She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 352 - 351: Slap in the Face

Chapter 352: Chapter 351: Slap in the Face

Qi Congwu also stood up, but being small in stature, he stood directly on the stool as he spoke to the people sitting around the table on the kang bed: "We are the true brothers who share the same surname, while all other children are outsiders. Brother Sanshun is our leader, and of course, the best things should first be reserved for our own brothers."

The entire family was somewhat at a loss. Lady Wang did not stop Qi Sanshun because she did not want her grandson to be tattled on and labeled as a self-serving scoundrel who doesn’t even care for his own brothers.

Lady Zhang cared even less, as this was the outcome she wanted. She had already told her son Congwu that during the big meal at New Year’s when there are many people around, this was the time to complain about Qi Sanshun, so he could promise in front of everyone to include him in play and share their nice things.

Qi Yougui had not expected a good meal to lead to such an outcome and hastened to soothe Qi Congwu: "Congwu, eat your meal first. After we have eaten and are at our leisure, Great Uncle will properly discipline Brother Sanshun, so that in the future he’ll include you and your brother in his play."

Ye Xinyan watched Qi Sanshun to see how he would respond.

Guan He, having nothing to do, claimed to teach the two children some basic skills but was more interested in Qi Sanshun. Ye Xinyan watched indifferently, doubting whether Qi Sanshun really had martial arts talent; it was more that Guan He preferred Qi Sanshun’s character. She wanted to see how Qi Sanshun had become the king of the village children, even able to command children several years his senior.

Qi Sanshun indeed replied: "No, I lead many children in play, and there must be rules that everyone respects. The things we play with, no matter whose they are, once they’re brought out, everyone must play together, even little Jiajia must follow the rules. Big Sister already instructed that he should be treated the same as the other children. If little Jiajia can abide by the rules, why can’t Congwu?"

Qi Congwu wasn’t the least bit intimidated and with a pronounced pout, looked down from the stool at Qi Sanshun, speaking loudly: "Qi Jiaer is but a lowly mongrel raised on the slops from my house, of course, he has to follow the rules. Can I be compared to him?"

The expressions of everyone present changed drastically.

Qi Congming tried to silence Qi Congwu, but because Congwu was standing high, he was a moment too late.

Lady Wang scolded: "Sit down! This is the Qi family’s main branch, not your house. If you want to throw a tantrum, go back to your own place, shut the doors, and do as you please—no one will care." While reprimanding Qi Congwu, she glared sharply at Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhang only wanted to stir discomfort between both the main and Second Branch families but had not anticipated her son’s words to be so blunt. She hurriedly pulled Qi Congwu down from the stool and said quietly, "Don’t talk nonsense. You’re not allowed to speak anymore!"

Not knowing whether Qi Jiaer was reminded of his past, he instantly appeared panicked and helpless, his face pale, his eyes darting around as if he did not know where to settle them.

Qi Younian’s face was as still as water, only quietly observing Qi Yougui. Agreeing to celebrate the festival at the old house had been after much persuasion from his big brother; now, with the child from the third brother’s family uttering such words, although he couldn’t do much to a child, there had to be some resolution concerning the third brother.

Ye Xinyan’s heart felt as if it were being wrenched in pain; she could not wait for Qi Yougui, the perennial good guy, to make a decision. She took Qi Jiaer into her arms and turned to instruct Nanny Liu and Nanny Jin: "Nannies, go hold Lady Zhang down and slap her. Start with twenty vicious slaps, and then we’ll discuss what comes next."

Madam Song, seeing that Nanny Liu and the other actually came over, immediately shouted, "How dare you! If your family is well-off, then go be a tyrant in your own home. Do you think all the members of my family are pushovers? We will discipline our children over their squabbles ourselves. Is there any justification for you to bully us like this? Demanding to punish an elder just like that."

Ye Xinyan had already calmed down by now and said coolly, "I don’t stoop to the level of children, but I can’t let Qi Jia be spoken of like this. My child is precious and can’t be carelessly slandered by just any Tom, Dick, or Harry."

Nanny Liu and Nanny Jin were already standing to the left and right of Lady Zhang. Madam Song dragged Lady Zhang over, while Qi Dong was also getting ready to get off the kang bed, with Qi Dazhu holding him back, trying to mediate.

Ye Xinyan scoffed and commanded, "Nobody move! Nanny Liu, it would be best if Lady Zhang obediently awaited the slap today, if not... our nanny certainly won’t stoop to brawling with them. Nanny, go back and fetch some guards. I’d like to see who can stop them from slapping Lady Zhang."

Madam Song immediately stiffened, glancing at Qi Yourong, who sat hesitating on the kang bed, unsure of what to do.

The Qi family guards were conspicuous, and the villagers had all seen and talked about them before. Just by looking at their stature and the look in their eyes, one could tell they were not ones to be trifled with easily. If a few of them were to come, it wouldn’t matter much if her husband and son didn’t resist, but if they did resist, the only outcome would be a beating.

Ye Xinyan asked, "Have you thought it through? Will it be Lady Zhang who gets twenty slaps, or will your whole family suffer a beating, with Lady Zhang still unable to escape punishment?"

Madam Song let go of Lady Zhang’s hand.

Lady Zhang shoved Nanny Liu away and yelled at Ye Xinyan, "Children don’t always speak properly. You are just using this as an excuse to bully others."

Ye Xinyan glanced down at Qi Jiajia, who was still dazed, and gritted her teeth before saying, "Even if a child grew up drinking swill, should they speak like that? If not you, who else should I look for?"

Lady Zhang shouted, "It’s not like I made him drink the swill. Go find whoever you need to, don’t take it out on me." Madam Pang, who was feeding a child, paused her actions and stayed silent, head bowed.

Ye Xinyan, her face turning pale with anger, pointed at Lady Zhang and Madam Pang, and said to Qi Jia, "Qi Jia, take a good look at these two, remember them well. You must study hard, practice your martial arts well, and in the future, trample them under your feet, never letting them have the chance to hurt you again. Do you hear me?"

Hearing Ye Xinyan’s words, Qi Jiajia seemed to find some reassurance. His eyes hardened as he looked at Lady Zhang and Madam Pang, and though he flinched when looking at Madam Pang, he still slowly nodded his head.

Ye Xinyan straightened up and said to Nanny Liu, "Nanny, there’s no need to scuffle, it looks bad. Go back and call for Old Madam Ding, and also bring a few guards. Try not to alarm the Sixth Master and Lord Jiang."

Qi Yougui, unable to sit still on the kang bed any longer, began putting on his shoes to get down, while saying to Ye Xinyan, "Ye Zi, don’t do this. It’s the New Year; let’s not act like this."