Chapter 40: The Beating

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy the moment those words were spoken. In the braziers placed on the floor, the charcoal burned brightly, the rhythmic "crackling" sounds feeling unusually jarring in the stillness.

Zuo Li, seated high above, slowly closed her eyes and let out a sigh of helplessness. Her hands, which were rubbing her prayer beads, began to move with increasing speed.

Watching her look of profound distress, which was enough to stir pity in anyone, Wang Ling spoke with feigned concern: "The Consort is a person of high standing and has always been a flamboyant sort. She has failed to discipline the children under her care properly. If it were just the eldest son, that might be one thing, but the second young lady has grown to be just like her."

Zuo Li sighed and shook her head. She reached out to take Wang Ling’s hand, looking weary. "You are a good person, and you understand my plight, but that child... I simply choose not to hold it against her."

Seeing the furrow in Zuo Li’s brow, Su Jin took up the thread of the conversation. "Your Ladyship is benevolent and forgiving, and you have a soft spot for children. But that girl is truly unruly. I heard that as soon as Concubine Shen returned to the manor, that child doused her with a bowl of tea."

"That was truly inexcusable."

Outside the door, Yulan lifted the curtain and entered to refill their tea. Her expression held a hint of suppressed emotion. "The Liangdi and the concubine may not know, but the Consort treats the second young lady like the apple of her eye. During the first few days she arrived, the Consort worried she wouldn't sleep soundly at night or might catch a chill. In this freezing weather, the Consort would even drape a coat over her shoulders and go to check on her personally."

Wang Ling offered praise repeatedly, then added in a low voice, "The Consort is truly kind-hearted. Why not let the Crown Prince know about such things?"

"Concubine, you speak of what is impossible. Our Consort is currently with child, and she dares not disturb him over anything, fearing that the little master in her womb might come to some harm."

After refilling the tea, Yulan stood with her hands folded at her side near Zuo Li.

Wang Ling fell silent. What Yulan said was true; with Gu Tan pregnant, no one dared to touch her. She mused quietly to herself: if Gu Tan were no longer carrying that child, would she still dare to act this way? As this thought crossed her mind, she shivered, feeling a sudden jolt of fear at the realization that she could harbor such a malicious thought.

Su Jin gently stroked the sweat from the neck of Li Changjiu. The child had been sneaking out to play in the garden, but it was bitterly cold outside, and Su Jin was reluctant to let her go. After calming the child, she looked up and caught the inscrutable expression on Wang Ling’s face—turning from pale to sallow—while Zuo Li sat opposite, watching Wang Ling with keen interest.

Sensing something, Zuo Li turned her gaze slightly and met Su Jin’s eyes. Su Jin’s vision felt as though it had been scorched; she immediately averted her eyes, bowed her head, and said nothing more.

"The second young lady."

A voice sounded from the outer room. Everyone inside immediately composed their expressions. Li Changping, however, straightened up, her little face wrinkling in a pout as she grabbed Su Jin’s arm, muttering that she wanted to go back.

Before she could finish her sentence, Li Changping had already entered. Unlike her previous haughty demeanor, she appeared much more docile now. She curtsied to Zuo Li and offered a greeting: "Mother, I hope you are well."

Su Jin’s heart skipped a beat. She knew the child’s temper better than anyone; to see her so obedient now showed that Zuo Li had put in a great deal of effort. She did not dare to look at Zuo Li’s face.

Zuo Li gave a curt permission to rise. Li Changping stood with a blank expression, and upon looking up, she saw Li Changjiu staring at her from the kang.

"Perfect, the two sisters can be together. It will be nice for them to have a playmate." Zuo Li set down her teacup, her slender fingers tapping rhythmically against the tabletop—*tap, tap, tap*.

Assisted by her wet nurse, Li Changping climbed onto the kang, removed her shoes, and sat beside Li Changjiu.

The two little ones were not used to being together and felt a bit awkward. Silence descended, enough to make the adults smile. Su Jin felt relieved, seeing that Li Changping had changed so much and appeared much gentler.

"This was sewn for me by my mother. It’s very pretty, look."

Not accustomed to being with this half-sister, Li Changjiu hesitated before taking the initiative to speak. Hanging from her waist was a sachet, meticulously embroidered into the shape of a small tiger head. It was stitched with golden silk threads, the two tiny ears were rimmed with minuscule beads, and the bright eyes were inlaid with gemstones.

Under the sunlight, it cast a colorful glow.

Children are most fond of such trinkets. Meaning to be kind, Li Changjiu took off the sachet and handed it to Li Changping.

Li Changping took the item and examined it for a moment, but then refused to let go. Li Changjiu grew anxious; she had only meant for her to look at it, not to give it away, so she reached out to grab it back.

However, Li Changping had been raised to be overbearing. Realizing she wouldn't be allowed to keep it, she raised her hand and slammed it hard onto the ground, her tone cold: "What kind of junk is this, that you’d even bring it out to show off?"

This unreasonable display caused a flash of darkness to cross Su Jin’s eyes, though it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. She pulled Li Changjiu into her arms to soothe her.

"It’s alright, when Mother goes back, she will sew another one for A-Nian."

Having said this, she turned her head and said with a smile, "Second young lady, you really should curb your temper. The Consort is with child now and values such things highly. Before long, she will bring you a new younger brother or sister; it will be even livelier then."

"When you become an elder sister, you must learn to be polite to your younger siblings."

Li Changping’s expression changed. She pouted and pointed at Su Jin: "You’re lying! Mother loves me the most, I don't want any younger brothers or sisters!"

Su Jin offered a cold smile, not knowing why she felt compelled to argue with a small child: "Why would I be lying? If you don't believe me, Second Young Lady, you can go ask your wet nurse. Right now you are the youngest, but later, when there are even smaller siblings..."

Provoked by these words, Li Changping gritted her teeth, stood up, and shoved Li Changjiu.

Wang Ling frowned, surprised by Li Changping’s ferocity. She glanced secretly at Zuo Li, but seeing her expression remained unchanged and she made no move to intervene, Wang Ling stayed silent.

Li Changjiu stumbled from the push. No matter how good-tempered she was, she was still a child, and she became angry. Scrambling to her feet, she raised a hand to strike Li Changping, but the other girl dodged nimbly.

Turning back, Li Changping grabbed Li Changjiu’s hand and bit down hard. She used significant force, and bright red blood began to ooze from the wound instantly. The blood stained Li Changping’s mouth, a truly gruesome sight.

Li Changjiu cried out in pain. Su Jin was terrified; she hurriedly grabbed a handkerchief to press against the wound, but the blood flowed so freely that it soaked through the cloth, turning the child’s fair face a deep, flushed red.

"You unruly child! To be so vicious—who taught you to act this way? It is truly abominable!"

Clutching Li Changjiu to her chest, Su Jin’s anger reached a boiling point. Losing her composure, she raised her hand and slapped Li Changping across the face. The child’s skin was delicate, and Su Jin did not hold back her strength, sending Li Changping toppling to the side.

When she looked up again, she began to cry as well, her lip split and bleeding.