“Oh? Really?” Bian Ruohan immediately sat up, pushing away the maid’s hand and excitedly saying: “Was that venomous whore there too? Did you give her a thorough lesson?”
Bian Tong said with some regret: “Madam, Princess Zhongshun wasn’t at the residence—don’t know what she went out to do. Only an old steward and a houseful of servants were left in the residence. Rest assured, they were all thoroughly taught a lesson.”
Bian Ruohan was very disappointed. “What’s the fun in that? Just teaching the servants a lesson doesn’t count as much satisfaction.”
Bian Tong’s eyes rolled as he smiled: “Madam, if you think carefully about it, having our people go smash their house and beat their servants was already quite satisfying. What kind of person is Prince Zhongshun? The only prince of different surname in the current dynasty, and a fierce general who’s fought southern and northern campaigns. Even His Current Majesty must be somewhat careful when dealing with him. The people you arranged completely smashed his newly purchased residence inside and out and gave the servants a beating—if this isn’t slapping his face, what is? Think carefully, Madam—if Prince Zhongshun has lost face, how can the Princess have any face left?”
Hearing this, Bian Ruohan nodded repeatedly, feeling quite refreshed inside.
“No matter how great a hero he is, now that he’s lost the Emperor’s favor, he must behave obediently.”
Bian Ruohan stood up. Thinking of Qin Yining’s face that she detested, then thinking of how their residence had now been smashed by her people, she couldn’t stop smiling.
“Doesn’t she like to show off her virtue? We’re all people His Majesty instructed to accompany our husbands to their posts. I haven’t even departed yet, and she’s already showing off her capabilities. I want to see if the residence she rushed ahead to arrange can actually house anyone!”
From their wedding day when Lu Heng left her to find the Qin woman, returning dead drunk and refusing to consummate their marriage, to later when she went to the palace to seek justice from her sister, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager only to suffer humiliation, Bian Ruohan had long since hated Qin Yining to the bone. Now being able to get some small revenge for herself made her feel incredibly satisfied.
“Prepare writing materials and write a letter to send to their house.”
Bian Tong was startled: “Madam, you plan to write to Prince Zhongshun’s residence?”
“Yes. I’ll dictate, and you write according to my meaning.”
Bian Ruohan thought for a moment, then said: “Tell Princess Zhongshun that as the Prince’s family member, she came ahead specifically to prepare for her Prince, arranging a residence but not saying it was a princely mansion—who would know what kind of place that was? Their household clearly had ulterior motives, deliberately not speaking up to frame my Earl, making our people fall into their trap and have conflict with them so they could file complaints. No matter how they argue, I won’t acknowledge such circumstances.
“Moreover, this matter can’t be blamed on me. My people today merely went to politely discuss purchasing property, but the servants in their residence spoke rudely and were imperious, which angered my people into beating them—this was something they brought upon themselves.
“However, considering that both the Prince and the Earl serve in the same court, I won’t pursue this matter further. Have Princess Zhongshun properly discipline her servants, spend more time managing household affairs, and go out less to wander around, lest people see it and laugh, disgracing the face of us noble ladies from the capital’s prestigious families.”
Bian Tong held the wolf-hair brush, and after hearing Bian Ruohan say so much, hesitated for a moment, not knowing how to begin writing.
He had originally thought that today Bian Ruohan planned to give a slap then offer a sweet date—after offending the Prince’s residence, quickly apologize to prevent the situation from developing more outrageously.
Who knew this lady was actually going to provoke them.
“Madam, this might not be appropriate? If we really stir up trouble, I’m afraid…”
“Afraid of what?” Bian Ruohan sneered: “We have so many martial arts experts by our side, and I’ve paid them well. Are we still afraid they can’t handle those few servants in the Prince’s residence who know no martial arts? Moreover, Prince Zhongshun is currently like the Earl—both still in the capital and haven’t departed yet. Neither household’s men are involved in this matter; it’s just me having a one-on-one confrontation with that venomous whore Qin! Tell me, what should I fear from her? Just write according to what I said!”
Bian Tong had no choice but to write a letter according to Bian Ruohan’s wishes.
After Bian Ruohan read it and was very satisfied, she immediately ordered someone to deliver it to the Prince’s residence.
“Tell me, will that Qin woman fly into a rage after reading this letter?”
“Definitely.”
Bian Tong sighed inwardly. No matter who it was, if their home was smashed while they were away, their servants beaten, the other party showed no intention of apologizing, and then sent a provocative letter—even a clay figure would have some earthly nature, let alone that Princess Zhongshun who was born a young lady of a prestigious family.
Bian Ruohan smiled coldly: “It would be best if she flies into a rage. If she has any temper at all, it would be perfect if she brought people to kill their way over here.”
Suddenly turning to look at Bian Tong, Bian Ruohan gave stern instructions: “After delivering the letter, go to the county office and tell the constables and bailiffs to prepare, saying that this lady has heard someone plans to come cause trouble at my residence and smash the future county magistrate’s house. Ask them to help keep watch.”
Bian Tong was surprised, only now understanding that Bian Ruohan was setting a trap for Princess Zhongshun. Once that letter was delivered, Princess Zhongshun would certainly be furious beyond measure and might immediately bring people over in a rage to recover face. When the constables arrested them, the charge of deliberately causing trouble would be pinned on them.
Bian Tong hesitated: “Madam, shouldn’t we ask the Earl about this matter?” After all, this was a matter between two families. Once the constables were involved, it wouldn’t just be women’s business anymore.
Bian Ruohan’s eyes widened: “Why are you being so fussy? If you’re afraid, then don’t go. I have plenty of useful people around me.”
“Not at all.” Bian Tong seemed not angry at all and even smiled pleasantly: “I’m just offering suggestions. You’re still the one in charge, Madam. Since you’ve said so, I’ll go handle it immediately.”
“That’s more like it.” Bian Ruohan nodded with satisfaction and sat down to continue having the maid paint her nails.
Bian Tong left the room with a meaningful smile at the corner of his mouth, then instructed a servant to deliver the letter to the Prince’s residence.
Qin Yining was discussing with Xie Yue in the flower hall how to handle future matters. Hearing that it was a letter from Bian Ruohan, Xie Yue smiled: “Could it be an apology, wanting to make a big issue small and a small issue disappear?”
Qin Yining shook her head: “Not necessarily.”
She unfolded the letter paper in two or three movements. After reading it carefully, Qin Yining snorted coldly and threw the paper on the table.
“What a Bian clan! To be such a shameless person—I’ve truly broadened my horizons today.”
Ji Yun and Bingtang were standing beside Qin Yining. With a glance, they immediately became furious.
Xie Yue took the letter and after reading it, his expression also darkened: “Princess, that Bian woman is simply going too far!”
“Yes, Princess, should this servant go teach her a lesson?” Ji Yun rolled up her sleeves and exposed her arms.
Bingtang sneered: “We’ve been enduring again and again, but she’s become even more pleased with herself. Princess, we shouldn’t be polite with this kind of person. If we truly do nothing, people might think we’re afraid of the Lu family.”
Xie Yue also said: “Though the Prince has been suppressed by His Majesty to this extent, the Lu family is indeed a centuries-old prestigious clan entrenched in the northern regions with unfathomably deep foundations. In terms of foundation, the Prince can’t compare to Lu Heng. Precisely because of this, we can’t let the Lu family trample us down even more.”
Qin Yining nodded slightly: “Master Xie is right.”
Hearing this, Ji Yun became excited: “Princess, should this servant go call Guard Tang and have them bring people over now?”
Qin Yining’s finger tapped the letter as she lowered her eyes for a moment, then shook her head: “No need.”
Bingtang was disappointed: “But Princess…”
“Who said we must bring people to fight our way over? In my view, that’s a method to use only when there’s really no other option.”
Ji Yun and Bingtang exchanged glances.
Xie Yue asked curiously: “Princess, what do you plan to do?”
Qin Yining leaned close to Xie Yue and whispered a few words in his ear.
Upon hearing this, Xie Yue burst out laughing.
“What is Master Xie laughing about?”
“Nothing, this old man thinks the Princess’s method is excellent. I just pity that Bian woman—how stupid must someone be to deliberately make trouble with you.”
“Yes, the Princess’s method is indeed good.” Bingtang and Ji Yun were also excited.
Qin Yining smiled and waved her hand, having Xie Yue go arrange the matter.
After Xie Yue left, she coldly folded the letter and put it back in the envelope.
“Princess, why are you keeping that thing? It should be torn up and stuffed into that stupid woman’s mouth!”
Qin Yining smiled and shook her head: “I’m keeping it to show the Prince.” She raised an eyebrow at Bingtang and Ji Yun: “I’ve been bullied—surely I’m allowed to file a complaint?”
Hearing this, both Bingtang and Ji Yun giggled.
“Of course, of course! You can complain all you want. If the Prince knew you suffered such grievances, the Lu family will definitely be in for big trouble later.”
Qin Yining smiled and nodded.
She didn’t really care. No matter how much Bian Ruohan caused trouble, in her eyes she was nothing more than a jumping clown. Fighting with her could serve as entertainment in life. But as Xie Yue said, what she cared about was the Prince’s residence’s dignity.
Pang Xiao was a nouveau riche, while Lu Heng had the support of a centuries-old family foundation, having allied with many veteran officials from the northern regions in court. In terms of foundation, Pang Xiao couldn’t compare to Lu Heng. Precisely because of this, they couldn’t allow the Lu family to trample them down.
Pang Xiao hadn’t arrived yet. She would treat this as a war between women and give Bian Ruohan a lesson first.
Lu Residence.
Bian Ruohan excitedly had her martial arts experts stand ready in formation, while the constables at the county office had also prepared, just waiting to arrest people.
But who knew they waited until sunset, until the evening curfew when keys were collected, and the constables had already impatiently dispersed, yet Qin Yining still hadn’t brought people to attack.
Bian Ruohan cheerfully apologized to the constables, gave them large red envelopes, and rewarded the martial artists under her command generously. Behind closed doors, Bian Ruohan laughed heartily without any regard for her image.
“What Princess? What legitimate daughter of the Qin family? What heir of the wise Duke Pan An? All bullshit! She’s simply a coward who doesn’t dare get up even when others step on her, a good-for-nothing! The Earl was truly blind—how could he take a fancy to such a superficial person? Could it be that the Earl only cares about her face?”
Though Bian Ruohan dared say these words, her subordinates didn’t dare respond.
The wet nurse who often followed Bian Ruohan smiled and said: “Madam, since she doesn’t dare come, let’s just leave this matter alone. It’s better to have one less thing to deal with than one more.”