.

At once, Ning Qian’s cheeks flushed. She rose, embarrassed, “First Sister-in-law, you’re teasing me. I simply went to bed early last night.”

“Ha, Third Sister-in-law, what’s there to be embarrassed about? We’re all envious of you. A woman’s greatest wish is her husband’s affection, and Third Master dotes on you so much—it’s truly enviable.”

Ning Qian gave an awkward smile, “First Sister-in-law, please don’t jest.”

First Madam sat beside Ning Qian and took her hand. “Is there anything between us that needs caution?” She leaned in, lowering her voice, “Yesterday, Third Master carried you back to your room—everyone in the courtyard must know by now. Later, Second Sister-in-law will surely have something to say. Don’t mind her; she’s simply sour grapes.”

Ning Qian chuckled lightly, “Thank you for the warning, First Sister-in-law.”

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“Didn’t I say not to be so polite?” First Madam winked broadly at Ning Qian, giving her a knowing look.

Just then, Second Madam sashayed in, quickly spotting Ning Qian. Her expression flickered, but she masked it at once, smiling sweetly, “Third Sister-in-law, you’re a rare guest! Haven’t seen you for two days. Honestly, I’ve missed you.”

Ning Qian could easily discern the mockery in her words, but she wasn’t one to fuss over such trivialities. She simply smiled gently and said nothing.

After a few moments of casual conversation, the matriarch arrived. Entering the hall, she glared fiercely at Ning Qian as she passed. Settling into her seat, she spoke angrily, “Old Third’s wife? Where have you been these past days? Don’t you understand what rules are? Must you not report to me before going out? Besides, you’re a woman—how can you wander about without reason? Are you trying to shame the Yu family?”

Ning Qian lamented inwardly; just as she had expected, the matriarch clearly disliked her. She hastily stood and bowed deeply, “Mother, it was my fault. I left in haste and failed to inform you. Please forgive me.”

“Hmph! You’re a daughter of a noble family, yet you don’t understand basic propriety? When married, you should obey your husband. Did you consider him before acting? For a woman to wander about, what does that say? No wonder such a thing happened before.”

Ning Qian suddenly looked up at the matriarch, startled. What did she mean by “such a thing”? Was she referring to the marriage snatching incident? Did she still not believe Ning Qian’s innocence? Her face grew paler; this was the deepest thorn in her heart, a matter she thought long forgotten, now brought up again.

First Madam and Second Madam did not speak in Ning Qian’s defense. They merely watched, quietly amused, ready for a spectacle.

Shu Ni could not bear to see Ning Qian humiliated. Being perceptive, she realized the matriarch was mocking the marriage incident. “Matriarch, our mistress is innocent.”

“Impudent! Where do you think you are, to speak out of turn? Jiao Ran, slap her!”

“Yes,” replied Jiao Ran, moving toward Shu Ni.

Now frightened, Shu Ni retreated, crying, “Mistress is innocent, truly innocent!”

Seeing this, Ning Qian quickly said, “Mother, the fault today lies with me. Shu Ni is only a maid and knows nothing; she merely offended you by accident. Please, for my sake, pardon her this time.”

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“Hmph! Should I pardon her just because you ask? What of house discipline? A mere maid dares to interrupt her mistress? If I let her off now, will other maids not follow suit? House rules must be strict—that’s the principle. Jiao Ran, why are you still standing there? Do it!”

Jiao Ran glanced at Ning Qian, then at the furious matriarch, and finally nodded, “Yes.” She stepped before Shu Ni and whispered, “Miss Shu Ni, forgive me.”

Shu Ni lifted her chin, “Even if you beat me to death, our mistress is innocent—she is innocent, our mistress is innocent.”

Ning Qian glared at her, “Shu Ni, be silent! This is not your place to speak.”

Biting back her grievances, Shu Ni faced Jiao Ran, “Go ahead, I’m ready.”

Her words made it difficult for Jiao Ran to act. As she hesitated, the matriarch’s harsh voice urged again. “Jiao Ran, do you dare disobey me?”

Jiao Ran responded quickly, “Mistress, I dare not.”

“Then do it!”

Helpless, Jiao Ran had to comply. Soon, only the harsh sound of slapping filled the room. Ning Qian did not turn to look; just hearing the blows made her heart twist in pain. Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug deep into her flesh. She told herself silently, everything that happened today, she would remember. One day, she would repay them all.