Chapter Eleven: The Disturbance

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The moment Madam Wang’s cold words fell, two sharp slaps echoed crisply.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Madam Wang covered her face, staring in disbelief at the usually serene and unworldly face before her. She could no longer maintain her composure and grit her teeth, saying, “Madam, on what grounds do you strike me?”

She was a servant close to the matriarch, representing the old lady’s dignity.

Even if the master or the general were present, they would still address her respectfully as Madam Wang.

Su Zhinian had always been obedient and sensible before; what strange medicine was she taking now to dare to hit her?

A sharp fierceness flashed in Madam Wang’s eyes.

“Madam Wang, Yushu is my maid. Even if she needed to be disciplined, it’s not your place to do so.”

“You’ve overstepped, so don’t ask why I hit you. Tell me, do you think you deserved it?”

Su Zhinian shook her hand; she had put all her strength into those two slaps just now.

But looking at that shriveled, yellowed face, she shook her head silently—her strength was less because she hadn’t eaten.

Hearing this, Madam Wang grew furious. When did Su Zhinian become so sharp-tongued? Yet she could find no reasonable reply.

After all, Su Zhinian’s words were well-founded. Reluctantly, she bowed slightly and gave a perfunctory response.

“Madam’s discipline is justified! The servant knows her fault.”

Just as the words fell,

a crisp, clear slap rang out.

“Madam! Why do you hit the servant again?” Madam Wang could no longer hold back; her face contorted in anger as she questioned.

Su Zhinian withdrew her hand, snorting coldly.

“Madam Wang, have you learned your manners in a dog’s belly?”

“Is that how you pay respect?”

She had not expected this to become a weapon against her.

Madam Wang was flustered. She had always conducted herself this way; even before the master and the general, no one ever questioned her etiquette.

“This is deliberate provocation by the madam!” she accused.

The two had lingered for some time by the lotus pond near Pine Crane Residence.

Gu Shijin strode briskly toward them, frowning at the sight.

What trouble was Su Zhinian causing here again?

“What are you two arguing about?”

He immediately noticed the two clear red handprints on Madam Wang’s face.

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His brows knitted.

Madam Wang was the grandmother’s confidante; who in the household dared lay a hand on her?

Then came her tearful voice.

“General, I was sent by the matriarch to invite the madam to Pine Crane Residence. That girl incited the mistress and whispered poison in her ear, but I merely disciplined the maid for the madam. Yet the madam struck me.”

As she spoke, she deliberately tilted her head, revealing the worst of her injuries.

At that moment, her face burned painfully; without a mirror, she knew the injury looked dreadful.

Seeing this, Gu Shijin frowned deeply, his gaze darkening as he stared at Su Zhinian.

“Do you realize Madam Wang serves the matriarch? What you did is like slapping the matriarch herself.”

“Su ZhinianI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.