Chapter 2: Exposing Her Hypocrisy

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Shen Miaoling was just feigning grievance when suddenly she was slapped in the face—naturally, she looked over in anger. Not just her; in an instant, all the noble ladies exchanged sharp glances. He Lingyi, unfazed by the warning look from Chi Guiying, even regarded it with a hint of contempt.

“What’s the matter? Are you upset because someone else is trying to be the good person?”

Chi Guiying was also deeply displeased. She had finally settled the situation and would not tolerate anyone else provoking trouble.

“Sister He, you’ve always been gentle in nature—what’s gotten into you today? That was quite a sharp jab!”

Hearing this, He Lingyi inwardly scoffed. Having long seen through Chi Guiying’s hypocritical facade, today she intended to tear that mask to shreds. Calmly, she stepped forward, bent down to pick up the broken cup on the floor, examined it, then spoke with composure.

“This piece is made of sea jade, said to be brought back by the Marquis of Hai during his campaign long ago as a special dowry for his daughter. Since Sister Chi’s mother passed away, her dowry became her private property. I recall that Sister Chi originally used a white jade cup, not this sea jade one. If it weren’t for Second Sister Chi wanting to take a look, she wouldn’t have taken out such a precious item. Now that it’s brought out, you all have seen it—shattered in less than fifteen minutes. And Sister Chi can’t even be angry? Second Sister Chi is truly generous with other people’s belongings, all for the sake of enhancing her own reputation.”

She then cast a sidelong glance at the porcelain cup on Chi Guiying’s table, the mockery unmistakable.

“Your cup at best is just a celadon piece. If you went to Qingzhou, there’d be plenty more of those. To exchange something like that here—you really have the nerve to speak up!”

“You—!”

Chi Guiying had never imagined someone would openly expose her true intentions. Over the years, she had stepped over her elder sister’s shadow to gain much acclaim outside. Everyone knew of the arrogant and domineering eldest lady of the Shi Lang household, and the gentle, talented second lady. Now, the façade was torn away and trampled in the dust. Flushed with embarrassment, Chi Guiying was ready to retaliate fiercely.

“Since the school opened in February—only two months ago—Sister Shen has shattered a sea jade cup, Sister Dong tore the face of the Lingzhu fan, and Miss Wang went even further, trying to help herself to tribute ink from Huizhou. It’s well known that the Shi Lang household runs this school to teach the young ladies manners—if you didn’t know, you might think Sister Chi was holding a charity banquet, generously offering treasures from her own storeroom! How shameless!”

Her words were sharp and biting, causing the noble ladies to blush in embarrassment. Wherever He Lingyi’s gaze fell, heads lowered in guilt—only Chi Guiwan held back her grievance, her eyes reddened as she looked gratefully at the one person standing by her side.

Since childhood, she had always been the “unambitious, arrogant, and overbearing” eldest Miss Chi, the one everyone had to play the saint for. Naturally, outsiders came to think of her the same way.

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Even Chi Guiwan herself had blurred the line between when her temper was justified or not. Hearing He Lingyi’s words today, she suddenly realized that this was clearly a trap set against her!

She shot a look of disdain at the “culprit,” Shen Miaoling, ready to lash out—when suddenly a voice called from outside, “Zong Nanny has arrived.”

In an instant, He Lingyi saw the noble ladies visibly relax, thinking the matter would easily be swept under the rug.

Not so!

Everyone returned to their seats, and He Lingyi quietly stood by her own table, her expression calm and unreadable.

Zong Nanny was known for her strictness. Upon entering and seeing the mess, her eyes darkened with displeasure as she sternly demanded, “Who did this?”

Shen Miaoling’s legs nearly gave way, her whole body tilting as if about to collapse, her face pale. Then He Lingyi raised her voice, “Sister Shen says she broke it by accident.”

At once, all eyes turned to He Lingyi. Zong Nanny’s sharp gaze swept over Shen Miaoling. Annoyed by He Lingyi’s interference, she shot her a glare, then quickly changed her expression to one of sorrow and said,

“Nanny, it was an accident.”

“Absurd! This is a sea jade cup, unique in all Bianzhou. Just shattered like this? Miss Shen, you have quite the talent. Have you considered that your father’s salary would take years to repay this?”

Shen Miaoling panicked at these words.

He Lingyi felt a surge of satisfaction as she watched Shen collapse to the floor, eyes red as she looked pleadingly at Zong Nanny. But Zong Nanny’s face was cold. Seeing there was no mercy, Shen turned to her mother, sobbing.

“Sister Chi, I truly didn’t mean it. If this reaches my father, I’m afraid I’ll be in serious trouble. Besides, Uncle Chi’s reputation will suffer. Please, forgive me.”

Her tears nearly suffocated her. The noble ladies exchanged reproachful glances toward her mother.

Having been a daughter herself for many years, He Lingyi knew her mother was kind-hearted. She then cast a pitying glance at the shattered sea jade cup and sighed before finally letting go.

“Enough. I don’t blame you.”

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At those words, Shen Miaoling finally exhaled in relief, but Zong Nanny’s eyes held a complex expression.

Such a rare treasure—letting it go without insistence was truly “generous.”

But with the main party silent, clinging to the matter seemed unfair. Just as Zong Nanny was about to dismiss the incident, He Lingyi stepped forward, resolutely speaking up.

“Nanny, I have a question regarding today’s matter.”

“Miss He, what is your question?”

“When I was in the south, my grandfather taught me that small faults left unpunished lead to great calamities; small kindnesses unacknowledged chill the heart. Therefore, even if Sister Shen’s act was unintentional, there should be some form of apology or reparation. This way, she will remember it, and so will we. If we let it slide so easily, aren’t we encouraging bad habits? I ask you, Nanny, how should this matter be properly handled?”

At her words, Zong Nanny was momentarily taken aback.

Since Miss He joined the household in February, she had rarely spoken in the hall. Zong Nanny had thought this was the manner of a great southern scholar and hadn’t given it much thought. But now, seeing her insist on Sister Shen admitting fault and accepting punishment, her interest was piqued.

Though her expression remained composed, her tone carried newfound respect.

“What the great scholar says is just, even the Emperor himself has praised fairness. Small faults left unpunished serve as no warning. Though Miss He’s words are unintentional, the sea jade cup is indeed precious. So, what do you suggest?”

“Kneeling has already been done, and the fault admitted. How about compensation of three thousand taels of silver? Then we can consider the matter settled. What do you think, Nanny?”

Such a bold demand—three thousand taels!

At this moment, Shen Miaoling looked even more furious than Miss Chi Guiwan, and the other noble ladies were all slightly agape at her words. Though this sum wouldn’t bankrupt the Shen family, it was no small amount.

If she truly paid, it would greatly diminish the dowry Shen Miaoling could bring to her marriage.

Both humiliating and costly—it was indeed a harsh outcome.