Volume One, Chapter Eight: Teaching the Stubborn Girl a Lesson

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Shen Qi grew more and more smug as she spoke. Just the thought that Pei Jing hadn’t accompanied Shen Zhi back today filled her with a sense of vindication, making her feel completely at ease.

Today, she would make sure to return the twenty lashes that Shen Zhi had dealt her back then—every single one without exception!

“Shen Zhi! You’ve truly disgraced the Shen family. Today, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of Grandmother!”

Shen Zhi’s expression darkened immediately. “What right do you have to teach me? Do you deserve it?”

Pei Huai stepped forward and blocked Shen Qi’s waist, adopting the posture of a righteous gentleman as he looked at her. “Seventh sister-in-law, my younger brother here is just a bit immature. I apologize for the grievances you’ve suffered.”

“What kind of person are you, to speak of my husband?” Shen Zhi turned to glare at him, disgust plain in her eyes.

Pei Huai was taken aback for a moment, then his smile deepened. “It seems, Seventh sister-in-law, you still haven’t learned your place. With such behavior, how can you be a virtuous wife to my seventh brother?”

“Perhaps it’s best if Old Madam Shen teaches you some rules.”

No sooner had Pei Huai finished speaking than Zhong Lengyu, unable to wait any longer, chimed in, “The prince is right, indeed!”

“Bring the family law into effect!”

Shen Zhi glanced at Zhong Lengyu and then turned to Pei Huai. His face always wore the mask of a gentleman, calm and refined, but in truth, he was a despicable scoundrel.

She gritted her teeth. “Your Highness, I wonder by what authority you presume to teach me manners? Are you the so-called Seventh Prince, or my sister’s husband? Whichever identity you claim, I’m afraid you have no jurisdiction over me today. Matters of the Shen family are none of your concern!”

“You’d do well not to disgrace your own status, Prince. Otherwise, if word gets out, others will say the prince bullies women!”

Her words were swift and sharp, but Pei Huai merely listened, showing no anger. “If Old Madam wants to discipline Miss Shen, what does that have to do with me? Why is Miss Shen biting at everyone?”

Shen Zhi was nearly driven to fury, barely restraining the last shred of reason within her. How could he—who might one day ascend the throne—so easily wash his hands clean of this, calling her sister-in-law just minutes ago and now addressing her as Miss Shen? It was clear: Old Madam Shen disciplining her was a grandmother educating her granddaughter, nothing to do with him!

Truly despicable and shameless!

“Prince, are you speaking of yourself? Who compares themselves to a dog? How laughable. Mingzhi, have you ever seen such a thing?” Shen Zhi turned to ask Mingzhi.

“Miss, your servant has never seen it,” Mingzhi answered obediently, neither servile nor defiant, following quietly behind her.

Shen Zhi raised an eyebrow. “Why does the Seventh Prince have such a strange habit? Be careful not to let it slip out; it wouldn’t look good if others found out.”

Pei Huai’s smile vanished immediately.

“You! Shen Zhi! What do you mean? Who did you call a dog?” Shen Qi couldn’t hold back any longer and rushed forward, raising her hand to strike.

Shen Zhi blocked the blow and retaliated with a slap to her face.

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“Ah!” Shen Qi staggered back in pain and fell directly to the ground.

“Hmph, you only have yourself to blame!”

“You have no manners at all! Bring her to me bound!”

Old Madam Shen was furious and immediately called for the house servants. The entire Shen family’s retainers surrounded Shen Zhi.

“Miss…” Mingzhi asked anxiously.

Old Madam Shen waved her hand, and the servants promptly tied Shen Zhi up.

“Let me go! Let me go! Don’t touch me!” Shen Zhi shouted loudly, but it was useless.

Her hands were bound so tightly she couldn’t move at all!

Shen Qi stepped forward and slapped her again. “Shen Zhi! This slap is what you owe me!”

Shen Zhi’s hair became disheveled, and her cheeks quickly swelled with redness.

Seeing this, Zhong Lengyu grew even more ruthless. With no one backing Shen Zhi now, crushing her was as easy as crushing an ant.

Old Madam Shen ordered a whip brought forth. “Shen Zhi! Your parents are far away on the frontier, entrusting you to me. If you haven’t been properly educated, that’s my fault. Today, I will teach you a lesson in their stead!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhi snorted coldly. “What right do you have to discipline me on behalf of my parents? You’re not worthy of even mentioning them!”

Wei Xiangjun’s eyes narrowed sharply. She raised her hand and delivered a harsh lash across Shen Zhi’s shoulder.

Shen Zhi gasped sharply.

She knelt silently on the ground, not uttering a sound.

“Seventh sister-in-law, a woman must have some sense of decorum!” Pei Huai held Shen Qi affectionately.

“I heard that the Seventh Prince took a concubine on the second day after your wedding. Looks like he’s spending time with the Zhao family’s little lady now,” Shen Qi whispered, covering her mouth with a smile.

Wei Xiangjun lashed her again. “You’re so arrogant! Today, I’ll teach you a proper lesson!”

Shen Zhi bit her lip, refusing to make a sound, biting her own lip until it bled.

Her forehead was damp with a fine sweat, and her mouth was fierce. “Grandmother, aren’t you afraid that Grandfather will see this and blame you?”

“Auntie! Your son who died two years ago is watching you from behind!”

Shen Zhi laughed with a hint of madness, her hair wildly disheveled. She looked at Zhong Lengyu. “Auntie! Look, my brother is right behind you!”

She spoke slowly, deliberately. Zhong Lengyu broke out in a cold sweat, frightened by her words. That child had carelessly fallen once and had not been saved.

She instinctively glanced back but saw no one—only some tables and chairs.

Zhong Lengyu turned back, her face full of fury. “How dare you!”

Old Madam Shen was likewise enraged. Shen Laoye had died early, and in life, his most beloved was this little legitimate granddaughter, Shen Zhi.

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