Volume 1 Chapter 8: Disposal
“Impossible!”
As Yan Qing finished speaking, Yan Tan became agitated.
She had schemed for so many years, not to become Lu Qiao Nan’s concubine, and certainly not to be paraded around the city three times to announce it?
Dream on!
She wanted to be like her mother, to become Lu Qiao Nan’s equal wife, and to trample Yan Qing underfoot!
Yan Tan’s eyes brimmed with determination.
Yet Yan Qing’s gaze was cold as frost.
In her previous life, she never understood why Lu Qiao Nan suddenly changed his heart. Later, she learned that during the three years Lu Qiao Nan accompanied Prince Qi northward, Yan Tan had secretly been sending letters to the northern regions.
Though Lu Qiao Nan never replied to any, it still left a mark in his heart.
Thus, when he returned to the capital and sent Shu Kingdom Yun Brocade to the Yan residence, there were two pieces—one for her, and one that ended up in Yan Tan’s hands.
And Yan Tan chose to seduce Lu Qiao Nan on Yan Qing’s wedding night, precisely calculating that both families would, for reputation, have to accept her as Lu Qiao Nan’s equal wife.
She also calculated that Yan Qing would have to yield.
She wanted to emulate Madam Zhen’s oppression of Yan Qing’s mother, to overshadow Yan Qing in everything!
If that was the case, then let her remain forever unable to rise from the position of a concubine.
“If my half-sister refuses to become a concubine, then let her shave her head and become a nun on Qingcheng Mountain.”
Ignoring Yan Tan, Yan Qing looked up at Yan Junyuan: “This would also prove that my half-sister was harmed by a villain. To prove her innocence, she willingly spends her life in repentance with a lamp and ancient Buddha. Father would have an explanation for the court, which is truly the best outcome.”
Yan Junyuan’s heart stirred slightly.
But Madam Zhen immediately rushed forward and said: “She agrees! Tan’er agrees to marry into Wu'an Marquis Manor as a concubine!”
Yan Tan was shocked: “Mother…”
Madam Zhen, disregarding everything, threw herself at Yan Junyuan’s feet, grabbing his robe and weeping: “Master, Tan’er is still in her youth, how could she shave her head and become a nun? Qingcheng Mountain is not a place for humans. Considering Tan’er suffered with me in the countryside since childhood, please let her become a concubine, wuwu…”
Hearing the word “countryside,” Yan Junyuan sighed and helped Madam Zhen up, pitying her: “Tan’er is my first child, how could I bear to send her to Qingcheng Mountain? But this incident with Lu Qiao Nan has become widely known. Without an explanation, I fear tomorrow in court…”
“It was Nanny Cao!”
Madam Zhen suddenly exclaimed sharply: “It must be this wicked servant who framed Tan’er! Yesterday, she tricked Tan’er into going to Wu'an Marquis Manor! Someone, seize Nanny Cao!”
Nanny Cao knelt with a thud: “Madam—”
But Madam Zhen ordered someone to gag Nanny Cao.
She nervously grabbed Yan Tan, her face pale as she looked pleadingly at Yan Junyuan: “Master, I have found the culprit. Please use Nanny Cao to explain this, and do not send Tan’er to Qingcheng Mountain…”
Yan Junyuan looked at his childhood sweetheart and lover, ultimately abandoning his earlier thought. Turning to Nanny Cao, he angrily scolded: “Such a bold, wicked servant! Daring to harm your master with audacity! Someone! Drag her out immediately and beat her to death!”
Nanny Cao mumbled incessantly.
But Madam Zhen coldly stared, not glancing at her once.
This matron who had accompanied her for decades was discarded without a hint of remorse.
Yan Qing was not surprised by this. For her own children, not only would Madam Zhen discard a Nanny Cao, but even if all those around her were killed, Madam Zhen would not soften half a bit.
This woman from the countryside was able to remain favored by Yan Junyuan for so long, not without reason. Just in terms of understanding Yan Junyuan, even her mother probably didn't know one tenth of what she did.
Seeing the servants about to drag Nanny Cao away, Yan Qing leisurely spoke: "Father, Nanny Cao ruined my marriage, shouldn't it be handled by me?"
"No!"
Before Yan Junyuan could speak, Madam Zhen anxiously said: "Such a wicked person should be executed immediately. Second Miss, you shouldn't associate with such wicked people, lest you be corrupted."
Yan Qing: "Madam hasn't been corrupted, why should I fear?"
Madam Zhen was momentarily choked.
She looked at Yan Junyuan with tear-filled eyes.
But Yan Junyuan thought of how today in court, thanks to this wretched daughter Yan Qing, he managed to preserve a shred of dignity. He waved his hand: "Alright, it's just a servant. If you want to handle it, handle it. Zhen'er, go arrange a small sedan to send Tan'er to Wu'an Marquis Manor."
"No, I don't want to—"
Yan Tan screamed—she didn't want to be a concubine!
But Madam Zhen suddenly covered her mouth and said to Yan Junyuan: "Yes, Master. I will arrange it now."
Ignoring Yan Tan's struggles, she forcefully dragged her away in haste.
Yan Junyuan looked at Yan Qing, his face stern: "Are you satisfied now?"
Yan Qing: "Thank you, Father, for granting this."
"You—"
"I bid farewell."
Yan Qing gave Yan Junyuan no chance to exert his fatherly authority. After a perfunctory bow, she took her people and escorted Nanny Cao away.
Leaving Yan Junyuan furious, his face ashen!
On the way back to Qingyi Courtyard, Lu Zhi couldn't stop smiling, and Qing Luan also had laughter in her eyes.
Yan Qing's brows relaxed.
In her previous life, no matter what happened, even if it was Yan Tan's fault, Yan Junyuan would always keep her alone to reprimand her. Even these two maids beside her were often scolded.
For that cold, thin paternal affection, she endured repeatedly.
And those around her suffered alongside her.
From now on, that won't happen…
"Miss, how should this old hag be dealt with?"
Returning to Qingyi Courtyard, Lu Zhi immediately grabbed Nanny Cao's collar, rubbing her hands eagerly.
Yan Qing glanced at the distraught Nanny Cao and asked Lu Zhi: "How do you want to deal with her?"
"I want to slap her mouth!"
"Granted."
Lu Zhi's eyes instantly brightened: "Alright!"
She took off her embroidered shoe and slapped Nanny Cao's mouth: "You disrespectful to Miss! You always look at people with your nostrils, you caused Miss to divorce! Now you've fallen into Miss's hands, right? Watch me slap you dead!"
Nanny Cao's face was slapped with crackling sounds.
Yan Qing had no intention of stopping at all.
Until Qing Luan approached and whispered a few words in her ear. Yan Qing looked outside the courtyard and saw a fleeting figure.
She curled her lips and suddenly spoke: "Someone, execute Nanny Cao by beating in the courtyard!"
"Yes."
Two sturdy matrons came forward and tied Nanny Cao to a bench.
Soon, the entire Qingyi Courtyard echoed with the sounds of sticks striking and Nanny Cao's piercing screams.
After the screams stopped and Nanny Cao was confirmed dead, that sneaky figure hurriedly left, running all the way into the courtyard where Madam Zhen resided…