Chapter 10: Slapped Left, Right, and Left Again

Chapter 10: Slapped Left, Right, and Left Again

Xiaoyao had always been a traditional woman, even as a princess, living her life under countless rules.

Thus, despite her stubborn nature, she always displayed grace and understanding, setting herself apart from the haughty and domineering princesses of her time.

The difficult childbirth had left Xiaoyao's body severely weakened, causing her to break out in cold sweats and suffer from dizziness every day.

Wen Xu prescribed numerous medicines and instructed Dong Ju and Hongmei on how to administer them before leaving the general's mansion.

That night, many people came to the back courtyard.

"Your Highness!" Hu Shi and Xu Ruzhen, the wife of Shangguan Jingzhe from the second branch, arrived together. Upon entering, Xu Ruzhen approached the bed with a box and said, "I took Xiao Bao to visit my parents for the past two days. When I returned, I heard that Your Highness had given birth to a beautiful little girl. Here is a token of my affection; please don't let Little Princess dislike it!"

As she spoke, she tried to put a jade bracelet on Ruo Xi's wrist.

"Second Lady, the child's wrist can't support such a heavy bracelet!" Nanny Jin, holding the baby by the bed, coldly refused, observing Xu Ruzhen's rough handling.

"Oh, I heard you're a nanny from the palace? Let me tell you, this bracelet is very valuable. I bought it two years ago at Lingyin Temple..." Xu Ruzhen continued while trying to put the bracelet on Ruo Xi.

"This woman is truly annoying. It seems Hu Shi deliberately brought her here, probably without telling her about Nanny Jin's identity. She's really asking for trouble, a fool indeed!"

Baby Ruo Xi saw the woman's dark aura and knew she was destined to be cannon fodder. She didn't bother talking and simply waved her hand, sending the bracelet crashing to the ground.

"Smash!"

The bracelet shattered, and Xiaoyao's eyebrows twitched.

Nanny Jin's lips curved into a smile.

"Second Lady, see? The child doesn't know the value of such an item. You've wasted your effort!" Nanny Jin said.

"Oh, Your Highness, look! My precious bracelet, so expensive!" Xu Ruzhen turned around, stomping her feet.

Xu Ruzhen was the daughter of the current Minister of Personnel, raised to be arrogant and domineering. Despite her noble upbringing, she behaved like a vulgar peasant, extremely unruly.

"What? A mother should argue with a newborn?" Nanny Jin replied coldly.

"Hey, old hag, who are you to speak? I'm talking to the princess!" Xu Ruzhen turned to scold Nanny Jin.

"Nanny, give me Xiao'er." Xiaoyao reached out, taking baby Ruo Xi from Nanny Jin. She looked at her daughter in the cradle, gently tapped her, and smiled, "You, little one!"

If not for her fear of revealing her ability to hear thoughts, she would have shared more about Great Wei and Shangguan Jinghong with her daughter.

If she did, they could chat like friends, sharing secrets.

Ruo Xi felt her mother's affection and responded with a smile.

"Oh, Your Highness, look at this old hag, she..." Xu Ruzhen stomped her foot.

"Slap her mouth!" Xiaoyao, playing with her daughter, said calmly.

"Smack!"

"Ahh, you!" Xu Ruzhen exclaimed.

"Smack, smack!"

Nanny Jin raised her hand again, delivering two more slaps.

"Good job, Nanny Jin. That's how it should be done. My dear mother, keep up the good work!"

In both her past and present lives, whether as a great demon or a baby, Ruo Xi never tolerated bullying. Anyone who dared bully her would face consequences.

"Ahh, you dare hit me, you old hag..." Xu Ruzhen pointed at Nanny Jin.

"Do you think these slaps were too light?" Xiaoyao glanced at Xu Ruzhen, her expression cold.

"Mama, what's going on? Look at her, she let an old hag hit me!" Xu Ruzhen pointed at Nanny Jin.

"Perhaps we should cut off those fingers too!" As Nanny Jin spoke, she picked up a pair of scissors. "No knife, but scissors will do."

"No, no, Nanny Jin, please show mercy!" Hu Shi, intending to watch the drama unfold, realized Nanny Jin was indeed as ruthless as rumored. She quickly pleaded for mercy.

"Mama, what's happening? Why are you doing this?" Xu Ruzhen still didn't understand.

"Smack!"

Hu Shi, having no choice, slapped her.

"Nanny Jin, you see, she has a loose tongue. I often reprimand her, but she never listens. Please bear with her, I'll take her to kneel before our ancestors." Without waiting for Xu Ruzhen's response, Hu Shi dragged her away.

Hu Shi, with her robust build, easily dragged the slender Xu Ruzhen.

"Mama, why did you hit me? Why didn't you help me?" Xu Ruzhen cried as she was dragged outside.

"You spend all day shopping for jewelry and clothes, never caring about the affairs of this house." Hu Shi poked her daughter-in-law's forehead.

"What happened in the house? I just got back, and you dragged me here without letting me change my clothes. How could I know anything?" Xu Ruzhen shouted.

"I dragged you here to prevent Nanny Jin from accusing you of neglecting the princess. Otherwise, the punishment would be worse!" Hu Shi spoke with a guilty tone.

Xu Ruzhen, with a swollen face, asked, "Nanny Jin? Who is she? Even Mama fears her? She's not the Empress Dowager. Even if she were, Mama wouldn't be afraid. Mama, you're a first-class lady!"

"Bullshit!" Hu Shi cursed. "You know nothing. The Empress Dowager is kind because of her position, but Nanny Jin is not someone to mess with. She has helped maintain stability in the blood-soaked imperial harem for decades!"

"Mama, you mean the Empress Dowager's notorious nanny..." Xu Ruzhen started, but seeing her mother raise her hand again, she quickly dodged. "Mama, I was wrong!"

"The royal family has been acting strange since the birth of this little girl. Nanny Jin came personally today, and Wen Xu also visited!" Hu Shi lowered her hand, her face cold.

"Wen Xu, didn't they say that in their youth, he and the princess were childhood sweethearts?" Xu Ruzhen said again.

"Nonsense!" Mrs. Hu immediately gave Xu Ruzhen a sharp look, but her eyes flickered, as if she had an idea.