The words were rather unkind.

The crowd gasped, wondering if Lu Family’s daughter had gone mad.

Soon, someone noticed something unusual.

"She’s wearing a married woman’s hairstyle; Lu Family’s daughter is still waiting to be married."

In the next moment, another person shakily exited the carriage.

The old woman slapped her thigh and couldn’t help but shout.

"Now this makes sense! The one scared like that is Lu Family’s daughter."

Yang Jingshu, after noticing Yu Tingwan’s attire and accessories, lost her composure.

Even she was momentarily dumbfounded.

However, being from a noble family, she quickly regained her composure, took a few steps forward, bowed slightly, and tentatively asked, "Are you the General’s wife?"

This question stirred the crowd, who started whispering.

Seeing Yu Tingwan’s faint smile, Yang Jingshu felt a sense of unease and dared not continue the argument. She changed her tone, smiling graciously as she spoke.

"There was a minor collision with the carriages ahead. It’s likely the horses acted up, causing the disturbance. Although I hit my head and a jade piece was broken, it wasn’t a significant loss. You don’t need to worry about it, Madam."

Yu Tingwan: "That’s not acceptable."

"It’s nothing; in fact, you and I have met because of this, which counts as fate."

Yu Tingwan found this amusing.

"Oh no, I dare not have any fate with you Yang Family people."

Ignoring the chaos on Yang Family’s side, she pointed to the carriage behind her.

"Look, it’s all cracked."

"What’s going on?"

"Can’t your Yang Family driver handle a carriage?"

Yu Tingwan: "You might not mind, but I do."

She was very serious: "Are you not going to compensate?"

Yu Tingwan wasn’t being kind either: "Are you short of money?"

That shouldn’t be the case, as Wei Zhao was just sending money not long ago!

Yang Jingshu was dumbfounded: ??

You hit me and still want me to compensate.

But she felt it wasn’t worth having a conflict with Yu Tingwan over a carriage.

"This... can be settled easily."

Yang Jingshu really didn’t understand how this unreasonable shrew caught the attention of such capable Wei Zhao.

The Yang Family might not compare to Duke Shun Mansion, but they would meet often in the future, was it necessary to speak so absolutely?

Moreover! She was the one who got hit!

Yang Jingshu took a deep breath, knowing she had hit a brick wall, and turned to slap the servant fiercely.

"Look at the mess you’ve made!"

The servant, startled, knelt to the ground in fear.

"This old servant is guilty."

Yu Tingwan: "How are you guilty?"

"Not even bowing your head? Are you particularly precious?"

Yu Tingwan: "I think I’m worth it."

Yang Jingshu: ???

The servant, not caring about the pain, quickly kowtowed.

Yang Jingshu clutched her handkerchief tightly, turning slightly pale.

"I’m truly sorry; I didn’t know Madam was in the carriage previously. That’s why the foolish servant came to deliver a message to avoid."

"She’s quite stupid; Jingshu apologizes to you, Madam."

With that, she gracefully bowed again.

Yu Tingwan: "Oh."

Her tone was soft and gentle.

"I do not accept."

Yu Tingwan curled her lips into a smile, unwilling to pretend, giving her no face at all: "Seeing you now seem so respectful, if I were stupid, I might really think you took me seriously."

"I’m from a small place, came from the countryside. But you’re the daughter of the prestigious second-rank Minister, worlds apart from me. Your status is noble, a renowned lady of Shangjing, certainly looking down on me."

This sarcastic tone was evident.

Yang Jingshu’s smile almost faltered.

Although she thought Yu Tingwan was right, could she admit it?

Truly a country bumpkin!!!

"Madam, you flatter me too much. You are..."

"Stop."

Yu Tingwan: "Don’t argue with me."

She asked Shangjing’s personal encyclopedia, Tan Jiang: "Tell me, who is Young Master Yang?"

"Madam, though Young Master Yang is not exactly outstanding, he’s noticeable. His temper is terrible; he often scolds and beats the servants, and his looks aren’t great; he’s too short."

Tan Jiang, fearing Yu Tingwan might not grasp it, looked at the petite Lu Shiyin nearby.

"He’s not even as tall as Miss Lu."

Yu Tingwan: "Is that so."

She took Lu Shiyin’s hand: "Everyone says the shorter, the whole family’s short. If I were you, even if they sent a grand sedan chair from the Yang Family, I wouldn’t agree."

"The Lu Family might have fallen, but you’re their only daughter, cherished dearly. I don’t know where Yang Family gets the audacity to make a good girl a mistress, such humiliation and insult."

"They saw you at the banquet, found you beautiful, and became interested. After Lu Family didn’t agree, they became disgruntled and made things difficult in various ways."

"But, that’s the Yang Family’s usual behavior."

Yu Tingwan’s gaze swept over Yang Jingshu as she spoke slowly, but with no courtesy.

"Miss Yang didn’t consider me at all."

"I’ve accepted that. Who am I but a newcomer to Shangjing, ignorant of manners, not presentable, and lacking discretion. But earlier, your servant was glaring at me fiercely, very imposing."

This was clearly using what Yang Jingshu had said against her.

Even... sharper than anyone else.

But obviously, it wasn’t over yet.

Yu Tingwan: "A servant crawling over my head to mock my shabby clothes, saying I’m not as good as their household servants, even criticizing me for being reckless. You, as the master, teaching me respect and status, is not out of line."

————

The commotion here spread quickly by word of mouth.

"The General’s wife bumped into Miss Yang."

Spreading a mile out.

"The General’s wife bumped into Miss Yang?"

In question form.

Two miles out.

"Miss Yang stood there like a fool, waiting to be hit by the General’s wife! Who knows what grudge she has, trying to blackmail the General’s wife."

"What grudge? Isn’t it obvious? Her father is only a second-ranked official, even when he sees the Grand Tutor and General Wei, he must greet them courteously! Let alone her? Feeling uneasy beneath others. Didn’t you hear, her servant even dared to yell at the General’s wife!"

"But she’s the predetermined Fourth Prince Consort."

"So what about the Fourth Prince Consort? Even if it was the Fifth Prince Consort, she’d still greet the General’s wife with a smile and wouldn’t cause trouble on purpose, understand!"

Three miles out.

Soon, it reached Duke Shun Mansion and the Grand Tutor Mansion.

The gatekeepers at the two mansions, hearing the news, didn’t dare delay, rushing to the main courtyard while shouting.

"Madam, something has happened!"

At the Wei Family, the main courtyard was already quiet.

Ning Suxuan, who was grinding ink, frowned slightly and saw the gatekeeper kneel on the ground with a thud.

"Our Young Madam was hit by Miss Yang. It’s said the injuries aren’t light, her face is covered in blood!"

"The Young Madam has such slim arms and legs, how can she endure!"

It shows how truly unpopular the Yang Family is.

A mountain of prejudice exists in people’s hearts.

Ning Suxuan, usually composed, darkened her expression after hearing this, and immediately stood up. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

She hadn’t left the house for a long time, but now hurried outside.

"Prepare the horse!"

At the Grand Tutor Mansion, Jiasan was in the kitchen.

She was quite happy.

The teahouse had sent a message, saying Yaoyao went to buy pastries, showing the child’s fondness.

So she had to make more.

"Madam!"

But the gatekeeper ran over, his face full of anger.

"Miss Yang is bullying our young lady!"

"That despicable person allowed the servant to call our young lady a country bumpkin on the street, a beggar! Saying our girl should just die."