Chapter 861 - 863 - : Beat into a Pig’s Head_1
Bai Ruozhu’s slap silenced everyone, and even Wang Tianyou who was struck was dumbfounded. Then, another slap landed across his other cheek.
"My husband has served the Imperial Court for many years and now holds a fifth-rank officer’s post, a rank far beyond your reach. What right do you have to insult him?" Bai Ruozhu spat through clenched teeth, her eyes glaring with murderous intent at Wang Tianyou, her face so cold it seemed it could freeze over, instilling fear in those who heard her.
The bystanders all shrank back, worried about being implicated, but a look of admiration flickered in Ding Guangji’s eyes. In his heart, Bai Ruozhu instantly became a paragon of valor among women; no wonder the Empress Dowager’s aunt also liked this woman.
It was only then that Wang Tianyou came to his senses. Clutching his face, he roared, "You scoundrel, how dare you strike me?" Rolling up his sleeves, he looked ready to strike back.
Ding Guangji, somewhat worried, hurriedly said, "Wang Tianyou, mind your status. Are you to casually strike a woman appointed by the Imperial Court? Bullying a defenseless woman, aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock..."
He hadn’t finished speaking when he realized he couldn’t go on, because as Wang Tianyou reached out to slap Bai Ruozhu, she seized his arm, twisted it behind his back, and forced him to his knees in pain. Wang Tianyou cried out and collapsed.
Ding Guangji touched his nose and coughed twice to hide his embarrassment. Bai Ruozhu, powerless? On the contrary, it seemed that they were the helpless ones, merely scholars good for nothing.
"Bai Ruozhu, let go of me. If you dare to offend the Wang Family, you won’t get away with it!" Wang Tianyou grimaced in pain but remained defiant.
Bai Ruozhu laughed, "I’ve already offended Wang Miaoshuang. Offending one more doesn’t scare me, and who do you think you are anyway? Apart from using your family’s influence to bully others, you can’t fight without calling for your parents. I feel ashamed even hitting you."
Having said that, she let go of Wang Tianyou, "Get lost, or next time it won’t be as simple as two slaps!"
"You, just you wait!" Wang Tianyou was livid with rage. They weren’t allowed to bring servants to the Competition, and although the Army protected them along the way, those soldiers didn’t obey his orders. Now, unable to best Bai Ruozhu, he could only spew harsh words.
Although he intended to leave after speaking, Bai Ruozhu suddenly lunged forward and snatched at his hair, sneering, "Haven’t learned your lesson yet? The Wang Family producing such a Nefarious Offspring as you is no wonder it’s on the decline. Scram, or I’ll give you two more slaps!"
After Bai Ruozhu released him, she kicked Wang Tianyou’s buttocks, sending him lurching forward, stumbling several steps, nearly falling face-first to the ground.
"You..." He turned, pointing at Bai Ruozhu, unwilling to accept defeat and wanting to curse her out, but when Bai Ruozhu glared, he ran off in terror.
Ding Guangji couldn’t help but laugh out loud, walking over and bowing to Bai Ruozhu, "Lady Jiang, what skill! I am in awe. By the way, I have yet to introduce myself, I am Ding Guangji, and the Empress Dowager is my aunt."
Bai Ruozhu recalled the Empress Dowager’s maiden name was indeed Ding; no wonder Ding Guangji had been speaking up for her.
Politely, she curtsied to Ding Guangji, saying, "Thank you for your chivalrous support just now, Master Ding."
This somewhat embarrassed Ding Guangji, who chuckled and said, "I wasn’t really of any help, just flapping my lips."
Bai Ruozhu smiled indifferently, "I have things to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."
After Bai Ruozhu had walked away, Ding Guangji muttered to himself, "Indeed, just as my aunt said, she’s no ordinary woman."
Someone nearby chimed in, saying, "Yeah, in the Capital, even a princess wouldn’t dare to strike Wang Tianyou like that, would she? Madam Jiang really has some guts."
"It’s Wang Tianyou who deserved it, his mouth is too foul!" Ding Guangji said disdainfully.
"He did go too far. The Jiang Family’s affairs originally had nothing to do with Jiang Yichun, and now that the Emperor is favoring him, it’s like making up for the injustice he suffered before. Wang Tianyou keeps calling him ’Nefarious Offspring’; isn’t he afraid of provoking the Emperor’s wrath?" Ding Guangji added, his tone cooling.
The faces of the students nearby all changed. They thought to themselves how fortunate they were for not having joined in Wang Tianyou’s jeering, or else...
Bai Ruozhu was in a particularly good mood for having thrashed Wang Tianyou; she even hummed a little tune on her way back. How dare someone like Wang Tianyou provoke her? Wang Miaoshuang was no match for her, so what was Wang Tianyou showing off for?
After returning to the small courtyard, Jiang Yichun saw her in high spirits and asked with a smile, "What did you see out there that made you so happy? Didn’t run into any handsome men or beautiful women, did you?"
Once, when they were joking, Bai Ruozhu had said she loved watching handsome men and beautiful women, as they were a feast for the eyes and brightened her mood. At the time, Jiang Yichun had felt a bit jealous about ’handsome men’, but after touching his own face, he cheered up again. He had confidence in his looks; surely she found him pleasing to the eye as well?
"No, I saw a pig’s head and took the chance to beat the pig’s head, so I’m in a great mood," Bai Ruozhu said with a giggle.
Muyu and Jianqi had been following Bai Ruozhu all along. Hearing this, Jianqi didn’t react much, but Muyu couldn’t help laughing out loud. After laughing, he quickly looked at Jiang Yichun and covered his mouth.
Jiang Yichun was also amused and said, "Muyu seems to have enjoyed the show quite a bit. Go on, tell us about it."
Bai Ruozhu proudly listened to Muyu recount her recent brave actions while holding her son and playing with him. Muyu, somewhat clever, finished the tale by saying, "Master, the Madam is especially protective of you. She wouldn’t let anyone speak ill of you."
Jiang Yichun took Bai Ruozhu’s hand to inspect it and said with slight reproach, "What if your hand is in pain from hitting? You should have let Muyu handle such people."
Muyu at first wanted to agree, but then thought it seemed beneath him. Why should he deal with such people? Wouldn’t that lower his status? He looked at his master with a mournful expression, wondering why he didn’t suggest Jianqi do it instead. Woe is me.
"When have I become so delicate? It’s satisfying to hit such a foul-mouthed pig’s head myself. Let’s see if he dares to act so arrogantly in front of me in the future," Bai Ruozhu said proudly.
Jiang Yichun watched his wife’s somewhat childish side with a smile and pinched her nose, saying, "Good, well done. Your husband must thank you."
Bai Ruozhu gave him a look. Couldn’t he see there were subordinates around? Why did he have to say such sappy things?
At that moment, footsteps came from the entrance of the courtyard. A soldier reported, "Sir, the Dean of Chang’an Academy has brought students to find the Dean of Letters. They are demanding an explanation." The soldier glanced carefully at Bai Ruozhu, and seeing that her smile remained, he mustered the courage to add, "They claim that the Madam intentionally injured their key player before the Competition to affect their team’s strength."
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Heatstroke, I threw up... It’s really uncomfortable...