Chapter 22

The carriage sped forward, heading towards the Duke of Yue’s mansion.

Lady Liang finally calmed her pounding heart and asked Qiao Batian, “What happened?!”

Qiao Ling said angrily, “The Li family are all bastards!”

She said, “I was afraid of wrongly accusing the Li family, so I was very polite and asked if there was any misunderstanding between them. But that old bastard, as soon as he heard me ask if they had had any arguments, his expression immediately changed. He put on a deathly face and said, Why are you bringing our family business to the outside? You’re so old, don’t you feel ashamed?’ What a shameless old man!”

Lady Liang listened attentively, knowing her well: “You must have gotten angry immediately after hearing that, right?”

“Yes!”

Qiao Ling nodded vigorously, “Although my aunt is my real aunt, I can’t just listen to her side of the story. But when I went and asked, and then heard that old bastard say that, I knew it was probably true!”

She said, “My temper immediately flared up. I decided to ask him directly ‘Did you hit my aunt?’”

Lady Liang asked, “What did your uncle, Li Wenhe, say?”

Qiao Ling still felt angry when she thought about it: “He didn’t even speak. His concubine, all sweet and delicate, came out and said, ‘How can my elder sister do this? Not protecting the family’s reputation is one thing, but going out and spreading rumors is another. Isn’t this making everyone laugh at us?’”

“That old bastard heard this and said, ‘It’s normal for couples to argue. What family hasn’t had this happen? It was just an accidental push. If I really wanted to hit her, you wouldn’t be able to see her now. She’s just exaggerating and making things up!’”

“Don’t describe their words in such detail, it’ll make me angry—my liver is also a liver!”

Lady Liang interrupted, “Tell me about your heroic feat of breaking three legs, make me happy!”

Qiao Ling immediately became animated: “When I heard him finish, I was furious. Seeing his villainous face, I immediately punched him! That woman screamed and shouted for the servants to chase me away, but they were stopped by our people, so they couldn’t get through!”

“Li Wenhe was furious, and he thought he could take me on. He rolled up his sleeves and came to hit me. I grabbed a chair leg and broke it, then hit him in the leg, breaking it!”

Lady Liang listened with interest, “What about the other two legs?”

Qiao Ling’s face couldn’t help but show a hint of annoyance: “Li Wenhe fell, and that attracted the rest of the Li family. My aunt’s two sons—I should call them cousins—came rushing over, full of righteous indignation, to condemn me, saying how could I cause such a commotion in my elder’s home. I asked them, do you know that your mother was beaten by your father several times before, the last time even broke her head…”

Lady Liang’s eyes showed a hint of mocking understanding: “What did they say?”

“They actually knew! They’re her own sons!”

Qiao Ling said incredulously, “The eldest Li son is nineteen years old this year, and the second son is seventeen. They’re not children anymore! They know their mother is being bullied by their father, and they just turn a blind eye. What’s the point of having sons like that?!”

“My aunt has endured it all for her sons, she doesn’t want to separate from her husband, she doesn’t want to ruin her sons’ marriages. But they don’t have any compassion for their mother at all, they ignore her being bullied like this!”

Lady Liang understood: “So you beat up both of those brothers!”

Qiao Ling nodded vigorously, “Yes, I beat up both of those little bastards!”

Lady Liang was slightly surprised, saying, “You’re quite strong?”

Qiao Ling was startled: “Huh?”

Lady Liang looked her up and down and said, “I’ve also seen the two Li sons. Although they’re not capable, they’re tall and strong. You actually beat up both of them alone?”

Qiao Ling flexed her biceps and proudly answered the first question, “Mother-in-law, I’m very strong. Haven’t you noticed that I’m very sturdy?”

The High Emperor of this dynasty conquered the world on horseback, and the common people were also full of martial spirit. The education of girls in the boudoir also included archery. Lady Liang herself had learned, and she had some skills, but she wasn’t considered a very skilled martial artist. She hadn’t expected that Qiao Ling, a woman from a common background, had also learned.

After all,poor in literature, rich in martial arts isn’t a joke.

Now that Lady Liang’s doubts were cleared, she didn’t ask any more questions. Thinking back to the past, she felt a bit schadenfreude: “You’re a righteous hero, you avenged your wronged aunt. You’re so amazing, I really admire you.”

Qiao Ling looked at her suspiciously and said in a muffled voice, “Mother-in-law, you seem to be a bit sarcastic.”

“How could I be?”

Lady Liang said, “Your righteous spirit, fighting for justice for others, perfectly contrasts my coldness and ruthlessness. It makes me feel ashamed and admire you at the same time!”

Qiao Ling: “Even more sarcastic.”

Lady Liang sneered and didn’t say anything else.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law returned to the Duke of Yue’s mansion. The Old Lady, Madam Jiang, and the two married sisters who had returned home were all waiting.

Qiao Ling had already tidied herself up in the carriage, but the red scratch on her eye was unavoidable.

The Old Lady saw it and frowned, “What happened to your face? Did something happen in the palace?”

“Everything was peaceful in the palace,” Lady Liang said, “This child is just a kind soul. She knew that Third Sister was wronged, so she went to the Li family and made a scene, fighting for justice!”

Everyone in the hall understood, and their expressions were different.

Lady Xiao Jiang couldn’t help but stand up, shocked and apologetic, “How did this happen? The wedding is coming up soon… A girl’s face is so precious!”

She pulled Qiao Ling’s hand, moved by her actions, “You’re such a sincere child, what can I say?”

Qiao Ling said nonchalantly, “It’s okay, it’ll heal in a few days. But you, Aunt, should stay at home for a few days.”

She said sincerely, “Even if you don’t separate or divorce, you should at least stay apart for a while. I don’t want to upset you, Aunt, but those people in the Li family, including your two sons, don’t truly care about you!”

Lady Jiang burst into tears: “This is my fate in this life. My husband is like that, and my sons are… Sigh, I’m so old, I need my mother to worry about me, and I need my niece-in-law to take care of me!”

The Old Lady sighed softly, “They say children are debts.”

Then she said, “Stay here and relax. Your courtyard from before you got married has always been taken care of.”

Lady Liang brought up another matter: “Everything for the wedding has been prepared. We’ve also informed the Jingzhao Prefecture. The procession will leave from the North Gate, go around the city, and then enter from the South Gate.”

Then she said to Qiao Ling, “Have someone take you for a walk this afternoon to familiarize yourself with the route. Although there will be people to guide you when you actually go through the wedding ceremony, it’s best if you have an idea in your mind.”

Qiao Ling obediently agreed.

The custom in the capital city is that the groom’s side rides horses, and the bride’s side rides in a sedan chair. The newlyweds leave in the afternoon, perform the ceremony in the evening, and then go to pay their respects to the groom’s parents early the next morning.

But Jiang Mai was weak, he was a delicate person, and he couldn’t withstand the wind and sun while riding a horse. So they switched it up, Qiao Ling would ride the horse, and he would ride in the sedan chair.

Qiao Ling actually found it easier.

Riding a horse and enjoying the wind, then going out to have a few drinks with the guests, is much more comfortable than being cooped up in a sedan chair and then in the bridal chamber!

Fangyi brought over the wedding dress that had been tailored earlier. Zhang Yuying and several maids were about to help Qiao Ling get dressed: “Let’s try it on today, so you don’t panic tomorrow and forget something important!”

Qiao Ling laughed, “I don’t need to dress up elaborately, and the clothes are not complicated. What could I possibly forget?”

The maids weren’t afraid of her, they swarmed around her, helping her get dressed. They tied up her long hair and put a crown on her head, then clapped their hands and said, “What a handsome groom!”

Qiao Ling was skeptical and looked at Zhang Yuying, “Really, Yuying?”

Zhang Yuying’s eyes shone brightly, and she nodded vigorously, repeating the maids’ words, “What a handsome groom!”

Jiang Mai’s wet nurse, Luo, also sent the wedding clothes to Jiang Mai and asked softly, “Duke, do you want to try it on?”

Jiang Mai was slightly surprised, “It’s already that time?”

Luo smiled, “Time seems to pass so quickly since Miss Qiao came.”

Jiang Mai couldn’t help but smile slightly when he heard this. Sunlight shone through the thin window screen into the inner chamber, and his face seemed to be covered in a jade-like glow.

Luo was about to ask again when she suddenly heard a familiar dog bark outside.

Jiang Mai reached out and opened the window a little, calling out softly, “Jinzi.”

Jinzi sat on his bottom, his two front paws propped up, and barked crisply at him, “Woof!”

On the actual day of the wedding, Qiao Ling didn’t feel any pressure.

She got up, washed, ate, then rinsed her mouth and bathed as usual. When she came out of the bath, the maids came to help her dress and do her hair. Zhang Yuying stood by, reciting the wedding ceremony for her.

Because Jiang Mai was not well, Qiao Ling was actually taking on the groom’s responsibilities, such as riding a horse, archery, and greeting guests. She had to do it all. And because of Jiang Mai’s status as the Duke of Yue, even though they considered his health and shortened the ceremony, it was still a bit complicated compared to ordinary people.

Even though Qiao Ling had already heard the process several times, she listened very attentively this time. But after she finished listening, she couldn’t help but smack her lips: “I wonder if anyone from my family will come…”

Zhang Yuying and the maids were silent, afraid she would feel sad, so they quickly changed the subject. But they all knew in their hearts—if anyone on that side really cared, they wouldn’t have let their lady get married alone in the capital.

Cheng Mu, the captain of the Imperial Guards, was on duty in his office. He had a cup of strong tea and an ancient book in front of him.

But the book was too obscure, it made him dizzy. It was broad daylight, and he hadn’t had any alcohol, but he had been reading it for a while, and he felt a bit tipsy.

At that moment, he suddenly heard a bell sound that seemed to come from the void.

Cheng Mu was dazed at first, his thoughts turning in his mind, but it was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in the air. He quickly jumped up from his chair.

It was a room that was completely enclosed, with no windows, and bells hanging on all four sides.

The bells were about the size of an adult’s fist, made of silver, with animal heads carved on them, but they were “ChaoFeng- mythical creature resembling a dragon, said to be able to imitate sounds.”

The bell on the east side of the room was shaking violently.

Cheng Mu ran out like the wind. The leader of the Yulin Guards had already gathered outside, exchanging strange and curious glances.

Cheng Mu was also terrified, but he still ordered everyone sternly, “Silence, prepare to leave!”

He led his men out the door and saw the leader of the Golden Guards, who also looked strange.

The two captains looked at each other with heavy expressions, then looked out the door at the same time.

A figure appeared there, I don’t know when, wearing a strange crown with black gauze hanging down, like smoke, obscuring their face, making it impossible to tell if it was a man or a woman.

Under the sunlight, the purple robe on their body flowed, creating waves like water.

Cheng Mu’s heart skipped a beat. He knew this was a purple-robed scholar from the Central Dynasty. He quickly stepped forward with the other captain and bowed deeply: “Greetings, Scholar!”

The purple-robed scholar responded.

From the voice, it was a woman.

She didn’t look at the two captains who were so close, but looked at the white-feathered parrot perched on her arm, and said lightly, “Go.”

The parrot chirped, flapped its wings, and soared into the air, quickly heading east.

The purple-robed scholar rode ahead, the two captains rode side by side behind, and the attendants, armed and armored, formed a line.

Cheng Mu looked at the purple figure ahead, thinking, is this the mysterious purple-robed scholar who rarely appears in front of the world?

He wondered which purple-robed scholar had been assigned the case of the evil spirits killing people.

He quickly thought again, but after that, there were no similar cases…

They arrived at the East Gate. Cheng Mu subconsciously looked around and saw the white-feathered bird.

It was perched on a Googles– mythical creature resembling a dragon, said to be able to imitate sounds)” mirror, preening its feathers with its yellow beak, not looking in this direction.

Cheng Mu’s mind was filled with countless questions, but no one could answer them. Just when he was feeling anxious, he suddenly heard a heavy sound of feathers shaking. He looked up in shock and saw that the white-feathered bird was already circling downwards, finally landing on the purple-robed scholar’s shoulder.

Heavy footsteps came from outside the city gate.

It sounded like horseshoes, but not quite.

The mount under him was restless and agitated.

Cheng Mu gripped the reins, stroking its neck reassuringly. His gaze was fixed ahead, and he saw a middle-aged woman, dusty and travel-worn, riding a strange-looking mount with horns on its head, entering the East Gate of the capital.

She was of average height, but her shoulders and neck were very strong, and she carried a large sword on her back.

When Cheng Mu’s gaze fell on her, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of fear. His back turned cold, and his heart pounded.

The purple-robed scholar spoke, her voice calm, “Mr. Divine Sword, you’ve scared these young men.”

The middle-aged woman, called Divine Sword, reined in her strange mount, scrutinized the purple-robed scholar for a moment, and couldn’t help but smile, “It’s the Thirty Lady of the Gui family.”

The Thirty Lady of the Gui family.

Cheng Mu silently memorized the name.

Then Shen Dao lowered her gaze slightly, landing on the Thirty Lady’s shoulder, “It’s better to see it once than to hear it a hundred times. So this is the famous Fenghua Terrace.”

Cheng Mu then learned—the white-feathered parrot’s name was Fenghuatai.

The Thirty Lady asked, “Shen Dao, what brings you to the capital this time?”

Shen Dao asked in return, “Don’t you know? In the next few days, many guests will gather in the capital.”

The Thirty Lady nodded and asked, “How long do you plan to stay in the capital?”

Shen Dao said, “Meet up with some old friends, and I’ll leave in a few days.”

Cheng Mu couldn’t help but think, is there some grand event happening in the God City lately? It’s actually attracting such reclusive figures!

The Thirty Lady seemed to have some dealings with Divine Sword. This time they met, they exchanged a few pleasantries, and then she said with a smile, “The Divine Capital has many treasures. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a gift to your liking.”

Shen Dao shook her head lightly, “My gift is already prepared.”

The smile on the Thirty Lady’s face paused slightly, and she sighed, “It’s not what I think, is it?”

“It is exactly what the Thirty Lady thinks. Since the nobles of the capital follow the law of the jungle, when they are outmatched, they must accept their fate.”

Shen Dao said calmly, “I have nothing, and the gift I want to give is a blade, only a blade.”

She also felt a bit of regret, “The Duke of Lu was injured just right. Otherwise, this gift would have been his.”

The Thirty Lady said with a wry smile, “It’s best not to cause any trouble in the capital.”

Shen Dao repeated her words with a smile, “It’s best not to.”