Chapter 356 - 355 The Great New Year’s
In a forest grown large, all sorts of birds may be found, and Lady Zhang was one such bird. Not content with the good life she had, she had to court disaster—and who could have stopped her?
Upon reflection, she really wasn’t wronged. Qi Jiaer had suffered abuse at the hands of his stepmother from a young age and been neglected by the entire second branch family, the emotional and physical harm he endured was far beyond what her mere twenty slaps could compare to. A child of four or five suffering such harm is truly pitiable. Lady Zhang, a woman with children of her own living under the same roof, not only failed to extend a helping hand but instead salted the wounds of a child whose fate was already unfortunate. She deserved it!
Ye Xinyan’s icy gaze then turned to Madam Pang. This woman was malicious yet cowardly; she had simply not found the opportunity. If there were a chance, Ye Xinyan would certainly ensure that Anshun’s Household would slap her thirty, no, fifty times, best if they slapped her down to brand her with a permanent pig’s face for all to see the evil stepmother she was.
Nanny Liu swept a cold glance over the members of the third branch and turned to ask Ye Xinyan, "Nanny Qiao showed restraint and did not strike with full force. Does Young Lady find this acceptable?"
Ye Xinyan blinked. What did that mean? Did it imply that Lady Zhang could withstand more?
At the time she suggested the slapping, her intention was to provide a substantial form of face-slapping for the third branch and Lady Zhang, to show them that running one’s mouth had consequences. Now, not only was there a form, but there was also a substantive effect from the punishment... Ye Xinyan’s eyes paused on both Lady Zhang and Qi Dong, making the two watching her eagerly in anticipation tremble.
Lady Zhang, having been slapped, was frightened not only by the humiliation and the pain but also by fear that this unreasonable woman would persist in her punishment. Qi Dong’s fear was no less than hers. The mere pinch he received on his shoulder from the guard still left a lingering soreness—he shuddered at the thought of the consequences if there were a real altercation.
Ye Xinyan, as they had hoped, relented, "Let it go, it’s the New Year, let’s leave it at that for now. Everyone, keep an eye out and listen carefully, to see if she’s always this lucky." Saying this, she looked to Qi Younian, "Grandfather, what do you think?"