Everyone’s expressions changed as Yongjia entered with Zhao Qingning.
Zhao Qingning found a seat and obediently sat down, waiting to watch Yongjia unleash her authority.
Zhao Junyuan put on a tender smile: “My lady, what brings you here?”
Hadn’t she said she was observing abstinence in the prayer hall?
Why did she suddenly come to the main hall?
How much of their conversation had she overheard?
Though a thousand questions raced through his mind, he couldn’t show any sign of them.
Yongjia swept a glance at him: “What? In my Princess Manor, must I report my whereabouts to you?”
“Nothing of the sort, I was merely concerned about you,” Zhao Junyuan said disapprovingly, playing the perfect virtuous husband.
Chen Shi hurriedly bowed and said with a smile: “This humble concubine pays respects to my lady.”
Zhao Mianmian and Zhao Yuyang also quickly bowed: “We pay respects to Mother.”
Yongjia remained silent for a moment without granting them permission to rise. They exchanged glances but didn’t dare stand up.
After a long while, she finally spoke in an icy tone: “Humble concubine? My lady? Mother?”
Hearing the anger in her voice, Chen Shi’s heart sank. Just as she was about to say something, Yongjia didn’t even grant her a glance.
She leisurely sat down and looked at her husband: “Zhao Junyuan, do you remember when you said Chen Shi was your distant cousin, a pitiable soul who lost both parents at a young age, and that’s why I took her in at the Princess Manor?”
Zhao Junyuan frowned, not understanding why she suddenly brought up the past: “Of course I remember.”
“Then you should also remember that within a month of her entering the manor, you got drunk and slept with her. Out of compassion for a young woman who lost her virtue and would find it difficult to remarry, I allowed you to keep her and give her a place to settle. Did I say anything wrong?”
Zhao Junyuan felt somewhat awkward: “Why bring up these old matters in front of the children?”
“If I don’t mention this, I’m afraid some people still don’t understand what they truly are!”
Yongjia slammed her palm on the table: “If I were an ordinary woman married into your Zhao family, Chen Shi could be considered a concubine, and calling herself ‘humble concubine’ would be acceptable. But I am a princess. The law of this dynasty states that if a princess bears no children within seven years of marriage, the Imperial Son-in-Law must petition the emperor and obtain permission before taking a concubine.”
“We haven’t even been married a year. Chen Shi climbed into your bed, breaking all rules, and you never petitioned His Majesty. She isn’t even a concubine—she’s merely a servant. How dare she call herself ‘humble concubine’ in my presence? Or have you, Zhao Junyuan, become so ambitious that you’d take a concubine privately and deceive the emperor?!”
Yongjia practiced martial arts, and her slap on the table made the dishes and utensils rattle. Chen Shi trembled in fear.
These words struck like thunder. Zhao Junyuan’s face instantly changed: “My lady, I…”
Yongjia raised her hand, signaling him to be silent, and looked at the two children: “And these two calling me Mother—do they truly consider themselves masters of this manor? As I recall, I only gave birth to Aning.”
Zhao Mianmian’s eyes reddened, and tears began to fall again.
Unfortunately, her pitiful appearance didn’t evoke any sympathy from Yongjia, who instead frowned in disgust.
Zhao Junyuan suppressed his anger and forced an awkward smile: “My lady, the children are merely showing filial respect. Their reverence for you is genuine. Why must you be so particular?”
Yongjia slightly lifted her chin, her sharp eyes sweeping over them: “Filial respect? Are they even worthy?”
Zhao Mianmian and Zhao Yuyang’s faces instantly turned pale.
Yongjia glanced at Chen Shi and said, “With your vulgar origins and ignorance of propriety, I shall teach you myself. I am the Grand Princess, while you were merely a common peasant girl. Upon seeing me, you should perform the triple kneeling and nine prostrations ceremony.”
“The Imperial Son-in-Law cannot take concubines without imperial decree, meaning you are nothing but a Bedchamber Maid. Your children are Children of Slaves, no different from your status—all mere servants. What qualifications do they have to call me mother or claim kinship with the imperial family? Is this filial piety? This is overstepping!”
Her words pierced Chen Shi’s heart with bitterness and resentment, yet she forced a smile: “This humble…”
Yongjia ignored her completely, turning instead to Zhao Junyuan: “However improper Qingning may be, she shouldn’t be showing compassion to servants. I’ve only been temporarily secluded in spiritual practice, yet the Princess Manor has already fallen to a slave’s management? How dare servants ride in the same carriage as their masters? This is sheer inversion of the natural order! Should they next aspire to sit upon His Majesty’s dragon throne?!”
Zhao Junyuan trembled in fear: “Mind your words, madam.”
Such treasonous statements must not be spoken recklessly.
Yongjia cast him a contemptuous look: “When Chen Shi was with child, the rules demanded the fetus be aborted. It was my mercy that allowed the birth.”
“By law, the Imperial Son-in-Law cannot keep concubines without decree, and any illegitimate children must be reported to the Emperor. If you insist they are your illegitimate children—Qingning’s siblings worthy of calling me mother and deserving of her familial compassion—why not submit a memorial today detailing everything? Then you can all spend some days in the Imperial Prison.”
Her hawk-like gaze swept over them: “What say you, Grand Tutor Zhao?”
Zhao Qingning rested her chin in her hands, watching her mother with starry eyes.
This was the Grand Princess they were talking about—such imposing presence had them all terrified.
Cold sweat beaded on Zhao Junyuan’s forehead.
He knew well how much the Emperor respected Yongjia and feared her suffering any grievance.
If these old matters were stirred up, his life would be in peril.
With this in mind, he glared angrily at Chen Shi: “Chen Shi, do you admit your wrongdoing?”
Chen Shi felt her heart wrench at his accusation, but understood the gravity of the situation. She quickly knelt: “This humble… no, this slave admits wrongdoing. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness. But Mianmian and the others share the same father as the young mistress—blood is thicker than water. I implore Your Highness not to punish them.”
Her voice choked with emotion, eyes reddening when she called herself a slave, though she struggled to hold back tears.
“Same father?” Yongjia sneered. “What of it? Do you take me for some ordinary matron who must heed such considerations?”
Her gaze shifted to Zhao Junyuan: “Without me, you would be nothing. Cease this prattle about blood relations. The imperial genealogy records only my name and Qingning’s—not yours, Zhao Junyuan.”
Rage burned in Zhao Junyuan’s heart.
Yet he could offer no rebuttal.
For Yongjia spoke the truth.
He could only vent his anger on those kneeling: “You worthless slaves! Apologize to Her Highness at once!”
Tears streamed down Chen Shi’s face as she pulled the bewildered Zhao Mianmian and Zhao Yuyang: “Quickly, apologize to Her Highness.”
Zhao Mianmian couldn’t comprehend how things had come to this.
Neither could Zhao Yuyang.
They looked pleadingly at Zhao Junyuan, but he ignored them.
As if joking—he was nearly implicated himself, with no leisure to mind them.
Thus they had to kneel, tears flowing freely, and whisper timidly: “This slave admits wrongdoing.”
The sudden demotion from young masters and mistresses to mere servants was a devastating blow.
Zhao Qingning observed from the sidelines and couldn’t help but think how ruthless Zhao Junyuan truly was.
Just moments ago, he had treated Chen Shi like a treasure, yet now he was calling her a wretched servant. How hypocritical.
Yongjia finally smiled with satisfaction. “Since you understand your status as servants, you cannot share a table with your masters. Weren’t you just complaining about the vegetarian dishes being unappetizing? Liu Momo, have someone take them to the back kitchen to eat what they deserve.”
Liu Momo smiled faintly. “Yes.”
Chen Shi harbored intense hatred for Yongjia in her heart.
The back courtyard was the servants’ domain, where the food was bland and crude, without a hint of oil or flavor. If not for Yongjia’s return, she and her children would still be enjoying fine clothes and delicacies. Why should they have to eat with those lowly dogs in the back courtyard?
What if her children fell ill from such food?
Yet she had no choice but to comply.
Just as they were about to leave, Yongjia spoke again. “Wait.”
Chen Shi halted, and Zhao Junyuan glanced sideways. Both felt uneasy, fearing Yongjia might unleash her anger again.
But she merely picked up some vegetables with her chopsticks and placed them in Zhao Qingning’s bowl, saying calmly, “His Majesty established the Virtue and Abundance Academy and decreed that children of officials ranked fifth grade and above may attend. Since these two are servants, they naturally shouldn’t go. Starting tomorrow, they will remain in the manor to work.”
She was, of course, referring to Zhao Mianmian and Zhao Yuyang.
She turned to Zhao Junyuan. “Do you have any objections?”
Originally, Zhao Yuyang and the others wouldn’t have been eligible to enter the Virtue and Abundance Academy. However, Zhao Junyuan, doted on them, had pulled strings and even coaxed the original host into bringing them along.
Now, with Yongjia enraged, how could he dare oppose? “You are right, madam. They are not even considered illegitimate children and naturally do not deserve to attend.”
Chen Shi gritted her teeth in fury. She had pinned her hopes on her children excelling in the royal academy, rising above their station, and bringing her honor. Now, it was all ruined.
But what pained her more was Zhao Junyuan’s words.
Zhao Yuyang was deeply shaken. After finally gaining entry to the academy, the father he had always respected now declared them unworthy.
Yongjia continued indifferently, “As for Zhao Mianmian, though a servant, she has overstepped her bounds by disrespecting Qingning and showing disloyalty to her master. She shall receive ten cane strikes. Chen Shi, for failing to discipline her daughter properly, shall receive twenty strikes and then kneel in the courtyard for an hour as a warning to others.”
Chen Shi’s face turned pale. “Your Highness, Mianmian is frail. How can she endure ten strikes?”
Zhao Mianmian trembled in fear, tears and mucus streaming down her face.
Yongjia gave her a puzzled look. “But when she joined outsiders in mocking Qingning at the academy, her words were sharp and forceful—hardly frail. If you think she’s too weak, perhaps we should send her to the estate to do farm work. It might toughen her up?”
With that, she actually motioned for the manor guards to take Zhao Mianmian away.
Chen Shi quickly knelt. “Your Highness, please calm your anger. Mianmian is not frail. She can endure it.”
Staying at the Princess Manor still offered a chance for advancement, but if sent to the estate, all would be lost.
“Then why aren’t you going out to receive your punishment?”
Chen Shi repeatedly agreed and led her children out.
Zhao Qingning, having witnessed the entire scene, couldn’t help but mentally applaud her mother.
Indeed, the older, the wiser.
Each move struck at the enemy’s weakest points, far more effective than her own verbal spats at the academy.
She should have returned to hold court at the Princess Manor sooner, preventing those vile creatures from seizing opportunities.
Now that Zhao Mianmian and Zhao Yuyang had been thoroughly crushed, let’s see how they would dare bully her and her mother again.
With that thought, Zhao Qingning found her meal even more satisfying.
In the courtyard, Chen Shi and the others were receiving caning punishment.
The manor guards were loyal only to Yongjia and showed no mercy. It didn’t take long before they fainted, yet the punishment had to be completed.
Listening to the sound of the paddling in the courtyard, Zhao Junyuan felt his scalp tingle and instinctively tried to cozy up to Yongjia: “My lady, I…”
“Don’t speak while eating or sleeping,” Yongjia cut him off without giving him a chance. “You are, after all, a Grand Tutor. Don’t forget these rules.”
Zhao Junyuan gritted his teeth: “You are right, my lady.”
Yongjia lifted her eyes indifferently. She hadn’t forgotten his words—how dare he think of disciplining her Aning? Was he even worthy? If it weren’t for his indulgence, would Chen Shi have dared to break the rules?
Earlier, she had even considered punishing Zhao Junyuan along with them, but she held back considering he was still a Grand Tutor. On the surface, he hadn’t made any major mistakes, and even Chen Shi had only stayed with her permission. Since he usually treated their daughter decently, she let it slide.
However, the incident made her more cautious. After the meal, she had Liu Momo gather everyone from the Princess Manor.
The steward promoted by Chen Shi was punished with twenty strokes and then transferred to the odd jobs room.
The new steward was Liu Momo’s son, whose loyalty to her went without saying.
“Remember well who your master is, so you don’t act foolishly later and implicate your entire family.”
The servants trembled as they acknowledged, extremely nervous.
At such a time, only Zhao Qingning had the mood to complain about the food: “Mother, can we stop eating tofu and cabbage? I want to eat something better.”
After finishing her lecture, Yongjia heard her daughter’s complaint and immediately made a decision: the West Courtyard’s meals would remain the same, but they would prioritize the eldest young lady’s preferences.
Steward Liu quickly relayed the orders.
Zhao Qingning hugged Yongjia: “Mother, you’re so good to me.”Amid the warmth between mother and daughter, Zhao Junyuan couldn’t intervene and eventually left filled with anger.”
South Courtyard.
Chen Shi lay on the bed, tears streaming down her face.
She had just been caned, her lower body a bloody mess, and the pain was unbearable, but her heart hurt even more.
Zhao Junyuan’s words calling her a “lowly servant” had wounded her deeply.
As she wept, Zhao Junyuan lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing him, Chen Shi felt both resentment and anger: “Why are you coming to this lowly servant’s place?”
Zhao Junyuan sighed: “Stop crying. Have you applied medicine to your wounds?”
Chen Shi was overwhelmed with grievance: “Thank you for your concern, Master. This servant is fine.”
Hearing this, Zhao Junyuan was somewhat displeased: “Enough, who are you throwing a tantrum at? If it weren’t for my face, you should have been beaten to death and sold off today.”
Chen Shi’s tears didn’t stop: “I don’t care about that. I just lament that as a mother, I have no ability to let Mianmian and Yuyang live a good life. They will only be servants in the future.”
“Alright,” Zhao Junyuan held her hand. “I won’t let them suffer. For the next few days, endure it. Once Yongjia leaves, you will still be the mistress of the household, and they will still be the young master and young lady.”
If Yongjia stayed home all the time, life would become unbearable.
He naturally had to find a way to make her leave.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
With this promise, Chen Shi finally held his hand in return: “It’s my fault for causing you trouble.”
Remembering that she had been betrothed to him since her youth and had borne him children, Zhao Junyuan sighed and pulled her into his embrace.
Just as they were sharing this tender moment, Zhao Yuyang suddenly burst in: “Mother, Mother, something’s happened!”
Zhao Junyuan coughed twice and said sternly: “Making such a racket, how improper! What exactly is the matter?”
When Zhao Yuyang saw him, tears welled up in his eyes from desperation: “Liu Momo brought the manor guards and drove little sister out of the side chamber. She won’t even let me call the manor physician to treat her.”
Chen Shi panicked instantly: “Mianmian just got injured, how can she endure such torment?”
Hearing this, Zhao Junyuan’s face turned cold. He stood up and went out, only to confront Liu Momo directly: “Liu Momo, what is the meaning of this?”
Behind her, Zhao Mianmian was sobbing uncontrollably, blood still staining her leg.
Liu Momo bowed: “Imperial Son-in-Law.”
She looked at Zhao Junyuan: “Her Highness has declared that Chen Shi and her children are servants. They should no longer occupy rooms meant for masters. This old servant was merely relocating them to the rear courtyard. As for the manor physician, he serves the young lady – they have no right to his services.”
Zhao Junyuan gritted his teeth: “Is Yongjia truly being this cruel?”
“Imperial Son-in-Law, mind your words.” Liu Momo maintained a respectful demeanor. “When servants receive punishment, they should thank their masters for the lesson. How can it be called cruelty? If we follow your logic, would officials demoted at court be justified in blaming His Majesty?”
Zhao Junyuan glared at her venomously. This wretched old slave – he’d make her pay sooner or later.
Liu Momo wasted no more words: “Proceed.”
The manor guards swarmed in, dragging Chen Shi from the bed in the side chamber and throwing her into the courtyard alongside Zhao Mianmian.
Zhao Yuyang clenched his jaw, about to intervene when the guards drove him back.
Soon, the South Courtyard lay in disarray, with Chen Shi and her two children in utter disgrace.
Zhao Junyuan could only watch helplessly, powerless to seek justice for them.
“One more thing,” Liu Momo added before leaving, glancing at Zhao Yuyang. “Strip him of that brocade robe. A servant shouldn’t be wearing young master’s clothing.”
The guards immediately moved to comply. Zhao Yuyang panicked and shouted: “How dare you touch me!”
But no one paid him any mind. They quickly stripped him down to his undergarments as he desperately cried: “Father! Father, save me!”
He didn’t want to go to the rear courtyard!
He wanted to remain the young master of Princess Manor.
Yet Zhao Junyuan, on whom he’d pinned all his hopes, merely turned his head slightly without even meeting his gaze.
Complete disappointment washed over Zhao Yuyang. For the first time, he realized his father’s affection came with conditions – they must never offend Yongjia.
He was forcibly escorted to the servants’ quarters in the rear courtyard.
Passing through the central hall, he happened to encounter Zhao Qingning. Liu Momo bowed respectfully: “Eldest Young Miss.”
Zhao Qingning surveyed the furious Zhao Yuyang and the long-unconscious Zhao Mianmian, then smiled, her voice like an oriole’s song: “I told you, you’re finished.”
How dare you offend the villainous female supporting character – you must have a death wish.
As for her? She held grudges dearly.
Normally, she couldn’t rest until she’d settled scores within a day, or she’d lie awake at night.
Once Chen Shi and the others grew accustomed to being servants, they probably wouldn’t have time to scheme against her and her mother anymore, right?
Quite pleased, she stepped past them and continued on her way.
Qiuhua’s voice chimed in: “Young Miss, I heard Her Highness plans to connect the South and West Courtyards to rebuild your residence. Shall we go see the South Courtyard?”
“Very well.”
Zhao Yuyang clenched his fists, hatred surging in his eyes.
Zhao Qingning, just you wait. I’ll make you pay sooner or later!