Chapter 8: I Said You’re a Disgrace. Did You Hear Me Clearly?
“I said that you’re the legitimate daughter of the Duke Chen’s household, yet you willingly followed Li Yaoting without a proper title or marriage, even bore him a child.
“Your status is lower than that of a concubine.
“You’ve brought shame upon the Duke Chen’s household.”
Yun Wei deliberately slowed her speech.
Her sharp eyes stared coldly at Chen Yuniang.
“Did you hear me clearly?”
“I…”
Chen Yuniang’s body swayed violently.
She felt her blood surge through her body as a sweet metallic taste rose in her throat.
A thin stream of blood slowly trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Back when the Duke Chen’s household had still stood at the height of its glory…
Her parents hadn’t even considered someone of Li Yaoting’s standing worthy of their notice.
Yet during those three years at the frontier…
She had no choice but to follow Li Yaoting without title or status, enduring humiliation simply to receive a little protection.
That enormous fall from grace…
That unbearable humiliation…
Had always been the thorn buried deepest in Chen Yuniang’s heart.
Today…
Yun Wei had ruthlessly ripped that thorn out before everyone.
“Yuniang!”
Li Yaoting hurriedly wrapped his arms around her.
Suppressing the grief and fury boiling inside her, Chen Yuniang steadied herself.
She hadn’t come here today to tear everything apart.
Huan’er was growing older.
Her parents would soon return to the capital as well.
She had to enter the Li family as soon as possible.
Otherwise, her family would become the target of endless gossip because of her.
Leaning against Li Yaoting’s arm for support, she faced Yun Wei once more and spoke in a soft, fragile voice.
“Sister, Brother Ting and I truly love one another.
“If fate hadn’t played such cruel tricks, I would have entered the Li family three years ago.
“I know you’ve suffered greatly.
“Brother Ting and I came today because we wanted to make it up to you.”
Yun Wei smiled faintly.
“Oh?
“And how exactly do you intend to compensate me?”
She genuinely wanted to see just how shameless they could be.
Being reminded of the real purpose of today’s visit, Li Yaoting glared at her angrily.
“Yun!
“You’re truly biting the hand that tries to help you!
“Yuniang has been thinking of you every step of the way.
“Seeing that you’ve reached this age without children, she repeatedly persuaded me to register Huan’er under your name so that he could call you Mother.
“But after what you’ve said today…
“I’m afraid you’re not worthy of being Huan’er’s mother.”
Li Yaoting glared viciously at Yun Wei.
In this era…
Children were of utmost importance to a married woman.
Only by having descendants could a woman’s standing within the family truly rise.
He believed that by using the matter of children against Yun Wei…
She would surely change her attitude.
She might even begin currying favor with them.
Instead…
Yun Wei was so furious that she actually laughed.
Their scheme…
Was truly perfect.
They had committed adultery.
Had an illegitimate child.
And now they expected her to raise him?
Did they really think she was someone easy to bully?
Yun Wei swept them both with an icy gaze.
“An illegitimate bastard of unknown origin…
“Is he worthy of calling me Mother?”
Chen Yuniang’s face instantly turned deathly pale.
Her expression was one of utter humiliation as she swayed on the verge of collapse.
“Brother Ting…”
Li Yaoting flew into a rage.
Raising his hand, he slapped directly toward Yun Wei.
Today…
He would make this woman understand the consequences of challenging her husband.
“Yun!
“As a wife, your heart is vicious and narrow-minded.
“Today, I’ll teach you a proper lesson!”
Tian’er gasped in alarm.
Without thinking, she rushed forward to shield her mistress.
But Yun Wei moved even faster.
Pushing Tian’er aside, she grabbed Chen Yuniang and pulled her directly in front of herself.
Smack!
A loud, crisp slap echoed throughout the room.
Instantly…
The entire room fell into dead silence.
…
Clutching her burning cheek, Chen Yuniang stood frozen.
Only after a long while did she recover her senses.
She stared at Li Yaoting in complete disbelief.
Li Yaoting himself looked equally bewildered.
He couldn’t understand how…
The slap meant for Yun Wei had somehow landed on Chen Yuniang’s face.
She had clearly been standing beside him just moments ago.
How had she suddenly ended up directly in front of him?
It was Yun!
Li Yaoting finally realized what had happened.
Turning toward Yun Wei, who stood behind Chen Yuniang, he roared through clenched teeth,
“Yun!”
Yun Wei ignored him completely.
Instead, she smiled warmly at Chen Yuniang with an expression full of gratitude.
“Thank you for taking that slap on my behalf.
“You truly are just as kind and generous as Li Yaoting said.
“Though Li Yaoting really didn’t hold back.
“To strike such a beautiful face with that much force…
“Judging by the swelling, it’ll probably take quite a few days before it goes down.”
Every word sounded sincere…
Filled with gratitude and regret.
Only then did Chen Yuniang realize she had been tricked.
Trembling with rage, she raised her hand and swung it toward Yun Wei’s face.
But before her hand could even touch Yun Wei…
Yun Wei caught her wrist.
Then—
Smack!
Chen Yuniang’s other cheek received another solid slap.
The crisp sound echoed through the room once again.
Chen Yuniang froze where she stood.
She…
The legitimate daughter of the Duke Chen’s household…
Had actually been slapped by a country girl?
And in front of so many servants?
“Waaah… Brother Ting…
“She hit me!
“I don’t want to live anymore…”
Crying bitterly, Chen Yuniang covered both cheeks and threw herself into Li Yaoting’s arms.
Meanwhile, Yun Wei calmly lowered her hand with obvious satisfaction.
Smiling pleasantly, she said,
“Now that looks much better.
“At least both sides are symmetrical.
“You won’t have people turning around to stare at you when you go outside anymore.
“No need to thank me.
“It was only a small favor.”
“Tinglang!” Chen Yuniang cried even harder upon hearing those words.
Li Yaoting’s heart ached for her. His face turned ashen as he glared at Yun Wei and shouted, “Yun Wei! I must have been blind to marry a vicious woman like you! Apologize to Yuniang this instant!”
“She isn’t worthy of my apology.”
Yun Wei couldn’t be bothered to waste another word on him. She turned and walked toward her room.
“Yun Wei!”
Li Yaoting had completely lost face today.
“If you refuse to apologize today, I’ll send someone to the Yun Residence and invite Madam Yun here. She can personally teach you the proper virtues and duties expected of a wife!”
