Chapter 688: Asking About Propriety to Protect Delicate Beauty

Rongguo Prefecture, East Courtyard, Outer Courtyard Main Hall.

Even though Liu Baozheng's wife was just a slave matron of the Zhen family, Seeing Tan Chun's words still maintained propriety, still calling her Matron Liu, and did not sternly reprimand her.

But in her words, stating the reasons, the sharpness of her tone was already merciless.

Liu Baozheng's wife was cunning and had a silver tongue, but Seeing Tan Chun's words exposed her bottom line completely, and she couldn't help but be shocked.

It was just that every word of the other party was the truth, making it difficult for her to argue, and for a moment, she was speechless.

On the side, Lady Wang was already full of anger, her face flushed red, and she forcibly suppressed the urge to curse.

Liu Baozheng's wife had actually deceived her to her face. This matron had clearly gone to the West Prefecture to find Feng Yatou and was swept out the door, only then coming to the East Courtyard to find her for help.

Wasn't she just saying that Feng Yatou was young and unreliable, and she didn't want to look far for help, specifically coming to find her, the high-prestige one? It turned out it was all just lying.

She had actually become someone else's substitute leftover; how unreasonable, this matron was truly blind!

In the eyes of these noble families, she had been the mistress of Rongguo Prefecture for more than ten years, yet she was not as good as a junior daughter-in-law like Wang Xifeng.

The world had actually lost its discernment; it was simply absurd!

……

Lady Wang hated being looked down upon by Liu Baozheng's wife, but she hated even more that Seeing Tan Chun did not care about her face, actually exposing this matter to her face, making her, the legitimate mother, lose all face!

Once this matter spread, it would become a laughingstock among the noble families of the Divine Capital; what face would she have to see people?

This Third Yatou knew that Liu Baozheng's wife had been to the West Prefecture, and in the morning, she pretended to pay respects to her, yet didn't mention a word, letting her fall into such a vicious trap. Truly hateful to the extreme!

Currently, she was trapped in this narrow and uncomfortable East Courtyard, only by visiting Baoyu or paying respects to the Old Lady could she step on the threshold of the West Prefecture.

This girl, however, was openly acting as a young lady in the East Prefecture, with fine clothes and food, a grand appearance, and could enter and exit the two prefectures freely.

She was just a lowly illegitimate daughter, yet she was a hundred times more glorious and proud than her, the mistress of the Second Branch and legitimate mother. Truly, the distinction between superior and inferior was lost, and she was ignorant of what was what.

She clearly knew the foundation of the two prefectures clearly, yet never revealed a word to her. The girl was looking outward, her elbows were turning outward.

She must see that she, the legitimate mother, had lost power, and didn't know how she was looking down on and mocking her in her heart; where did she still put her in her eyes?

She hung around with Cong Ge'er every day, treating a cousin brother like a real brother, and never saw her lift up or help Baoyu, the legitimate brother, wholeheartedly.

Since she was so favored in front of Cong Ge'er, when Feng Yatou wanted to dismiss the people around Baoyu, she didn't see her speak a good word for her brother in front of Cong Ge'er.

If she had just said a few good words, how could Baoyu have ended up so faceless?

A dignified noble son, a legitimate descendant of Rongguo Prefecture, with only five or six maids serving him, ending up so shabby.

She had always been kind-hearted and soft-hearted, and had been quite tolerant of this Third Yatou since childhood, but she had raised an ungrateful wolf who did not respect her legitimate mother and was not close to her brother. Truly, she had raised a tiger that would cause trouble!

……

Lady Wang was born with a paranoid and narrow-minded nature. Since childhood, she was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Wang family of Jin Ling, pampered and spoiled.

After Jia Min married, she became the top young female relative of the Ning and Rong prefectures, and had been the mistress of Rongguo Prefecture for more than ten years, long accustomed to being high above.

Ever since the Jia family's Second Branch lost its legitimate position and was forced to move out of Rongguo Prefecture, it had been a failure that Lady Wang could not accept.

She could not accept that the Second Branch had declined and would be difficult to turn over, and in her heart, she was unwilling to blame herself.

Unwilling to admit that it was her own viciousness and narrow-mindedness that caused the Second Branch to decline to this point, she could only find faults in others……

The Second Branch lost its title, and her Baoyu lived more and more frustratedly—it was all Jia Cong's sinister and cunning nature, snatching away the Second Branch's power and stealing her Baoyu's luck.

She never opposed Seeing Tan Chun living in the East Prefecture, so that the Second Branch could plant a wedge in the East Prefecture, facilitating her own involvement in the affairs of the main prefecture.

Seeing Tan Chun should be grateful to her, be wholeheartedly toward her, and inform her of the details of the two prefectures' internal affairs and Jia Cong's daily private actions, giving her a reason to show off her power.

If Seeing Tan Chun didn't do this, she was not filial, did not respect her legitimate mother, and was an ungrateful wolf she had raised……

In short, the Second Branch fell so low, she lost the title of mistress of the Duke's Prefecture, and her Baoyu couldn't even match with the daughter of an official.

All these evil consequences were caused by others' persecution; she and her Baoyu were so innocent.

She and Baoyu should receive everyone's praise and pity; the pride that should exist in the world should all be theirs. How could a firework bastard or an illegitimate branch match……

……

Liu Baozheng's wife was left speechless by Seeing Tan Chun's words, feeling extremely ashamed and annoyed, thinking that today's matter would mostly be ruined by this dead girl.

She had mixed in the great houses for a lifetime, her mind was tricky, and she knew best how to observe expressions and please her masters, otherwise, the Zhen family's First Mistress wouldn't have sent her to do this major task.

She saw Lady Wang's face iron-blue, full of anger, and although there was resentment toward her in her expression, her gaze toward that girl seemed even more unkind.

She knew best the minds of the mistresses of noble families, who always valued their three-foot face and noble dignity more than their own lives.

If she had deceived her to her face, at most she would be driven out the gate, and she wouldn't lose any face.

But this dead girl exposed the matter on the spot, making this Lady Jia somewhat embarrassed, as if her own stupidity had been seen by others……

She knew clearly in her heart that this matter had been stirred up by someone, and even if Lady Jia was greedy for money, she would not agree to this matter again, otherwise, it would be difficult for her to explain in the Jia family.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel ruthless. Even if she couldn't handle the Mistress's major task, she couldn't be humiliated for nothing.

She had to disgust this girl who ruined the matter and vent her frustration before she could leave, otherwise, she would think the Zhen family was easy to bully!

After just a moment of thought, she said sarcastically, "This young lady speaks very rudely. I have been to the West Prefecture and seen Second Grandmother Lian."

"It's just that she is young and doesn't know the ways of the world, and can't handle things, which is why I came to find Lady Jia, a mature person, for help. Why does this young lady speak so crookedly?"

"May I ask Lady Jia, who is this young lady in the family?"

……

Although Lady Wang was annoyed by Liu Baozheng's wife's deception to her face, if Seeing Tan Chun hadn't exposed it on the spot, there might have been room for maneuver, and she would have lost a path to wealth for nothing……

She said coldly, "This is my illegitimate daughter, Seeing Tan Chun!"

Seeing Tan Chun heard Lady Wang's cold words and trembled slightly.

She heard Lady Wang emphasize the words "illegitimate daughter," containing endless anger and contempt. Her bright eyes couldn't help but moisten, and she bit her lip tightly.

Liu Baozheng's wife heard Lady Wang's words and naturally understood Lady Wang's mind, feeling somewhat gloating.

She had spent her energy and disregarded her face to go back and forth between the two Jia prefectures, just to handle this matter, but it was all ruined by this dead girl's words.

Resentful and poisonous, she sneered, "Lady Jia is truly a kind-hearted person. Most illegitimate daughters of noble families are not raised to adulthood."

"Lady Jia not only raised this young lady to adulthood but also raised her to be so beautiful, and she can even point out the legitimate mother's actions. This is also rare."

"Lady Jia truly has a great capacity; among the noble families, it can be considered extremely rare……"

Every word of Liu Baozheng's wife stepped on Lady Wang's taboos, which was truly vicious.

On the side, Cuimo heard these strange words, and her face had already changed color.

She had grown up in the Second Branch since childhood and naturally knew Lady Wang's temper, who had always valued the status of the mistress and legitimate mother strictly.

This hateful dirty matron, saying these things in front of the Mistress, was trying to kill the Young Lady!

Lady Wang heard this, as if someone had poured oil on fire, and she trembled slightly with anger, as if she were about to go crazy.

Seeing Tan Chun heard Liu Baozheng's wife's sinister words, and her face turned pale instantly. She didn't expect this Zhen family matron to be so vicious.

……

Lady Wang suppressed her anger, unwilling to lose her composure in front of outsiders, picked up her teacup, and said coldly, "Seeing Cai Xia, see the guests out!"

Seeing Cai Xia saw her Mistress being humiliated and also felt indignant, stepping forward and saying, "Matron Liu, please!"

Liu Baozheng's wife knew the matter was not going to happen, and although she was still unwilling, she had no choice for the moment. She bowed slightly to Lady Wang and turned to leave.

It was just that before she had taken a step, she heard Seeing Tan Chun say coldly, "Matron Liu, stop. Take your box and leave, to avoid leaving any implications!"

Liu Baozheng's wife froze in her steps. That box was worth several thousand taels of silver; how could she forget it?

She originally wanted to leave some room, hoping to have more words with Lady Wang later, but she didn't expect this dead girl to be so shrewd, not leaving a single gap for anyone.

Seeing Tan Chun signaled to Cuimo beside her. Cuimo walked to the desk, bowed slightly to Lady Wang, picked up the box, and stuffed it into Liu Baozheng's wife's hands.

Lady Wang saw this scene, and her heart couldn't help but ache; the teacup in her hand could barely be held steady……

……

As soon as Liu Baozheng's wife left, Lady Wang smashed the teacup in her hand to the ground, shattering it to pieces!

She pointed at Seeing Tan Chun and cursed, "You have such great courage! Today I was entertaining guests in the main hall, and you broke in without permission, speaking wildly. Do you have any family upbringing or propriety left!"

"Letting outsiders see our Second Branch's joke like this, all the face has been lost by you!"

"Didn't you hear the matron's words just now? It's all because I spoiled you on weekdays, letting you be so lacking in distinction between superior and inferior, lawless!"

Seeing Tan Chun's face was pale, and she defended, "Mistress, I would never dare to be the least bit disrespectful to you."

"I was worried that Matron Liu was cunning and would deceive you for a moment. If the family really accepted the Zhen family's silver boxes."

"Not only would it leave a handle for the Master, but I am afraid it would also implicate Third Brother……"

Lady Wang heard the term "Third Brother" and became even more furious, cursing, "What a shameless girl, kneel down for me!"

In the back house, the legitimate mother is supreme. Although Seeing Tan Chun was unhappy in her heart, she didn't dare to say more at this moment and could only endure her anger and kneel down.

Lady Wang continued to curse, "You remember that brat every day, calculating for him in everything."

"I thought you still had some filial piety, and today's action was somewhat for the Master."

"It turns out that in the end, it was still for that brat's safety!"

"He is just your cousin brother, not your real brother. Who do you think you are, worrying about him like this? Truly shameless!"

Seeing Tan Chun heard Lady Wang's words, and her whole body couldn't help but tremble, as if her heart had been pried open. She was somewhat ashamed, and a flush appeared on her pale pretty face.

Lady Wang saw Seeing Tan Chun's strange expression, her cheeks flushed, revealing an unusual beauty, and a haze couldn't help but rise in her heart……

She said gloomily, "You girl who doesn't know propriety or shame, if you are not punished today, what family upbringing can the Jia family's Second Branch speak of!"

"Seeing Cai Xia, bring me the family law!"

……

Seeing Cai Xia heard this, and her face changed somewhat. Third Young Lady had been favored by the Old Lady since childhood, and now she was doted on by Cong Sanye Cong, and the Mistress had never hit her before.

Now, anger had arisen from words, and she was going to take action in a hurry; don't let something happen……

Lady Wang saw Seeing Cai Xia hesitating and became even more furious, shouting, "Could it be that you are rebelling too?"

Seeing Cai Xia heard this, her face turned pale with fright, and she quickly took the family law from the altar table on the side of the hall.

Lady Wang took the family law and walked step by step to Seeing Tan Chun, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly becoming incomparably solemn.

Although Seeing Tan Chun was an illegitimate daughter, she had been outstanding in appearance, shrewd and capable, and articulate since childhood.

Except for Yuanchun who entered the palace early, Seeing Tan Chun was the granddaughter most valued by the Old Lady, and no one in the two prefectures dared to be disrespectful to her, nor had anyone ever heard of her being beaten.

On the side, Seeing Cai Xia saw Lady Wang raise the family law, and her heart felt cold.

If the Mistress really hit the Third Young Lady, the Master would be fine, and even if the Old Lady complained, it wouldn't count for much.

If Cong Sanye of the East Prefecture knew, he doted on the Third Young Lady so much, and he wasn't a person made of mud, so he probably wouldn't let it go easily……

At this time, the maid Cuimo saw Lady Wang's fierce appearance and was afraid in her heart.

She quickly knelt down and begged, "Mistress, spare her life! The Young Lady has such a delicate body, how can she withstand this? If she is beaten and broken, what should we do?"

Lady Wang heard this, and her heart felt a slight chill, thinking that her Baoyu would marry at the end of the year, and she was still thinking about the West Prefecture's public funds allocating silver.

If she offended that brat, and he started making trouble……

But she had already said harsh words just now; if she let Seeing Tan Chun go so easily, wouldn't she, the mistress and legitimate mother, become a joke!

Lady Wang said coldly, "Stretch out your hands!"

Seeing Tan Chun felt aggrieved, and tears already overflowed from her bright eyes.

Lady Wang saw her hesitate and shouted sharply, "You actually dare to disobey and resist family law! Could it be that this was also taught by your Third Brother? Is he a good head of the family!"

Seeing Tan Chun heard this, her face turned pale instantly, and she stretched out her hands without hesitation. Those palms were white and crystal clear, her ten fingers slender, like orchid buds, exceptionally beautiful.

……

Lady Wang saw that as soon as she mentioned that brat, this dead girl looked like she had been cursed, not even caring about her own life. She had never been so attentive to her own Baoyu!

Her heart became more jealous, and she raised the family law high, slamming it down hard on Seeing Tan Chun's small hands.

A scream came from the hall, and Seeing Cai Xia and Cuimo both felt their legs go soft; they had never heard the Third Young Lady scream like this.

Seeing Tan Chun's pair of small hands were slender and beautiful, with thin skin and tender flesh; how could they withstand the beating of the family law? After just five or six lashes, her two delicate palms were already swollen and red.

She only screamed subconsciously when Lady Wang hit her the first time, and afterward, she began to remain silent, tears streaming down her face, with only suppressed groans in her mouth.

Lady Wang saw her so stubborn, unwilling to beg for mercy, and became even more furious in her heart, unable to stop her hands as if possessed, her heart overflowing with cruel pleasure.

With the sound of the beating, Seeing Tan Chun's pretty face was as pale as paper, and her beautiful forehead was sweating from the pain.

Her whole person was somewhat tottering, and Cuimo beside her was already crying with fright.

Suddenly, rapid footsteps came from outside the door, and a figure rushed into the hall like the wind!

Lady Wang hadn't seen who it was clearly, when she felt a pain in her hand, and the family law in her hand was snatched away by someone.

Cuimo cried with joy and called out, "Cong Sanye!"

……

Just now, Shi Shu went to the East Prefecture to pass a message to Jia Cong. Because she crossed Ning-Rong Street and had to pass through the two prefectures, she ran to Jia Cong's courtyard and didn't see anyone, sweating with anxiety.

Although today was an official's day off, and there was no need to report for duty as usual.

But Shi Shu knew that Jia Cong was diligent in his work, and sometimes even on days off, he would go to the workshops outside the city to work.

If Cong Sanye wasn't in the prefecture today, and her Young Lady had to handle things alone, it would probably be a disaster……

Later, she met Qingwen and Lingguan returning with water, who said Cong Sanye was practicing martial arts in the open space below Dengxian Pavilion, and Shi Shu finally found him with great difficulty.

Jia Cong knew the situation in the East Courtyard and was worried that Seeing Tan Chun couldn't handle it alone.

He didn't even have time to change his clothes and rushed over with Shi Shu, but he was still a step too late.

Seeing Tan Chun saw Jia Cong, and the strength she had been holding up in her heart suddenly collapsed, and her whole person was about to fall softly, but was caught by Jia Cong by the shoulders.

Jia Cong looked at Seeing Tan Chun's swollen palms, the palms already broken and bleeding, and felt a twitching pain in his heart.

His face turned iron-blue, and his gaze toward Lady Wang was gloomy and very frightening.

Lady Wang saw his fierce appearance, and her heart couldn't help but tremble.

Jia Cong asked coldly, "What mistake did Third Sister make for the Mistress to use such poison!"

Lady Wang saw that his words were not polite at all, and he didn't put her, the elder, in his eyes at all, feeling both angry and somewhat afraid……

But she thought of her husband, Jia Zheng, and found some courage in her heart again.

She said coldly, "Cong Ge'er, although you are now the head of the family, according to family etiquette, you shouldn't manage the Second Branch's discipline of their own daughter!"

"Don't forget the Master's kindness! Can you speak so rudely in front of the Old Lady too!"

……

Jia Cong handed Seeing Tan Chun to Shi Shu behind him, his face as heavy as water, and said coldly, "Since the Mistress wants to talk about rules, I will talk to you about rules!"

"The Zhen family's First Branch matron went to the West Prefecture yesterday to talk about things, wanting to hide their First Branch's silver boxes in our home."

"Now the Zhen family is involved in the private manufacture of firearms and has been investigated by the court. Raiding the house and convicting them is right before our eyes."

"Whoever dares to hide their private silver is disregarding national law and should be convicted of the same crime according to the law. I received the news and rushed back to the prefecture, and Second Sister-in-law also refused the matter in time."

"This matter concerns national law and implicates the safety of the family!"

"The Mistress knows I am the head of the family. I have already made a decision on this matter. Whoever dares to disobey, isn't that violating the family clan law!"

"Just now on the road, Shi Shu already told me the reason. That Zhen family matron is cunning and hateful. Since the West Prefecture couldn't succeed, she came to the East Courtyard to bewitch things."

"Third Sister knew the root of the matter and was worried that the Mistress was being deceived by others, so she spoke out to persuade her in time. What fault is there!"

"The Mistress says this is a private matter of the Second Branch disciplining their daughter. This is too absurd! This matter concerns the safety of the whole clan, not a private matter of one branch, but a major event for the family!"

"Third Sister has merit in protecting the family, yet without receiving praise from her elders, she suffered innocent poison from the Mistress."

"For the Second Branch to discipline their daughter like this, what kind of family law and rules is that!"

"The Mistress is so angry at Third Sister for persuading her against this matter, could it be that you have some twists and turns regarding the Zhen family's private silver? As the head of the family, how can I sit idly by!"

……

Lady Wang heard Jia Cong's last few sentences, and being exposed by him for her greed and miscellaneous thoughts, she couldn't help but feel somewhat flustered.

Lady Wang knew that Jia Cong inherited the title and became the master of the two Jia prefectures, but he had always kept his face and etiquette toward her.

She didn't expect him to speak so sharply today, not leaving half a face for his elder; he was truly lawless!

But he relied on his status as the head of the Jia family, and the words he spoke were occupied with national law and family etiquette everywhere, arrogant and upright.

Although Lady Wang was ashamed and angry in her heart, she couldn't pick out half a flaw in his words.

She was also a shrewd and strong-willed woman, but having spent half her life confined to the inner chambers, she could not compare to Jia Cong in terms of political acumen, eloquence, or quick-wittedness.

Under Jia Cong's sharp words, she wanted to find words to counter and defend, but couldn't find half a handle, and for a moment, she became speechless, her situation becoming very embarrassed.

Jia Cong said coldly, "Third Sister's hands are seriously injured. I will take her back to the East Prefecture for treatment. Third Sister is a junior, and having suffered grievances, I won't mention it for now."

"But family etiquette and right and wrong—when the Master returns to the prefecture, I will report them one by one, so as to discuss the rights and wrongs!"

Lady Wang heard this, and her face changed again. She knew that the Master had always esteemed this brat, and whatever he said, he felt was right.

This brat was also consistently cunning and had a silver tongue; she didn't know what kind of right and wrong he would stir up……

Just as Lady Wang was stirred up by Jia Cong's words and somewhat flustered and uneasy.

She saw Jia Cong personally supporting Seeing Tan Chun, taking Shi Shu and Cuimo, and leaving the hall directly, going far away.

When he left, he didn't even say hello, as if she, the Second Branch Mistress, were just a piece of furniture. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 689 =====