“What!”
Crash!
Prime Minister Su abruptly stood up, the teacup in his hand falling to the ground and shattering to pieces!
The Su family members were also greatly shocked:
“How is that possible!”
“Don’t talk nonsense! The Crown Prince personally said he would marry Yurou as his principal wife!”
“What happened? Tell us the truth!”
The servant said:
“I saw the procession turn toward the Yun Estate from afar and immediately went to inquire. According to those present, Yun Qingqing attempted to force marriage by threatening to drown herself, but when that failed, she tore up the marriage contract on the spot, declaring she had no further relationship with the Crown Prince…”
“If that’s the case, then why did the betrothal procession go to the Yun Estate!” Madam Su sharply interrupted.
The servant hurriedly explained:
“Madam, please let me finish… I confirmed with many people who were there. After Yun Qingqing tore the marriage contract, the Crown Prince anxiously chased after her. Not long after, the Crown Prince’s betrothal procession headed toward the Yun Estate.”
“This… what exactly is going on?” The Su family members exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions varied.
Su Yurou’s face turned deathly pale, her hands tightly clenched together.
Yun Qingqing tore the marriage contract, and the Crown Prince actually went after her? He still can’t let go of that woman!
No, the position of Crown Princess must belong to me alone. I absolutely cannot let that bitch snatch it away!
Madam Su gritted her teeth and said:
“Yun Qingqing is the descendant of a meritorious official. The Crown Prince must have been afraid that if a life were truly lost, he would lose the people’s support, so he had no choice but to turn to the Yun Estate to propose! Husband, think of something quickly! Now the entire capital knows the Crown Prince intends to marry Yurou. What should we do now!”
“Enough, stop shouting. Womenfolk are always so impatient!” Prime Minister Su frowned.
He pondered for a moment, then said:
“The annulment of the Crown Prince’s engagement with the Yun Estate was decreed by the Emperor’s oral edict. Yun Qingqing’s actions today are clearly defying the imperial decree!”
Madam Su’s eyes lit up:
“That’s right! Husband, quickly take Yurou to the palace to see the Emperor. Have the Emperor severely punish the Yun family. Let’s see if she dares to make such unreasonable trouble again!”
Prime Minister Su nodded:
“Yurou, come with your father to see the Emperor!”
Su Yurou obediently nodded, lowering her gaze as she followed behind him, a cold light flickering in her eyes.
Regardless of whether the Crown Prince still has feelings for that ugly monster, this threat absolutely cannot be allowed to remain!
She must be eliminated as soon as possible!
…
The Regent King had to return to his residence to change into auspicious attire before coming to propose, so Yun Qingqing returned to the Yun Estate first.
As soon as she entered the main hall, she was met with a barrage of sarcastic remarks:
“Well, look who’s here—the ugly monster! We, the Yun family, would never stoop to such shameful acts as threatening suicide to force a marriage!”
Yun Qingqing frowned and looked over. The speaker was Second Uncle’s wife, Madam Liu. Almost all the other members of the Yun family had gathered as well. The head of the Yun family sat in the main seat, his face dark and gloomy.
“How dare you come back! You’ve completely disgraced the Yun family!” Second Uncle Yun Zhiping also glared angrily and scolded.
Yun Qingqing let out a cold laugh and looked at the two:
“May I ask Second Uncle and Second Aunt, have you even clarified what happened today? On what grounds do you say I’ve disgraced the Yun family?”
“You still dare to talk back!” Yun Zhiping’s anger flared even hotter as he pointed at her nose. “Bai Lian has already confessed everything to us. You sneaked out early this morning just to intercept the Crown Prince and planned to force marriage by threatening to drown yourself! If that’s not the case, then explain clearly how you ended up soaked like this!”
“Oh—” Yun Qingqing raised an eyebrow and looked at Yun Bai Lian.
Yun Bai Lian wore a look of panic, speaking with sincere emotion:
“Sister, I’ve long advised you that doing this is meaningless, it would only make the Crown Prince despise you even more. But you insisted on going. Seeing you not return for so long, I was truly worried, afraid something might happen to you, that’s why I spoke up…”
Slap!
Yun Qingqing strode forward and gave Yun Bailian a resounding slap across the face.
“You advised me? Aren’t you afraid your tongue will rot from all these lies!”
Under Yun Bailian’s stunned gaze as she clutched her cheek, Yun Qingqing said coldly:
“It was clearly you who deliberately told me that the Crown Prince would propose to Su Yurou today, saying he was forced into it and still had feelings for me!”
“And wasn’t it you who suggested threatening suicide by jumping into the river, claiming the Crown Prince would surely change his mind!”
“Hah? You were worried about me? It seems to me you were worried I wouldn’t die thoroughly enough, that my reputation wouldn’t be ruined completely!”
At the head seat, Old Master Yun, who had remained silent with a grim expression, sharpened his gaze upon hearing this and looked at Yun Bailian:
“Is what she said true?”
Yun Bailian immediately shed tears of grievance:
“How could I possibly do such a thing? I don’t know how I’ve offended my sister, that she would frame me like this…”
“Exactly! Everyone has always seen what kind of person our Bailian is!” Second Madam glared angrily at Yun Qingqing. “I think you’re clearly trying to evade punishment by…”
Slap!!
Yun Qingqing backhanded another slap, directly swelling Second Madam’s face.
“And you have the nerve to speak? Don’t think I don’t know it was you who put Yun Bailian up to encouraging me! I happened to pass by when you two were discussing it in the small room, and heard everything clearly!”
The original host had long known this mother-daughter pair had ill intentions, but since she intended to settle matters with Xiao Zirui face-to-face anyway, she went along with their plan and left. She had planned to confess everything to her grandfather after returning from breaking off the engagement, but who knew she would lose her life instead.
“You… how dare you lay hands on an elder, this is outright rebellion!” Yun Zhiping never expected Yun Qingqing to be so bold and flew into a rage.
Slap!!
Yun Qingqing turned and slapped Yun Zhiping across the face!
“And you! An elder without dignity, indulging your wife and daughter in bullying us orphans and widows for so many years! My mother may not hold grudges, but that doesn’t mean I won’t!”
“Have you forgotten that the title of Zhenyuan Marquis was earned by my father with his life!”
“You lie upon my father’s bones enjoying the benefits, yet still seek to squeeze every last drop from us mother and daughter. After all these years living off us, what face do you have to put on airs as elders here!”
“I ask you, where has my father’s pension and my mother’s salary as a first-rank lady all these years gone!”
Yun Zhiping never expected the usually quiet and introverted Yun Qingqing to seem like a completely different person, publicly bringing up so many old grievances. His face flushed red then pale, momentarily at a loss for how to react.
After three slaps, Yun Qingqing felt a lightness in her chest—the heavy Malevolent Qi from the original host since her transmigration had dissipated considerably.
It was worth the effort of casting a divination before entering; today, nothing is forbidden—it’s an auspicious day for settling old scores and slapping faces!
How satisfying.
It was Second Madam who reacted first, raising her voice:
“Stop changing the subject! What we’re discussing now are the disgraceful things you did today. You must give an account!”
“Stopping the Crown Prince in public, threatening suicide by jumping into the river to force marriage—you clearly did all these things yourself. Yet you insist others encouraged you. Did someone hold a knife to your throat and force you to jump into the river?”
Yun Qingqing shot a sharp glare, causing Second Madam to shrink back in fear, terrified of receiving another hard slap.
Yun Zhiping also snapped back to his senses, a flicker of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
It seemed the girl’s previous timidity had all been an act. Now, feeling her wings were fully grown, she actually dared to try and ride roughshod over him!
He said sternly:
“The nation has its laws, the family its rules! Yun Qingqing, you only care about yourself, shaming the Yun Estate before the entire city—this is a fact!”
“Your father passed away early. As an elder, what is improper about me taking charge of disciplining you and managing his estate on his behalf? Even your mother hasn’t said anything—who are you to criticize?”
“Today, you dared to lay hands on an elder—this is an act of great defiance and deserves severe punishment! Today, I will invoke the family rules and discipline you properly on behalf of your father, lest you commit grave mistakes in the future and bring calamity upon the entire family!”
Listening to his self-righteous speech, Yun Qingqing’s hand itched again.