Chapter 21: Verbal Dispute

Chapter 21 A War of Words

"Alright, you take everyone over first. I'll go tell Mother to move our banquet to Yifang Pavilion; it'll be much simpler."

Jiang Wan withdrew her gaze, instructed her younger sister, and then returned to the waterside pavilion to exchange a few polite words with the young ladies from various families. After that, she headed to the main courtyard with her personal maid, Hong Zhu.

As luck would have it, she stumbled upon the opening act of a dramatic scene.

Anran Residence was packed with ladies of the household.

Zhu Mingzhi, who had entered behind Lady Min, the wife of Song Qingshan, was openly executing a bold plan today. Disregarding the modesty expected of a young woman, she stepped forward with a pitiful expression and performed a formal bow to Lady Xu.

"Sister, I beg you to grant me a path to life. I know Eldest Brother Jiang values loyalty and would never dare take another woman into the household without your explicit approval.

But I truly have no other choice!

If it weren’t for Prince Yihuai personally arranging the marriage and promising the engagement, I wouldn’t have the audacity to insist on clinging to Eldest Brother Jiang. Given the situation we’re in now, if you insist on standing in the way and turning a blind eye, aren’t you forcing me to my death?"

It was clear this woman was prepared to go all out today—she pulled the hairpin from her head and pressed the sharp end against her neck. With a slight exertion, a streak of red appeared.

"Since ancient times, a virtuous woman serves but one husband. Since I was promised to Jiang Huailiang, in life I am his person, and in death I belong to him!

If you refuse to give me an answer today, I might as well die right here in the Jiang household. Better that than being mocked by everyone outside and bringing shame upon my family."

Tears streamed down her cheeks one after another. The delicate, snow-blue figure kneeling on the ground wept like a flower trembling in the rain, evoking pity.

Zhao Shi, the Princess Consort of Huai, recognized this all-too-familiar scene and angrily clenched her fingers inside her sleeve.

Zhu Mingfu, how dare you!

Did you teach your sister this trick after successfully pulling it off yourself? Absolutely shameless!

Yet it was true that the Prince of Huai had tacitly approved of Jiang Huailiang taking the younger Zhu sister into his household. Otherwise, the Zhu family wouldn’t have dared to turn a blind eye and let their daughter act so recklessly, and the Jiang family wouldn’t have held back from openly refusing.

The question remained whether Lady Xu, with her talent for managing a household, had what it took to protect her position as the matriarch.

In fact, Zhao Shi wasn’t the only one watching. Many of the other ladies were also observing, curious to see just how capable Lady Xu really was.

Lady Min, who had been assigned to mediate, was particularly eager to resolve the matter quickly. Under the cold gaze of the Princess Consort of Huai, she mustered her courage and stepped forward.

"Lady Xu, with so many people watching, it’s hardly appropriate to let the younger Zhu sister kneel here like this, don’t you think?

Why don’t you just give your approval?

After all, she would only be a mere *pingqi*—a secondary wife—in the future. It really wouldn’t affect your position as the principal wife."

"Madam Song, you seem quite skilled at playing the matchmaker. Is this perhaps a specialty of the Song family?

Oh, my apologies—that was rather inappropriate of me. Judging by how smoothly you speak, I’d guess you’ve done this sort of thing quite often.

I’ve heard you haven’t been married to General Song for long, so such impressive skills must have been honed through diligent practice in your natal family. I suppose it has little to do with the Song family."

This time, Lady Xu didn’t hold back at all. With a cold sneer, she retorted sharply, her words cutting like a knife.

She nearly made Lady Min faint from anger!

"Lady Xu, how dare you speak like that? Who has ever engaged in the kind of business you’re accusing me of? The Min family is known for its integrity—everyone in Maocheng knows this. How dare you slander us so recklessly?"

Faced with such a direct accusation, the refined upbringing Lady Xu had received since childhood came into play. She remained perfectly composed, yet her words were as sharp as a honed blade, wounding with every syllable.

"Why would I need to spell it out when you’re already doing it openly? Time and again, you’ve dragged people here and tried to force them into our household.

What?

Could it be that you and Zhu Mingzhi have some unspeakable dealings, which is why you’re working so hard to help her become a secondary wife?"

Daring to cause trouble and sow discord during her first hosting event, Lady Xu would be a fool to let her off lightly!

If she were forced to compromise today, what face would the Jiang family have left? As the lady of the Jiang household, she would instantly become the laughingstock of all the ladies in Maocheng’s inner circles.

Lady Min paused for a moment, stung by the blunt insult. Deep down, she knew her actions were somewhat unjustifiable. But thinking of her husband’s instructions, she clenched her teeth and mustered a defiant response, though her reasoning was weak.

"Who’s as despicable as you make it out to be? What unspeakable dealings? I simply feel a connection with the younger Zhu sister and pity her for being bullied into such a state by someone so cruel and unvirtuous. I’m only speaking up for what’s fair!"

Though Lady Min was skilled at making excuses, Lady Xu’s sharp tongue was more than a match. She seamlessly picked up where Lady Min left off.

"You, from the esteemed Min family, probably have innate magnanimity. You likely see nothing unusual in sharing a husband.

But I, Lady Xu, come from a humble background—a simple farm woman by birth. I lack the virtuous heart you possess, Madam Song. I can only focus on living my life faithfully with Jiang Huailiang, that rustic country man. I truly can’t learn your Min family’s ways of magnanimity and tolerance.

Since a mere *pingqi* would hardly affect the principal wife’s position, why don’t you, Madam Song, return home and open your doors wide to welcome this *pingqi* into the Song household on behalf of General Song?

After all, you are virtuous, and she is gentle and kind. Since you feel such a strong connection, I’m sure you wouldn’t be as petty and stubborn about guarding your household as I am.

In time, the two of you would become like sisters, and your husband, General Song, would have both of you in his embrace. Even we outsiders would sincerely applaud you—what a rare and beautiful tale it would be!"

"...You... you...!"

In this war of words, Lady Min had been defeated.

A faint, contemptuous smile curled on Lady Xu’s lips, and the beauty of her unmarred cheek was utterly captivating.

Hmph, trying to match wits with me?

Little did they know that when my father debated scholars at court, his words could slay his opponents! If misfortune hadn’t befallen me, causing me to languish in the countryside for years, would I, Xu Ruoyu, ever need to use my sharp tongue to deal with such fools?

The sheer satisfaction of delivering such a blunt, face-slapping retort left not only the principal wives in the courtyard astonished but also the group of men who had hurried over upon hearing the news, standing dumbfounded at the entrance.

Especially Song Qingshan, who had unwittingly become the scandal’s male lead. The face of a cultured general turned bright red, his eyes twitching uncontrollably under the verbal lashing from Old Jiang’s rustic wife.

Fuming, he turned to Jiang Huailiang to settle the score.

"I say, Old Jiang, you’re really something! Didn’t you say your wife was gentle and virtuous? Then who was that woman whose words were sharp as knives just now?

When it comes down to it, wasn’t I doing all this so you could peacefully take in a concubine? That’s why I had my wife try to persuade your lady!

And look what happened—we got berated for no reason! What kind of logic is that?"