Chapter 5: The Second Fool

Xue Ziyan lay on the ground for a long time before managing to get up.

“Zhuang Xiaoyu, you country bumpkin, I will never let you off!”

“Tch, a lousy scallion, what kind of power do you have?”

“I’m not a scallion, I’m not… ah, woo woo woo…”

Xue Ziyan suddenly burst into tears. Her temper was so volatile that she had to vent, or she would get sick from it.

Zhuang Xiaoyu stared at her in surprise. She didn’t cry when she fell earlier, so why was she now so upset over being called a scallion? It made no sense.

In the end, it was Madam Zhuang who stepped in to mediate. After a lot of persuasion, Xue Ziyan finally stopped crying, glared at Zhuang Xiaoyu, and left.

“Mother, it’s not sister’s fault. Xue Ziyan started it.”

“Mother knows. In the future, keep your distance from Zhang Xue.”

She wasn’t stupid; she had already figured out how to deal with troublemakers. That niece of hers wasn’t easy to handle. She couldn’t let her continue causing trouble at the Zhuang residence.

“Miss Sun has already written her poem. Let’s go see.”

Suddenly, someone called out, and the crowd dispersed, leaving only the mother and daughters.

“Hehe, mother, maybe I have bad luck. Should I just stay home from now on?”

“You’re right. Your father’s title has never been of much use, and now some small fries are trying to ride over us. You’re the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family, and in the future, if anyone comes looking for trouble, we’ll deal with them.”

“Wow, mother, you’re so impressive.”

Anyone who bullied Zhuang Xiaoyu was clearly disrespecting the Zhuang family and her status as a titled wife. Some people just couldn’t be spoiled.

“Let’s go see the poems they’ve written.”

“Does Sister Wan’er know how to write poems?”

“I can’t write very well, so I’d rather not embarrass myself.”

“Oh, then we’ll just watch for fun.”

At that moment, several noble ladies had already finished their poems. Zhuang Xiaoyu didn’t know how to write poetry, but she could tell the good from the bad, so she clapped along.

“Madam Zhuang, would your two young ladies like to try a poem?”

It was Madam Wei, the hostess of the flower banquet. Zhuang Xiaoyu had made a bit of a scene here, so she felt a little guilty.

“They’re not very good at writing poetry, so they won’t show off in front of so many talented ladies.”

“Then, please enjoy your tea, Misses.”

The two sisters sat down quietly, sipping tea and eating snacks.

Zhuang Xiaoyu ate quickly, and before long, the snack plate was empty.

“Miss Zhuang, as the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s household, shouldn’t you just be eating and drinking? Why not write a poem for everyone to appreciate?”

It was Zhang Xue, who hadn’t yet given up on causing trouble.

“I won’t.”

“You’re probably too afraid to.”

“Correct, I can’t write. But with so many people here, why do you have to trouble me? Do I have a grudge against you?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You know very well that I grew up in the countryside, never studied, can’t write poetry, and yet you still ask me to? Isn’t that deliberately making things difficult for me?”

“How would I know you can’t write?”

“Who here doesn’t know I grew up in the countryside, don’t know the rules, and don’t know literature? Only you don’t know. You’re so stupid, even the biggest fool knows better than you. You’re just a second fool.”

“You…”

“Aunt, look at her!”

Zhang Xue was so upset by Zhuang Xiaoyu calling her a second fool that she bit her lip, waiting for her aunt to back her up.

Madam Zhuang had already grown upset when Zhang Xue spoke: “Xiaoyu is right. Everyone knows your background. Why don’t you know? Haven’t you been to the Zhuang family? You’ve known Xiaoyu for so long, and you still don’t know her well. If you’re not a fool, then what are you?”

“Aunt, Xue’er forgot, I’m sorry.”

“If this happens again, you won’t be coming to the Zhuang family anymore.”

“No more next time? You can’t come anymore, neither I nor Wan’er welcome you.”

This green tea bitch, even though she was a relative, was deliberately trying to embarrass her.

Zhang Xue glared at Zhuang Xiaoyu. She was supposed to be Wan’er’s cousin, but as soon as this woman arrived, Wan’er stopped being close to her. She must have been talking bad about her behind her back.

“I think some people must have lost their eyes.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu didn’t even look at her, yet somehow Zhang Xue was caught. She quickly shifted her gaze, looking elsewhere. This Zhuang Xiaoyu was a bit eerie, and she realized she couldn’t directly challenge her anymore.

After the banquet ended, Miss Sun won first place and chose a rich peony as her prize. Everyone gathered around to congratulate her, calling her the undisputed top talent in the capital.

Miss Sun Yulan appeared humble and didn’t show any arrogance. She even smiled friendly at Zhuang Xiaoyu.

After the Wei family’s flower banquet, the other families’ events seemed rather dull. Madam Zhuang gradually started to hold her title with more dignity, and no one openly caused trouble for Zhuang Xiaoyu anymore, though there were still some whispered remarks behind her back.

Zhuang Xiaoyu couldn’t care less about what they were whispering. If anyone dared to plot against her, it would be like a dung beetle walking into a latrine—seeking death.

“The noodles at this place are so delicious. Wan’er has never had such tasty noodles.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu’s younger sister, Wan’er, puffed her cheeks like a little hamster.

“Don’t you go out often?”

It was just a regular street stall, and yet she was enjoying it like this. It was embarrassing.

“Mother is always busy with socializing and taking care of things at home. She doesn’t have time to go out with us.”

“You can’t go out with the maid?”

“My mother doesn’t allow it. She says that unmarried young ladies should stay indoors, not go out or show themselves too freely.”

“Next time, I’ll take you out. We can go wherever you want to play.”

“Mother would worry if she knew.”

“Then let’s ask Uncle for two bodyguards to protect us.”

“You’ll have to ask him. I can’t; Father will scold me.”

As they were talking, the two sisters finished their meal.

“Do you ladies need anything else?”

“No, thank you, Uncle.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu handed over the silver and left with Zhuang Xiaowan.

She didn’t take the chance to explore the capital properly. Her uncle was a stubborn man, and although her mother genuinely cared for them, the deeply ingrained feudal manners wouldn’t allow the two young ladies to wander the streets.

Today, Zhuang Furen was at the shop checking the accounts, so the two sisters could come out and get some fresh air.

“Have you been to the jewelry shop?”

“I’ve been there. Mother brings me every year to pick out a few pieces of jewelry.”

“Great, let’s go see if there are any new styles.”

Mrs. Zhang gave her two hundred taels of silver, which should be enough to buy a few decent pieces.

Although Zhuang Xian held the title of Prime Minister, his spending was extremely frugal. Zhuang Xiaowan wasn’t extravagant either and rarely went out to spend money. She walked around the display cases, saw the price tags, and thought about the few taels of silver in her pocket, silently stepping back.

“What’s the matter? Didn’t you find anything you like?”

“Sister, I don’t have enough money.”

“I do. If you like something, pick whatever you want.”

“Sister doesn’t have much money either. I don’t need it.”

“Tsk, I thought you two were here to buy, but it turns out you’re just two poor beggars.”

The shopkeeper, who had been all smiles a moment ago, suddenly changed his tone.

His voice was loud, attracting the attention of other customers. Zhuang Xiaowan, embarrassed, lowered her head, trying to pull Zhuang Xiaoyu away.

“Do you dare repeat what you just said?”

Zhuang Xiaoyu said coldly.

“I’ll say it again. You’re poor beggars, poor beggars, poor beggars.”

He really just wanted to vent his spite. The sisters weren’t wearing fancy clothes, and their jewelry was modest. The shopkeeper had seen many officials and nobles, and they were all more extravagant, so he figured they were just ordinary people.

Zhuang Xiaoyu grabbed the shopkeeper by his hair and yanked him forward. “You really messed with the wrong person.”

“Ah, let go of me, you shrew!”

“It’s been a long time since someone called me a shrew.”

Thinking back to her past life, she became a little dazed, suddenly striking the shopkeeper like he was a scumbag, slapping him several times until he passed out. Well, it seemed she hadn’t controlled her strength properly.

“Coward, too weak to take a beating. Is there anyone in charge here?”

A young man from the back of the shop saw the commotion and was stunned. This girl was so violent. He had to report to the boss quickly.

In the back courtyard of the Huicui Pavilion, the fragrance of flowers lingered in the air. The man’s face was like a jade crown, calm and unruffled.

“Knocked out?”

“Yes, boss, he’s out cold, still lying on the floor.” The young man described the scene.

“Hmm, let’s go check it out.”

A little girl with such a fierce temper, where did she come from?

Zhuang Xiaoyu had knocked out the shopkeeper, and the customers who had been buying jewelry quickly left the shop, fearing to get involved.

“Sister, did we cause trouble?”

Zhuang Xiaowan, still young, trembled in fear. Even though their father could handle things, they would still likely face a scolding.

“Ladies, please don’t be alarmed. This is Sima Mo, the owner of the Huicui Pavilion. I apologize for this disrespectful person on his behalf.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu glanced at Sima Mo. He was dressed in white, with black hair, looking quite handsome and kind, not at all like a bad person.

“Well, since you’re apologizing, then give us a piece of jewelry.”

“Sure, you ladies can pick whatever you like.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu wasn’t being polite. She picked a golden hairpin and turned to put it on Zhuang Xiaowan’s head.

“Sister, I don’t want it.”

“It’s a gift from him, no need to pay. It looks nice, so wear it.”

“Thank you, Sister. Thank you, Boss.”

Zhuang Xiaowan politely thanked them, and Sima Mo nodded, acknowledging her gratitude.

“I’m Zhuang Xiaoyu, the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s family. This is my sister, Zhuang Xiaowan.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu introduced herself.