A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 472: Chapter 474 My name is Ye Tang

”Oh, Lady Ni, what pretense is this! Don’t you know exactly what you mean?”

”Or are you saying you don’t understand the daughter you yourself raised?”

Lady Ni was so furious that she saw stars, her face turning ashen. She teetered, nearly fainting. General Ni hurriedly stepped forward to support her.

”Madam, be careful!!”

General Ni’s gaze turned sharply towards Old Master Xia and Lady Yao.

”For you to call off the engagement at this time is simply too outrageous!”

This behavior was utterly shameless. Any decent family would surely not jump out to make their presence felt at such a moment. Normally, one would quietly call off the engagement after the storm had passed. Everyone would feign ignorance, and after a couple of years, they would marry others, and the matter would not be mentioned.

But now... To be so anxious to draw a clear line with their in-laws was truly... appalling!

Old Master Xia, knowing he was at fault, put on an apologetic smile. ”General Ni, please don’t be angry. It’s truly because of this matter concerning my son; my hands are tied...”

His implication was clear: My son is dead, so why is your daughter still clinging so desperately? A woman who was promiscuous before marriage—how could she be worthy of my heroic son? Of course, the most important thing to him was that this incident was a blow to his pride!

Old Master Xia cared greatly for his reputation, possessing the inherent pride and pedantry of a scholar. Even though the Xia Family was a modest one, they were still a family of scholars. He simply looked down on military families like the Ni Family. Moreover, how could he allow the marriage engagement of a son born to a concubine to ruin the future and reputation of his legitimate children?

Thus, the engagement had to be called off!

...

General Ni had been a general for more than half his life. In his youth, he had killed enemies, suppressed bandits, fought invaders, and driven out barbarians. He hadn’t achieved many illustrious military exploits, but he was no coward on the battlefield.

As he grew older and retired from the front lines, his disposition had become much calmer. He led his family in living a peaceful and stable life.

But peaceful did not mean he could be easily bullied!

Seeing the Xia Family’s shameless pretense, he finally lost all patience, his gaze becoming terrifyingly sharp. Like a weathered old wolf baring its lethal teeth to protect its cub, he shielded Lady Ni with one arm and clenched his other fist tightly.

BANG! His fist slammed down onto the desk.

The teacups on it jumped and clinked noisily.

A deep fist print was left on the polished nanmu wood desk, the wood splinters within nearly pulverized!

”My lord!” Lady Ni trembled in fright.

General Ni patted her back to comfort her while keeping his piercing gaze fixed on Old Master Xia.

”Calling off the engagement is acceptable, but not now!”

Lady Ni quickly added, ”Even if he’s dead, we must see the body before we agree to call off the engagement!”

Lady Ni was extremely unwilling. Manxue had suffered these indignities because of Xia Tingfeng. Even if the engagement were to be broken off, it had to be because the man was confirmed dead, not because her own daughter was ’no longer pure.’

Besides, the man hadn’t even been found yet. He might not truly be dead. What if someone had rescued him?!

”Won’t your Xia Family send people to search? Even if he’s dead, you must bring back a body!” Lady Ni said indignantly.

Although Lady Yao was afraid, blinded by greed, she couldn’t care less and scoffed with contempt, ”Lady Ni, you worry too much. The affairs of the Xia Family are none of your concern!”

He’s dead anyway, so what’s the point of searching? Xia Tingfeng wasn’t married and had no children; his death would be considered premature. According to custom, he wouldn’t even be allowed into the ancestral tomb. If his body were recovered, he’d just be buried somewhere casually. It would be better to let him feed the fish in the river. Besides, hiring people to search and retrieve the body would cost money!

Finally seeing the utterly despicable and shameless true colors of the Xia Family, General Ni couldn’t be bothered with further words. With a grand wave of his hand, he drew the long sword hanging on the wall.

SWISH! The blade was unsheathed.

Gently caressing the cold, glinting edge of the blade, he spoke slowly, ”Regardless, the engagement will not be called off now! The two of you may leave!”

This was... a blatant threat!

Old Master Xia instantly cowered; in truth, he had always been quite timid.

Lady Yao was also frightened, shivering as she pointed at General Ni. ”You... what are you trying to do?”

”Are you planning to commit murder in broad daylight?”

Having said that, she mustered her courage, placed her hands on her hips, and stammered, ”This... this is the capital, right under The King’s nose! In broad daylight, I just... I just don’t believe...”

Before she could finish her sentence, General Ni gave a fierce smile and slashed with his sword with lightning speed.

”AH!” Lady Yao screamed, her legs giving way as she collapsed to the ground. A piece of her clothing had been sliced off and fluttered down.

”Master, save me!” Lady Yao shrieked, so scared she wet herself.

Old Master Xia was also terrified, cringing and not daring to step forward. He just... retreated slightly, clearing his throat twice. ”A gentleman resolves matters with words, not force!”

General Ni, holding the freshly cut piece of cloth with one hand, disdainfully tossed it aside. He scoffed coldly, ”Apologies, but this General is no gentleman!”

Old Master Xia was rendered speechless.

In the blink of an eye, while still dazed, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck. By the time he reacted, he saw the sharp longsword was already resting against his throat.

General Ni’s bloodshot eyes were as cold as frost. ”This General will say it again: the engagement can be called off, but not now! If you dare to spout more nonsense and insult my daughter, I won’t hesitate to take your dog’s life!”

Old Master Xia was so terrified his lips turned purple. The look in the other man’s eyes suggested he was about to kill him on the spot!

He trembled as he said, ”You... you, don’t be rash!”

”I... I...”

Lady Yao, watching Old Master Xia’s spineless display, felt a profound disgust. Yet, she didn’t dare step up herself, remaining seated on the ground, her legs too weak to stand. ”You... put the sword away. We... we won’t call off the engagement then...”

General Ni narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying an intimidating tone. ”Are you sure you’re not toying with me?”

Old Master Xia nodded frantically, like a pecking chick. ”Sure, sure!”

General Ni snorted coldly, finally sheathing his sword. He then kicked out. ”Get out!”

Old Master Xia, having received the kick, scrambled out in a panic, not even glancing at Lady Yao.

Lady Yao wanted to curse, wanted to stand up and run after him, but her legs had no strength. She sat there, looking utterly dejected and on the verge of tears.

General Ni calmly sheathed his sword, looking at her with disgust. ”Someone, throw her out!”

A few servant boys entered moments later. They efficiently lifted Lady Yao and carried her out.

At that moment, Lady Ni suddenly noticed a yellow puddle on the floor. ”Disgusting! What a pity about this carpet. Have someone throw it away!”

General Ni approached and supported her, his tone returning to gentle. ”Yes, yes, throw it all away!”

...

After driving away the Xia Family, General Ni went to the Yamen, requested leave, and then took some men out to search for his daughter.

As a respectable married woman, it wasn’t proper for Lady Ni to go out, so she could only wait at home. Her heart felt like it was being fried in oil, a torment best left undescribed.

「Back at the Xia Family.」

Lady Yao was tossed outside, her clothes torn, her legs weak, and her undergarments soiled with urine.