Changning was too lazy to pay attention to this idiot whose face was practically screaming "nitpicking." She shifted her position slightly; sitting for a long time while pregnant was indeed tiring.
Li Si'er, however, was relentless. She seemed to have no scruples and spoke without restraint. She loved to belittle women of high status and felt immense pleasure when they had to bow down and fawn over her because of her favor and the power of the Duke of Cheng'en.
What kind of noblewoman?
What prestigious family?
Wouldn't they all have to kneel at Li Si'er's feet?
Su Jia's eldest sister-in-law was somewhat uneasy. She really hadn't expected Li Si'er to come to the door, nor had she expected Chang Ning to come.
You know, before, she couldn't have persuaded either of those two powerful figures! If she could just get one of them to come, she would be overjoyed!
Who knew that they would both come at the same time today? Two tigers cannot share one mountain; neither of them is willing to suffer a loss, which made her sweat almost drip down her back.
"Madam Li, why don't we go to the front hall to watch a play? We've just hired a new opera troupe today."
Li Si'er completely ignored her and didn't take her seriously. He had come here for Changning.
She did it to get revenge for that post.
This is the first time someone has rejected her post!
Seeing Changning's nonchalant attitude and complete disregard for her, Li Si'er gritted her teeth and sneered, "What, is Consort Chun so noble that she doesn't even acknowledge her aunt anymore?"
"Aunt?" Changning raised an eyebrow and turned to ask her second sister-in-law, "Second sister-in-law, is our aunt here? Didn't we just offer incense to her the other day? Did we not burn enough paper money?"
Everyone was startled, then realized that Chun Fujin's maternal uncle's family was the Suochuoluo clan, and his wife had indeed passed away two years ago, but the man was so devoted that he had never remarried.
This time, there's going to be a good show.
Li Si'er took the initiative to make trouble, showing no respect to Chun Fujin and even trying to use her seniority to suppress her. But now that Chun Fujin's real aunt is gone, how dare you still try to take advantage of the dead?
Li Si'er's face turned pale and then red. She had never suffered such a humiliation before. Her tone was somewhat sharp: "What? Does Longkodo not deserve to be called the Fourth Prince's concubine's uncle? And I don't deserve to be called her aunt?"
Changning raised her eyes, as if she had just noticed someone there, gave her a proper look, sized her up, and sneered, "Who are you?"
"I..." Li Si'er suppressed her anger and uttered a few words through gritted teeth.
“I am Longkodo’s wife.”
"Nonsense! Guards, throw this charlatan out of here! What kind of Tom, Dick, or Harry can just wave around the name of the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion? Longkodo's wife is clearly from the Hesheli clan, who do you think you are? Trying to fool me?"
Changning immediately raised his eyebrows and shouted sternly. Several servants beside him wanted to obey and step forward to drag Li Si'er out.
Li Si'er became agitated instead, shaking off the servant's hand and cursing, "You blind fool! What a wretched woman Hesheli is! I am Longkodo's rightful wife! If you don't believe me, go ask him!"
Changning immediately threw the teacup in her hand away with a loud "crack!" and the room fell silent.
Li Si'er also stopped her tantrum.
"The Hesheli clan is a coward? You'd better watch your words." Changning's tone was low and gloomy, yet it sent a chill down one's spine.
"You should know that the current Crown Prince's maternal family is the Heseri clan! Empress Xiaochengren is from the Heseri clan! How many heads do you have to dare to slander the entire Heseri clan? You have no respect for the Crown Prince, no regard for the Emperor, and no sense of hierarchy. I bet you, Li Si'er, and your entire clan is itching for a fight. Are you going to scratch your neck with a cleaver?"
Upon hearing Changning's words, who among those present was not afraid?
Such a high compliment is enough to make anyone suffer, if not die. They all secretly cursed Li Si for being so arrogant.
Li Si'er panicked a little, but still held her nerve and retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? Where did I slander the Crown Prince and Empress Xiaochengren? Nor did I mean to be disrespectful to the superiors and inferiors. This Hesheli clan is not the same as the Crown Prince's maternal family!"
Changning rolled her eyes. I don't care if you're the one who's being arrogant. Anyway, I've already flattered you. If you keep acting so arrogantly, I'll wipe out your entire family.
"Everyone here is a witness. The words you spoke so confidently and aggressively just now are surely unforgettable. I think I should go see the Emperor myself." Changning's few words, spoken so casually, made everyone's legs go weak.
Good heavens, what kind of trouble have they gotten themselves into?
Although Li Si'er was somewhat flustered, she remained unrepentant. She was merely a concubine; how could she possibly have the opportunity to see the Emperor? Moreover, even if she could see the Emperor, Longkodo would not.
Longkodo was the emperor's cousin and brother-in-law!
Seeing her eyes darting around, Changning knew she was up to no good, and asked leisurely, "Do you know why everyone calls me Chun Fujin?"
Li Si'er looked up at her and saw her sitting upright in the seat of honor, calm and composed, exuding an air that Li Si'er could never imitate.
One of the ladies chimed in, "That's because the Emperor was seriously ill, and Chunfu's third brother was loyal and courageous. He offered medicine in times of crisis and saved the Emperor, which is why he won glory for the whole family."
Upon hearing this, Li Si'er suddenly understood. She was trying to tell him that compared to a high-ranking official who had saved his life, what was his brother-in-law's woman?
This was the first time she had ever considered backing down. She was used to being arrogant because she had Longkodo's backing, and since no one dared to give her face, she became more and more courageous. She would go to the door of any family to show off her power and manipulate the noble ladies present. This was the first time she had ever thought of backing down.
But she hesitated to open her mouth to apologize.
Changning wasn't going to indulge her and didn't bother giving her time. Rubbing her lower back, she turned to her second sister-in-law and said, "Second sister-in-law, I'm not feeling well, so I'll head back first. I have to go to the palace this afternoon."
Upon hearing this, Li Si'er's instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm finally awakened.
She was originally a lowly dancer, and after being pampered for a few days, she became unruly, but she still remembered how to be obsequious.
Then Changning saw her slightly adjust the gold hairpin in her hair, her face full of smiles: "Princess Chun, you are of noble birth and of high status, how can you concern yourself with such a trivial matter? Why don't I go back and organize the gift list?"
Changning almost laughed. This was blatant bribery, wasn't it? No wonder she was heard to be using the name of the Duke of Chengen to extort money everywhere. When people came to her door to offer bribes, she accepted them all. She even interfered in matters of the court, and Longkodo let her have her way.
How could Changning possibly covet her meager possessions? She reeked of nouveau riche, and the gold was so dazzling that she would get dizzy just looking at it.
"You should go back. There's no need for the gift list. We Fucha family members aren't that short-sighted."
Li Si'er didn't get angry when she was rebuked like that. After all, she was a dancer and her emotions changed very quickly.
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