Chapter 23 You can back out, I won't.
Wang Zhangshi was stunned by the blow and it took her a while to react. She struggled to her feet, and her maid, who was equally frightened, rushed to help her up.
She had just been hit, and the old woman next to her didn't react at all, but now she suddenly remembered to help her up?
Wang Zhangshi slapped the old woman several times across the face, yelling, "Useless thing!"
The old woman didn't dare to argue. Who would have thought that Madam Min, who had always been tolerant of her mistress, would suddenly order someone to attack?
After venting her anger, Wang Zhangshi pointed fiercely at Min Qiaoshi, asking incredulously, "You dare to hit me? You actually dare to hit me?" Her tone was full of anger and shock.
"So what if I hit you?" Madam Min Qiao said disdainfully, "What is my status and what is your status? Just based on what you said to me, you deserved to be hit."
"Qiao Qiuniang, what kind of person are you? How dare you hit me?" Although Wang Zhangshi's background wasn't necessarily that noble, she was still from an official's family. That was much more prestigious than Min Qiaoshi's, who came from a merchant's family.
"You shameless woman! Back then, you were nothing more than a lowly merchant girl under the protection of our Wang family! Even after entering the Marquis's mansion, you were nothing more than a concubine groveling before my sister-in-law! Now that you've gained power, you've forgotten who your master is?"
"My poor sister-in-law died too young, and this slut got the power and started bullying my Wang family!"
"Everyone, please be the judge!"
Madam Min scoffed, "I only realized today that Zhang Yiren is no different from a shrew from the streets. And you want everyone to judge?"
"Hmph! I am the First Rank Lady, bestowed by the late Emperor! You are merely a Fifth Rank Lady! You think you can reason with me?"
"Besides, wasn't it you who insulted me first in this matter?"
"How about we go and have a word with Her Majesty the Empress?"
By this time, a large crowd had gathered at the entrance of the Prince of Chang'an's residence. Despite the freezing weather, everyone seemed unfazed and huddled together to watch the spectacle. Yet, no one dared to enter the residence.
Some people who arrived later and didn't know what had happened asked what was going on. Those who knew the details explained the situation simply.
Ultimately, it's because Wang Zhangshi is used to bullying Min Qiaoshi, and today, upon meeting her, she immediately tried to sow discord. Unexpectedly, Min Qiaoshi changed her tune and decided she wouldn't tolerate it anymore. And that's how the two sides started arguing.
Seeing that the matter was escalating, someone had already gone into the mansion to inform the master of the household.
Hearing Min Qiao's words and looking at the crowd around her, Wang Zhang felt a little uneasy.
A casual glance reveals several wives of officials of the second or third rank in the crowd, including even the matriarch of the Duke of Jin's mansion.
Thinking of the past conflict between Madam Zheng and Madam Min, Madam Wang's eyes lit up, and she wanted to step forward and ask her to intervene and uphold justice.
Seeing this, Madam Yang, the wife of the Minister of Rites, frowned, fearing that Madam Zheng would really step in to help Madam Wang Zhang deal with Madam Min Qiao.
It was common knowledge that Madam Zheng and Madam Min were at odds.
If she gets involved, will this matter end easily?
So, Madam Yang stepped forward to mediate, saying, "Madam Qiao, Madam Zhang, as the saying goes, it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. Your two families are related by marriage, so why make things so ugly?"
"Besides, today is the old princess's birthday, and you don't want to upset the host, do you?"
"How about I act as a peacemaker, and we all compromise to make this a small matter and avoid further conflict? What do you think?"
Madam Wang didn't want to make a scene anymore, but she was the one who had just suffered a loss, so she was naturally furious. She immediately said angrily, "Madam, I know what you said makes sense. Your Minister is my husband's superior. Since you've intervened, I should give you face and let it go."
"But I'm really wronged! I was in the wrong first, so it's only right that I apologize to the Qiao family. But look at my face, am I supposed to have taken this beating for nothing?"
"You be the judge, I only said a few sarcastic things to the Qiao family, and she had me beaten in public! Although I am of lowly status, I am still an official's wife, right?"
"Now, two little maids dare to hit me. If this continues, will the servants of those with higher official ranks dare to attack those with lower ranks? If this goes on, will there be any laws or rules left in our Great Yan Dynasty?"
Wang Zhangshi's words clearly indicated that she did not want to take on this matter lightly.
Madam Yang was displeased, but she still patiently asked, "Then what do you want?"
At this point, Wang Zhangshi didn't dare to go too far; her goal was to save face.
Therefore, she said cautiously, "The Qiao family is of high status, so naturally I wouldn't dare to do anything to her. But those two maids beside her dared to hit me before. I have to make them suffer a bit to vent my anger."
"What do you intend to do?" Madam Yang asked, frowning.
“They slapped me twice before, which wasn’t excessive, so let’s reward them with four slaps each.” Madam Wang looked at Madam Yang. “What do you say, Madam?”
Madam Yang nodded slightly; it wasn't excessive. She then turned to Madam Min Qiao, "Madam Qiao, what is your opinion?"
With a forced smile, Madam Min Qiao asked, "What do you mean? What is Madam Yang saying?"
Madam Yang frowned slightly. "What I mean is, taking a step back will open up a whole new world. Since Zhang Yiren has already agreed to apologize to you, then you should also have your two little girls who hit you come out and be punished, and that will settle this matter."
Upon hearing Yang's words, some in the crowd nodded, some frowned, and some were indignant; everyone had a different attitude.
However, everyone felt that Madam Min Qiao would most likely accept Madam Yang's suggestion. After all, Madam Yang was the wife of the Minister of Rites, and was known for her reasonableness. If she thought the suggestion was acceptable, Madam Min Qiao wouldn't have much objection either. Moreover, Madam Min Qiao was always a tolerant and modest person who preferred to avoid trouble.
However, to everyone's surprise, Madam Min Qiao sneered and said sarcastically, "You say taking a step back will open up a whole new world? Oh, then you take your step back, I won't. After all, I am a first-rank Grand Madam, and you, Madam Yang, are just a second-rank Lady of the Imperial Decree. Do you dare ask me to take my step back?"
Upon hearing this, everyone present gasped again.
That's incredibly bold of them!
While this is true, it's hard to say whether a powerful second-rank minister or a powerless first-rank marquis is more prestigious.
However, the Xuanping Marquis's mansion has risen in recent years and is no longer a powerless and impoverished mansion!
Of course, the uproar over the broken engagement is not over yet.
Whether the Marquis of Xuanping's residence will be affected, and whether the Emperor will continue to rely on it in the future, remains to be seen.
Therefore, no matter what, it was the wisest choice for Madam Min to follow Madam Yang's lead.
Yang was furious at these words, but considering her status, she didn't want to argue with Min Qiao in public. So, with a dark face, she said coldly, "Fine, fine, you're of high rank, you're noble. I'm not fit to be a peacemaker. I'm the one who's meddling! I won't get in your way and Zhang's quarrel!"
With that, he flicked his sleeve and was about to leave the crowd.
Seeing this, everyone quickly made way for her.
Just then, a large group of people came out of the Prince's mansion.
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