Chapter 013: Clash and Crushing Defeat!

“Of course it is!” Wu Tan tilted her head at her, her face bright with a radiant smile. “I spent an entire afternoon kneeling in the palace, drenched by the rain. Do you think a few sips of pond water are enough to pay me back? I expect interest, too!”

“You!” Wu Qingqiong saw the smile on her face and wanted to lunge at her.

“Don’t move!” Wu Tan raised an eyebrow, gesturing behind her. “Uncle Qin is watching outside. If you keep acting out without remorse even here, I have ways to make you kneel until the end of time!”

Their father’s temper was as decisive and ruthless as on the battlefield. If she dared to repeat her offense, he wouldn’t care whether she was his daughter or a subordinate—he’d deal with her all the same.

Wu Qingqiong instinctively felt a chill of fear. She bit her lip, tried a few times to defy, but ultimately didn’t dare challenge Wu Xun’s authority. All she could do was clench her fists tightly, glare at Wu Tan with venom, and spit out her words, one by one: “Just you wait! I won’t let this go!”

Wait, then. According to her brother, she would soon become the future crown princess. Wu Qingqiong would have to bow and scrape before her. What could possibly come from waiting?

Wu Tan arched her brow at her, sparkling with confidence—a clear sign of acceptance.

Wu Qingqiong’s eyes flared even more, but she forced herself to turn her head away.

Meanwhile, Wu Qinglin, after returning from Wu Tan’s place, had barely finished bathing when he heard his sister was in trouble again. He hurriedly changed clothes and went out once more.

But Wu Tan had opted for swift action this time. Before Wu Qinglin could even get halfway, Mu Song, who’d gone ahead to scout, informed him that both Wu Tan and Wu Qingqiong had been sent to kneel in the ancestral hall by Wu Xun. So Wu Qinglin changed direction and went straight there.

Standing at the entrance, he looked into the courtyard and saw Wu Tan and Wu Qingqiong kneeling side by side, glaring daggers at each other. Steward Qin stood under the eaves, head bowed, respectfully watching over them.

Wu Qinglin watched from outside for a while, then turned to leave.

Mu Song hurried after him, explaining, “Master ordered Second Miss to kneel as well, but the punishment is much harsher for Third Miss. Young Lord, should we ask the old lady to intervene...?”

Wu Xun’s word was law; everyone in the household knew this well.

Wu Qinglin kept walking, picking up his pace as he headed back, sighing softly, “It’s so late already, forget it.”

Wu Tan had done this on purpose. If she didn’t want to be punished, she’d have gone to seek their grandmother’s support long ago. There was no need for all this commotion.

Meanwhile...

Lady Meng, having sent Wu Qingqiong away, had barely stepped out of Yunlan Pavilion when she was met by Wu Qingyu, who had hurried over after hearing the news.

After marrying Wu Xun, she’d borne four children. Wu Qingyu was only a year younger than Wu Qinglin, eighteen this year. Her eldest daughter Wu Qingsnow had married and left the household two years ago at fourteen. The remaining Wu Qingqiong and Wu Tan were the same age, and her youngest son Wu Qingrui was just three.

As for who caused her the most headaches—

Wu Qingrui was still young, so could be set aside. Among her children, the one who troubled her most was her youngest daughter, Wu Qingqiong.

She had tried to teach her, but the girl seemed hexed, always needing to compete with Wu Tan, never letting anything go. Over the years, her antics had caused no end of trouble, and Lady Meng had suffered plenty of cold looks from the old lady because of it.

In the past, it was merely squabbles over clothes and jewelry at home, but this time Wu Qingqiong had caused a real mess. Lady Meng’s head ached just thinking about facing the matriarch’s sour expression tomorrow.

Wu Qingyu approached under his umbrella.

“Mother!” Out so late, he brought no servants, strolling with ease, even though he knew his sister was being punished. He seemed unconcerned, asking casually, “How did things get so out of hand?”

In front of her son, Lady Meng didn’t bother concealing her displeasure. She sighed, “That girl—I don’t know who she takes after. She’s truly hard to handle. I underestimated her before.”

She’d always thought Wu Tan was just another childish girl like Wu Qingqiong, never paying much attention. But tonight’s events changed her opinion drastically—

Years ago, she hadn’t managed to outmaneuver Lady Lin. Now, it seemed she had to contend with her daughter instead.

This was her first real confrontation with the girl, and—

Utter defeat!

Lady Meng brooded over it, thoroughly dissatisfied.

Wu Qingyu laughed, clearly amused by the drama. “I think you’ve spoiled my sister too much, and brought trouble on yourself.”

“Enough, let’s not talk about her.” Lady Meng snapped back, shifting the topic irritably. “By the way, your father spoke to you, didn’t he? He’s returning to the southern border this time, and you’ll go with him.”

“Yes.” Wu Qingyu nodded, then drew the conversation back. “I’ve heard the emperor’s health is worsening, and he’s busy paving the way for the crown prince. If Tan really enters the Eastern Palace as crown princess, I suppose I’ll never have a chance to surpass my elder brother in this lifetime.”

“You’re saying that again?” Lady Meng hated hearing such words, and her face darkened.

Wu Qingyu didn’t care whether she liked it or not, continuing with self-mocking humor, “I can only say it. After all, in both civil and military skills, I can’t compare to him. Even if he weren’t the eldest legitimate son, it wouldn’t be my turn.”

“You...” Already frustrated over Wu Qingqiong, Lady Meng found herself even more stifled by her son’s words.

She didn’t want to scold him, so with a cold face she hurried him off. “It’s late. Go back now!”

Mother and son parted ways, both unhappy.

The farce drew to a close. The deep courtyards slowly returned to silence, with only the sound of rain lingering.

Near the third watch, the rain finally stopped, but wind arose in the second half of the night. The ancestral hall’s doors were left open, and the chilly night breeze mixed with dampness swept inside. Wu Tan gradually felt worse.

She’d caught a chill in the afternoon, and by evening her head was already heavy. Wu Qinglin wanted to call a physician, but she refused. Now, kneeling in the cold hall, she felt her face burning, her head dizzy, her limbs heavy, and her bones aching with fever.

Wu Qingqiong was still sulking, energetically turning her face away and ignoring her. Wu Tan said nothing, enduring in a haze until the fourth watch, when she finally collapsed onto the cushion beside her.

Steward Qin rushed in and found her little face burning red as a cloth. A touch to her forehead nearly frightened him out of his wits.

Wu Qingqiong, initially scoffing at what she thought was another trick, was stunned by the sight.

Everyone knew the old lady’s favorite was Second Miss. Even in the dead of night, no one dared hide it now.

Steward Qin hurriedly carried her back to Mirror Spring Pavilion, sent for Doctor Xu, and hastened to inform the old lady. The rear courtyard of the Marquis of Dingyuan’s residence was soon in an uproar.

By then, Wu Xun and Wu Qinglin had risen to prepare for court. Hearing the news, they came over, but could not afford to delay their duties. After a hasty inquiry, they rushed out.

While chaos reigned in the Marquis’s household, Xiao Yue, temporarily lodging at Fragrant Cedar Villa, enjoyed a soft bed and idle time, truly nursing his illness. He rose only at noon the next day, tidied up, and entered the palace to meet the emperor.

Tao Renzhi said the emperor was in the imperial study and invited him directly. Xiao Yue went without a second thought, only to find Marquis Wu Xun there as well upon entering.

So—

Were they discussing military affairs, or perhaps private matters of marriage?

—Extra note—

Full marks for self-mockery; making his own mother wish she were dead in moments... As I write, I suddenly feel this second brother has a bit of cute charm—what to do?

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