Lady Yao sat in the carriage, feeling itchy and reeking.
Old Master Xia was filled with unparalleled disgust.
"You ignorant, foolish woman! I told you not to come, yet you insisted. Now that you’ve been chased out, so how does it feel to be disgraced?"
Not only had they failed to accomplish their task, but he had also lost face. The frustration lodged in his chest, as if he’d swallowed a fly.
"In my entire life, I have never been so humiliated!"
Lady Yao was both angry and aggrieved.
"What do you mean I insisted on coming? Lord, didn’t you also want to cancel the engagement? One moment you say Xia Tingfeng has shamed you, the next you blame... Miss Ni for blackening your reputation!"
Old Master Xia’s paper-thin pride was pierced, and he became somewhat flustered and exasperated. "It’s true I wanted to come, but it was your idea! Look at you, so scared you wet your pants! How did I end up marrying a woman like you? You’re so fierce at home, but turn into a coward the moment we step out!"
Upon hearing this, Lady Yao exploded. Pointing at Old Master Xia, she began to curse him furiously, "You old codger! Take a good look at yourself! How dare you criticize me? You’re always blathering on about how ’the mighty cannot be bent by force,’ but look at you, you useless coward!"
Old Master Xia, faced with her blatant insolence, also flew into a rage. "Lady Yao, you venomous shrew! Have I been too good to you? You show no respect, no regard for your superiors! How utterly audacious!"
Lady Yao was so furious her eyes bulged and her cheeks puffed out. "You dare call me a venomous shrew? After I’ve borne your children and followed you for so many years, you insult me for some bastard brat!"
"I..." Lady Yao was filled with rage and resentment. She wanted to bang her head against the carriage wall but feared the pain, so she lunged at Old Master Xia instead.
"Oh, heavens, I can’t go on living!
"For your Xia Family, I bore children, worried myself sick over your reputation, and slaved away! What did I get in return?
"Oh, heavens, just let me die!"
As Lady Yao wailed and created a scene, she tore at Old Master Xia’s clothes, snot and tears streaming down her face as she spoke, "You old fool, if you have the guts, then divorce me! Divorce me! Divorce me right now!"
Old Master Xia was flabbergasted. Has this woman not only not been cowed, but she’s fighting back?
A filthy, stinking woman was now wailing and thrashing before him. Old Master Xia was about to lose his mind.
He grabbed Lady Yao by the hair, intending to kick her away. But he misjudged, and his foot got tangled in her disheveled clothes. His entire body pitched forward, and then... the two of them tumbled together in a heap.
The carriage shook for a long time before steadying.
The Coachman driving up front heard the commotion from within and couldn’t help but cover his mouth to stifle a snicker. Serves them right! he cursed inwardly. This trip shouldn’t have been made in the first place! That family’s daughter was perfectly fine, with an untarnished reputation when she joined your household. Now that this has happened, not only do you not help cover it up, but you pour oil on the flames. Acting so cruelly, aren’t you afraid of retribution?
While the Xia Family was busy fighting and making fools of themselves, the Ni Family was busy searching for their daughter.
This matter spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys of Capital City.
Miss Ni of the Ni Family, once a sheltered young lady, had become the subject of gossip and ridicule.
Her former intimate friends from the boudoir cut off all ties with her heartlessly.
But it didn’t matter now, since Miss Ni’s whereabouts were still unknown.
「In the palace.」
Zhao Junyao was still dispatching men to search. He had also heard about the Ni Family’s troubles and had issued a secret order to keep an eye out for Miss Ni and bring her back safely if found.
The Hidden Guards received the order.
Zhao Junyao watched the retreating figures of the Hidden Guards, his expression troubled. It’s been half a month, and still no progress at all! He, too, was deeply concerned.
Everyone was saying he was dead. He himself had even bestowed a large sum of gold and silver upon the Xia Family. But... he still found it hard to believe. Besides, what about Qingqing? What could he tell her? Should he continue to keep her in the dark?
Capital City was abuzz with talk.
「In the Suburbs of the Capital.」
Some one hundred and ten miles from Capital City, a young girl and her Maid walked along the bank of a canal.
They had been there for two or three days. Their supply of dry rations had run out. When hungry, they ate wild fruits; when thirsty, they drank water from the river.
They searched all day and, at night, found a flat piece of ground to sleep on. The two young women often clung to each other, crying in fear.
Her Maid, Dong’er, tried to persuade her, "Miss, let’s go back. It’s been days; the family must be terribly worried! Young Master Xia is already..."
Ni Manxue wiped away her tears. "No! He’s not dead! He definitely isn’t dead!" With that, she stood up, intending to press on.