Chapter 23: The First Fierce Woman of the Capital

Amidst a burst of gasps, Song Liang was sent flying over ten meters, landing heavily on the ground and remained motionless for a while.

The crowd around them stared in shock at this scene. No one dared to speak, nor did anyone approach to check on him. It felt as if time had frozen.

Only when Song Liang slowly started to twist his body and, with great difficulty, climbed to his feet, did the crowd release a collective sigh.

“Ah, that scared me. I thought he was dead from that slap.”

“This young lady is simply superhuman; she sent General Song flying!”

“That’s Zhuang Xiaoyu, the eldest daughter of the Chancellor’s family. I heard she used to chop wood in the countryside and developed such strength that she could chop down trees as thick as a person’s waist with an axe.”

…

“What just happened? What on earth?” Song Liang asked, still staggering and disoriented after getting up.

No one stepped forward to explain what had happened. He had rushed out in such a hurry, and since no servants were with him, no one dared to intervene, fearing they might offend Zhuang Xiaoyu.

Zhuang Xiaowan blinked rapidly, feeling her eyes starting to sting, and it took her a few moments to recover.

“Sis, sis, you’re amazing!”

“That’s why, if you follow me, you won’t have to fear anyone.”

“Mm, mm, I get it now.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu slowly walked up to Song Liang: “Go back and teach your sister a lesson. When her face heals, have her come and apologize to me.”

Then, with a graceful turn, she and her sister walked off with their heads held high.

Song Liang, still dazed, took a long time to clear his head. When he finally extended his hand to strike Zhuang Xiaoyu, she slapped him instead, sending him flying so far. He even measured the distance from where he landed and estimated it was over ten meters.

The news quickly spread, and before long, Zhuang Xiaoyu earned a reputation as a fierce woman.

Zhuang Xiaowan walked proudly, even mimicking Zhuang Xiaoyu’s graceful posture, exuding an air of indifference to anyone.

“Your father is going to scold me for this,” she said.

Old Zhuang would probably say she had spoiled her younger sister.

“I’m not scared. Dad and I always argue, but I’ve never lost.”

“You really trust me, huh?”

“My sister in my heart is the best in the world. From now on, I, your little sister, will follow you unconditionally. I would risk everything for you.”

Zhuang Xiaowan swore with determination, almost like a warrior of the jianghu.

Zhuang Xiaoyu tapped her on the head.

“Stop with the melodramatic speeches. Don’t gross me out.”

Song Tingting was injured, and the Song family wasn’t happy. The young lady from the Song family had a sharp tongue, and Zhuang Xiaoyu, the eldest daughter of the Chancellor’s family, had actually struck her. Her father, Song Yi, went straight to the emperor to report the incident, accusing Zhuang Xian of failing to properly raise his daughter, allowing her to act violently. Not only had Zhuang Xiaoyu injured someone, but she also didn’t show any remorse. Moreover, she even attacked her brother, Song Liang. It was simply too much.

Zhuang Xian hadn’t even fully understood what had happened when he was already accused of several offenses.

As Zhuang Xiaoyu’s fiancé, Murong Ze quickly stepped in to defend her.

“Father, this might be some misunderstanding. Let me investigate further before any decisions are made.”

“Second Prince, Zhuang Xiaoyu is your fiancée, so you are trying to protect her, aren’t you?”

Song Yi, being protective of his daughter, insisted that the Zhuang family give him an explanation.

“If Xiaoyu is in the wrong, I will have her apologize to Miss Song.”

Murong Ze spoke in an official tone, and Zhuang Xian knew well that Zhuang Xiaoyu would never apologize. He quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands.

“Your Majesty, my daughter would never attack without cause. Miss Song must have provoked her first, or Xiaoyu wouldn’t have struck her.”

“Zhuang Xian, are you implying that my daughter deliberately sought a fight?”

“Well, General Song’s suspicion isn’t without reason.”

“You… Your Majesty, Zhuang Xian is bullying me. I ask you to stand up for my son!”

“Enough, no more arguing. Ze’er, you handle this matter, and make sure to be fair and just, without showing any bias.” The Emperor, irritated by their bickering, pushed the responsibility onto Murong Ze.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will take care of it.”

Although Murong Ze didn’t have full authority, he still handled the matter fairly. He first took the imperial physician to the Song family to check on Song Tingting’s injuries and inquire about what had happened. Song Tingting said that she just wanted Zhuang Xiaoyu to apologize, since her eye injury had already been treated, and she was sure that Zhuang Xiaoyu simply disliked Murong Ze. She was curious whether Murong Ze would make things difficult for her in the future.

Zhuang Xiaoyu had already heard from her father about the situation in court. Undoubtedly, she had been scolded by Zhuang Xian.

For such a small matter, why did it have to escalate to violence? Wouldn’t it have been enough to just ignore her?

“Father, this matter doesn’t concern you. Just go on with your business, I can handle it. I’m planning to cancel the wedding along with this.”

When Murong Ze arrived, Zhuang Xiaoyu was sitting on a chair, crossing her legs, and happily swinging her feet.

“Ahem.”

Murong Ze coughed twice, trying to get Zhuang Xiaoyu to behave.

“Wan’er, pour tea for the Second Prince.”

“Sure, sister.”

Zhuang Xiaowan eagerly grabbed the maid’s task. She didn’t want to leave Zhuang Xiaoyu for even a moment. She wanted to see how her sister would cancel the wedding.

After pouring the tea, she stood behind Zhuang Xiaoyu, acting as a qualified maid.

Murong Ze was taken aback by the sisters’ behavior. If Zhuang Xiaowan were a concubine’s daughter, it would make sense for the younger sister to be mistreated by the legitimate one, but clearly, the Zhuang family wasn’t like that. If anyone were to be mistreated, it would be Zhuang Xiaoyu, since she came later.

“Second Prince, you’ve arrived just in time. I also have something I want to discuss with you.”

“Xiaoyu, I’ve come under the emperor’s orders to investigate the matter between you and Miss Song. I believe you’re here to talk about it?”

“No, no, it’s just a small matter. If Song Tingting is injured, she can apologize to me, that’s enough. I’m not petty, so I won’t hold a grudge over her provocation.”

“Huh? Didn’t you injure her? Why should she apologize to you?”

“She spoke rudely first. I didn’t even want to hurt her. She made me hurt my hand, so she has to apologize. Otherwise, it won’t be over.”

She got so angry that she even forgot to swing her feet. After saying it, she resumed swinging them.

“Xiaoyu, could you please explain what happened that day?”

“Well, Wan’er and I were walking and chatting. Wan’er asked, ‘Sister, are you really going to marry the Second Prince?’ I said, ‘I don’t want to marry at all. Even if I were to marry, I wouldn’t marry him. My eyes aren’t blind.’ Then Song Tingting suddenly popped up and said, ‘You’re still boasting. The emperor’s decree has been issued, and you dare to defy it? Do you want to die?’ I just slapped her, and that was it.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu’s version of the story was completely consistent with Song Tingting’s. But why did she have to make herself sound so terrible in the process? Can’t she be a bit more considerate of her feelings?

“May I ask, Xiaoyu, what is it about me that you find so… unworthy?”

“I don’t find anything about you worthy. You look average, your abilities are average. Tell me, what makes you think you deserve me?”

“…”

Murong Ze actually started to consider it. What she said was somewhat reasonable. But then again, if he was average, wasn’t she also just average?

“So, hurry up and go back to tell your father that you’re not worthy of me, and cancel the wedding.”

“Wait, Zhuang Xiaoyu, where do you get the confidence to demean me like this? I admit I’m not perfect, but what makes you so great? As for talent, you’re not better than me. You’re rude and impolite. I believe I’m not inferior to you.”

Murong Ze argued his case firmly. He refused to admit that he wasn’t good enough for a country bumpkin.

“I’m rude because I have the ability. I’m impolite because I don’t care about trivial matters. Do you have the ability to go to the battlefield and kill? Would you dare? Could you act disrespectfully in front of the emperor and the empress? Would you dare?”

“What twisted logic is that? When the enemy comes, there are generals for war. In front of the emperor, how can one be disrespectful? That’s unfilial.”

Murong Ze stood in front of Zhuang Xiaoyu, lowering his head, and saw her swinging feet.

“No means no. Don’t argue. Go back and handle this matter. If you can cancel the wedding in front of the emperor, then I’ll admit you have some ability.”

“What if I don’t cancel it?”

“Murong Ze, have you forgotten how Murong Xiao was deposed?”

“He was deposed because of his debauchery. What does that have to do with you?”

“Why was no one talking about his debauchery before? Suddenly, so many people are impeaching him.”

Murong Ze looked at Zhuang Xiaoyu’s swinging feet, feeling a bit dizzy. It was definitely her work. But so what? He kept himself clean and had never taken bribes. Even if Zhuang Xiaoyu had the ability, what could she impeach him for?

“Zhuang Xiaoyu, I’m here about the matter with Song Tingting. You hurt her, and you need to apologize to her.”

“Murong Ze, can’t you understand human speech? The one who should apologize is her. With your abilities, you still want to marry me? If you drink more water, you’ll realize what kind of person you are. Hurry up and go back to cancel the wedding. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rough with you.”

Murong Ze stood there in a daze, not moving for a long time.

“Oh my, why are you still so dumb?”

Zhuang Xiaoyu covered her face. After being scolded a couple of times, he seemed dazed. If she actually hit him, would he turn into a vegetable?

“Xiaoyu, let’s not apologize. Let her apologize to you. I’ll protect you this time. Don’t cancel the marriage with me. You’re right, being rude means you have abilities. I need a consort like you by my side. I’ll handle this.”

Murong Ze quickly left in a hurry.

The sisters exchanged a confused look. What on earth did he just do?