Chapter 352 — Sharp
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 2 of 4
Dou Yan sneered and said to the Third Madam, "To raise a daughter without teaching her is the mother's fault. Then let me teach her a lesson on your behalf." She then instructed Sulan, "Throw the eldest young miss into the firewood shed and lock her up. When she understands what she has done wrong, then let her out."
The Third Madam's brows bristled with fury. Clutching Song Jin, whose wails grew ever louder, she shouted at Dou Yan, "You dare!"
Dou Chi kept silent.
Sulan stepped forward and made to grab Song Jin.
Several of the Third Madam's maids rushed forward to block Sulan.
Sulan threw a punch left and a kick right, and in a few moves knocked the maids to the ground, where they lay clutching their waists and bellies, moaning without cease.
Only then did everyone in the room sense that something was wrong—a young girl in the prime of her youth, with such strength, was clearly a trained fighter.
Only then did the Third Madam take fright. Clutching Song Jin, she let out a shrill scream.
Song Jin, meanwhile, was frightened witless. Tears hung on her face as she stared blankly at Sulan.
Song Cen could bear it no longer. He slammed the table so hard it clanged: "Mutiny, mutiny! Do you even see me as the Ducal Lord?!"
A dead silence fell over the room.
If they saw you as the Ducal Lord, would they dare quarrel with their elders at the Little New Year's reunion dinner?
Dou Yan thought this to herself and shot Sulan a glance.
Sulan silently withdrew behind Dou Zhiwei.
Song Cen pointed at Dou Yan and roared, "If you dare stir up trouble again, I'll have Song Yan divorce you!"
Dou Yan's face was like a flower as she said, "Father-in-law, do not try to frighten me. I am not some poor girl from a humble household with no one to back her. If you want to divorce me, you must have a reason—because I complained that the open hall had no underfloor heating, you would have your son divorce me? Even if this case were brought before the Emperor, I fear you would be the one in the wrong." As she spoke, she called loudly for "Ruozhu," "Go at once to the Longhua Temple Alley and report: because I said one sentence—'the open hall is too cold'—the Heir's cousin jumped out to teach me a lesson, and after I taught her a few words in return, the Ducal Lord wants to force the Heir to divorce his wife on the charge of 'stirring up trouble.' I am not so shameless that after being roared at with 'Get out!' by my father-in-law, I could still stay in the Yingzhen Ducal Manor as though nothing had happened. Have them come inventory my dowry and take me home."
Ruotong wiped her tears and answered "Yes," then lifting her skirts, ran outside.
Song Cen was so furious he nearly fell backward.
Whether what Dou Yan said was true or false, if she really summoned the Dou family, then during this great New Year season, the Yingzhen Ducal Manor would become the laughingstock of all the capital.
He aimed a kick at Zeng Wu and said, "Go bring her back at once!"
Zeng Wu gave a startled "Oh," came to his senses, and ran out in pursuit—though inwardly he thought: The Heir's wife is truly formidable! Beating and scolding, her words like blades, she has actually cowed the Ducal Lord. In the future, when encountering the Heir's wife, it would be best to speak as little as possible.
Mindful of the separation between men and women, he quickly caught up with Ruotong and stopped her on the covered walkway, urging, "Miss Ruotong, why must you do this? The Heir's wife and the Ducal Lord are at odds—we servants ought to reconcile them, not add fuel to the fire. Go back inside quickly! If this reaches the Heming Temple Alley, no one will have any face left." He then called to the young servants who had followed him, "Quick, escort Sister Ruotong back to the open hall."
Ruotong had no choice but to "reluctantly" return to the open hall.
Song Cen had lost utterly.
His heart was consumed with rage!
Dou Yan had no intention of letting matters rest there.