Chapter 13 Suffering in Silence

Ye Qichi's words shocked everyone.

At this moment, no one could match her aura.

Zhou Ruotang was stunned, frozen like a wooden chicken!

She probably never dreamed that Ye Qichi would have such a strong day.

In her memory, Ye Qichi was still that timid little girl who would hide at the sight of her. Even though she had now become a Princess, it was impossible for her to suddenly become so formidable.

Moreover, upon further thought.

Ye Qichi's words carried not only authority but also left her with no reason to refute.

Bi Qing always mentioned breaking "the lady's" hairpin, she naturally knew the "lady" Bi Qing was referring to was herself. Over the years, she had been managing the back house of the Minister Mansion, her power growing, and the servants at home flattered her by calling her "lady." She was naturally pleased, even though she always declined on the surface. However, as time went on, no one had any objections to the title "lady," not even Qin Mengxi. So she half-heartedly accepted it.

After being called "lady" for so many years, she had gotten used to it.

When Ye Qichi was still unmarried, she had already started calling her "lady." Yet now, she suddenly made a big deal out of it.

Once it's a big deal, it means she doesn't abide by womanly virtues or follow family rules and etiquette.

In the Daxuan Kingdom, respect for hierarchy surpasses everything! She couldn't afford to be labeled with such a crime.

So, she couldn't possibly admit that "the lady" Bi Qing talked about was herself.

She had to swallow this grievance silently!

Zhou Ruotang unconsciously clenched her fist, suppressing her anger, staring at the woman in front of her.

Ye Qichi lifted her eyes, "Auntie Zhou, did you and my half-sister understand?"

The look of scorn she gave them almost made Ye Zhilan scream.

They originally came to make Ye Qichi embarrassed!

Yet unexpectedly, they were the ones lectured by her.

"I misunderstood," Zhou Ruotang's tone instantly changed.

"Mother..." Ye Zhilan didn't have Zhou Ruotang's composure or patience.

Ye Qichi gave her a sharp look.

Ye Zhilan was so frightened, her heart skipped a beat.

She quickly corrected herself, instinctively calling out, "Auntie."

Ye Qichi smiled, sarcastically.

Seeing Ye Qichi's expression, Ye Zhilan was so angry that she wanted to strangle her.

She was actually intimidated by Ye Qichi's look!

She was actually afraid of Ye Qichi!

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Princess, and sister. I will take my leave first," Zhou Ruotang bowed.

"Leave," Ye Qichi waved her hand and turned, walking directly toward the screen.

Zhou Ruotang bit her teeth as she watched Ye Qichi's calm and composed back, then left with her people.

Ye Zhilan couldn't swallow this grievance.

As soon as she returned to Zhou Ruotang's courtyard, she couldn't help but explode, "Who does Ye Qichi think she is?! Why did she slap me, why did she treat Mother like that! Isn't she just a Princess? Does she really think she can touch the sky!"

"Enough!" Zhou Ruotang's face was as gloomy as could be.

For a long time, she hadn't been this humiliated.

Her eyes hardened, and she slapped Bi Qing hard.

Bi Qing was knocked to the ground, accidentally biting her lip and drawing blood, but she didn't dare cry out.

"Useless servant!" Zhou Ruotang vented all her anger onto Bi Qing.

"It's my fault, I said something wrong, I am willing to accept any punishment," Bi Qing quickly knelt on the ground to admit her mistake.

"Take her out and give her twenty slaps," Zhou Ruotang ordered.

Bi Qing didn't dare beg for mercy, so she was dragged out.

The only sound outside the room was the startling sound of slaps. The maids inside were so frightened they didn't dare breathe.

"Mother," Ye Zhilan was already accustomed to it. Anyway, if any servant displeased them, they would just beat them!

After venting, Zhou Ruotang calmed down a bit. She said fiercely, "Ask Prince Chen to take you as a concubine, there is no time to delay!"

Ye Zhilan's face also showed a sinister look, "Once I get married, I will definitely make Ye Qichi pay!"

"We will bear this for today. Your father's birthday celebration is today, let's muddle through this celebration first," Zhou Ruotang was still rational.

"Yes," Ye Zhilan quickly nodded, then added, "I noticed today that Ye Qichi seemed to have dressed up quite a bit."

"What good is it if she dresses up? There is no way she can compare to you in poetry, chess, calligraphy, or painting! If she has the sense not to attend the women's banquet today, fine. If she does, I'll make sure she loses face!" Zhou Ruotang said viciously.

The thought of the possible scenes made Ye Zhilan's heart burst with joy.

She never took Ye Qichi seriously!

...

After Ye Qichi finished lecturing Zhou Ruotang and Ye Zhilan, Qin Mengxi and Lu You, along with all the servants in the room, were stunned.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Ye Qichi asked, speechless.

Qin Mengxi came to her senses after a while, "Qi'er, are you possessed by an evil spirit?"

This was not her Qi'er, she had completely changed.

"I am a soul out of my body," Ye Qichi said directly.

She wasn't lying.

It was indeed an out-of-body soul that had become Ye Qichi.

"You child," Qin Mengxi thought Ye Qichi was joking. She smiled, "You've changed a lot since you married Prince Chen. He must have taught you a lot."

"..." That madman, it was a miracle he wasn't plotting to kill her for a day!

Ye Qichi didn't explain further.

She just watched Qin Mengxi, who had just finished grooming.

Qin Mengxi was only 35 years old, although she wasn't favored in the Minister Mansion, her living conditions were far better than those of ordinary families. In addition, she brought a considerable dowry when she married, which was enough for her lifetime if not wasted. So her skin was well-maintained, looking youthful, especially since she had dressed up meticulously today, appearing resplendently beautiful.

Back then, when Qin Mengxi was still unmarried, suitors nearly broke the threshold of the Qin Residence.

It was because of Ye Zhengde's charm and talent that Qin Mengxi was attracted to him and eventually chose to marry him.

Ye Qichi's beauty largely came from Qin Mengxi.

"Lady, you're so beautiful!" Lu You couldn't help but exclaim, "As beautiful as the Princess. Truly identical."

Everyone in the room couldn't help but praise her.

Qin Mengxi also seriously looked at herself in the copper mirror.

She was surprised by what she saw.

All these years after marrying Ye Zhengde, she had never truly looked at herself.

She almost forgot that she was once that cherished jewel, held in others' hands.

"Mother," Ye Qichi said, "it's your time to shine today."

Qin Mengxi's eyes reddened, stabilizing her emotions. She turned to look at her daughter, "Qi'er, what do you mean?"

"At today's women's banquet, I want you to amaze everyone!" Ye Qichi smiled, her words carrying immense authority.

It was as if she exuded a heroic spirit.

Qin Mengxi didn't know if she was influenced by her daughter.

But an unprecedented fighting spirit was ignited within her at that moment.

She nodded, "Alright, I will show you a different version of your mother!"