Chapter 18: Three Mistakes of the Heir’s Consort

Chapter 18: Three Mistakes of the Heir's Consort

In the Hundred Flowers Garden, myriad hues bloomed in splendor.

A procession of ladies and maids walked gracefully, causing butterflies to dance in their wake.

Su Xi held Zang Jiaojiao's hand with a sneer. "Your skills are truly superior; one move and you've not only caused discord between the Heir and his consort but also earned that wicked woman such a disgraceful reputation. I wager it'll spread beyond the estate in a few days. Then, she'll surely become a laughingstock. Let's see if she still dares to lord over us with her title as the Heir's consort."

Zang Jiaojiao smiled more enchantingly than the blossoms in the garden. "Second Lady flatters me."

What did it matter whether Shang Rongyu genuinely liked her?

All she sought was wealth and power. As long as she could keep Su Xi pleased, she could remain in the estate...

This way, she would have opportunities to cross paths with Shang Rongyu. Her methods worked on men without fail; she didn't believe Shang Rongyu would be immune.

Once she secured Shang Rongyu's favor, everything she desired would be within her grasp.

Besides, those rumors were spread by the servants; what did they have to do with her?

She was merely an innocent, affectionate woman.

As the trio approached the Sinking Fish Pavilion, they saw Ran Qinggu basking in the sun on a swing outside the pavilion, a book in hand, at ease. There was no trace of anger or humiliation after the slander.

Su Xi exchanged a glance with Gu You, thinking that the Heir's consort hadn't left the Sinking Fish Pavilion yet.

If she did, seeing the entire courtyard gossiping about her, wouldn't she be furious?

Su Xi smiled. "The sunlight is so lovely today. Why doesn't the Heir's consort take a stroll? The flowers in the Prince's garden are in full bloom."

And hear how people are speaking of you.

Ran Qinggu stood up, handing the book to Chun'er. "I can bask in the sun here. Why should I go for a walk?"

She instructed the maid. "Go, prepare some tea."

The maid complied and left.

Su Xi smiled. "Though the scenery at the Sinking Fish Pavilion is beautiful, it can't compare to the hundred flowers in the Hundred Flowers Garden. But we didn't come to disturb the Heir's consort for any other reason. Miss Zang said she upset you last night and wanted to apologize today. She invited me to mediate."

Ran Qinggu replied, "Second Sister-in-law exaggerates. Miss Zang didn't upset me."

Before she finished speaking, Zang Jiaojiao dropped to her knees with a thud. "Heir's Consort, if you don't forgive Jiaojiao, I won't get up. Last night, Jiaojiao merely came to deliver shrimp to the Heir. It was all my fault..."

Zang Jiaojiao slapped herself across the face.

Five slender marks appeared instantly on her porcelain-like skin, and her beautiful face swelled like a pear blossom.

Smack.

She slapped herself again.

How ruthless.

Even Ran Qinggu felt pain for her face.

Here she goes again, couldn't she try something new?

If Zang Jiaojiao left his courtyard today, tomorrow everyone would spread the word that he was a jealous shrew who slapped Zang Jiaojiao, making him the epitome of a venomous woman with a scorpion's heart.

Ran Qinggu didn't stop her; she wanted to see how many slaps Zang Jiaojiao would give herself. Such a beautiful face, and she could bear to strike it.

She hoped Zang Jiaojiao would disfigure herself, then go to Shang Rongyu to cry, making him utterly despise her.

That would be doing her a favor.

At that moment, another group arrived at the entrance of the Sinking Fish Pavilion.

The Princess Consort approached with a stern expression, followed by numerous nannies and maids who walked respectfully behind her. The maids of the Sinking Fish Pavilion hurriedly stepped aside.

The Princess Consort's hair was piled high in an intricate cloud knot.

Dressed in a luxurious purple-blue silk skirt and a brocade cape, her forehead ornament and hairpins were purple and blue, embedded with □□ color, exuding elegance, dignity, and nobility.

When someone noble was enraged, it was most chilling.

Everyone hurriedly bowed, not daring to look sideways. "Greetings, Your Highness."

The Princess Consort didn't allow them to rise. No one dared to move, even if their legs went numb from squatting.

She walked up to Ran Qinggu and asked angrily, "Do you know your mistake?"

Ran Qinggu curtsied, answering respectfully, "Mother, Yu'er is unaware."

The Princess Consort laughed coldly. "Unaware? Fine, Nanny Su, tell the Heir's Consort where she erred today."

Nanny Su stepped forward, bowing. "Yes."

Ran Qinggu didn't dare stand up, maintaining her bowing posture.

Nanny Su bowed to Ran Qinggu before walking to Zang Jiaojiao and slapping her across the face with a loud smack, startling the butterflies on the flowers into flying further away.

Due to the force, an old gold ring flew off her hand, landing with a ding on the stone path in the distance.

Zang Jiaojiao covered her face, sobbing pitifully. "Your Highness, Jiaojiao doesn't know..."

Nanny Su scolded, "Wretched girl, when the Princess Consort is lecturing, you have no right to speak. Say another word, and I'll tear your mouth apart."

Zang Jiaojiao was frightened into immediate silence.

Nanny Su looked at Ran Qinggu and said, "The Heir's Consort's first mistake is her lackadaisical management of the household, allowing lowly scum to enter the King Cheng's Manor."

A loud slap echoed through the air.

She delivered the second slap to Cang Jiaojiao's face.

Cang Jiaojiao's porcelain-like face instantly swelled, the imprint of fingers red with blood.

"The Heir's Consort's second mistake is failing in her duty as a wife. The Heir is your husband, royalty, yet you let such lowly filth approach him without any reprimand."

As she spoke, Nanny Su struck Cang Jiaojiao for the third time.

Cang Jiaojiao stumbled from the blow, falling to the ground. Her entire face was now unrecognizable.

Nanny Su's words were firm and precise: "The Heir's Consort's third mistake is that as the future Princess Consort of King Cheng, you allow such lowly scum to wield power. Where is your dignity? And where is the dignity of King Cheng's Manor?"

Humiliated to the point of contemplating suicide, Cang Jiaojiao still dared not act rashly before the Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort raised an eyebrow, her aura commanding respect without anger. "Do you now know where you've gone wrong?"

Ran Qinggu bowed her head. "Yuer understands."

Princess Consort: "Good. You will copy the royal genealogy one hundred times, and your monthly allowance will be suspended for three months. Do you accept this punishment?"

Ran Qinggu performed a bow. "Thank you, Mother."

The Princess Consort stepped towards Cang Jiaojiao, towering over her as she lifted her chin. "You're quite the beauty. Do you know why I'm hitting you?"

Cang Jiaojiao's eyes filled with tears, but she answered respectfully, "Jiaojiao doesn't know."

The Princess Consort's gaze was sharp as a blade, her voice measured, each word piercing the heart. "What are you? A mere courtesan, unworthy even to look upon the threshold of King Cheng's Manor, yet you dare to aspire higher. You dare to use the cheap tricks you learned on the streets in my King Cheng's Manor. Do you really think my manor is some place for your antics? Guards, take her away. Thirty strokes, then expel her from the manor."

Upon hearing this, Cang Jiaojiao realized thirty strokes would likely end her life.

Ten strokes could draw blood from a healthy person, let alone her frail body?

She cried out for mercy, "Please, Princess Consort, spare me. I won't dare again. Please show mercy..."

Nanny Su quickly instructed two elderly maidservants to step forward. "Gag her so she doesn't disturb the Princess Consort's peace."

The two maidservants replied, "Yes," and dragged Cang Jiaojiao away.

The Princess Consort turned her attention to Su Xi and Gu You.

Both were trembling with fear.

Su Xi hastily shifted all blame onto Cang Jiaojiao. "Princess Consort, your daughter-in-law merely thought that since His Highness' birthday is approaching and past celebrations have been dull, I decided to take a risk... I never imagined Cang Jiaojiao to be such a person..."

The Princess Consort sneered. "A fine risk indeed. If you find things dull, you can play the zither for entertainment."

Su Xi's face flushed red.

As the eldest granddaughter of the Grand Tutor, the Princess Consort was asking her to perform like a common entertainer.

Who didn't know that actors and musicians were considered the lowest of the low?

Princess Consort: "Do you think I'm a fool? Do you think I'll believe any excuse you give?"

Truly, Liu Concubine's teachings had not improved them.

These tricks were not even a tenth of what Liu Concubine used to employ.

Su Xi and Gu You hurriedly said in unison, "Your daughter-in-law dares not."

Princess Zuihuan did not want to escalate the family scandal, especially since King Cheng detested internal strife. As the Princess Consort, she had no need to quarrel with these juniors.

"You carelessly brought a lowly woman into the manor, showing poor judgment. You will copy the royal genealogy three hundred times, remain confined within the manor for a month, and your monthly allowance will be suspended for three months. Any objections?"

Su Xi was about to argue, but remembering the strict household rules the Princess Consort enforced, even punishing the Heir's Consort, she held back.

She curtsied. "I accept."

Three months without a monthly allowance was nothing; her dowry would last her a lifetime.

Gu You, however, was miserable.

Her life was already tight, having to support her concubine mother and dealing with Liu Concubine's disdain for her humble origins.

Now, with three months without an allowance and confinement within the manor, her situation was dire.

But she dared not say anything, bowing instead. "Thank you, Princess Consort."

==

"Speaking of which, the Heir's Consort is so jealous by nature that she harshly tormented Cang Jiaojiao in the manor. But unexpectedly, the Heir appeared and caused a huge scene, even embracing Cang Jiaojiao publicly in the Sinking Fish Pavilion, declaring his intent to divorce her right there." A gambler-like figure recounted the story with interest amidst the common folk.

"Is that true? The Heir recently punished servants for the sake of the Heir's Consort. Besides, how could Cang Jiaojiao enter the King Cheng's Manor?" someone questioned.

The man coldly replied, "In a month is the King's birthday. The Heir wanted Miss Jiaojiao to dance for the King. He intended to marry her into the manor but didn't expect to anger that wicked, jealous woman..."

Several versions of the story had already spread among the common folk.

Each version portrayed the Heir's Consort as vicious and jealous, while the Heir protected Cang Jiaojiao, defying social norms and class distinctions for true love...

On the upper floor of the Moon Gazing Pavilion.

A waiter served dishes to a few guests in a private room on the second floor.

One of the guests, a businessman from out of town, inquired curiously, "Waiter, is what that man downstairs said true? Is the Heir's Consort truly that vicious?"

The waiter rolled his eyes. "That man again. He's truly annoying. Every day for the past few days, he comes here to tell the same story, speaking loudly as if afraid others wouldn't hear..."

Lu Yunshen pushed aside the partition screen and stuck his head out to ask the waiter, "You mean this person comes to spout off every day?"

The waiter nodded, "Yes, during the busiest hours of the market each day, he comes to rant, causing a traffic jam in front of our Moon Gazing Pavilion. These days, we've had fewer customers... Not just here, he's been to all four main streets... The Riverside Tower next door even chased him away."

Shang Rongyu instructed the guard, "Go, rip that man's tongue out."

The guard leaped down, swift as a gale.

As the man was speaking fervently, his tongue suddenly fell out, a sharp pain filled his mouth, his body convulsed as he knelt down spitting blood, covering his mouth and wailing in agony.

Leaning against the pavilion, Shang Rongyu said, "To slander the royal family is a capital offense. Ripping out his tongue serves as a minor punishment."

Watching the tyrannical Heir rip out someone's tongue on the street, who dared to speak up? Everyone feared inviting disaster upon themselves and hastily retreated.

Shang Rongyu looked coldly at the crowd of onlookers, "That day, this Heir mentioned my fondness for Cang Jiaojiao only because I lost a bet after drinking too much. This Heir doesn't even know what Miss Cang looks like. The Heir Consort is virtuous and capable, excelling in managing the household, deeply loved by my father and mother, and even praised by the Emperor. She is far from the jealous and venomous woman everyone claims she is. If anyone dares to slander the Heir Consort again, the whips of the Ministry of Justice have been idle for too long."

Upon hearing this, the crowd was stunned, all marveling at how the Heir Consort, being the daughter of a national duke, could never be so vicious.

What further invigorated everyone was that the Heir was defending the Heir Consort so fiercely.

That day, the threshold of the underground gambling den was nearly broken from the influx of people.

Many took out their life savings, betting that the Heir Consort would not be expelled from the Prince's Mansion.

Just as lively as it was during the Heir's wedding days, the gambling den became bustling once again.