Daily Life of a Powerful Official Supporting His Wife

Chapter 36

Episode 36

Cheng Lingyan had never seen Old Madam Su's face flush with anger since she was born. This slap sobered her up, and also made her feel aggrieved. Her eyes were misty, like a curtain of water, and everything she saw was blurry.

Madam Su had always been fond of her since she was little, treating her with kindness, even better than her own granddaughter. But why had everything changed? It seemed like everything had changed since Lu Baoer's visit to the Fu residence. Was she a fox spirit in disguise? That's why she could ensnare others' souls?

Cheng Lingyan had never hated someone so much before. She had originally thought that it was ridiculous for Old Madam Su to care for a country woman, but she had overthought. But now it seemed that was not the case.

Old Madam Su was so possessed by evil that she actually slapped her own granddaughter in the face for an outsider!
Cheng Lingyan's head was buzzing. It seemed like other wives of other officials were whispering to each other. Were they making fun of her? Talking about her?

What a shame!

Cheng Lingyan returned to Shixiangyuan and burst into tears on the couch. She spent the entire night by candlelight, moving boxes and crates from the warehouse, building momentum to return to the Cheng family. She even stuffed her favorite purple silk jacket into the mahogany box and angrily told her personal maid, "Since my grandmother can't tolerate me, I might as well return to the Cheng family to avoid annoying her!"

Someone must have told Old Lady Su what she was saying. But after hearing it, Old Lady Su simply placed her hand on the ruby on her forehead, sighed heavily, and said, "Let her be."

This statement was completely unexpected. They had assumed that Madam Su, in her anger, had offended Cheng Lingyan and would surely send her some precious treasures to appease her. However, Madam Su played dumb and refused to intervene. Everyone looked at each other, each thinking: It seems that things are changing for Shixiangyuan.

Cheng Lingyan wasn't afraid of Madam Su sending someone to punish her; she was afraid that no matter what she did, her grandmother would ignore her. That meant Madam Su no longer cared about her, and no matter how she acted, she wouldn't mind. How could it be like this? Cheng Lingyan picked up her valuables and made a move to leave.

There were servants holding her captive outside the Shixiang Courtyard. Cheng Lingyan stiffened her neck and said, "Let me go! I'm the eldest daughter of the Cheng family's main branch. Who dares to stop me?!"

The servants were very embarrassed and whispered, "But... the old lady has ordered that Miss Cheng is not allowed to leave Shixiangyuan."

"Hmph! You are a servant of the Fu family and you abide by the Fu family's rules. I am the empress of the Cheng family. Since when did you ever have the final say?!"

Cheng Lingyan naturally knew that she would be stopped, and now she was shouting a few words just to show that she had no attachment to the Fu Mansion, but Madam Su would not let her.

Since Old Madam Su doesn't send anyone to win her over, Cheng Lingyan can only save face on her own.

At this moment, Zhao Ma suddenly arrived, accompanied by Qiu Ju. The two of them looked very imposing, and behind them were a dozen servants.

Madam Zhao waved her hand and said to the servant, "Go in and carry the things onto the sedan chair."

At a command, the ferocious old woman rushed into Shixiangyuan and moved the boxes and cages to the carriage outside at lightning speed.

Cheng Lingyan was just trying to scare people, she didn't really want to leave. She went back to the Cheng family in Tongzhou, so what good would that do? Not to mention that she had grown up in Kyoto all these years and was already accustomed to Kyoto's flavors, she had come to Kyoto to enjoy herself. Now if she went back in disgrace, how would those heartless cousins laugh at her?

The Cheng family was a wealthy and powerful family, with a complex relationship between servants and slaves. Wouldn't she, an orphan who had lost her parents, be eaten up by her uncles, nephews, and cousins when she returned? The eldest wife's wealth would surely be emptied, and she wouldn't even be able to save enough for a dowry!

Thinking of this, Cheng Lingyan shouted in panic: "What are you doing?! Are there any rules?! I am the cousin of the Fu family. How dare you touch my things without my order? Do you want to have your heads?!" Zhao Mama smiled and scolded: "Huh? This is the Fu family! How can the Fu family listen to the orders of Miss Cheng? Miss Cheng's surname is not Fu. It's against the rules to shout and kill the Fu family servants like this!"

Cheng Lingyan was so angry at what Madam Zhao said that she suddenly raised her hand and slapped Madam Zhao in the face, shouting, "You slick-tongued slave!"

This slap stunned everyone present. Even Aunt Zhao didn't react. Cheng Lingyan was so bold as to hit her! Who the hell was she? Not to mention that Cheng Lingyan was a fake mistress, even if she was the real mistress, she might not dare to hit Aunt Zhao!

Madam Zhao was assigned to Madam Su by her mother, the Consort. Once upon a time, when Madam Su was being assassinated, Madam Zhao even blocked a sword for her, narrowly avoiding death! In other words, as long as Madam Zhao didn't make a serious mistake, she was the head of the servants, and no one could shake her position. Even the wives of the other chambers had to respectfully address Madam Zhao as "Madam."

What kind of master is Cheng Lingyan? How dare she attack Madam Zhao?
Nanny Zhao laughed out of anger. Qiuju came to her senses and slapped the personal maid next to Cheng Lingyan.

There was a loud and crisp "click" sound, which knocked the man to his knees on the ground.

This shout was earned by Qiuju on behalf of Madam Zhao. The blow fell on the face of the personal maid, but the fall fell on Cheng Lingyan's heart.

How could Cheng Lingyan not know that she had made a huge mistake? But she had already said it, and taking it back now would inevitably make her look bad, as if she was afraid of Aunt Zhao. So she said in shame and indignation, "It was Aunt Zhao who had my things moved, so I..."

"No need to say more." Madam Zhao ignored her, her face so cold that ice chips could fall off. She sternly ordered the maids watching the excitement, "Since Miss Cheng is homesick, you should move your things quickly. I will report to the old lady and have someone send Miss Cheng back to the Cheng family in Tongzhou tonight!"

These words were said without any mercy, as if Cheng Lingyan had taken the initiative to go back without permission!
Cheng Lingyan is not stupid, she is just pretending. If you really go back, she will not agree!

So she shamelessly said, "Who said I'm going back to the Cheng family?!"

Aunt Zhao smiled faintly, "Oh? Miss Cheng is feeling very aggrieved, isn't she? And now you don't plan on going back? Then why did you make such a fuss last night, packing up your belongings and showing them to everyone in the courtyard?!"

Cheng Lingyan's face burned, but she had no choice but to swallow her frustration. She whispered, "I just wanted to check the contents of the boxes. It's wrong of me to disturb my aunts and grandmother. I'll have the maids check and put the things away. Thank you for your trouble, grandmother."

"Hmph." Madam Zhao sneered, but said nothing more. If Cheng Lingyan had dared to walk out of the Fu Mansion today, she would have called her a man of integrity. But she knew that she was just trying to show off, and even confronting her was a turn-off.

Nanny Zhao glanced at Cheng Lingyan, waved her hand to call the maid back, and returned to Madam Su's courtyard to report.

Madam Su naturally knew that Madam Zhao had been slapped by Cheng Lingyan. She met Madam Zhao and handed her the snowflake frost, a tribute from the palace, which was on the dressing table, saying, "Use it. Alas, what an evil fate."

"Thank you, Madam, for the reward." Nanny Zhao took the snow flakes and could not help but continue, "Madam, you should have a plan in mind for Miss Cheng's affairs."

Old Madam Su hadn't concealed the truth from Madam Zhao. She had never imagined she had nurtured Cheng Lingyan into this state. The original affection she had felt for raising her had worn away. It was time for her to consider allowing Lu Baoer to return to her ancestral home and transferring Cheng Lingyan back to her original position.

　I'm a little worried that it might not be good. There aren't many recommendations or comments. I wonder if you guys like this article.
　　

(End of this chapter)