Slap In The Face

Old Madam Li was a highly efficient person. She had made arrangements really quickly, and seeing that it wasn’t dark yet, she decided to make a trip to the Guan house without sending any message ahead of her.

Of course, she wasn’t going to tell the family that she was getting Song Caitang to examine a dead body. She only said that she had met Song Caitang randomly while shopping, and they had really hit it off, so she wanted to ask Madam Zhang if she minded letting Song Caitang stay with her for a few days.

Madam Zhang was more than happy to send Song Caitang to Old Madam Li’s place. Getting connected with someone in the government was her biggest dream!

So, she immediately sent Guizhi to fetch Song Caitang.

She knew that it was a difficult time since Guan Rongrong was kicking up a fuss at Song Caitang’s. But she had already sent Auntie Chang to take care of everything, so the situation should be under control now.

But what was this now?

Song Caitang was not willing to come here?

She didn’t need anyone to tell her what must have happened. Her gaze immediately fell on Guan Rongrong.

Guan Rongrong’s heart was still in turmoil. She was feeling guilty, but she was also angry. Song Caitang was an idiot who was basically a leech in this household. She had just regained her senses and didn’t know how to do anything! How could she have caught the eye of Old Madam Li and hit it off well with someone of such high status? Why wasn’t SHE the one with such luck?

But when she met her mother’s gaze, she felt a chill down her spine.

It was true. Song Caitang wasn’t leaving her house because she had forced her to agree to stay in…

Guan Rongrong wanted to leave a good impression in front of Old Madam Li, so she looked pleadingly at Madam Zhang and called out softly, “Mother…”

She was hoping that Madam Zhang would find a way to settle this matter and get her out of trouble…this old lady was the grandmother of Magistrate Wen, after all…

But Madam Zhang glared straight at her, and her voice went from gentle to fierce, “Rongrong, did you quarrel with Caitang?”

Guan Rongrong’s heart palpitated frantically as she immediately stole a glance at Old Madam Li.

Old Madam Li still had the same genial smile on her face. Her expression hadn’t changed at all.

Her mother was forcing her to give an answer, so Guan Rongrong had no choice but to take a deep breath and reply, “I did say some things to my cousin just now. Perhaps something I said upset her…”

“In that case, why don’t you help Old Madam Li to get your cousin here?”

Madam Zhang had a smile on her face, but her expression left no room for negotiation.

Guan Rongrong had no choice but to grit her teeth, “Yes, Mother. Old Madam Li made the effort to come all the way here, so I’ll definitely get my cousin out of the house.”

No matter how unwilling she was, she had to do this.

Even if Song Caitang smashed her face against the ground, she had to take it!

Everyone in Songhe Hall was shocked when they heard what was happening.

Guan Wan tugged at her sister’s sleeve, and her eyes were round and wide, “It’s Old Madam Li! Magistrate Wen’s grandmother is in our house!”

Guan Qing nodded. She bent her head and paused to think, then stood up, “Since Caitang managed to get a big shot like that here, we really should lend her a hand!”

This cousin of hers was very clever and had come up with a way to slap Madam Zhang back in the face and fight for her own freedom. It was a clever thing to do, but things were still going to be tough…Guan Qing felt that she had to go over and help and make sure things didn’t blow up.

Guan Qing left Songhe Hall with her maid.

Meanwhile, Guan Rongrong had returned to Xianmeng Residence and tried her best not to cry.

She had decided to throw her pride away and beg Song Caitang. She was in her own house among family, so it wasn’t really that embarrassing. As long as she could leave a good impression on Old Madam Li, she would benefit loads in the future. There was no need to insist on fighting with Song Caitang now.

Apologies, compensation – she had thought everything through. She was mentally prepared to be bullied, to have to give in, to have to humble herself. She was ready to be humiliated as she stood in front of the door and asked to see Song Caitang.

But Song Caitang kept her door shut and refused to see her!

Qingqiao even came out and said, “My Young Mistress says she’s not the sort of person who says things she doesn’t mean or the type who pukes out the food she just ate. Also, she’s going to bed now, so she’s asked you to go back for the day.”

Guan Rongrong felt like she had been mentally slapped in the face.

The sort of person who says things she doesn’t mean? The type to puke out the food she just ate?

When she thought about the situation, she realized that Song Caitang was right…

But there was nothing she could do about this. For the sake of her future, she gritted her teeth and smiled ingratiatingly at Qingqiao, “This is very urgent. Could you ask Caitang to wake up and let me talk to her?”

Qingqiao refused to be flexible and simply repeated what her Young Mistress said.

No matter how Guan Rongrong tried, she simply couldn’t get past this door.

But a guest was in the house. She couldn’t possibly ram the door down!

Guan Rongrong didn’t know what else to do, so she had no choice but to reluctantly make her way back to Qingyi Court.

The smile on Madam Zhang’s face was stiff.

At an angle that wasn’t visible to others, she couldn’t hold back anymore and glared fiercely at Guan Rongrong.

Guan Rongrong’s hands kept trembling. She bowed her head, and her eyes were brimming with tears. She nearly burst out crying.

When Madam Zhang turned back to look at Old Madam Li, she put on an ingratiating smile and said, “This daughter of mine can be a little difficult, I think she’s just throwing a tantrum and wants me to go over myself.”

As she spoke, she stood up, “I’m really sorry about this. Please wait here for a while, I’ll go and get…”

But before she could even step out of the room, Guan Qing arrived.

And she had brought Song Caitang with her.

“Guan Qing greets Old Madam Li!” Guan Qing had a smile on her face. She carried herself in a prim and proper manner but still looked warm and welcoming. She pushed Song Caitang to the front as she said, “This girl heard that you were here and went through so many different outfits. That’s why she’s taken so long to come out. If I didn’t go in and check on her, she would still be deciding between the red dress and the blue dress!”

“Hurry up and greet Old Madam Li! She’s been waiting all day for you!” Guan Qing put a hand on Song Caitang to get her to bow.

Song Caitang smiled brightly as she bowed to Old Madam Li, “I didn’t know you were coming today, I’m sorry for making you wait.”

Old Madam Li could see what was really happening and was more than happy to help Song Caitang out, “It’s alright! It’s alright! This young lady here is the eldest daughter of the Guan family?” She looked dotingly at Guan Qing, “I’ve heard about you from Caitang. You’re indeed a lovely lady who’s both pretty and has a good temperament!”

The three of them started chatting, and the atmosphere became lively.

And it was impossible for anyone else to interrupt their conversation.

Madam Zhang could barely keep her anger in.

Guan Qing and Song Caitang had delivered a real slap in the face!

Guan Rongrong’s performance earlier and her efforts had all gone to waste! They were just making a fool of themselves!

Even an idiot would be able to see who Song Caitang was close to in the family, never mind Old Madam Li! She was so embarrassed as the mistress of the house!

So much for trying to seize this chance to assert her authority over Song Caitang, take control of her, and force her to join her camp…

Madam Zhang sighed inwardly. She had been too careless this time.

But at the same time, she would never have guessed that Song Caitang would meet someone like Old Madam Li during this short period and make friends with her.

After Song Caitang finished speaking, she looked at Madam Zhang with her confident eyes and pretty smile, “First Aunt, in this case…I suppose it’s alright for me to break the rules this time and leave the house with Old Madam Li?”

Her eyes flickered slightly, and she was clearly hinting at something else in her words.

She seemed to be warning Madam Zhang to stop dreaming of trying to control her because it was futile even to try. If she dared to do something like this again, then she was going to do more than embarrass Madam Zhang.

Madam Zhang smiled back, “We’re just a family of merchants, so our rules can’t compare to the ones in Old Madam Li’s household! As long as Old Madam Li wants you to go with her, then it’s not considered breaking the rules. You can leave with her without having to worry about anything!”

Fine! You outsmarted me! I’ve underestimated you all this time! Next time…

We shall see!

“Second Cousin, I’ll head off first!”

Song Caitang smiled sweetly as she bid Guan Rongrong farewell.

Guan Rongrong’s face was covered in tears. Song Caitang was clearly gloating with those words. She felt a choke in her throat and really wanted to say, “Just get lost already,” but she could only gently grunt in reply and admit defeat.

After today, she probably had to spend time recalibrating her emotions before daring to appear before Song Caitang again.

Guan Qing, on the other hand, was doing really well.

She instructed Song Caitang, “Old Madam Li is an elder who’s eaten more salt in her lifetime than you’ve eaten rice, and she’s definitely very good at dealing with people. You’d better watch how she does things and learn well!”

Then she turned to Old Madam Li and complimented Song Caitang, “This cousin of mine looks a little out of it at times, but she’s very kind-hearted and hardworking. If you need anything, just throw it at her, and she’ll get it done! At your age, you should be enjoying life! Don’t spoil her!”

After all that drama was over, Song Caitang helped Old Madam Li back into her carriage.

Old Madam Li said a little sarcastically, “The Guan family is a really lively bunch.”

Song Caitang’s face reddened, “I’m sorry you had to witness all that.”

She didn’t intend to hide the real situation at home, and it wasn’t like she could hide it anyway. The old lady was even more familiar with such family feuds than she was.

This was indeed her plan since she knew that Old Madam Li would eventually come to the house. She just didn’t think that Old Madam Li would come this quickly and with such perfect timing. That made for a better effect.

Now, Madam Zhang would be more careful with her actions, and Song Caitang wouldn’t have to worry about being sold elsewhere without her knowledge, even if she left the house.

Old Madam Li…wouldn’t mind her being this tiny bit scheming, right?

Song Caitang smiled sweetly at Old Madam Li, “Looks like I’ve got to borrow your blessed aura everywhere I go!”

Old Madam Li laughed. She patted Song Caitang’s hand. Besides responding to her cheeky statement, she was also serious as she replied, “If you run into any trouble in the future, just come and look for me.”

The coachman whipped the horses, and the carriage moved forward.

Old Madam Li looked at the box that Qingqiao carried with her onto the carriage and was curious about its contents, “This is for…the things you need to use?”

Song Caitang touched the side of the box and nodded, “I might not need to use everything, but I prepared them anyway.”

Old Madam Li had a serious expression on her face, but she was even more pleased with Song Caitang now.

This girl was capable and also meticulous. Getting her to handle this case was definitely the right decision.

Song Caitang pulled the curtain back and looked out at the scenery, “Old Madam, where are we going?”

Old Madam Li fiddled with the prayer beads in her hands, “Tianhua Temple.”

Tianhua Temple…

Song Caitang raised an eyebrow. Wasn’t that the place she kept hearing about on the day she regained her senses?

She had heard that a murder case had occurred and the one who died was an aristocrat.

Guan Qing had gone to the temple and was supposed to have returned early that day, but she had been delayed because of this matter.

Could this be the same case?

Song Caitang shook her head and threw that thought out. She asked, “Will we pass by the street where we had tea yesterday?”

Old Madam Li paused, then said, “I think we will.”

Song Caitang smiled.

That way, she could get Qingqiao to collect some things from the blacksmith’s.

The journey was quite far, so even though the carriage moved at high speed, it was evening by the time they arrived at the foot of the mountain where Tianhua Temple was.

Song Caitang frowned slightly. The sun was already setting.

Unlike modern times, lighting was poor in this day and age. It was going to be hard to examine a body at night.