Chapter 21: Kneel and Apologize

Lu Jinrong sneered coldly, “You really think highly of yourself. They only call you mother out of respect for my brother! Lin Wanqing, you’re just a merchant’s daughter marrying into our family, already out of your league. If you don’t humble yourself, how dare you be so arrogant? Believe me, I’ll write to my brother and have him divorce you!”

Lin Wanqing feigned shock, clutching her chest, “You’re threatening me with this?”

Lu Jinrong crossed her arms smugly, lifting her chin, “Scared now? If you’re scared, you’d better behave!”

Lu Qinian mimicked her, puffing out his swollen face and showing his crooked teeth, “Merchant’s daughter, kneel and apologize to me! Otherwise, I’ll write to Father and have him divorce you!”

Ban Xia, Zi Su, and the other maids accompanying the bride all wore dark expressions, furious.

This General’s Mansion really was unbearable!

Meanwhile, the servants and attendants of Lu Jinrong and Lu Qinian wore faces full of glee.

They disliked this new mistress because she was ruthless and cunning, showing no mercy. Even the dignified Nurse Li was beaten at her word but still managed to coax the old madam completely. What chance did they, as minor characters, have?

So they hoped Lin Wanqing would suffer misfortune. They wished for Lu Jinrong to trample her into the ground.

If Lin Wanqing knelt today, she would never hold her head up again in the General’s Mansion.

Seeing Lin Wanqing standing firm, Lu Jinrong impatiently urged, “Merchant’s daughter, what are you waiting for? Kneel and admit your mistake quickly! You hit the eldest legitimate grandson of the General’s Mansion; kneeling and apologizing is already being generous. Don’t be so ungrateful!”

A few bold maids and old women behind her joined in the jeering.

“Madam, just apologize to Second Young Master quickly. If this reaches the General’s ears, it won’t be a simple matter.”

“Exactly. Madam, you’re clearly at fault here. Just apologize, that’s all.”

Ban Xia’s eyes reddened with anger as she hurriedly pulled Lin Wanqing aside, “Miss, you absolutely must not!”

Lin Wanqing cast her a reassuring glance before turning back to the triumphant aunt and nephew. “If I kneel and apologize, you won’t write a letter of complaint to the General?”

Lu Jinrong lifted her chin, “That depends on your sincerity.”

Lin Wanqing turned to Zi Su, “Go to the magistrate’s office and beat the drum. Tell the magistrate that Lin Wanqing, a mere merchant’s daughter, dared to strike the eldest legitimate grandson of the General’s Mansion, and ask him to send someone to arrest me.”

Zi Su immediately moved to leave.

Lu Jinrong was shocked, “Lin Wanqing, what are you trying to do? You want to report us to the magistrate?”

Lin Wanqing looked serious, “No, I’m reporting myself. After hearing you, I realize how grave my offense is. It’s not enough to admit my mistake at home; I must go to court and kowtow before the magistrate to show my sincerity.”

“No! Stop her! Someone, block that maid!”

Lu Jinrong grew anxious.

Several servants hurried to intercept Zi Su.

Though Zi Su’s skills were not extraordinary, she was more than capable of evading the maids and servants.

She darted left and right through the courtyard, leaving her pursuers dizzy and frustrated, unable to catch her.

As Zi Su ran out of the yard, Lu Jinrong stamped her foot in desperation, “Lin Wanqing, call your people back! Are you trying to ruin me?”

Lin Wanqing leisurely replied, “Why call them back? Didn’t you say a merchant’s daughter like me is unworthy to teach Lu Qinian? Now that I’m voluntarily turning myself in, why are you unhappy?”

Lu Jinrong’s face darkened with anger, “Lin Wanqing, you’re doing this on purpose!”

Lin Wanqing smiled, “On purpose? What, are you afraid to go to court with me? Feeling guilty? Afraid? Why is that?”

Young and ignorant, Lu Qinian jumped up in anger, “Little Aunt, don’t be afraid, let’s go! I want the magistrate to see how vicious this merchant’s daughter is! She knocked out my teeth! I want the magistrate to punish her severely!”

Lu Jinrong jabbed him sharply, “Shut up!”

Could this really be taken to the authorities?

A younger aunt making things difficult for the newly arrived sister-in-law, a stepson forcing his legitimate mother to kneel and apologize — regardless of what the law said, the gossip alone would be enough to drown them.

Lu Qinian still failed to grasp the severity, unwilling to relent, “No! I want her to kneel and apologize publicly! Do you think a merchant’s daughter can touch the honor of Lu Qinian?”

“You’re utterly stupid!” Lu Jinrong was furious, whispering, “She may be a merchant’s daughter, but she’s the official wife my third brother married properly. Whether we accept it or not, legally she’s your mother. If anyone finds out you forced her to kneel, you’ll get a severe beating from the magistrate!”

This was far more than just a beating!

If the charge of disobedience and disrespect were proven, Lu Qinian’s life would be ruined forever.

Still unwilling to let go, Lu Qinian asked, “So it just ends like that? Why?”

Lu Jinrong, furious enough to want to strike someone, ground her teeth, “Because she’s my third brother’s legitimate wife! Now shut up!”

With that, she slapped Lu Qinian’s back sharply.

At last, Lu Qinian reluctantly fell silent.

Having silenced him, Lu Jinrong turned to Lin Wanqing, feigning magnanimity, “Fine, grown-ups don’t quarrel with petty people. We won’t bother with an uneducated merchant’s daughter like you. Call your people back. If you apologize today, this matter will be over.”

Lin Wanqing smiled sweetly, “How can that be? I’m someone who takes things seriously. Since I’ve made a mistake today, I must fully acknowledge it and make sure you feel my sincerity.”

Lu Jinrong shouted, “I said no! Don’t you understand?”

Lin Wanqing maintained her smile, “I understand, but I just want to be serious.”

Lu Jinrong knew she was deliberately trying to make a big fuss, sweating nervously down her back. “What exactly do you want so you’ll stop?”

Now it was Lin Wanqing’s turn to cross her arms and lift her chin. “Simple: you kneel and apologize to me, and I won’t hold this against you.”

Lu Jinrong jumped in anger, “Lin Wanqing, don’t go too far!”

Lu Qinian exploded, “Kneel and apologize to a merchant’s daughter? In your dreams!”

Lin Wanqing shrugged, “Fine, then I won’t force the issue. See you at the magistrate’s office.”

With that, she turned to Ban Xia, “Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the court.”

Ban Xia immediately replied, “Yes.”

Seeing she was serious, Lu Jinrong was nearly in tears, “Lin Wanqing, you can’t do this! You mustn’t go!”

Lin Wanqing stopped and smiled faintly, “I can choose not to go, but only if you kneel and apologize to me. How about that? If you can’t do it, don’t stop me.”

In desperation, Lu Jinrong suddenly rolled her eyes and collapsed to the ground.