Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Song Shiqian immediately shouted loudly, "Big Sister-in-law! Help! Big Sister-in-law, save me! Big Sister-in-law!"

She reacted so quickly; Princess Anyuan didn’t have time to stop the guards from covering his mouth.

In just a moment, Jiang Chun appeared at the end of the corridor, striding forward.

As she hurried along, she cursed angrily, "Who’s got the nerve to mess with our Third Young Master? I’ll beat some sense into you!"

She reached Song Shiqian, pretending not to notice Princess Anyuan. Then, she grabbed a guard and hurled him across the room.

She then grabbed another guard and threw him aside like it was nothing.

It looked effortless, but anyone she threw knew exactly how strong she was.

The four guards hit the ground with four loud thuds: *bang*, *bang*, *bang*, *bang*.

With his arm free, Song Shiqian dashed forward a few steps and quickly hid behind Jiang Chun.

At 1.81 meters, Song Shiqian was taller than Jiang Chun, but hiding behind her gave him a strange sense of safety.

After throwing the guards, Jiang Chun finally seemed to wake from a dream, saying, "Ah, Princess Anyuan, is that you? So, the guards I threw away were yours?

Oh dear, this is truly a case of family not recognizing family."

Before the adoption ceremony, Jiang Chun wasn’t officially part of the family, so she had to formally address Princess Anyuan as "Princess."

Now that the ceremony was over, Jiang Chun was officially part of the family. When meeting peers like Princess Anyuan, she no longer needed to bow or use formal titles.

Princess Anyuan's face was as cold as ice.

The plum garden, tucked away in the far northwest corner of the Song family's rear garden, was secluded and quiet. At this moment, whether it was the Song family or the guests who had come for the banquet, most of them were gathered in the northeast corner at the opera house.

Apart from Song Shiqian, who had cut through, there was no one else in sight.

It was the perfect opportunity.

Just when she thought she was about to succeed, Jiang Chun appeared out of nowhere, like a wrench thrown into the works, which made her grit her teeth in frustration.

She snapped coldly, "Jiang Niangzi, I advise you not to meddle in other people's affairs."

Jiang Chun smiled sweetly and replied, "Now, now, Sister Anyuan, how can you say I'm meddling?

Third Master is my little brother-in-law, and as his elder sister-in-law, it's my duty to look after him. How could I stand by and watch him be bullied?"

Princess Anyuan threw a flirtatious glance at Song Shiqian, who was hiding behind Jiang Chun and peeking out secretly.

Then, with a pointed tone, she said to Jiang Chun, "When a woman 'teases' a man, how can it be considered bullying? Jiang Niangzi, as someone experienced, I'm sure you understand what I mean."

Song Shiqian was so disgusted by the flirtatious glance that he quickly ducked back, curling up to hide himself completely.

Jiang Chun said with a laugh, "Of course, I understand. On a usual day, I bully my husband quite a lot, and he quite likes it. But we are a proper married couple.

Since you and Third Master haven't married or even been betrothed, if you bully him, you're just being a pervert.

In our countryside, a woman who acts like a pervert towards an unmarried young master is despised by everyone. People would scold her, and even dogs would bark at her a few times."

Princess Anyuan was infuriated by Jiang Chun's sarcastic remarks and direct insults, which made her head buzz with anger.

She had always been pampered and adored by her elders, and this was the first time she’d ever been humiliated like this.

What was she thinking, comparing herself to a village woman and insulting her with talk of dogs?! What was she thinking?!

Blinded by anger, Princess Anyuan charged straight at Jiang Chun.

She was going to teach this fool who didn’t know her place a lesson. Did she really think that just because she had recognized Princess Xinchang as her godmother, she would be untouchable?

Even if she beat her within an inch of her life, at most, Princess Xinchang would scold her and order a few days of solitary reflection. There was nothing to fear.

As it happened, Jiang Chun thought the same when she saw Princess Anyuan charging towards her.

Since it was Princess Anyuan who made the first move, if she, Jiang Chun, beat her to a pulp in return, what could Princess Xiangyang do?

It would be easy to punish her, but it would also involve the face of Princess Xinchang, a legitimate imperial princess.

So, at most, she would be scolded and ordered to copy some *Book of Women's Conduct* or scriptures, maybe even be confined for a while.

None of these consequences were painful or troubling.

She snapped at Yu Ancheng, “Move!”

Then she turned back and charged forward to meet Princess Anyuan head-on.

The women of the Great Zhou imperial clan had always been fierce. At the founding of the dynasty, there had even been a precedent of a princess overseeing the army. Therefore, Princess Xiangyang had properly arranged for martial arts instructors for Princess Anyuan.

While Princess Anyuan had some martial arts training, her skills were weak. She excelled in archery and whip techniques instead.

But today, she had come to the Song family's banquet, not to cause trouble, so she hadn’t brought any weapons with her.

As for Jiang Chun, although she had been training under Yu Ancheng for the past six months and had been very diligent, learning martial arts couldn’t be mastered overnight.

So, the two of them were fairly evenly matched.

In fact, Princess Anyuan might even be slightly better.

However, Jiang Chun had the advantage in strength.

They exchanged a few blows, each landing a hit or two.

Jiang Chun took the blows without any issue.

But after receiving just one kick from Jiang Chun, Princess Anyuan was sent flying, crashing into the muddy earth of the plum garden and rolling several times over.

It had rained the previous night, so the ground was still a bit muddy.

Princess Anyuan’s luxurious Shu brocade robe was now covered in mud, turning her into a mud-covered mess.

She lay on the ground, struggling to rise.

But the more she struggled, the more mud she got on her robe.

Ungracefully, she covered her kicked-painful bottom with her hand and gritted her teeth, saying, “Jiang Chun, you… you… think you’re so great, huh?”

Jiang Chun patted off some imaginary dust from her hands and said with a grin, “Thank you, Princess Anyuan. I’m doing great, and my husband often praises me too.”

Princess Anyuan was left speechless, her mind racing for a comeback but coming up empty.

She didn't speak, but Jiang Chun had something to say: "They say one learns from their mistakes. Sister Anyuan, after today's lesson, don't even think about messing with our Third Master again.

"Otherwise..."

Jiang Chun deliberately paused, then coldly continued, "Every time I see you, Sister Anyuan, I’ll make sure to teach you a lesson. If you don't mind losing face, go ahead and try."

Princess Anyuan snorted disdainfully, "I wasn't prepared today and got caught off guard by you, which is why I ended up like this.

"Next time, if you dare to be so bold, I'll whip you until you're bleeding and bruised all over!"

Jiang Chun scoffed dismissively, "You must be kidding me, Sister Anyuan. Do you think only you can bring weapons? Is wielding a whip such a great skill? Believe me, with one slash of my knife, I can cut your whip to shreds.

"Sister Anyuan, you'd better behave. Don’t make a fool of yourself in front of everyone.

"You don’t have much reputation left to lose anyway."

After her threat, she turned around and bossed a group of maids, eunuchs, and nannies who were hiding behind like frightened quails, "What are you all standing around for like mindless servants? Why aren't you going to help your princess up?"

Then, with an exasperated look, she added, "You’re just as useless as your mistress."

The maids, eunuchs, and nannies snapped out of their daze and hurriedly ran to help Princess Anyuan, helping her up in a rush.

In the process, they inevitably touched her sore spots, causing her to yelp in pain, "Ouch, ouch!"

Once standing, she immediately took her frustration out on them, "A bunch of clumsy idiots, are you trying to hurt me? Trying to kill me, are you?"

Jiang Chun said to Song Shiqian, "Look, Princess Anyuan still has enough energy to scold others so fiercely. It seems she's not seriously injured. We can go and enjoy the opera with peace of mind."

Let's go, if we don't go back soon, my godmother will be upset that I've kept her waiting for so long.

Song Shiqian hurriedly responded with a "yes," naturally not daring to refuse.

This place is a nightmare; anyone who wants to stay here can, but I sure as hell won’t!

Just as the two were about to leave, they suddenly heard a commotion of footsteps.

Moments later, Princess Jincheng, Princess Fortunes, and County Princess Anhe arrived in a hurry, each bringing along a large group of people.

County Princess Anhe, who had a rivalry with Princess Anyuan over their husbands, started yelling before she even got close: "Cousin, seriously? On the day of Princess Xinchang's adoption ceremony, you actually beat up her adopted daughter at her home. Isn't that too disrespectful to Princess Xinchang?"

Without waiting to see who started it, she immediately accused Princess Anyuan of disrespecting Princess Xinchang.

As they got closer and saw the dirt-covered Princess Anyuan, County Princess Anhe burst into laughter, bending over with mirth.

She laughed and said, "Oh, cousin, did you lose to Jiang Niangzi, so now you're lying in the mud, throwing a fit like a brat? As a royal princess, acting like a common street hag is a real embarrassment to the Great Zhou royal family. If you’re not embarrassed, I sure am!"

Princess Anyuan, wincing in pain, coldly scoffed in response, "You should be ashamed. It’s pretty rare to see a royal woman like you, who isn’t even married yet, but whose fiancé already has a three-year-old illegitimate child."

County Princess Anhe was well aware of the fact that Fan Limin, the heir of Anqing Duke, had a three-year-old child with a concubine.

County Princess Anhe’s reputation wasn’t much better, given her well-known affair with Anping Commandery Prince, which everyone in the Imperial City gossiped about.

They were a perfect match, both with equally tarnished reputations.

And the Anqing Duke's estate promised her that the mistress would "disappear" before their wedding, and the illegitimate child would be handed over to her to raise.

So she didn’t really care much about it.

Hearing this, she chuckled lightly: "So what if she’s a child without a mother? I’ll raise her under my own name, and she’ll still be able to show me filial piety in the future."

Princess Anyuan sneered: "A child without a mother? Is that what the Anqing Duke's estate told you?

Well, this family sure knows how to play games.

They tell you they’ll eliminate the mother but keep the child, but in reality, they’ve hidden her away at their estate in Tongzhou. Fan Lizhou finds excuses to visit the estate for spring plowing, but in truth, he’s sneaking off to meet her.

I’ve heard that the mistress, who was a Yangzhou courtesan, is already pregnant with their second child.

Congratulations, cousin, when you marry into the family, you’ll become the mother of two children."

Princess Anhe County was clearly unaware of this and was completely stunned upon hearing this.

She didn’t doubt Princess Anyuan because the truth was easy to verify. Given Princess Anyuan's personality, she wouldn’t bother making up lies for fun either.

The two of them had never gotten along since childhood; over the years, they had crossed swords countless times. Their understanding of each other was probably deeper than their self-awareness.

Her shock wasn’t because she was deeply in love with Fan Lizhou.

Her grandmother, the Grand Princess of Changyi, had chosen this marriage for her, partly to cover up any potential embarrassment and partly because the Anqing Duke's estate had a simple family structure, making it a decent match.

Although Fan Lizhou had a mistress, a Yangzhou courtesan, and even had a three-year-old illegitimate child, it wasn’t considered a big deal.

In families like theirs, which husband didn’t have multiple wives and concubines?

That Fan Lizhou had no concubines or secondary wives, only keeping a mistress, was already quite rare.

Plus, Fan Lizhou was quite handsome, bearing a two or three-part resemblance to the Anping Commandery Prince, so Princess Anhe agreed to the marriage.

She had no intention of dealing with the Yangzhou courtesan mistress; if Fan Lizhou wanted to keep her, so be it. After all, she was just a plaything who used her beauty to serve him.

It was the Anqing Duke's estate that proposed the idea of getting rid of the mother but keeping the child. She believed them, and now look, they had been playing her for a fool.

Were they toying with her?

How dare they? Didn’t they fear that once she found out, she’d turn the Anqing Duke's estate upside down?

Did they really think that by hiding it, she’d never find out?

Princess Anhe’s face darkened, her teeth clenched in anger, wishing she could tear into Fan Lizhou and the entire Anqing Duke's household.

Seeing her expression, Princess Anyuan added insult to injury: "Judging by your face, cousin, you really didn’t know about this?

Oh, for someone as clever as you, to trip up and make a mistake, it’s quite surprising."

Princess Anhe shot her a fierce glance, and seeing Princess Anyuan holding her own butt, she suddenly burst out laughing: "Cousin, that fall of yours isn’t exactly graceful, is it?"

Princess Anyuan’s face turned slightly red.

She wanted to lower her hand that was covering her butt, but every step she took caused soreness and pain, so she couldn’t put it down.

She could ask her maid to cover her, but that would look ridiculous.

She glared fiercely at Jiang Chun.

Jiang Chun looked up at the sky.

Hmm, the weather is nice, with high skies and scattered clouds, a fine time during the turn of spring and summer.

This act of feigning ignorance made Anhe County Princess laugh.

If Princess Anyuan were clean and presentable, she wouldn’t mind arguing with Anhe County Princess, but now that she was covered in dirt, wouldn’t it be embarrassing to stay here any longer?

So she instructed a Nanny unhappily: “Have someone bring a sedan chair to carry this princess to the second gate for the carriage.”

The Nanny responded and left.

Jiang Chun: “...”

Madam herself was standing right here, yet Princess Anyuan had chosen to seek help from others for the sedan chair.

They were probably going to be waiting for a while.

Jiang Chun decisively said to Song Shi Qian: “I’ve been out for a while now; if I don’t return, my foster mother will send someone to look for me. Third Young Master, let’s go to the opera house.”

Song Shi Qian flatteringly agreed: “Yes, Madam.”

The two of them started walking.

On the way to the opera house, after holding it in for a long time, Song Shi Qian finally couldn’t resist asking: “Madam, how did you manage to cut the whip into eight pieces with one strike?”

*

Jiang Chun: “...”

In modern times, she often heard people make bold statements like kicking someone’s butt into eight pieces, so she had just followed the pattern.

Who knew that Song Shi Qian would seriously ask about this.

If she answered that she had just made it up, wouldn’t that undermine her dignity as Madam?

Thinking for a moment, she seriously replied: “Fold the whip once, then again, and again, and with one strike in the middle, it cuts into nine pieces. Remove one piece as the handle, and you’re left with eight.”

After answering, she teasingly remarked to Song Shi Qian: “Third Young Master, such basic math, even a child could figure out, how is it that a scholar like you couldn’t?”

Song Shi Qian: “...”

Of course, he could calculate nine pieces with one strike, but eight pieces, he really couldn’t figure that out.

And Madam’s method...

If he had written this in the imperial exam, would the examiner have been so furious as to disqualify him permanently?

But he couldn’t argue back without facing consequences.

So he insincerely complimented: “I’m dull and not as clever as Madam, letting you laugh at me.”

Seeing that he was receptive, Jiang Chun generously offered another solution: “Actually, you could also bundle seven knives together, and with one strike, you’d have eight pieces. When all seven knives strike at once, wouldn’t that still count as one strike?”

Song Shian: “……”

This was his first time speaking alone with Eldest Miss Cheng. It was an eye-opener.

He couldn’t help but feel even more admiration for his elder brother.

How could he stand being with someone as flighty as Eldest Miss Cheng all day long?

Upon arriving at the opera house, Song Shian went to the first floor to join the male guests, while Jiang Chun headed to the second floor to find Princess Xinchang.

As soon as she sat down, she smiled and said, “Sorry to have kept you waiting, dear godmother.”

Princess Xinchang glanced at her sideways and said coolly, “Where have you been?”

Jiang Chun casually replied, “I went to beat someone up.”

Princess Xinchang immediately looked up, her willow-shaped eyebrows slightly furrowed. “Who did you beat?”

Since they were in a private box on the second floor listening to the opera, with the other female guests in the main hall outside, she had no idea who among the guests was present or absent.

Jiang Chun didn’t hide anything and spoke frankly, “Princess Anping made advances on my cousin. His outer robe was already undone. If I hadn’t arrived in time, my cousin’s honor might have been compromised.

Our family is small, and my husband has only two younger brothers. My third brother has already suffered enough at the mines. If he were to fall into Princess Anping’s clutches, it would be too pitiful.

I had no choice but to seek justice for him and teach Princess Anping a lesson, to let her know that it’s not so easy to take liberties with the men of our family!”

As Jiang Chun spoke, Princess Xinchang’s frown deepened.

Anping had been lovely as snow when she was young, but as she grew older, she became lustful and particularly fond of men who were already married, which had even caused a scandal.

The Crown Prince had scolded and punished her, but she hadn’t changed at all.

Now she was becoming even more lawless, setting her sights on Song Sanlang.

It would have been fine if she had made a marriage proposal, leaving it to the Song family to decide whether to accept or refuse.

Instead, she resorted to a forceful approach, trying to create a fait accompli.

Did she think the Song family was just another ordinary family she could manipulate?

Not to mention how the Crown Prince would react, Song Shian certainly wouldn’t stand by and watch his cousin be schemed against.

The cautionary tale of Eldest Miss Cheng seemed to have been completely ignored.

If Song Shian had handled it, who knows what kind of consequences Anping would have faced.

Now that Anping had been dealt with, Xiangyang would definitely not let it go and would surely run to the Emperor to cry and complain.

Even I might not have any peace.

So instead of scolding her, Princess Xinchang even praised her, “For Anping to have done something so outrageous, she deserved the beating.”

Jiang Chun widened her apricot eyes in disbelief and said, “I beat Princess Anping, and instead of scolding me, you actually praised me.

Could it be that you’re an overprotective mother?”

Princess Xinchang gave her a side-eye and said, “If you’re not awake, sleep more at night, so you don’t spout nonsense during the day.”

Jiang Chun lowered her voice and complained, “Oh, if only I could sleep more, but your son-in-law insists on bothering me. I’m quite helpless about it.”

Princess Xinchang: "..."

Indeed, the heavens are fair. They gave Song Shian good looks, character, and talent, but gave him such an unconventional wife.

To prevent people from being too envious of him.

However...

Seeing how Jiang Chun flaunts her love everywhere every day, it seems Song Shian is quite content with this punishment from the heavens?

*

After the family reunion banquet, Jiang Chun was called to the main room by Madame Zhuang for questioning. Somehow, Song Shian also came over.

Madame Zhuang gave him a disapproving look and said with a hint of irritation, "I just wanted to ask your wife something; I didn’t say I was going to scold her. Why did you rush over without thinking?"

Song Shian feigned innocence. "Mother, how can you accuse me like that? I had nothing better to do, so I came to the main room to sit and listen to you and my wife chat. How did that turn into protecting her?"

He then chuckled smugly. "Besides, my wife is so capable that she even dares to hit a princess. Why would she need me to protect her?

Even if I were to protect someone, I’d protect you, Mother. After all, at your age, you probably wouldn’t stand a chance against her."

Madame Zhuang, who was referred to as "of an advanced age" but was actually only forty-seven this year: "..."

Before she could retort, Jiang Chun chided, "Husband, what do you mean by 'at your age'?

Mother is still young and naturally beautiful. If we walk together, people might mistake us for sisters."

She then comforted Madame Zhuang, "Mother, don’t be sad. I asked Second Sister-in-law to help me get some complexion-enhancing foundation. It should arrive in a few days, and I’ll send you a bottle. Once you use it, my husband will be impressed."

Madame Zhuang was pleased but only hummed lightly. "At my age, don’t mess with me. I don’t want people saying I’m not dignified."

Jiang Chun said with a grin, "A better complexion enhances dignity, Mother. You’ll see."

Madame Zhuang curled her lips.

After a moment of silence, she finally remembered the matter at hand and hurriedly said, "Stop rambling, and quickly tell me, what exactly happened today?"

Princess Anyuan didn’t even come to say goodbye to Princess Xinchang, her aunt, at the opera house and just left directly. Madame Zhuang sensed that something must have happened.

Sure enough, she later received a report that Princess Anyuan had a big fight with Jiang Chun and then left, hobbling with her hand on her butt.

Jiang Chun, always shocking people with her words, said, "Princess Anyuan tried to assault Third Brother in the plum garden. When I arrived, Third Brother’s outer robe was already open...

I was furious. The men of the Song family can lose their lives, but they must never lose their honor; this is a matter of principle!

So, I gave her a beating."

Madame Zhuang: "..."