CHAPTER 850: CHAPTER 848: WHO COULD BE SO RUDE?

Ye Xinyan looked at Lady Zhao. She came today to support Zhou Biyao, and she must finish what she needs to say.

"Zhou Biyao is the daughter-in-law of the Wong Residence and is bound by filial piety. I am unrestrained, and if Zhou Biyao suffers one bit in the Wong Residence, I will demand tenfold for her. Wang Qi’s Aunt, you yourself said our two families have no relationship anymore, and Wong Qiao is an ungrateful scoundrel. Without Zhou Biyao’s face, I truly have nothing to worry about."

After saying these words, Ye Xinyan didn’t even bother to maintain any semblance of civility, turning to leave with her maids and servant women, pushing the door open and walking off arrogantly. After stepping out, she didn’t even bother closing the door. Through the open door, several guards stood tall and mighty in the courtyard.

The cold winter air rushed into the house through the wide-open door, making everyone inside shiver.

After a shiver, Lady Zhao snapped back to her senses. In her shock and anger, she completely forgot about the alarm she felt when she saw those guards in the courtyard. She waved her hand and struck Wong Qiao’s face, "You useless coward!"

Wong Qiao was stunned by the slap and then immediately knelt down: "Mother, please don’t be angry."

Lady Zhao, still in shock and anger, pointed at Wong Qiao and scolded, "What’s the use of being a man? I worked hard to raise you, but you let an outsider walk into our home and humiliate us at will."

When Zhou Biyao saw Lady Zhao’s palm landing on Wong Qiao’s face, her brows twitched uncontrollably, and her face showed a hint of anger. She then lowered her head, kneeling beside Wong Qiao.

Wong Qiao kept his head down and said, "Previously, Qi Ye was pleasant to us because of Uncle’s influence and her dealings with me. She was never a woman with a good temperament, not to mention us; even Prince Fu as a royal doesn’t scare her. The day she lost a lawsuit against His Highness at the capital’s yamen, she knelt outside the Wu Gate to demand justice from His Majesty."

Wong Qiao was obedient from a young age, and Lady Zhao had never laid a hand on him until she was overcome with rage and slapped him. At this moment, as she came to her senses, she couldn’t help but feel heartache, but she was always stubborn and would never admit fault.

In her remorse, Lady Zhao slumped into a chair but still argued forcefully, "But she ultimately didn’t win the lawsuit."

Wong Qiao replied evenly, "It wasn’t that Qi Ye couldn’t win the lawsuit; she simply didn’t want compensation. What she wanted was for the court to amend the law. Because of this matter, the Emperor reprimanded Prince Fu, but Qi Ye was unharmed. Mother, you don’t know what happens outside. Once, Qi Ye went to the General’s Mansion for a banquet, and due to an argument with several ladies at the banquet, she angrily took her guards and dominated the General’s Mansion, causing all the court officials to lose face.

Afterward, although she was fined some Silver Coin, she received an imperial decree. Mother, we can’t afford to provoke such a person. If you insist on venting your anger, I can do it, but the family must be prepared for certain death, risking the extermination of the whole clan. I will listen to you, whatever you say, I will do."

Lady Zhao listened to these words, showing a look of disbelief. Dominating the General’s Mansion? How did she not know about this? The General’s Mansion, it must be the residence of a general, how could a woman overpower even a military general?

"You, you, you, don’t speak nonsense. How could the General’s household allow her, a woman, to dominate?"

Wong Qiao replied dryly, "Just now, there were guards standing in our courtyard. At the General’s Mansion, Qi Ye brought two formidable guards. General Shi had to give face to Duke An and couldn’t let blood flow in his own house, could he?"

Many people knew about Wong Qiao’s story, at least Zhou Bingyi’s family was aware, and Liang Ming’s household had heard bits and pieces. Now listening to Wong Qiao reveal it, they couldn’t help but smirk; people like Miss Ye could be unruly even in the General’s Mansion, doing as she pleased. What were you, a common household, compared to her?

Truly ignorant of one’s own standing, daring to shout at the Ye family’s women—how had such people even survived?

"Blood, blood flowing like a river?" Lady Zhao looked ashen, muttering to herself.

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t understand how Ye Xinyan, just that brash divorcee from Clear Water Village who frequented the factories, became so formidable. So fierce indeed.

Lady Zhao looked at the parcel on the table, full of resentment. What was the point of marrying this daughter-in-law? The work from the Construction Industry followed her home, and coupled with the words from the palace eunuchs, she couldn’t even protest when her daughter-in-law didn’t show up for days, nor did she have the qualification to express dissatisfaction. Her life was truly bitter.

Ye Xinyan triumphantly walked out of the Wong Residence and boarded her own carriage.

Jiu Yu couldn’t stop talking, "Madam, Madam, you were too amazing, that Lady Zhao is such a troublesome character, really a piece of work. But you managed to settle her in just one visit."

Because Jiu Yu was young, she didn’t often accompany Ye Xinyan on errands in the past.

This time, Ye Xinyan brought her maids along to make a more impressive entrance and exit at the Wong Residence.

As soon as Jiu Yu got on the carriage, she couldn’t wait for it to start, her eyes shining, giving non-stop praises.

Song Ping’s Household glared at her daughter, this girl, no matter how much she was taught, couldn’t change her nature. She seemed fine before, but ever since joining Miss Ye, she became like this, excessively lively.

Yet she had to admit Jiu Yu was right. Lady Zhao, even in Clear Water Village, was obstinate and wouldn’t listen to anyone. Once she held onto something, nobody could persuade her otherwise.

Now, she was thoroughly suppressed by Miss Ye. From Lady Zhao’s appearance, she seemed quite infuriated, might even fall ill for a few days.

But even if Lady Zhao was that angry, with Miss Ye’s words laid there, she probably wouldn’t have the courage to stir up anything.

It was only natural; who was Miss Ye? So many high-ranking officials and generals, none ever gained any advantage in her presence. Lady Zhao, a mere civilian woman, was ignored by Miss Ye deliberately; that’s why she got increasingly unaware of her own worth.

The carriage didn’t travel far from the alley where the Wong Residence was located when Jiang Yifan and his young servant came over from the opposite side.

"Ah Yan."

Ye Xinyan, still reveling inside the carriage, heard Jiang Yifan’s voice outside and quickly raised the curtain of the window.

Upon seeing Jiang Yifan, she smiled, "You’ve just started working properly for a few days, and now you’re out on a whim again."

Jiang Yifan also smiled, implying for the carriage to stop as he dismounted from his horse.

Song Ping’s Household wisely led the maids out of the carriage.

It seemed the master wanted to ride back together with Madam in the same carriage. No wonder early in the morning, Cui Cheng insistently arranged two carriages; it was, after all, prepared for this situation.

The carriage restarted. Ye Xinyan leaned against Jiang Yifan, smilingly asked, "Did you ask your superior for leave again?"

Jiang Yifan replied with a smile, "I’ve just married, and my colleagues are quite joyful. If I went back to work at the yamen, they wouldn’t behave so freely, they’re glad when I take leave."

His wife, just yesterday, was at the Zhou Mansion for Zhou Biyao’s wedding, and today before dawn started bustling up, insisting on heading to the Wong Residence to see Zhou Biyao’s tea ceremony.

He found it amusing at the time. Who acts so unceremoniously, picking this moment to go to someone’s house?

But no one could restrain the eager Ah Yan, could they? The main thing was, he couldn’t bear to disappoint Ah Yan.