Chapter 164: Doing Something Bloody
Gao Yunyue clutched her face, completely stunned. "Mother, you hit me? You’re protecting this little bastard and you hit me."
Madam Gao’s heart ached for her, but if those words got out, the Prime Minister’s estate would face a great disaster.
"Luo Xuan," Ye Qianning called softly.
Luo Xuan stepped forward and struck the other side of Gao Yunyue’s face.
"AH—"
"Yun Yue!"
Gao Yunyue collapsed to the ground, her head ringing. It took her a long moment to recover from the daze.
"Miss Xiang, what do you think you’re doing?" Madam Gao demanded, whirling on her.
"You have quite a way of spoiling your child, Madam Prime Minister. Since you can’t bear to discipline her, I have no choice but to discipline this little bastard for you." Ye Qianning tsked. "If she can’t learn to speak properly, what’s the point of her having a mouth?"
Madam Gao’s heart ached with a mix of fury and regret. ’It’s all my fault for spoiling Yun Yue so much. To think I’d be completely outmaneuvered by a six-year-old girl.’
The stars in Gao Yunyue’s vision finally faded. She turned her head, her face swollen like a puffy bun. With a loud wail, she opened her mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood and broken teeth.
"Waaah... Mother... *sob*..."
"Yun Yue!" Madam Gao was horrified and bent down to hug her.
Gao Yunqin clenched her fists inside her sleeves and took a step forward. "Miss Xiang, may I ask what business brings you to our home today?"
"Prime Minister Gao knows full well."
"But my father is not home today. Perhaps Miss Xiang could return another day?"
"That’s fine. I’ll wait for him here. If he isn’t back in a day, I’ll wait a day. If he isn’t back in two, I’ll wait two. However, I’m a rather impatient person. If I can’t stop myself from doing something... bloody... while I wait, I do hope none of you will mind," Ye Qianning said with a smile.
"I’ll send someone to find Father right away." Gao Yunqin was no fool. ’It’s obvious Father did something to provoke her, which is why she’s come knocking.’
’Not knowing the root of the problem, I dare not speak carelessly. After all, I am now part of the Yunnan Marquis’s household. If I make a mistake, the Yunnan Marquis’s family will be implicated as well.’
"The... the food is here," the maid from before stammered, trembling as she stepped through the door.
The Hidden Guards parted, lining both sides of the hall.
"Perfect timing, I’m hungry. Go ahead and serve," Ye Qianning said, turning to walk to the table and taking a seat.
The maid led a group of servants in with trays of food and wine. When the maids saw the state of the hall, they silently lowered their heads. ’The Madam and the Third Miss have both been beaten.’
’They would have to serve this little terror with the utmost care.’
The maids laid out all the dishes, then hastily withdrew.
"The food at the Prime Minister’s estate is quite impressive. Twenty-six dishes. And this wine..." Ye Qianning picked up the jug and sniffed it. "Not bad. While it’s no match for Immortal’s Drunkenness, it’s a fine vintage. Madam Gao, Miss Gao, come, come, sit down. Don’t be shy."
She poured herself a cup of wine and beckoned to the others.
"*Sob sob sob...*" Gao Yunyue whimpered, glaring at Ye Qianning. "You— Mmph! Mmph!"
Before she could get a word out, Madam Gao clamped a hand over her mouth. ’This foolish girl, is she trying to get herself killed?’
"See? Madam Gao is the sensible one here. A word for a slap. As long as the third Miss Gao can take the pain, she’s free to say whatever she wants," Ye Qianning said, taking a sip of wine.
Madam Gao was furious but dared not do anything. ’All I can do is wait for the Prime Minister to return. Trespassing into the Prime Minister’s estate is a major crime in itself.’
Gao Yunyue didn’t dare to utter another curse. That one slap had knocked out several of her teeth.
"Young Miss."
Luo Xuan’s stern expression changed.
’The Young Miss is only six! If the General finds out we just stood by and watched her drink, we’re done for.’
"Father won’t find out about a few small sips," Ye Qianning said, pouring another cup.
Luo Xuan’s expression soured. ’Oh, the General will definitely find out.’
"Well now, what’s all this?" a voice belonging to an old man called out.