Chapter 010: Don't Worry About My Hands Aching

The maids brandished their sticks and stepped forward but dared not actually reach out without Fu Jun's urging.

Seeing this, Fu Rou immediately pointed at Fu Zhen and said, "You're slandering me! It's clearly you who provoked me first! You're jealous that father dotes on me, but isn't it because I've always been filial and obedient in front of him, which is why he cares more for me? I couldn't endure sister's sharp words and retorted a few times; you hit me and then accused me! Now father just wants to punish you a little, and you still show him such disrespect. Do you not want to live?"

Fu Zhen glanced over at her voice, her eyes swollen and red as she leaned crookedly on Mrs. Liu's shoulder. The brocade spring dress embroidered with silver silk thread entwining Western lotus flowers was wrinkled from her grasp, yet her eyes shone with unabated venom.

The silver silk on her dress costs at least ten taels per zhang, and the brocade material she wears is no less than fifty taels per piece.

Mrs. Liu, staring at Fu Rou with a face full of resentment and anger, wore a golden hairpin in her hair, jeweled Red Gold Earrings on her ears, and two jade bracelets on her wrist. Her clothes and shoes were of fabric no less than that on Fu Rou!

After Fu Jun brought Mrs. Liu and her two children into the house, Mrs. Fu privately investigated Mrs. Liu's background and found she was merely a maid whom Mr. Fu had brought back during the war. She had been involved with Fu Jun at that time. Later, Mr. Fu sold her off so that Fu Jun could focus on passing the examination. Yet, within just two years at another family, she was sold off again!

And why? Because she had climbed into the headmaster's bed and was caught by the lady of the house!

Perhaps Mrs. Liu indeed had some beauty, as the headmaster developed sincere feelings and secretly housed her away.

As it happened, in that small town back then, Fu Jun knew that person, and thus he and Mrs. Liu became involved again over time!

When the affair was revealed, the headmaster had little choice: first, Mrs. Liu was homeless, second, Fu Jun had by then achieved the top rank in the imperial examination, and third, he had the Ning Family backing him with considerable wealth, so he accepted Fu Jun's money and let go.

Later, when Mrs. Fu's men sought him out and spent more money, he finally vented the anger he had held inside for over ten years!

So, where did a maid, sold here and there, get the money for such finery and clothing for herself?

From Fu Jun, who, relying on a few rice shops and his salary, could afford to support them?

It was all Mrs. Fu's money! The food, clothing, and everything they used came from Mrs. Fu's dowry and the inheritance left by Fu Zhen's maternal grandfather!

And now, this illegitimate daughter from a concubine family dared claim that the legitimate eldest daughter was jealous of her?

"You just said that I'm jealous because father favors you, hence I want to strangle you." Fu Zhen sat down on a chair, the light gleaming from the corner of her eye: "I didn't hear wrong, did I?"

"Isn't that so?" Fu Rou's gaze was fierce, "Father saw you choke me with his own eyes!"

"Then you are accusing father of favoring a concubine's daughter, ignoring decorum, causing me, the legitimate eldest daughter, to be so neglected that I had no choice but to vent my anger behind his back. Is that it?"

Fu Rou was stunned. Then she quickly sat up: "I didn't—"

"How is it not? There are so many people inside and outside; no one is deaf, and these words came from your own mouth." Fu Zhen glanced at her and then turned to Fu Jun, "Father, this is where you are wrong. We are all your daughters; I am born of your legitimate wife, married through three letters and six ceremonies. I didn't know you were so partial until Fu Rou mentioned it; I thought you, who grew up reading saintly books, would certainly know the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate. Especially since I am your legitimate eldest daughter!

"Shouldn't you care for me more, rather than favor a concubine's daughter?

"According to which family rules is that allowed? Even if a concubine's daughter pleases you, openly favoring her while disregarding the rules of precedence, isn't it plain disrespect to the family law of our ancestors? Isn't it plainly disrespecting the alliance of kin established by the marriage of the Ning and Fu families back then?"

"Nonsense!"

Fu Jun did not expect her to have such a glib tongue, yet he knew her words brought no benefit to him!

How could he admit favoring the concubine's daughter? If these words circulated, would he not care about his reputation, not to mention possibly facing impeachment?

"Indeed!" Fu Zhen followed his words, stood up, and walked before Mrs. Liu and Fu Rou: "I also think father wouldn't be that confused. Spoiling a concubine and eliminating a wife can lead to criminal charges; father certainly didn't work hard for his official position just to lose it over a concubine's daughter, right?"

After saying this, she raised her right hand and slapped Fu Rou's face! This slap made the two mother and daughters cry out in pain, and she clapped her hands and continued, "So, Fu Rou openly accusing father of favoritism is defaming his honor! Claiming you disregard moral laws and virtue and are compromising your future!

"With such malicious intent, if she can spew such nonsense at home, she surely won't hold her tongue outside. If any word about favoritism over a wife gets out, what will happen? The court has just stabilized, and talents are needed to create a prosperous age; countless eyes are on father's position.

"If even this does not warrant punishment, should she be left to ruin your future?"

Fu Zhen turned to face Fu Jun, "I've taught her a lesson for you; if you're not satisfied, I can do it again. Don't worry about me getting tired."

Fu Jun felt a rush to his throat, and he stood up with wide eyes!

Even Mrs. Fu gasped looking at Fu Rou crying on the ground and Mrs. Liu full of shock and anger!

She knew Fu Zhen was different today but didn't expect her to be so forceful! That slap not only knocked Fu Rou from her chair to the ground but rolled her for half a circle before she stopped! This strength surely confirmed that her anger had been bottled up long enough to explode now!

"Zhen Er!" she called out worriedly.

But soon she doubted whether her worry was excessive because at this moment, Fu Jun, who instinctively wanted to check on Fu Rou, stopped halfway! This wretched man still held his interests dearest; Fu Zhen's words hit home, striking at his weakness. Though spoiling the concubine and eliminating the wife was a fact within the Fu family's inner chambers, how could Fu Jun let such rumors spread outside?!

Fu Rou, exposed to Mrs. Liu's behavior and words, learned to read expressions at a young age; she feigned innocence in public while harboring malice like a viper. Naturally, it was difficult to conceal it perfectly, but no one, like Fu Zhen today, had linked the mother and daughter's actions to Fu Jun's interests. Even if he saw and heard it, he paid no mind.

Now, Fu Zhen's confrontation made him reconsider his partiality towards them; surely he also feared Fu Rou speaking recklessly outside, leaving evidence for others and causing trouble for him!