Lady Yuan was initially startled by the commotion, but as the household matron for many years, she quickly regained her composure.
She saw her favorite vase knocked from the table by a tal ladle, shattering on the ground into several pieces.
At that mont, her heart nearly broke.
She furiously commanded the maids and servants nearby: "Are you all dead? Hurry up and stop them!"
anwhile, she shouted outside: "Are the people outside all dead? How could you casually let soone in? Even if it’s the County Magistrate’s mother-in-law, she can’t just barge in like this! This is an outrage—"
Originally, Lady Yuan and the Yuan Family’s Eldest Daughter were discussing matters of dowry, with only a trusted maid and servant by their side.
How could they possibly be a match for Old Granny Zhang’s group of maids and servants?
Not to ntion, those maids and servants had weapons in their hands, and it seed that not only would they smash things, but if impeded, they might just smash the people obstructing them as well.
It was evident that the trusted maid was the most reliable; with the master watching from behind, she reluctantly stepped forward. As she stretched out her hand and before she could speak, she was struck on the elbow with a stick, feeling a sharp pain and numbness, almost dying on the spot.
The remaining maid was clever, recognizing the unfavorable situation, and instead of stepping forward, she retreated a step, shouting that she was protecting Madam and stood in front of Lady Yuan.
Suddenly, there were crashes and chaos inside, while outside the commotion reached a fever pitch.
The servants of the Yuan Family naturally heard Lady Yuan’s cries and wanted to enter, but there were about a dozen aristocratic ladies standing in the courtyard, all reputable figures.
Especially among them, soone recognized that lady, who was the Magistrate’s lady.
The Magistrate’s lady stood at the doorway like a fierce tiger blocking the path, intimidating all who dared approach.
With piercing screams inside and the crashing sounds of objects hitting the ground, the servants of the Yuan Family looked pale, stuck in the courtyard unable to advance or retreat.
Even the various aristocratic ladies watching from the sidelines cautiously stood aside, not daring to breathe loudly.
Only after a long ti did the sound of smashing slowly subside, allowing everyone to dare breathe a sigh of relief.
The sigh was hardly over when a powerful voice rang out: "Everyone listen up, has the smashing finished? If so, go to the back courtyard and bring that concubine of Second Young Master Yuan to ! I want to see which shaless wretch fabricates lies, gossiping behind my daughter’s back!"
"Once found, bring her to ! Your Yuan Family has no discipline, unable to educate your servants, so today I’ll do it for you!"
On these words, Lady Yuan’s voice, filled with extre anger, retaliated: "Even if you’re Lord Song’s mother-in-law, you can’t be so unreasonable! Charging into my house during broad daylight to smash my courtyard! This is outrageous! Our master and Lord Song are colleagues, what are you trying to do? Do you want to tear this relationship apart?"
"Tomorrow, I’m going to the County Yan with the master to sound the drums and file a grievance! Lord Song is allowing his family to persecute his colleague’s family, is there any king’s law left—"
"Slap—" A loud slap abruptly ended Lady Yuan’s impassioned speech.
"Ugh! Don’t try to pull this nonsense with ! Who was excessive first? Since your Yuan Family dared to let your son’s concubine slander my daughter, don’t bla for coming to settle accounts! And filing a grievance? If you dare, I’ll publicly ask in front of the whole county, who gave you the courage to defa the County Magistrate’s Lady? If you dare act on the first day of the lunar month, I’ll retaliate on the fifteenth!"
"I’ve laid down the law here today! If you have the audacity to stir trouble, indulge your family in spreading rumors and gossip, don’t bla for taking action! Not even the Heavenly King intimidates !"
"Today will teach you all a lesson: keep your tongue in check, else don’t bla for cutting it with scissors if it gets too long!"
...
Those listening outside held their breath. Hearing these words, they involuntarily shivered.
The slightly braver ones secretly glanced at Wang Yongzhu to see what expression this County Magistrate’s Lady had.
They only saw Wang Yongzhu slightly smiling with the sa genial deanor as when she entertained them in the County Yan’s back courtyard.
However, for so reason, the officials’ wives and servants couldn’t help but feel a chill and retreat a couple of steps.
Old Granny Zhang erged from the inner rooms, followed closely by her maids and servants.
When Wang Yongzhu saw her, she hurriedly assisted Old Granny Zhang, glancing around. The three main rooms where Lady Yuan resided had been smashed to the point that one couldn’t step inside.
Yet the adjacent side room remained intact, so she smiled gently and said, "Today’s events require everyone’s company for a while longer. It’s cold outside; why don’t we sit inside the side room and wait?"
With that, she gestured Old Granny Wu to push the door open.
The Yuan Family servants dared not make a sound; the spectacle they had witnessed earlier frightened them beyond belief. Who dared counter at this point?
Consequently, Wang Yongzhu appeared to have beco the master of the Yuan household.
As the side room door opened, the stove inside was stoked and warm, seemingly where Yuan Majian’s concubine resided.
Opening the door revealed a young woman, her face panic-stricken, huddled in a corner not daring to utter a word.
Wang Yongzhu ignored her and helped Old Granny Zhang into the room, settling down in the primary seat, then said: "Alright, didn’t you hear the old lady’s directive? Go bring the favored concubine of Second Young Master Yuan here—"
The maids and servants, having enjoyed a satisfying smashing earlier, felt invigorated.
Especially since they had leveled the household of respected officials whom they usually held in high regard, the act brought them a hidden sense of pleasure.
Upon hearing Wang Yongzhu’s instructions, they imdiately agreed without hesitation, preparing to head to the back courtyard.
Lady Qu gritted her teeth, stepped forward: "Madam, your people may not be familiar with the Yuan Family, to avoid going to the wrong place. My maid is familiar with the Yuan Family and can guide your people."
Her actions weren’t unfounded; she realized that today, with Wang Yongzhu’s stance, was clearly going for a public confrontation.
The Yuan Family might not realize it yet, but soon they would find out that she was the one who conveyed ssages to the County Magistrate’s Lady.
Especially since today they were summoned here and witnessed the Yuan Family being humiliated by the County Magistrate’s Lady.
The Yuan Family, having lost face so publicly, would surely bear grudges, and she had already thoroughly offended them.
Rather than half-heartedly committing, why not side more decisively and openly with Lord Song?
After all, her husband worked under Lord Song, and from the hints he occasionally offered, Lord Song, although young, was quite competent, reportedly with influential background, rely accumulating experience for two years before receiving a promotion.
Why not pledge loyalty early, perhaps earning Lord Song’s appreciation, securing future prospects for her several sons?
Moreover, given today’s circumstances, it seed the County Magistrate’s Lady had this intention as well, wishing to witness the spectacle without putting herself in an awkward position.
Previously she considered the County Magistrate’s Lady gentle in temperant; now revealed to be formidable indeed!
Being formidable is good! The more formidable, the more secure they feel!
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