Chapter 110: The Slap

Chapter 110: The Slap

The heavy snow at the end of Jianzhao’s third year lasted only about ten days, but its impact stretched into the entire spring of the fourth year.

The outskirts of Shangjing were not the worst affected. The situation was even graver in Lianzhou to the north.

In previous years, the Xiongnu beyond the northern border would have been restless and poised to invade under these conditions. But now, satisfied with their gains from the market trades, they only dared to raid covertly without openly declaring war under the banner of the royal court. The weather was too cold, and the main Xiongnu forces had migrated northwest, competing with the Xiqiang for territory.

Consequently, His Majesty the Emperor temporarily relegated the Xiongnu threat to secondary importance, focusing instead on comforting the disaster-stricken people, dispatching aid to rebuild collapsed shelters, and opening the granaries in Shangjing and Guangping to distribute seeds. This ensured that the people could replace the completely frozen winter crops and not delay the harvest for the coming year.

Amidst this situation, one woman gained fame.

Her surname was Jiang, the daughter of a fifth-rank official from the Ministry of Rites. At that time, she was at Proluo Temple in the suburbs of the capital, praying for her deceased mother. When a sudden heavy snowstorm trapped many ladies en route to the temple in the mountains, Miss Jiang tirelessly helped the monks search and rescue those stranded, even boiling ginger soup for them, eventually exhausting herself beside the medicine stove.

In no time, the name of Miss Jiang became synonymous with benevolence and righteousness throughout Shangjing. Even Jiang Hui in the deep palace heard of this Miss Jiang’s reputation.

"If things go as expected, we will be seeing more of this Miss Jiang in the future."

Approaching March, the weather gradually warmed, perfect for picking morning dew to brew tea. Jiang Hui sat by the window, leisurely arranging her tea set, preparing tea for herself.

Shan Zha handed her a tea spoon and chattered, "Mistress, are you saying that Miss Jiang deliberately created this situation for herself?"

Jiang Hui smiled at her and said softly, "Miss Jiang indeed performed a righteous deed. Regardless of whether it was intentional or not, it’s still an act of kindness."

"Oh," Shan Zha nodded, somewhat understanding, then asked, "For the upcoming selection of ladies to enter Chu Xiu Palace, do we need to do anything?"

"No need," Jiang Hui shook her head slightly, gently pouring tea from the purple clay teapot into her cup, and said calmly, "This time, they are all daughters of officials. Some have connections with the consorts in the palace, so we just need to watch."

Just as Jiang Hui said, not long after the selected ladies moved into Chu Xiu Palace, trouble arose.

Xi'er hurried through Chu Xiu Palace, followed by a physician carrying a medicine chest.

They took a shortcut from the Imperial Medical Bureau, as the matter concerned the face of a certain lady. If not treated in time, it could ruin her life.

In charge of discipline was still Madam Qin, who stood in the Qinfang Pavilion. Seeing Xi'er arrive with the physician, she addressed the show lady lying on the bed with a handkerchief covering her face, "Miss Lu, let the physician have a look."

Hearing this, Miss Lu quickly nodded, sat up from the bed, and gently lowered the handkerchief, revealing a beautiful face with gentle features. However, this face bore several scratches, some still oozing blood.

"Thank you, Madam Qin."

Madam Qin nodded slightly and turned to make room for the physician, failing to notice the hidden expectation in Miss Lu's eyes.

Even if she had noticed, Madam Qin wouldn't have cared. In her lifetime, she had seen many show ladies enter the palace. Regardless of their intentions, as long as they caused no trouble in Chu Xiu Palace, it was none of her concern.

Madam Qin left Qinfang Pavilion and asked a waiting palace maid, "Where is Miss Sun?"

The maid bowed respectfully and replied, "Madam, Miss Sun is still in her room at Liuyun Pavilion."

Madam Qin nodded and instructed, "Stay here with Miss Lu. After the physician comes out, ask about her condition."

She then turned and headed towards Liuyun Pavilion.

As she entered, she heard the haughty voice of Miss Sun:

"So what if the porcelain cup broke? She shouldn't have come to argue with me. Now she's slipped, fallen, and hurt her face. How unlucky! I just hope she doesn't tell Madam Qin it was me who deliberately scratched her face!"

With an unchanged expression, Madam Qin entered the room, bowed to the gathered show ladies, and addressed a woman in a saffron red brocade dress with a pretty face, "Miss Sun, please come with me."

Sun Qingyun abruptly stood up, her face momentarily betraying discomfort, but she quickly regained her haughty demeanor and said with a lifted chin, "Madam Qin, you don't really think I intentionally pushed Miss Lu onto the broken porcelain, do you? Everyone here saw it; she slipped on her own!"

"Yes, Madam Qin, Miss Lu fell on her own. None of us touched her," the other show ladies in the room echoed in agreement.

Madam Qin smiled faintly, repeating her words, "Miss Sun, please follow me."

Sun Qingyun pursed her lips and followed Madam Qin out of Liuyun Pavilion, heading towards the main hall of Chu Xiu Palace.

Madam Qin remained silent, but Sun Qingyun couldn’t keep quiet. She repeated, "Madam Qin, it really wasn’t me. I just accidentally knocked over the teacup in front of her. I didn’t push her; she slipped on her own!"

After a pause and seeing no response from Madam Qin, she raised her voice, "I am the daughter of the current Minister of Justice. You can’t demote me like this!"

Madam Qin halted briefly and finally spoke, "Miss Sun has misunderstood. I called you here because a noble lady wishes to see you."

"A noble lady?" Sun Qingyun was taken aback. Seeing that Madam Qin had no intention of elaborating, she closed her mouth and skeptically followed into the main hall.

Inside the hall, quietly sipping tea, sat Sun Manyun, Sun Gui Ren, her face covered with a veil.

Madam Qin bowed to her and quietly left the hall, leaving the sisters to talk.

Sun Qingyun’s expression changed instantly, saying disdainfully, "It’s you?"

Sun Gui Ren set down her teacup and said softly, "Disrespecting a palace consort, not honoring your elder sister. Huamei, slap her."

"Yes!" Huamei immediately responded, lifting her sleeves and swiftly delivering two slaps to the unprepared Sun Qingyun.

"You—!" Sun Qingyun, covering her face, stepped back in anger, and retorted furiously, "Who are you to do this? Just a minor noblewoman!"

She looked at the veil on Sun Manyun’s face, suddenly halting her anger and laughed mockingly, "So father and mother were right, your beauty is indeed ruined! Useless indeed!"

Sun Manyun remained unangered by these words. She stood up, approached Sun Qingyun, and said gently, "Did you know, sister? Ever since the day my face was ruined, I've been waiting for you."

She gently touched Sun Qingyun’s slightly reddened cheek and whispered, "The Emperor likes women dressed in simple attire. Sister, you must remember this well."

Having said that, Sun Manyun lowered her hand and left the hall with Huamei under Sun Qingyun's astonished gaze.

She nodded slightly to Madam Qin waiting outside and said with a smile, "Thank you, Madam Qin, for facilitating this meeting. My sister has always been shallow-minded; please take good care of her."

"I dare not," Madam Qin bowed in respect. "I wish you well, my lady."