When the Empress was born, the whole country rejoiced, and the main streets of the capital were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.
In the Marquis of Wei's residence, two large red lanterns glowed brightly.
Ji Xiaoxiao, trailing her long skirt, headed towards the carriage at the door.
Granny Zhang was a step ahead of Ji Xiaoxiao, and reached out to lift the curtain of the carriage first.
"Madam!" Upon seeing this, Steward Zhao of the Jian family jumped slightly, his heart pounding with fear.
Ji Xiaoxiao turned her head to look, "What is it?"
Steward Zhao was sweating profusely, yet he remained audacious, saying, "Madam, this carriage is prepared for the Marquis." The implication was that a woman like you had no right to use it.
Ji Xiaoxiao coldly stared at Butler Zhao, raised her hand, and slapped him hard across the face.
“Madam, you…” Butler Zhao’s mustache trembled.
"What about me? I am the wife of the Marquis you speak of, a woman of the Jian family whose name is on the family tree. Am I not qualified to teach a servant like you a lesson?"
Ji Xiaoxiao clapped her hands and rubbed off the old man's grease that she had accidentally gotten on her.
Steward Zhao was furious. He had served two generations of Marquis of Wei and was a highly respected elder in the Marquis's household, always addressed as "Steward Zhao" with utmost respect. Heaven and hell were so close, yet this vulgar and lowly woman dared to lay her hands on him in public. She was utterly shameless and had completely disgraced the century-old reputation of the Marquis's household.
"This servant wouldn't dare," Steward Zhao said, barely suppressing his anger, his cheeks twitching as he spoke in a sarcastic tone.
"You know you dare not, yet you get down here. Standing here is an eyesore to this lady." Ji Xiaoxiao scolded Steward Zhao, calling him a deformed, rat-faced, and extremely ugly man. Despite his thousand and ten thousand resentments and anger, Steward Zhao had no choice but to keep a low profile and behave himself.
Ji Xiaoxiao boarded the carriage, leaned back on the cushions, and closed her eyes to rest.
As darkness fell, the afterglow on the horizon burned like fire, a blood-red hue tinged with gloom.
"Butler Zhao."
Someone is coming.
"Young Miss, Young Master."
It's Jian Piaoyi and Jian Gongxin.
Ji Xiaoxiao opened her eyes with a whoosh, and there came those two troublesome ingrates.
Outside the carriage, whispers and murmurs could be heard.
"What?! Zeng Feizi has seized Father's and Aunt Hu's carriage?" Jian Piaoyi shouted, as if she had witnessed the end of the world.
The next moment, a hand lifted the curtain of the carriage.
"Get down," Jian Gongxin said in a harsh voice.
Ji Xiaoxiao remained unmoved, not even glancing at Jian Gongxin. She turned around and found a more comfortable position to rest.
"I will say it again, get down."
Ji Xiaoxiao turned a deaf ear and ignored the barking of the dogs.
Jian Gongxin said "good" three times in a row, and angrily tried to throw Ji Xiaoxiao off the carriage. Zhang Mama, anxious to protect her mistress, quickly grabbed Jian Gongxin and stopped him from harming Ji Xiaoxiao.
"Get out of my way." Jian Gongxin kicked Zhang Mama in the stomach.
Granny Zhang cried out in pain, clutched her stomach, collapsed to the ground, and coughed up blood.
Ji Xiaoxiao was sharp-witted and perceptive; nothing Jian Gongxin did escaped her notice. Ji Xiaoxiao stepped down from the carriage, her expression indifferent, and personally helped Zhang Mama to her feet.
"You're smart to know your place." Jian Gongxin curled his lips, as satisfied as a well-fed wolfhound. If you don't discipline her for a day, she'll be climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles. This woman, if you don't teach her a lesson, she won't behave herself and behave properly.
Ji Xiaoxiao ordered someone to take Zhang Mama away to treat her injuries, then turned and kicked Jian Gongxin in the shin. The force of the kick caused Jian Gongxin to lose his balance and fall to his knees. The dull thud was enough to make one's heart tremble with pain.
Jian Gongxin's eyes were brimming with tears, and his calves were burning with pain.
"Zeng Feizi." The wind howled, the horses neighed, and Jian Gongxin roared.
"You disrespectful brat."
It's time to deal with those nobodies who're always jumping around, Ji Xiaoxiao thought to herself.
"Zeng Feizi is despicable and shameless; she has no shame and attacked her brother."
Jian Piaoyi was filled with anger and rushed forward.
Three women make a drama? Why need three? Two are more than enough.
When Jian Guangyang appeared with his beautiful companion, the main gate of the Marquis of Wei's mansion was teeming with people, with the crowd forming three or four rings around it, which truly surprised him.
Seeing that she had a powerful backer, Jian Piaoyi felt even more confident.
After listening to Jian Piaoyi's account, Jian Guangyang did not immediately react. Instead, with a dark face, he politely asked the neighbors and onlookers to go somewhere cool and stay there.
The Marquis of Wei held great power and influence, and ordinary people dared not offend him.
“Zeng, get back to your Wutong Garden,” Jian Guangyang said in a low voice.
Ji Xiaoxiao wouldn't budge an inch, stubborn as an ox.
"On Her Majesty the Empress's birthday, a banquet is held for officials of the third rank and above and their families. As your lawfully wedded wife, it is my duty to do my part for the Marquis of Wei's household." Ji Xiaoxiao bowed slightly, indicating that this was her responsibility and that there was no need for praise.
Jian Guangyang clenched his fists, yet he couldn't find a single fault. The Empress was the most noble woman in the world, and all lowly people were forbidden to approach her, including concubines and mistresses—specifically, Concubine Hu.
Ji Xiaoxiao turned her gaze and said, "Aunt Hu, you are a noble lady from the Prime Minister's Mansion. You have been well-educated and virtuous since childhood, and you are beautiful and intelligent. You are also very well-behaved and follow the rules. When our Marquis of Weiguo goes to the palace to congratulate Her Majesty the Empress, it is only right that the head of the household should go first."
Hu Yanyan's smile remained frozen, like that of a corpse. "Indeed, as Madam said."
Hu Yanyan turned to Jian Guangyang and said, "My lord, it's getting late."
Jian Guangyang looked up and saw that it was getting late; the sky was already covered by dark clouds.
Being late for the Empress's birthday is a serious offense.
"Get in the car."
Jian Guangyang reluctantly took Ji Xiaoxiao to the palace.
“Father,” Jian Piaoyi and Jian Gongxin objected in unison, “Father, Zeng Feizi’s words and actions are vulgar. Bringing her into the palace is a small matter; it’s a big mistake to disturb the Empress. If we are not careful, it will implicate our family.”
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
