Old Madam Song and Zou Shi were thrown directly out of the gates of the Tang residence.
Jiyun Alley was located in a quiet area amidst the bustling city, just two streets away from the largest market in the southern part of town. The locals all knew that the master of the Xiao household next door valued peace and quiet.
Now, seeing two women in luxurious clothing being thrown out, screaming in pain and rolling on the ground in disarray, passersby and carriages stopped to look.
"Isn't that..."
"Those are people from Governor Xiao's household." A crowd quickly gathered, and Huawu stood nearby, crying with reddened eyes, looking utterly pitiful.
"Old Madam, my lady was nearly killed by the eldest son of your family. She barely survived, and she’s been staying far away, just trying to recover. Yet you came here, relentlessly harassing her."
"Your eldest son and his master were impeached because of their own misconduct. But instead of taking responsibility, you pinned the blame on my lady. She refused to speak up for them, so you accused her of being unfilial, beat her until she vomited blood and fainted, and even deliberately disfigured her."
"I thought only the eldest son was cruel, but I didn't expect the Old Madam would want my lady dead too." The young maid, still just a child, cried so hard her eyes were bloodshot, and every word she spoke seemed to carry the weight of her sorrow.
"My lady is your own legitimate granddaughter. Just because her parents died and she’s without their protection, you're forcing her to death for the sake of an illegitimate daughter?"
"That's a lie… a lie! It’s Song Tangning who’s unfilial..."
"With a family this vicious, if Song Tangning were 'filial,' she’d end up killing herself," Canglang cut in sharply, interrupting Zou Shi before she could finish, a sneering smile on his face.
"People say our Lord Xiao is ruthless, but I think he’s got nothing on your Song family. Even a tiger doesn’t eat its own cubs, but your family seems to target the most helpless." He turned to a nearby servant and ordered, "Song Tangning has vomited blood and fainted. Take Lord Xiao's token to the Imperial Medical Office and summon a physician immediately."
"Yes, sir." A person at the door quickly ran off, while Canglang spat in the direction of Madam Song and Zou Shi.
"Song Tangning’s life was saved by our Lord Xiao, and he has decreed that if any member of the Song family dares step foot in Tang’s residence again, they are to be beaten to death!" The scarlet doors slammed shut with a loud bang, leaving the utterly disgraced Madam Song and Zou Shi lying in the mud.
It had rained lightly the previous night, leaving puddles at the entrance. When the two women had been thrown out, they rolled into the muddy water, their once-elegant jeweled hairpins now filthy, their long hair tangled with mud and hanging limply over their faces. Their luxurious clothes were soiled beyond recognition.
The onlookers stared at them, whispering to each other.
"Are those… people from the Song family?"
"Yes, that’s them. I recognize the younger one—she’s the wife of Minister Song. She used to strut around at every banquet in the capital, showing off her son, who started his career so young. I think people used to call him 'Jade Terrace Young Master'..."
"Pah! Jade Terrace, my foot. Haven’t you heard? That so-called young master nearly killed his own cousin over an illegitimate concubine-born woman."
"That’s nothing. Didn’t you hear what the maid just said? Song Tangning was gravely injured and hid herself to recover, but the shameless Song family still came looking for her, trying to use filial piety to force her into saving their reputation, even beating her until she coughed up blood."
"And this is Xiao’s residence in Jiyun Alley! How could they dare?"
"Why wouldn’t they? They’re her elders. They probably think they can beat and scold her, and if she dares resist, they’ll bury her under the weight of 'filial piety.' It’s shameless." The gossip and sharp remarks from the crowd were like knives, cutting into Madam Song and Zou Shi, who were already mortified.
Zou Shi wanted to explain, but no one was willing to listen. Madam Song, wracked with pain and anger, slumped to the ground, half-unconscious.
The Song family’s servants, who had been barred from entering by Lord Xiao’s men, could only stand by and watch the rising tide of gossip and insults. Only when the verbal abuse reached its peak were they finally allowed to come forward. They rushed to lift Madam Song and Zou Shi, fleeing with their heads down.
Even as they scrambled into the carriage, the sounds of "shameless" and "disgraceful" still echoed from behind them.
Madam Song’s arm had been brutally broken. The moment she was inside the carriage, she fainted.
Zou Shi, holding the unconscious Madam Song, sat in the carriage in a daze, her face full of despair.
It’s over.
The Song family’s reputation… it’s all over.
...
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan carried Tangning back to her quarters and tossed her gently onto the couch before sitting down nearby, his gaze lowered.
Canglang entered, reporting on the situation outside, focusing on the disgraceful state of the two women from the Song family. Then he gave Tangning a thumbs-up, grinning.
"Well done, Miss Song! No wonder Lord Xiao claims you as his sister. Even your maid’s performance was top-notch. You should’ve seen how the crowd outside was spitting all over the Song family, almost drowning them in scorn." Huawu blushed with embarrassment at the praise.
Tangning, however, shrank back, casting a timid glance at Xiao Yan. His coldly handsome face was indifferent, but the strange, murderous gleam in his eyes made her shudder. She curled up further, trying to make herself smaller.
Canglang, still smiling, continued to compliment her. "I always thought Miss Song was so quiet and gentle. Who knew you had such a fierce side? After this, the Song family won’t be able to recover, even if they survive."
"Have you finished?" Xiao Yan suddenly spoke.
Canglang quickly realized that his master was in no mood. Noticing the murderous aura surrounding him, Canglang immediately shut his mouth and turned to leave, practically rolling out the door in his haste.
"Why haven't you tended to her wounds yet?" Xiao Yan lifted his gaze towards Madam Qin.
Madam Qin, feeling uneasy, awkwardly explained, "I only meant to scare them a little by giving Tang Ning a pill, thinking it would deter them from causing trouble. But who would’ve thought that old woman from the Song family would be so ruthless? She knew Tang Ning's face was already injured, yet still hit her there..." Xiao Yan's fingers clenched slightly, emitting a cracking sound.
Madam Qin instantly fell silent.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Tang Ning softly spoke up, "Brother, it was I who asked Sister Qin for help, and I intentionally provoked them..."
"See to your injuries first." Xiao Yan's curt reply silenced Tang Ning, who looked down, too frightened to speak further.
Madam Qin quickly retrieved a handkerchief and some medicinal powder, removing the makeup that had covered Tang Ning's previous wounds. Her injuries appeared much worse than before.
The old matriarch of the Song family had struck with great force, and her nails had torn Tang Ning’s skin. Now, Tang Ning's face was swollen, with her mouth and eye corners puffed up as well.
Xiao Yan's expression grew even colder. Hua Wu, standing nearby, couldn't help but shed tears.
"That old woman is truly vicious! She meant to ruin your face." Madam Qin cursed under her breath, inspecting the wound carefully before exhaling in relief. "Luckily, it's just a flesh wound. The medicine applied earlier helped a bit. I'll reapply the ointment, but you'll need to watch what you eat for now..."
"Don't apply the medicine yet."
"Brother?" Tang Ning turned her head towards Xiao Yan, only to hear him say indifferently, "Since you went through the trouble to get slapped, people should see it. Cang Lang has already sent for the imperial physician."
By involving the imperial medical bureau, today's events would no longer remain a secret.
=====
T/N: Madam Qin is an older unmarried woman who dedicated her life to medicine. Tangning calls her Sister Qin which shows their close relationship but She’s referred to as Lady or Madam Qin by others.
You can read ahead to chapterr 60 here
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