Chapter 3: A Slap, Vowed to be Returned

Upon hearing Madam Han’s accusations, the surrounding crowd immediately began to whisper. None of them had expected that this woman would be Han Ziqing, the concubine-born daughter of the Prime Minister’s estate!

No wonder she was so beautiful; after all, back in the day, although Han Ziqing’s mother was a secondary wife, she had been the number one beauty in the Imperial Capital!

Once they heard Ziqing’s identity, the onlookers immediately changed their tune.

"How could it be the Second Miss? This... how will she ever be able to marry in the future!"

"As the dignified Second Miss of the Prime Minister’s estate, this is truly disgraceful and corrupts public morals! Forget about marrying, I think she shouldn't even be allowed to live!"

"Slut, she is so shameless, she must be drowned in a pig cage!"

"Drowning her in a pig cage is too easy on her; she must be subjected to the extreme punishment of the 'locking of the yin' to serve as a warning to others!"

...

"Han Ziqing, my Prime Minister’s estate has no daughter like you. Today, I will ruin this face of yours to prevent you from shaming the estate any further!"

Madam Han seemed somewhat impatient, wearing a look of feigned disappointment as she suddenly drew a dagger. "Men, hold her down for me!"

"You aren't qualified!"

Unexpectedly, Ziqing, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke in a sharp voice. The coldness of her tone was so chilling that the guards were startled and dared not step forward.

She covered her face and slowly raised her head. Her iron-willed, sharp eyes swept coldly across the onlookers one by one. Everyone gasped, involuntarily retreating, shaken by that icy gaze!

Madam Han was also startled, feeling vaguely that something was wrong, and immediately scolded angrily, "Han Ziqing, do you still have anything to say for yourself?"

With Prince Yao’s selection of a consort at the Prime Minister’s estate imminent, although Han Ziqing was a concubine-born daughter, she possessed a beauty that could topple cities. Consort Yi had even mentioned her a while ago. Her existence was undoubtedly a threat to Xi'er, and regardless of the size of that threat, she had to completely eradicate her for her daughter’s sake.

She wanted Han Ziqing’s reputation to be completely destroyed, to be notorious, and to never be able to rise again!

"I don't like talking to you!" Ziqing said coldly. Her figure flashed, and she suddenly closed in on Madam Han. With one hand, she gripped her throat, while with the other, she moved with lightning speed to tear off Madam Han’s outer robe to wrap around herself.

"Han Ziqing, how dare you..."

Madam Han cried out in alarm. Before she could finish her sentence, Ziqing had already snatched her dagger. The pressure on her throat tightened, and Ziqing pushed her forward, heading straight toward the Prime Minister’s estate.

"Let go... you are insolent... Han Ziqing, you..."

Madam Han was unable to struggle, let alone speak, her powdered face turning bright red. The guards followed closely, their long swords pointed at her, but five or six guards with five or six swords were actually no match for Ziqing, who held a dagger in one hand!

"Second Miss, stop this at once!"

"Second Miss, do not be rude to Madam! Stop immediately, or we will not be polite!"

"Second Miss, do not be insolent! Let’s talk this over properly!"

...

Facing the guards' threats and pleas, Ziqing ignored them all. While resisting, she held Madam Han hostage, passing through the busiest street in the Imperial Capital and striding straight toward the Prime Minister’s estate!

The crowd of onlookers and followers grew larger and larger; half the Imperial Capital was in an uproar, but Ziqing didn't care at all.

She had always been accustomed to doing as she pleased and settling scores with swift vengeance. No matter where she was or what identity she held, it was all the same. The fact that the ancient world placed such heavy importance on chastity did not mean she had to swallow her pride, and she had no intention of getting married here anyway. Since Han Xi'er wanted to stir up such a storm with this frame-up, then she would accompany her to the very end. For that slap from Madam Han, plus the debt owed by Han Xi'er, she would make the mother and daughter pay it back a hundredfold!

...

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A note to the readers: A new book, a new beginning. Welcome, new and old friends, to join the journey. Let the support flow in. In 2013, this cat is still here with everyone.