Chapter Eight: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road
Hua Ling came out of the study in high spirits and slowly made her way back. Right now, her mood was bright and sunny, and everything she looked at seemed pleasing to the eye. Humming a little tune all the way, she strutted along smugly, taking in the scenery around her, feeling indescribably content!
“Ow!” Hua Ling was bumped by something and, with a stagger, fell to the ground. “Who’s so blind!” Hua Ling shouted angrily. That fall had nearly killed her—she had landed right on a little stone, and her poor backside hurt so badly.
“Oh my, I was wondering who it was. So it’s you, you jinx. Instead of staying properly in your Yinlü Pavilion, what are you doing running out here to frighten people!” A delicate yet vicious voice went straight into Hua Ling’s ears.
Hua Ling was already furious. She had not provoked anyone, yet had run into such bad luck; hearing those words only made her angrier. She raised her head to look at the person who had bumped into her. The woman was fairly good-looking, though still a little inferior to herself. Judging from the clothes she wore, they seemed even better than Hua Ling’s, so she was probably someone of some status. Yet she actually dared to disregard even her, the Prime Minister’s wife. Truly arrogant and overbearing enough.
Hua Ling stood up, reached out to brush the dust from her clothes, and smiled coldly. “Seeing this Madam, you neither bow nor offer a greeting. You’ve got quite some nerve.”
“What do you think you are? You dare call yourself Madam? Who in the entire Prime Minister’s residence doesn’t know you’re nothing more than a slut cast into the cold palace? And you still dare throw your weight around in front of me. Looks like the punishment you received last time was far too light. Today, I’ll teach you a proper lesson, so you’ll know what to do when you see this young lady in the future.” As she spoke, she swung a slap toward Hua Ling’s face, her eyes filled with venom, the corners of her mouth lifting smugly.
Hua Ling seized her wrist and, with a forceful tug, threw her hard to the ground. Everyone present was greatly shocked. They had never seen their Madam so formidable before. The woman who had been thrown to the ground was full of disbelief.
Hua Ling walked up to her and looked down at her from above. “What did you call me just now? Slut? Who gave you permission to call me that? Mu Yelei?”
The woman, supported by her maidservants, stood up and said, “You dare treat me like this? I’m going to tell Cousin. Let’s see how Cousin punishes you!”
“Oh, so you’re a cousin. Look at me, my memory really is poor. In my memory, there has never been such a lowly creature as you—one who has no sense of rank, no manners, speaks and acts crudely, and is arrogant and domineering. You want to go complain to your cousin? Wonderful. Go on, then. I’d like to see how Mu Yelei handles this matter.” Hua Ling spoke unhurriedly, a mocking smile still on her face. This Xia Ziying really was useless. To think that even a woman like this could bully her to such a state.
The self-proclaimed cousin young miss’s face turned alternating shades of blue and red, suspicion showing in her eyes. Was this still that timid-as-a-mouse Xia Ziying? Why did she seem like a completely different person? Seeing that smile of hers made her feel a little uneasy. The large group of lackeys behind her also revealed uncertain, startled expressions. Today’s Madam seemed different.
“You dare curse me? Servants! Slap her mouth for me!” the cousin young miss said to the group of servants behind her, her face full of resentment. This woman had stolen the position of Prime Minister’s wife from her, and still dared be so disrespectful to her—she simply deserved to die.
At her command, someone immediately rushed out from behind her and walked toward Hua Ling. Damn these dog slaves—they couldn’t even tell who their true master was! Hua Ling cursed inwardly, truly feeling stifled on Xia Ziying’s behalf. To have lived to such a point—sigh, no wonder her soul had departed for the west.
Hua Ling’s sharp gaze swept over them. With a cold snort, she spun swiftly, and only a series of smacks rang out. A red palm print appeared on each person’s face. Then she said, “Take your dog slaves, along with the evidence on their faces, and go complain to your dear cousin. Tell him this grandaunt will be waiting for his grand arrival at Yinlü Pavilion!” With that, she strode off, a satisfied smile still on her face.
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