Chapter 39: Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law’s big quarrel (1/2)

“Han Yunxi, you, you scourge! Ever since the day the empress dowager promised you to the Duke of Qin, I’ve been losing face! On the wedding day, you even…”

Listening to Grand Concubine Yi talk about old debts, Han Yunxi really couldn’t bear anymore. She wasn’t the type of person to submit to humiliation. Instead of conforming to the situation, she fought for the dignity and rights she deserved.

Han Yunxi loudly cut off Grand Concubine Yi’s curses. “Mufei, I don’t think this thing’s lost us face at all. I in fact feel that I brought more face to the Duke of Qin’s household. First, I let everyone know that I wasn’t useless trash, ignorant of medicine, or any less capable than my father. Secondly, Princess Changping and the judicial officer both received penalties so that the empress dowager has nothing else to say. She didn’t save the judicial officer either, so it was them that lost face. All they can do is grind their teeth into pieces and swallow blood!”

“That’s right, mufei. Although it was wrong for sister-in-law to backtalk you, though quite a few people knew she was locked up, she didn’t say anything wrong. The empress dowager’s side didn’t look into the matter after all,” Murong Wanru urged on hypocritically.

Grand Concubine Yi only heard two and a half sentences before glaring at Han Yunxi and shook her head. “Han Yunxi, you’re really treating yourself like a head of onion! As if being locked up is anything to be proud of! Hahaha, today I’ve finally seen you for the shameless person you are! You even dare to smart talk me!”

Grand Concubine Yi backed up until she sat heavily in her chair to give orders. “Gui mama, hit her! Today I’ll make sure to teach her a good lesson between gaining face and losing face! And what it means to have your face slapped!”

When she finished, Gui mama pulled up her sleeves, preparing to slap Han Yunxi’s cheeks. She immediately backed away. Grand Concubine Yi was being completely unreasonable. There was no way to make her case clear. As she retreated, she made preparations against Gui mama, speaking coldly. “Mufei, these events were settled by the Duke of Qin. If mufei thinks we’ve still lost face, then you can go look for him.”

Gui mama was shocked and dared not advance, but Grand Concubine Yi suddenly slammed the table with her palms as she leapt up in incomprehension. “Han Yunxi, you dare to use the Duke of Qin to threaten me?”

“Chenqie is only speaking the truth. Chenqie will say it once more, this time we didn’t lose face. The Duke of Qin handed the judicial officer over to the Ministry of Appointments to handle things and had Princess Changping apologize to chenqie in front of everyone. Just then, the young general came in person to give his thanks. If mother doesn’t believe it, you can ask for details from the general’s estate! Moreover, for the Duke of Qin to appear means telling the empress dowager and everyone else that no one can bully you with your son here!”

Although she knew it was useless to argue, Han Yunxi couldn’t help but try. Since the Grand Concubine Yi was so preoccupied with appearances, the problem could only be dissolved by setting one’s hand to this point. To these words, Grand Concubine Yi didn’t reply immediately, but paused to think. But then Murong Wanru spoke again.

“Mufei, I heard this whole business was because Princess Changping complained to the empress dowager. In any case, sister-in-law is the Duke of Qin’s official wife so Princess Changping should’ve called her imperial aunt on behalf of his face. Just look at this princess, she doesn’t hold the Duke of Qin in esteem at all. Of course it’s natural for the Duke of Qin to penalize her.”

“That impudent, uncultured, little brat of a girl!” Grand Concubine Yi grew enraged again, giving Han Yunxi an impatient look. “Isn’t this all because of you? Disgraceful thing, even the younger generation can climb on top of your head and behave so atrociously. If you’re not useless trash, then what are you? What use do you have? Why did you even come back instead of dying in that prison and wiping you from my sight?”

Han Yunxi was speechless. Trying to speak reason with Grand Concubine Yi was like playing qin to a cow. She couldn’t understand it. The grand imperial concubine didn’t give her any more chances to dispute, but angrily rebuked Gui mama.

“What are you waiting for? Hit her! Hit her ruthlessly! Even if the Duke of Qin comes back today, nothing will protect her!”

Gui mama rushed forward, but Han Yunxi pushed her aside. “You’re all unreasonable!”

Seeing this, Grand Concubine Yi was astonished. “You dare to make a move?”

“Mufei, you made the move first. I just wanted to explain things to you,” Han Yunxi didn’t show the slightest trace of fear.

“You! You!” Grand Concubine Yi was crazy with rage. She’d never met someone who dared to be so impudent in her presence before. “Someone! Someone come, take this slut and lock her in the woodhouse of the back courtyard! Immediately!”

The guards quickly rushed forward to detain Han Yunxi. This time, she couldn’t push them back. Of course, she didn’t struggle or beg for forgiveness, but remained cool and chilly as the guards led her out. From the day she stepped into the Duke of Qin’s house, she knew that Grand Concubine Yi would eventually make her move. If she wanted to survive in this house, she had to have self-confidence! Seeing her expression, the irate Grand Concubine Yi couldn’t help but stand up and take two steps forward, completely incredulous. “What kind of thing is she? Who does she think she’s looking at? The little slut, did she think marrying into this house meant she could fly on a branch and turn into a phoenix? Tell her, even if there’s a spot of red on that handkerchief, I can still sort her out!”

Murong Wanru followed afterwards, saying in a timid tone, “Mufei, this thing was my…”

“Didn’t I tell you I was at one of my other courtyards? Why couldn’t you find me?” Grand Concubine Yi was in a foul mood, enough to blame even her favored Murong Wanru.

“Daughter knows she’s done wrong. Mufei don’t be mad, will you? If you make yourself ill, and that won’t be good at all,” Murong Wanru carried over some tea, looking both clever and considerate.

Grand Concubine Yi drank a few cups of tea before calming down. “I don’t blame you. She was imprisoned so we’ve long lost face!” Sitting down, she thought for a bit before asking, “It couldn’t be that her medical skills are even better than Divine Doctor Han’s?”

“I heard that Imperial Physician Gu was treating the patient with her. I don’t know how she got all the credit. Mufei, I think the general’s estate and Imperial Physician Gu were thinking on your behalf,” Murong Wanru really knew how to pick the right time to say the most perfect words.

Grand Concubine Yi gave a cold smile. “Even they wouldn’t dare to forgo this one’s face.”

Seeing that the grand imperial concubine’s mood had settled, Murong Wanru probingly asked, “Mufei, elder brother stepped in for this situation to bring the person home. Now that we’ve locked sister-in-law up, if elder brother he…”

Before she could finish, Grand Concubine Yi grew huffy. “So what? She dared raise her hand against me. If I don’t punish her this time, I’ll be the one she’s pushing around next time! Would the Duke of Qin insist on protecting her? If he tries, I’ll punish him as well! Send orders that no one’s allowed to release Han Yunxi without my say!”