Chapter 58: Slap in the Face

As Madam Tao finished speaking, the other women at nearby tables turned to look over, curiosity glinting in their eyes.

Madam Xu’s expression turned grim. Normally gentle and composed, even she couldn’t hold back this time and retorted, “These things depend on fate. The eldest daughter has been married into the Marquis of Chongyuan’s household for three and a half years and still hasn’t had a child. Some wait even longer—twenty years, who’s to say? Bao Ning is only fifteen, there’s no need to rush.”

Her words had a deeper meaning. Tao’s eldest daughter, Ji Xiangzhen, was the legitimate wife of the Marquis’s heir, but likely due to his hidden health issues, neither the main wife nor any concubine had borne him a child. This had become a topic of gossip and made even her mother anxious.

The latter part of her sentence was directed straight at Madam Tao. Tao had no sons and relied on her brother’s influence to maintain her authority in the household. But deep down, she lacked real backing. With no legitimate heir in the family, the heir apparent could only be Ji Yun. Once the Duke of Rong passed, Tao’s good days would be numbered.

Fortunately, her persistence eventually bore fruit. Seventeen years after her second child, she became pregnant again. The bump was pointy—everyone said it must be a boy.

With a loud clink, Madam Tao slammed her cup on the table, forced a smile, and muttered “Indeed,” as she lowered her gaze to touch her belly.

Bao Ning had heard it all but acted as if nothing happened. She calmly sat at the table and greeted Madam Tao with a smile.

Tao curled her lips. “Becoming a prince’s consort—how impressive. Doesn’t matter if he’s promising or not, at least your status is elevated. What’s that saying? Dressed in glory on the outside, swallowing broken teeth inside. Bao Ning, don’t you think? I say you better try a little harder to hold on to the Fourth Prince. A thin camel is still bigger than a horse. If that thin camel meets an unfortunate end, no one will want you.”

Bao Ning smiled faintly, turning her head to avoid her gaze.

Tao had a sharp tongue and was rather bitter. But now that Bao Ning was married, she could understand a bit of Tao’s emotions.

One concubine after another being brought into the house—of course she would feel upset. The blame lay with her overly affectionate yet incapable father who mismanaged the inner household, leaving wife and daughters to bear the consequences. Bao Ning could understand Tao’s bitterness, but not her malice.

After having both her jabs fall flat, Tao felt a deep sense of frustration. She sulked for a moment, unwilling to let things go. She was certain Bao Ning resented her marriage to the Fourth Prince and so switched tactics—attacking Pei Yuan instead, hoping to needle her further.

With her hand on her teacup, Tao smiled and asked, “Bao Ning, when are you two planning to leave the capital?”

Bao Ning didn’t catch her meaning and looked at her in confusion.

“You know the Fourth Prince is a disgraced man. He’s of no real use now. But his staying in the capital is like a thorn in the flesh,” Tao patted her hand, pretending to be concerned. “Let me give you some advice: don’t cling to these riches. It’s better to leave early, find a quiet village and live out your days in peace. And you—get your head straight. Don’t think marrying up makes you a phoenix. You weren’t born for that kind of life.”

Bao Ning stared at her in a daze.

Thinking she had struck a nerve, Tao smiled even more smugly. “Let’s not talk about anything else. I’ve watched you grow up. When you were little, other girls enjoyed flowers and tea, embroidery and the zither. But you? Always hanging around the kitchens, playing with cats and dogs—hardly the behavior of someone destined for wealth. People need to know their place. Some opportunities just aren’t meant to be. Look at your Fourth Sister—she once regretted losing the marriage to the Fourth Prince. Who’d have thought, in the blink of an eye, the Crown Prince would come calling? And now she’s the Crown Prince’s secondary consort.”

Lowering her voice for appearances’ sake, Tao ensured only the surrounding noblewomen could hear, “Let’s be real. You’ve been a prince’s consort for a while now. How many respectable ladies have you met? Who wants to be your close friend? They all look down on you—and your husband. You just don’t belong. Understand now?”

She glanced at Madam Xu’s lips turning purple with rage. Mission accomplished.

Straightening her back with satisfaction, Tao lifted her teacup and was just about to sip when a young, bright voice broke in.

“Fourth Sister-in-law! You’re sitting here?” Pei Yang walked over, bowed to Bao Ning, and said, “I just passed by Madam Qiu’s table—she was asking where you were. She’d like you to join her for some tea.”

The surrounding ladies recognized the Fifth Prince and stood to greet him. Tao was stunned for a moment before standing awkwardly to curtsey as well.

Bao Ning smiled at him, “Didn’t expect to see you here. I think I’ll stay with my family a bit longer. I’ll apologize to Madam Qiu another day.”

Pei Yang glanced at Tao and his tone cooled. “If the conversation’s unpleasant, Sister-in-law, there’s no need to endure it. You know your status. You shouldn’t have to tolerate nonsense from some shrimp or crab.”

Tao’s face turned pale—whether from shock or anger, it wasn’t clear.

Bao Ning shook her head with a smile and exchanged a few more words with him. As he left, Pei Yang called back, “I’ll come visit in a few days—don’t mind the trouble.” Bao Ning replied warmly, and he winked at her before strolling off.

People sat back down, some casting amused glances at Tao. The room quieted briefly, then returned to its usual liveliness.

Tao exhaled deeply, no longer speaking, sipping tea silently while glancing around nervously.

Finally, when a certain figure came into view, she sighed in relief. Smiling again, she suddenly flicked her wrist—tea splashed all over Bao Ning’s skirt.

Bao Ning had been chatting with Madam Xu when she suddenly felt warmth on her legs. Looking down, she saw her skirt was soaked.

Tao feigned an apologetic smile. “Getting older comes with issues. My wrist’s been acting up again—slipped without meaning to. You don’t mind, do you?”

Before Bao Ning could reply, a woman’s voice chimed in with concern, “Oh dear, what a shame. Such a beautiful dress. And during a banquet, too—dirty clothes really aren’t proper. Your Highness, I’m an old friend of the Crown Princess. I used to visit the Crown Prince’s estate often and know my way around. Let me have someone take you to change.”

Bao Ning frowned slightly and turned to see a pair of beautiful, fox-like eyes. It all seemed like coincidence—but something about it made her uneasy.

Qiu Lingjun brushed the tea leaves off her skirt and smiled. “I’m General Qiu’s sixth daughter, and Yan Zi’s sister. I suppose we’ve never met?”

Mentioning Yan Zi helped Bao Ning relax slightly—at least they had a mutual acquaintance. Bao Ning figured Tao had just wanted to vent and pick a fight. Though she was angry, she didn’t take it to heart. Quarreling in public would only be humiliating. Best to resolve it quickly.

“Then I’ll trouble you,” Bao Ning stood and smiled politely. “I’ll pay a visit to thank you another day.”

“You’re too kind,” Qiu Lingjun waved it off and summoned her maid. “Songlan, inform the Crown Princess and take Her Highness to change.”

Madam Xu looked at Bao Ning with concern. Bao Ning shook her head slightly, signaling not to worry, and followed the maid named Songlan away.

Qiu Lingjun sat beside Tao and offered a toast with a smile. “Aunt, congratulations to you and Jiaying. Such a good match—you must be thrilled…”

They smiled at each other.

…

Before heading inside, Songlan asked Bao Ning to wait at the door while she informed the Crown Princess. Soon, she returned and led Bao Ning toward the back courtyard.

She was cheerful and struck up conversation. “My sixth lady is very open-hearted and makes friends easily. She’s close with the Crown Princess and also with the new secondary consort. Coincidentally, you’re the consort’s sister—and will soon be sisters-in-law with my lady. You’ll have plenty of time to gather in the future.”

They walked along a long veranda above a lotus-filled lake. The blooms were just budding. Bao Ning distractedly admired the view, responding to Songlan’s chatter with polite smiles.

After walking a bit further, they reached a moon gate. Just beyond, beneath the swaying shadows of trees, several men were laughing and chatting behind the foliage, each with a beautiful concubine in his arms.

One of them said, “Brother Yuan, long time no see—you’re looking quite refreshed! I heard you recently married a stunning young lady. Looks like she’s been spoiling you. But today’s a festive occasion—why not use this chance to get away from her and have some real fun?”

The man addressed as Brother Yuan let out a hearty laugh. The sound was oddly familiar to Bao Ning, but something about it felt… off.

Songlan’s eyes flickered, and she quickly steered Bao Ning around a bend in the path. From that angle, they could just glimpse the men’s backs. One of them, dressed in black from head to toe, had a slim waist, and a green jade clasp hanging from his belt. Bao Ning’s pupils shrank. She instantly recognized it—it was Pei Yuan’s jade clasp.

She had helped him restring it the other day, got halfway through, and left it there intending to finish later. But when she returned—it was gone.

Songlan cleared her throat softly and whispered, “Men really are rotten at heart—always wanting to have one on each arm. They whisper sweet words to you, but who knows what they really think? Not even past the honeymoon stage and he’s already sneaking off for something on the side. If I were his wife, I’d give him a piece of my mind!”

“You talk too much,” Bao Ning stopped walking, turned toward her, and said coldly, “Is this what your Sixth Lady taught you? Gossiping like this—aren’t you afraid of ruining that pretty mouth of yours?”

Songlan was stunned—completely caught off guard by the sudden scolding.

She had assumed Bao Ning was the soft type and repeated exactly what Qiu Lingjun had told her to say, word for word. But to her surprise, Bao Ning didn’t act heartbroken or distraught. Instead, she told her off outright.

Bao Ning narrowed her eyes at her. “Drop your little schemes.”

Having spent so much time around Pei Yuan, she had picked up some of his sharp, cold edge. While she hadn’t mastered his ruthless aura, she had absorbed enough to intimidate someone like Songlan.

Songlan trembled, quickly apologized, and shut her mouth for the rest of the walk, quietly leading Bao Ning to the designated room.

From the thick foliage of a nearby elm tree, Pei Yuan watched Bao Ning’s retreating figure, a leaf held lazily between his lips.

Wei Meng raised an eyebrow. “Did you hear what they were saying?”

“More or less,” Pei Yuan replied.

“Didn’t expect your wife to have that kind of backbone.” Wei Meng chuckled. “She doesn’t seem easygoing. Tough days at home, eh, little general?”

“She’s very easygoing,” Pei Yuan said, watching Bao Ning enter the room and close the door. His mind clearly wasn’t on the conversation, so he responded absently.

Then, snapping out of it, Pei Yuan elbowed Wei Meng in the shoulder. “You talk too damn much. Ask, ask, ask. Mind your own business.”

Wei Meng rubbed his shoulder and changed the subject. “Does General Qiu know about today’s plan?”

“He does,” Pei Yuan rolled his neck. “Told him to stay out of it.”

“I still think something’s off about what happened between you two back then.” Wei Meng hesitated, then said, “Why would he do something so inappropriate with the Consort’s portrait? Are you sure you didn’t misjudge? Maybe there’s more to the story.”

“He disrespected my late mother and was disloyal to my birth father. No misunderstanding can erase those things,” Pei Yuan said flatly. “Even helping him now makes me feel disloyal and dishonorable. I’m only doing it to settle a personal grudge.”

Wei Meng snorted. “Your birth father wasn’t much better. When Pei Xiao accused you of poisoning him, he believed it—left you to rot. Still, I’ll give him this: at least he let you live after everything. But I do wonder where the former Crown Prince is now…”

He then asked, “So what—you plan to carry the stain of ‘patricide’ your whole life?”

“Let them call it what they want. Doesn’t bother me. I’ve been slandered enough—what’s one more?” Pei Yuan raised his chin. “But what’s mine—I’ll take back with my own hands.”

…

Inside the side room, a change of clothes had already been prepared. Songlan hovered enthusiastically, ready to help Bao Ning change.

“No need,” Bao Ning said. “You may leave.”

A flicker of panic crossed Songlan’s face. “Your Highness, let me help you…”

“I said no.” Bao Ning refused again. But Songlan wouldn’t give up—she reached out to undress her. In the scuffle, Bao Ning’s jade hairpin was knocked loose, falling to the ground and snapping clean in two.

Songlan immediately dropped to her knees, apologizing profusely. But when she lowered her head, a faint smirk of satisfaction crossed her face.

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