Chapter 3 Verbal Threats

Chapter Three: Verbal Threats

With her aunt's birthday approaching, Shen Tang invited Wang Xi out shopping today to pick out a suitable gift.

Wang Xi was the daughter of the General of the Flying Banner Army, and she had been with her father at the border since childhood.

She has a carefree and boisterous personality, and her manners are rough and unladylike. She doesn't have a good reputation in the capital.

They met by chance at a party, and finding they shared similar interests, they quickly became friends.

They were thus hailed as the two most talented women in the capital, except that this one was the "talented" one who was actually a "foolish genius".

The two agreed to meet at the Linlang Pavilion.

Linlang Pavilion is the premier jewelry shop in the capital. Not only does it offer a wide variety of jewelry, but its craftsmanship is also exquisite, and the designs are incredibly beautiful. It is the top choice for noble ladies in the capital.

Wang Xi wasn't particularly interested in jewelry or cosmetics, but she was drawn to a dagger. The dagger was small and had a sharp blade, making it a good choice for self-defense.

Seeing that Wang Xi was engrossed in watching, Shen Tang also lowered her head and focused on picking.

At first glance, she spotted a hairpin adorned with a begonia flower, and Shen Tang picked it up to examine it closely.

The velvet flowers were made of the finest silk thread and had a bright, vibrant color.

The tassels are made of polished gold and are adorned with three pearls at the ends. The pearls are lustrous and full, radiating a warm glow.

Shen Tang liked it more and more as she looked at it, and asked the servant next to her, "How much is this one?"

Upon hearing this, the servant hurriedly said enthusiastically, "Miss has excellent taste. This hairpin was personally designed by our manager and only costs one hundred and fifty taels of silver."

Upon hearing this, Shen Tang gasped. It was truly easy to make money off the noble ladies of the capital.

Such a small hairpin cost more than a hundred taels of silver, an amount that would be enough for an ordinary family of several people to live on for a year.

Shen Tang didn't bring enough money today, and was really short of cash. She sighed and reluctantly put down the hairpin.

Just as I was about to look at the others, I suddenly heard some familiar voices coming from the doorway.

"If you can't afford it, don't come in. Linlang Pavilion has fallen on hard times; now just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come in." The person who came in was arrogant and his tone was full of disdain.

Shen Tang looked up and saw Chen Ying.

She and Chen Ying had always been at odds. She lost a bet with Chen Ying at a party, causing Chen Ying to lose face among the noble ladies of the capital.

He hated her and would target her with sarcastic remarks every time they met.

I never expected to run into him while just going out for a stroll today. What a small world!

Shen Tang didn't want to pay attention to her, as it would ruin her good mood, so she turned her head to continue looking at the jewelry.

Seeing that Shen Tang ignored her, Chen Ying frowned and spoke even more harshly: "Shen Tang, I'm talking to you, are you deaf and can't you hear me?"

Chen Tang turned around with a hint of helplessness: "Miss Chen, is there something you need?"

“I said if you can’t afford it, don’t go shopping. Do you think Linlang Pavilion is a vegetable market?”

Shen Tang retorted expressionlessly, "But I don't remember that Linlang Pavilion ever said there was a rule that you can't browse if you don't buy anything. Miss Chen, aren't you being a bit too nosy?"

"How come this Linlang Pavilion is owned by Miss Chen?"

"Of course it wasn't her who opened it," Chen Ying said, momentarily speechless. Unwilling to be outdone, she made a veiled remark: "I just wanted to remind Miss Chen that the most important thing is to have self-awareness."

"Don't touch things you can't afford, and don't covet people you're not good enough for. What do you think, Miss Shen?"

Although Shen Tang wasn't very bright when it came to studying, she could still tell that this was a roundabout way of saying that she was overestimating herself and pestering Meng Huaiyan.

Shen Tang was tired of hearing these remarks; they were all the same old clichés and had no effect on her whatsoever. "Miss Chen, this is my business, so please don't bother with it."

Chen Ying felt like she had punched cotton, and was somewhat annoyed: "Your aunt used her seductive tricks to climb up to the Duke's mansion, and now you're following suit."

"What? Is the Shen family's upbringing all about teaching people how to marry into high-ranking families and curry favor with the powerful?"

Shen Tang never expected that she would be involved with her aunt. She didn't care what others said about her.

But she would never allow anyone to humiliate her aunt so wantonly.

Shen Tang's face darkened, and her tone turned icy: "What did you say?! You dare say it again!"

Seeing that she had successfully hit Shen Tang's sore spot, Chen Ying was secretly delighted and retorted without backing down, "What's wrong with saying it again? I said your aunt relies on seduction..."

*Smack!*

Before Chen Ying could finish speaking, a sharp "slap" rang out, and a slap landed hard on her face.

The slap came so suddenly that Chen Ying didn't react for a moment. She was stunned and stood there blankly.

Her maid was also stunned by the scene. After a moment of shock, she hurriedly came to her senses and rushed forward to support Chen Ying, asking with concern, "Miss! Are you alright?!"

Chen Ying finally came to her senses, shoved the maid away, glared at Shen Tang, her face full of shock, anger and disbelief: "You...you actually dared to hit me!"

No one had ever dared to slap her before, and Chen Ying was furious.

He raised his hand to slap her back, but Wang Xi, who had heard the commotion and rushed over, grabbed his wrist tightly.

Seeing this, Chen Ying was even angrier and struggled desperately, but she couldn't break free for a while.

How can this woman be so strong? She's just like Shen Tang, an uncultured barbarian!

Seeing that Chen Ying was restrained, Shen Tang shook his still numb hand, slowly leaned forward, stared intently into her eyes, his gaze frosty: "Why wouldn't I dare?"

Shen Tang's gaze was so cold that Chen Ying felt a chill run down her spine and was inexplicably afraid. She threatened, "Your father is just a minor official, while my father is a fourth-rank official."

"You dare hit me today? Aren't you afraid I'll tell my father and impeach him?!"

Anyone can bully others by taking advantage of their power.

Shen Tang raised her chin slightly, put her hands on her hips, and looked arrogant: "My father's official position is indeed not high, but if I remember correctly, my uncle is a third-rank official."

“In terms of official rank, my uncle is one rank higher than your father.”

“You insulted his wife in public. At the very least, you don’t respect my uncle. At worst, you don’t respect the entire Meng family.”

"Tell me, if the Meng family knew what happened today, would it be your father who wouldn't let me off the hook, or the entire Meng family who wouldn't let your father off the hook?"

Shen Tang spoke slowly and deliberately, but the threat in his words was quite serious.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ying felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, calming her furious mind considerably. In her moment of rage, she had only wanted to vent her anger, forgetting the Meng family behind Shen Tang.

The Meng family is now at the height of its power, and most of the people in the court are disciples of the Meng family, following their lead without question.

Not to mention she wouldn't dare offend the Meng family, even if her father came, she would have to bow and scrape to them.

Today, she actually offended the Meng family openly just to save face.

Chen Ying felt she had caused trouble and was somewhat scared, but she couldn't swallow her pride and apologize to Shen Tang.

A lowly country bumpkin, whose ancestral graves were blessed with good fortune, climbed up to the Meng family and even dared to climb over her head!

Seeing that she was scared, Shen Tang coldly said, "Apologize to my aunt!"

Seeing this, Wang Xi gripped Chen Ying's arm tightly, a gesture that was both threatening and warning: "Apologize."

Chen Ying's arm was pinched and felt a dull pain, her face contorted in pain. She had never been treated like this since birth!

Humiliation, anger, and resentment welled up in Chen Ying's heart, and she wished she could tear the two men to pieces.

But when she thought of the Meng family, she hesitated and mumbled several times, unable to bring herself to say the words "I'm sorry"!

The atmosphere became tense for a moment, and someone in the crowd shouted "Prince Meng".

Shen Tang looked back, and Wang Xi subconsciously loosened her grip.

Chen Ying pretended to break free and quickly tidied her clothes and appearance.

She immediately adopted a dignified, gentle, and considerate demeanor towards Meng Huaiyan, and said in a soft and sweet voice, "Young Master Meng."

Wow, awesome!

Shen Tang and Wang Xi exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes filled with amazement at Chen Ying's superb acting skills.

If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, Shen Tang would have applauded in admiration. When it comes to changing one's expression, Chen Ying is second to none.

Meng Huaiyan nodded to Chen Ying in return, and asked calmly, "What happened?"

These words were directed at Shen Tang.

Just as she was about to answer, Chen Ying quickly interrupted her, afraid that she would say something detrimental to her, and said with a forced smile, "Young Master Meng, it's just some minor squabbles among young ladies, nothing serious."

After saying that, he gave Shen Tang a veiled warning look.

"..." Shen Tang was quite speechless. Wasn't he so arrogant just now? Now he's scared.

"Oh, really?" Meng Huaiyan said softly, looking at Chen Ying with a questioning gaze.

Meng Huaiyan's eyes were calm as still water. Although he was not angry, he exuded the pressure of a superior.

No matter how arrogant and domineering Chen Ying was, she was still a young lady from a respectable family, and she couldn't withstand such questioning.

The smile on her face was almost impossible to maintain, but she couldn't not answer, so she had to bite the bullet and say, "Yes...yes."

Meng Huaiyan looked down at Chen Ying without saying a word. The people around him were intimidated by his aura and dared not speak. Their breathing became cautious.

The previously noisy environment instantly fell silent; the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Chen Ying, who was being questioned, was extremely anxious. She felt like she was suffocating if she stayed any longer. Meng Huaiyan's interrogation was too terrifying, and she wanted to escape.

“Ms. Chen, please be careful with your words in the future. I don’t want to hear any more remarks that would insult the Meng family.”

Meng Huaiyan's tone was calm, but it contained a hidden warning.

Chen Ying's face turned pale, and she stammered, "I...I understand."

Seeing that Meng Huaiyan had no intention of pursuing the matter, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I...I suddenly remembered I have something to do at home, so I'll have to go now. Goodbye."

After Chen Ying finished speaking, without waiting for Meng Huaiyan's reply, she quickly fled with her two maids.

After this commotion, Shen Tang lost all interest in shopping.

He bowed slightly to Meng Huaiyan and then took his leave.

Shen Tang pulled Wang Xi and walked outside.

Meng Huaiyan called out to her as they passed each other: "Miss Chen."