Yang Chuxia glanced at Commandery Princess Dongyang, who glared fiercely at the concubine and said to Yang Chuxia, "Youâre not unaware that some people just canât be seen in decent society, just like rats, unchangeable however much you teach them, and you cannot discipline them with a knife to their throat without degrading your own status."
"You really are patient," Yang Chuxia laughed and said, "If it were me, those who defy discipline would have long since received a slap across the face. And it would have to be in front of everyone, to tear away their fox fur and reveal their true skins. For those whom a simple slap doesnât work on, you have to resort to the wooden board."
"Youâre right, I should learn from you in the future, so that all kinds of inappropriate people wonât climb onto my head and run wild," once she finished, Commandery Princess Dongyang turned to the concubine, "Concubine Tong, isnât that right?"
At that moment, Concubine Tong stood in the middle, at a loss whether to leave or stay, her face turning as red as a persimmon after being sarcastically mocked by both Yang Chuxia and Commandery Princess Dongyang.
She just laughed dryly without answering. Think about itâshe too was of noble birth, not a firstborn legitimate daughter, but a legitimate daughter of another branch, nonetheless. Now she was being oppressed by a commandery princess from some backwater, how could she possibly accept this?
Dream on if she wanted to be called sister!
"Whatâs the matter, Concubine Tong? You donât agree with the Commandery Princessâs words, why havenât you responded?" Yang Chuxia asked with a smirk.
She wouldnât bother with the concubines of other houses, but Commandery Princess Dongyang was her friend, and they had always had a good relationship. She couldnât help but jab a few words when she saw someone bullying her friend.
In her heart, Concubine Tong utterly despised Yang Chuxia, thinking, where did this lady spring from? What Madam Ye? In Capital City, she had never heard of any prominent families surnamed Ye. A woman of lowly origin dares to mock me? Utterly overestimating herselfâsure enough, a woman who hails from a ditch will hardly have any friends with decent standing.
Just look at this person visiting the house without the slightest bit of propriety.
"What is this ladyâs name? Which familyâs wife might you be? I am familiar with most of the ladies of the Capital City and have never seen you before. You also never come to the Mu Residence; is there something you need from us today? Rest assured, our Commandery Princess is most amiable and easy to talk to, and she has a good heart. If you have any matters, just speak with our Commandery Princess; she will surely agree."
Yang Chuxia and Commandery Princess Dongyang both rolled their eyes upon hearing this. Which part of her looked like she had come to kowtow and seek help?
"You fool!" Commandery Princess Dongyang slammed her palm on the table, "I have always told you to behave and stay in your courtyard, to cultivate your character and read more books to broaden your horizons. But you refuse to listen, insisting on making a fool of yourself. Madam Ye is the Prefect of Shandongâs wife, Lord Ye is a direct cousin of the Third Prince, and is the personal nephew of General Luo. Even if she needed help, she would turn to the imperial family, why would she come to the Mu Family?"
Commandery Princess Dongyang fumed, "Get back to your courtyard and stay confined for a month. Copy the womenâs precepts thirty times for me. For every day you donât finish, youâre not to step outside. Su Ma, make sure someone keeps an eye on her."
"Yes, Commandery Princess!" Su Ma stepped forward with a look of joy, "Please, Concubine Tong!" Su Ma thought to herself that her mistress had finally lost her patience.
Concubine Tong was dumbfounded on the spot. This rustic Commandery Princess had always just tolerated her noisy complaints and had never openly satirized her this way before. Was she feeling provoked?