freenovelworld Chapter 144 I've wanted to hit you for a long time, no matter the occasion.
Chapter 144 I've wanted to hit you for a long time, no matter the occasion.
Chu Nan felt a sharp pain in his heart. Was it true that once someone became a concubine, there was no hope of ever rising above one's circumstances?
Why is this world so unfair!
In this extreme resentment, reason was thrown to the winds. "My sister has been married for almost half a year, but there's still no sign of pregnancy. Could the rumors from earlier be true? Is the young master really impotent?"
Upon hearing this, the previously noisy banquet fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at Chu Nanxin, their faces filled with shock, as if they couldn't believe their ears.
Although Chu Nanxin was a concubine's daughter, she was pampered and spoiled from a young age. There was no great distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children in the Chu family.
Now that Chu Nan is pregnant, she is truly dreaming of gaining status through her child.
She genuinely believed that Gu Junze was impotent and that Chu Ruohan would never be able to have children.
Chu Ruohan's originally elegant face also turned somber. She looked up and stared directly at her. Chu Nan thought, "Has she forgotten the pain again?"
The ladies present watched in disbelief. How dare a concubine provoke the Crown Prince's wife! She had no manners at all.
"What are you talking about, Your Highness?"
Chu Ruohan stood up and took a few steps forward. "You, a mere concubine, don't know your place and speak such arrogant words! The Heir Apparent is Gu Chengyan's elder brother and the pillar of the Marquis's mansion. How dare you slander him so easily?"
"If you are not severely punished today, what will become of the Gu family's rules?"
Chu Ruohan coldly ordered, "Ruyan, slap her! Let her learn a lesson and know what she should and shouldn't say."
"Yes."
Song Ruyan had long felt that this face deserved a slap, so she twisted her wrist, wondering how much force to use.
Upon seeing this, Chu Nanxin's face instantly drained of all color. This woman was highly skilled in martial arts; if she were to be slapped repeatedly, would she still be alive?
Only then did I regret my words. Why did I speak so carelessly?
Her eyes widened in terror, her body involuntarily shrinking back, while she kept begging for mercy.
"Sister, please, please don't hit me. I really know I was wrong. Please, please forgive me this time..."
Song Ruyan did not stop because of her pleas. She grabbed her collar and pulled her to stand up straight.
Chu Nanxin's body trembled uncontrollably, tears welled up in her eyes, and her gaze was filled with fear.
"Slap!" Song Ruyan slapped Chu Nanxin across the face, knocking Chu Nanxin's head to one side and causing a trickle of blood to seep from the corner of her mouth.
Chu Nanxin let out a shrill scream, and a bright red handprint immediately appeared on her face, turning her once beautiful face into a distorted and ferocious expression.
Tsk, that was too light.
"Smack!" Another crisp sound rang out, and Chu Nanxin's other cheek swelled up high. A few strands of hair clung to her face, which was covered in tears and blood, making her look extremely disheveled.
One of my teeth was knocked out.
"stop!"
Gu Chengyan's face darkened. "Chu Ruohan, you vicious woman! You're Chu Nanxin's older sister, and she's pregnant. How could you be so heartless as to do that?"
"If something goes wrong, can you take the responsibility?"
Chu Ruohan sneered, her eyes full of disdain, and said, "I am first and foremost the wife of the heir of the Marquis of Anyang's mansion, and only then is I Chu Nanxin's elder sister."
"No matter which way you look at it, she made a mistake, and it's only right that I discipline her."
He stepped forward, almost face to face with Chu Ruohan, and said, "Don't try to intimidate me with the rules of the Marquis's mansion!"
Chu Ruohan remained calm and dignified, slightly raising her chin. "Without rules, there can be no order, and no one is an exception. She's restless and doesn't stay in her room; she insists on running out."
"If I let her off easily today, everyone in the manor will follow her example, acting recklessly and speaking without restraint. Where will the dignity of the Marquis's manor be? Where will the family's reputation be?"
"Third brother's manners also need improvement. He keeps calling her Chu Ruohan. Is this your family education?"
"you……"
The ladies around them, who had been whispering amongst themselves, fell silent, their gazes shifting back and forth between Chu Ruohan and Gu Chengyan, eager to see how this conflict would end.
These ladies agreed with Chu Ruohan's words; as the matriarch of the household, it was indeed necessary for her to uphold the rules and dignity of the Marquis's mansion.
Moreover, such punishments were considered lenient for some concubines.
Gu Chengyan was speechless after Chu Ruohan's words, but his anger did not diminish at all.
He gritted his teeth, suddenly turned around, and carefully picked up Chu Nanxin. Chu Nanxin leaned against Gu Chengyan's chest, sobbing weakly, her eyes filled with resentment towards Chu Ruohan.
"My husband, I'm in so much pain..." Chu Nanxin said weakly, her voice trembling with tears.
"Where does it hurt? I'll take you to see a doctor."
Gu Chengyan, holding Chu Nanxin, quickly left.
Chu Ruohan watched the two figures as they walked away, a cold smile playing on her lips.
Gu Chengyan, you can keep protecting him. You'll find out soon enough that the child in Chu Ruohan's belly isn't yours.
I'm really looking forward to it!
A servant rushed over and respectfully reported, "Madam, the banquet is about to begin."
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, turned to face the ladies, her face regaining its gentle and graceful smile, and said softly, "Ladies, please!"
Led by her, the ladies walked gracefully towards the banquet hall.
Stepping into the banquet hall, one is greeted by dazzling lights and the enticing aromas of the delicacies laid out on the tables.
The guests took their seats one after another, and laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air.
Gu Junze took Chu Ruohan's hand and led her to an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face. "Han'er, this is my first teacher, Scholar Xu."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan immediately bowed respectfully, "Grand Scholar Xu, I have long admired your name. It is truly my honor to meet you today."
Grand Scholar Xu slightly raised his hand, indicating that Chu Ruohan should dispense with the formalities, and said with a kind smile, "You're too kind, Madam Crown Prince."
Upon seeing this, the guests chimed in, "So Young Master Gu is a disciple of Grand Scholar Xu. No wonder he came out on top in this imperial examination! With such a good teacher, it would be hard for the young master not to excel."
Grand Scholar Xu stroked his beard and waved his hands repeatedly, "It is his own exceptional intelligence that makes him worthy of the title of teacher. I have only taught the young prince a few characters, and I am truly unworthy of the title of teacher."
"Teacher, you're being too modest."
"Your handwriting has been beautiful since you were a child, and now it has even more of a master's touch." Grand Scholar Xu smiled as he looked at Gu Junze, his eyes full of admiration.
"Teacher, you flatter me. I just practiced a few strokes in my spare time. Compared to your calligraphy skills, I am far behind."
A small figure ran over, Gu Yun's face full of excitement, her eyes sparkling, "My handwriting was taught by my father, and it's very beautiful. My father said it's better than his."
"Oh, the prince's child is already so big? Look how clever he is, he'll definitely be just as successful as the prince in the future."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized that something was wrong.
Gu Junze only got married this year, right? This child looks four or five years old already.