Free Web NovelChapter 362: Chapter 143: Regretted
In that moment, the look on Chen Wanyue’s face was even more twisted than the statue of King Yan that Mr. Shi kept on his altar.
She had thrown a destructive tantrum, frightening her foolish husband into a wailing mess and earning herself a good beating from her mother-in-law before she finally settled down.
But she was still seething. So, after learning they would be performing ancestral rites today, she had come to cause a scene.
Unexpectedly, things got off to a bad start. Before she could even begin her performance, someone managed to thoroughly disgust her.
The disgusting nature of those words was worse than her husband, who ran around the courtyard naked in broad daylight, oblivious to his own filth. It was even more sickening than when she was stripped naked and forced into bed with him by her in-laws. It was enough to make her want to vomit.
The older woman across from her was just waiting to see her make a fool of herself, so Chen Wanyue could only swallow down her nausea.
She shot the older woman a look, then ignored her, saying sarcastically, "Any stray cat or dog can just run up and bark at me now. Watch out, or I’ll beat you to death with a stick."
The words were incredibly rude, and truly arrogant and vicious.
For a moment, everyone was stunned into silence—not just the master chef hired for the banquet and his assistants, who wondered if they were hearing things, but even the Zhao Family clansmen and Chen Wanqing. Then, the crowd erupted.
"What is she even saying? To be so young and speak with such venom."
"Like father, like daughter. Mr. Chen’s family has crooked roots, so what good could Chen Wanyue have possibly learned?"
Not wanting the situation to escalate, Chen Wanqing quickly stepped out from the crowd. "Wanyue, you came to see me, right? If you have a grievance, tell it to me. There’s no need to take your anger out on the older woman."
The older woman scoffed, furious. "In all my years, this is the first time someone has cursed me right to my face. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re my junior, I’d beat you black and blue."
"Then go on and hit me, if you have the guts!"
Chen Wanqing held the older woman back and pushed Chen Wanyue toward the side of the road.
"If you have something to say, say it plainly. There’s no need to target innocent bystanders."
Chen Wanqing paused for a moment. "To be honest, I don’t think showing up here right now is a good idea for you..."
"Do you own the Zhao Village? Are you the local queen? Is everyone here your personal slave? Why can’t I be here? I’m going to be here. Not only am I going to be here, I’m going to stay the night. Let’s see what you can do about it."
"I can’t do anything to you. You’re a grown person with a mind of your own and two feet to carry you. You can do whatever you want. Suit yourself. I’m heading back."
Chen Wanyue grabbed Chen Wanqing’s sleeve. "Stop right there! You have a guilty conscience, don’t you? You’re trying to run away! I knew it..."
Chen Wanqing turned her head to look at her, her gaze clear and sharp, as if it could pierce right through to her heart.
The look made Chen Wanyue’s own conscience prickle, and she couldn’t help but take a step back.
"What do I have to feel guilty about? I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of, and I certainly haven’t wronged you. You, on the other hand, are the one who should feel guilty. You stirred up trouble and ruined my home. You’re the one who should be shrinking away at the sight of me."
"That’s because you wronged me first! If you hadn’t married Zhao Jing..."
"So, the problem is still Jing. You regret it, don’t you!" freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Her true feelings exposed, Chen Wanyue’s face twitched, and the thick powder on her face began to flake off like snow.
But she didn’t notice. She raised her voice and shrieked, "Who says I regret it? You just picked up the piece of trash I threw away—"
Chen Wanqing slapped her hard across the face. "Wanyue, being the loudest doesn’t make you right. You can offend me, and I’ll let it go for the sake of the sisterhood we once shared. But if you dare to debase Jing, don’t blame me for getting rough."
"Ah! You hit me! You actually dared to hit me! I’ll kill you!"
Chen Wanyue shrieked and lunged, trying to claw at Chen Wanqing’s face.
She had heard it all.
’All the scholars who went to the Prefecture for the exams were talking about it. They said Zhao Jing had made a name for himself, even achieving the "triple-first." They said he’d had a stroke of incredible luck and caught the Lord Prefect’s eye. They even commented on his good fortune in marriage, how his wife was not only well-read and intelligent, but also capable, and how the two of them were deeply in love. Zhao Jing had even impulsively thrown a punch at someone for offending Chen Wanqing.’
’Why?’
’All of this should have been hers.’
’If she hadn’t let memories of a past life cloud her judgment, if she hadn’t been so foolish as to break off the engagement, she would be the one enjoying all of this now.’
In the end, Chen Wanyue was seized by the Zhao Family clansmen who had rushed over and was shoved forcefully into her carriage.
Xiang’er even grabbed a stick and threatened the driver, "Get out of here, now! If you ever dare to bring her back to our village again, I’ll give you a beating every single time I see you."
Mrs. Zhao was also furious. "Do you think the Zhao Family is made of clay? If there’s a next time, we’ll go straight to that Mr. Shi of yours and have a word with him."
