A sharp *smack* rang out in the room. As Shen Que strode forward, trying to pry her hand away, Su Ran raised her palm and struck him across the face. Caught off guard, his head snapped to the side. When he finally reacted, he stared at the woman before him, his face burning with humiliation and rage. No one had ever dared slap him before.
Anger surged, but beneath it lay disbelief—how could a woman from the inner chambers possess such strength? If not for the guilt gnawing at him, he would never have tolerated such a blow.
“Su Ran, you dare strike a general’s face!” Madam Shen leaped up, rushing to her son’s side, her voice sharp with fury.
“Failure to teach is the father’s fault,” Su Ran replied coolly, stepping back with composure to put distance between them.
They had let an unwed woman flaunt herself before her, had allowed a child to lash out at her. Mother and son had been as good as dead to her then. Only when she seized Shen Qinghong’s wrist did they come alive again.
Had Shen Que stopped Shen Qinghong’s behavior in time, she might have overlooked it. But he had remained silent.
“Where is your virtue now? Do you mean to tear this household apart?” Madam Shen’s chest heaved, her sharp eyes boring into Su Ran.
“You kept me in the dark for four years, enjoying everything I gave. Now you demote a wife to concubine, and let another woman and child trample over me. You’ve already beaten me black and blue. One slap is the lightest revenge I could give—hardly excessive.”
“Fine!” Shen Que’s eyes swirled with conflicting emotions. “I wronged you by being with Le Xi behind your back. You slapped me, so we’re even. I owe you nothing now.”
Su Ran laughed coldly. “A single slap to erase four years of devotion? General Shen, you are far too naïve.”
“Then what more do you want?” Shen Que roared, his eyes wide.
“I want nothing more. But hear me clearly: I will not accept the position of secondary wife. To make me a concubine? Impossible. If I refuse, no one can force me. You want everything both ways—then let’s see if you have the ability to make it happen.”
“I have already reported to His Majesty upon returning to court. The Emperor has decreed that Le Xi shall be the principal wife, and you the secondary wife. His Majesty’s word is law—what use is your refusal?” Shen Que spoke with full confidence, dismissing her protests as if they were nothing.
A mere woman—he feared her not. He had never intended to consult her, only to inform her.
Behind Su Ran, her maid Chun Xing clenched her fists tight. She had endured again and again, but this was beyond bearing.
“Our lady’s temper is the gentlest, but that is no excuse for you to bully her. The general returns triumphant, yet forgets her four years of devotion. Do you truly think yourselves untouchable? The Marquis of Yong’an’s household has served the nation with loyalty for generations, its halls filled with martyrs. Our lady is the legitimate daughter of that house. To make her a concubine? Your General’s Manor is not worthy!” Chun Xing’s voice trembled with fury, yet each word struck like a blade.
“You lowly maid! Do you think it’s your place to speak?” Shen Que raised his hand to strike her.
Su Ran slapped his hand away, her eyes cold as ice. “She is my maid. You have no right to lay a hand on her.”
His hand hung awkwardly in midair, curling into a fist. “You would strike your own husband for the sake of a servant? Do you not shame your man?”
“How is she a lowly servant? Shall I point out who here is truly base? A base heart—that is the real disgrace.” With that, Su Ran turned sharply, taking Chun Xing with her, never once looking back. Even as they walked far from the room, curses still echoed faintly behind them.
“Second Mother is so fierce, Hong’er is afraid,” Shen Qinghong whimpered theatrically.
“Don’t be afraid. With your mother and father here, you will never suffer the slightest grievance,” Nan Le Xi murmured, her nails digging deep into her palms.
“That Su Ran dares to shame me, her mother-in-law? She has utterly defied us!” Madam Shen spat venomously. “Que’er, you must discipline her. Never let her run wild again! A woman who won’t listen must be controlled. If nothing else works, beat her—then she’ll learn obedience.”
“Mother, enough,” Shen Que muttered irritably.
“What do you mean, enough? I know you feel guilty toward her, so you tolerated that slap just now. But let it not happen again. She must never be allowed to act so wantonly.”
“…”
The servants watched Su Ran’s resolute figure as she departed, exchanging uneasy glances.
The young madam was always gentle by nature. She treated her mother-in-law with utmost respect, cared warmly for her younger sister-in-law and the second young master, and even showed kindness to the servants. To defy her elders against propriety—today was the first time anyone had seen it. Alas, all because of that new wife.
Tinglan Courtyard.
Su Ran sat at the table, her expression strangely calm, as though nothing had happened.
Nanny Zhang had not followed her earlier. Now, hearing what had transpired in the main hall, she stole a glance at her mistress, her eyes stinging, a sigh escaping under the guise of a cough. She busied herself with polishing ornaments, hiding her sorrow in the motions. She had raised this girl herself, the most sensible and considerate of all. She had thought that once the son-in-law returned, her lady’s hardships would end. Instead, she had been handed a family of ingrates.
Chun Xing, however, was seething, her brows knotted tight. “Young Madam, you waited for the general four years, and this is how he repays you? Too much! Four years of silent devotion, outweighed by the daily company of another woman at his pillow. It makes me furious! Heartless, ungrateful, despicable, shameless—beast in human guise!”
“I am not angry—why should you be?” Su Ran heard the bitterness in her maid’s voice and tried to soothe her.
“Young Madam…”
“The new wife has already taken her place. Do not call me that anymore.”
Chun Xing slapped her own mouth hard. “This wretched tongue of mine! I’m used to calling you so. I deserve punishment.”
“Enough,” Su Ran said lightly.
“Miss, are you truly not angry?” Chun Xing poured a cup of warm water and handed it over, asking carefully.
Su Ran took the cup, turning her wrist so the liquid swayed gently, her gaze drifting with its ripples. To say she felt no anger would be false. What she felt was sorrow. The husband she had longed for day and night had struck her with a cruel blow. For four years she had poured out her dowry for the General’s Manor, owed nothing to anyone—except herself.
“It’s all past. Anger is useless. Don’t punish yourself for another’s mistakes.”
“You’re right,” Chun Xing murmured, recalling the confrontation earlier, worry clouding her eyes. “But now you’ve broken with them, and the general has a princess as his principal wife. I fear our days ahead will be hard.”
“If this place cannot hold us, then we leave. We have hands and feet—we won’t starve, we won’t freeze.” Su Ran sipped calmly, her brows serene.
She had once hoped for Shen Que’s return—he was, after all, her husband by rite. But seeing how he shielded that woman and child, she no longer wished for him. As long as she let go, no one could sway her heart.
“Leave?” Chun Xing faltered, panic rising.
She was indignant, yes—but in this world, for a woman to leave was no easy matter. Even if her lady had the means to stand on her own, gossip alone could drown a person alive.