The Ice Lord Prime Minister's Black-Bellied Wife

Chapter 6: The difference between a slap and a beating

(Prisma’s alternate title: Talk Shit, Get Hit)

Qing You Yuan¹

Qing You Yuan was Zhang Shu Yi's courtyard. Bai Xi was expecting a certain situation, but it seemed liked something else was happening. She indifferently swept her gaze across everyone inside the room and could not help but sigh. In the early mornings, these people gathered in this room to chat rather than sleep. She was not stupid enough to think that these people were inviting her to come and gossip.

"Second young miss is really precious now, not needing to greet her elders. Second young miss also did not even pay respects to the old master, much less we other elders." A cold voice started to ridicule Bai Xi, echoing in the quiet room.

"Next time, madam ought to believe Lin'er and Ling Long's words," another voice piped up.

Bai Xi wrinkled her brow. Greeting? She didn't have this sort of habit, and she didn't think that her lack of greeting was particularly offensive.

Zhang Shu Yi inwardly laughed. She was finally able to find an opportunity to teach a lesson to this little slut. "Granny Li², second young miss was sick in bed for many days. You should instruct second young miss so as to avoid having her lose the Bai family's face³ in front of outsiders in the future."

The old female servant heard what was said and immediately walked out. Without hesitation, she went to kick at Bai Xi's knee. It was a pity that she was only a little bit successful because Bai Xi swiftly moved to avoid Granny Li's kick. However, Granny Li prepared a second kick. Bai Xi knocked the foot away. Granny Li's centre of gravity became unstable and she fell to the ground.

Zhang Shu Yi did not expect the little slut to avoid that and instead knock down Granny Li.

"Bai Xi, this madam was generous enough to let Granny Li teach you etiquette. It seems you cannot recognise help when it is given!" Zhang Shu Yi threw a tea cup, but Bai Xi moved her foot aside in time, and it shattered on the floor, spilling tea on Bai Xi's shoes. Despite this, Bai Xi did not look at all afraid or flustered. Rather, her expression remained the same, as if nothing had happened.

"Second young miss is really arrogant. She dares to beat the madam's wet nurse directly in front of the madam. Does this second young miss truly believe that she is the young miss of the legitimate wife? Don't think that having master and old master's affection will make you the young miss of the legitimate wife of the Bai residence! In the end⁴, second young miss is merely the daughter of a concubine. You dare to ignore madam's existence and defy the residence's family rules? You are truly wildly arrogant!" The third concubine, Mistress Lan⁵, taunted. She could not tolerate this Bai Xi. Why does this daughter of a concubine, this ugly woman, enjoy the master's and the old master's affection? Her daughter, Lin'er, not only had an appearance that far exceeded this ugly woman's, she was highly accomplished in the four arts⁶.

The master persistently doted on Bai Xi, this ugly woman.

"What third older sister says is correct. Look at her clothes. This person really defies the family rules. If she didn't have master's or old master's affection, I'd like to see if she still dares to be so arrogant," said Mistress Lin⁷ She and Mistress Lan had only approached madam to destroy the ugly woman's place in the master's favour. Both of them wanted to give madam an opportunity to vent her anger. They had already heard about what happened yesterday at Mo Xuan Yuan, so they wanted to put on a show for her.

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"Second young miss is jealous and hateful. Not only does she beat up her sisters, she also defies the family rules. She should be taught a lesson⁸ and beaten 30 times with a wooden board," Zhang Shu Yi commanded, assuming a motherly stance.

Following her words, the faces of the women in the room turned smug.

"So, madam was actually in charge of the entire Bai household. Today has broadened this one's horizons." Bai Xi's lips curled into a smile. It appeared as if these people wanted to send her to hell.

"What did you say?" Zhang Shu Yi's expression darkened. There was fire in her eyes when she looked at the calm and composed Bai Xi. She was beginning to discover that this little slut was not the same as before.

"Third concubine mother said Xi'r relied on grandfather and father's affection and viewed herself as the Bai household's legitimate daughter? In fact, Xi'r is the Bai family's legitimate young miss, is she not? Father has supported Xi'r since childhood and was adopted by madam. Madam is Xi'r's mother. And in the family record, Xi'r is mother's daughter. Since mother is the Bai family's legitimate wife, how is this daughter of the legitimate wife not a legitimate daughter and instead a daughter of a concubine? This does not make sense. So, third concubine mother and fourth concubine mother appear to be slandering Xi'r, but are really slandering madam.

"And also, fourth concubine mother's words are even more laughable. What rules are there in the residence that says women cannot wear men's clothing? I am guessing there aren't any, and since there aren't any, fourth concubine mother is carelessly accusing Xi'r to cause trouble. Is this not making a false charge against me?

"Finally, Mum said Xi'r has beaten Xi'r's sisters. Xi'r does not know when this happened. Who has Xi'r hit? Third younger sister? Or is it fourth younger sister?" If they wanted to send her to hell, she wanted to see if they were qualified or not!

Silence followed. The others were stunned and looked at Bai Xi. Was this really the same stupid, ugly girl? They did not expect her to turn the tables with her words. This idiot had such an ability?

"It's not that Xi'r wants to call into question mother's stewardship, but Xi'r doesn't think that Xi'r should be blamed and punished for no apparent reason." Bai Xi was not likely to be at a disadvantage⁹ against these people.

Zhang Shu Yi's face changed colour, alternating between red, white, black, and green. This little slut had implied that her mother could not tell right from wrong. More importantly, Bai Xi had called into question her management of the household. How could she not be angry?

Mistress Lan and Mistress Lin's expressions were not much better. Bai Lin and Bai Ling Long were even angrier. They were obviously all concubine-born. Why was that ugly woman a legitimate daughter? Why did she have the paternal grandfather and father's affections, and even eldest brother's affection?

"Third younger sister, fourth younger sister, do you agree with what mother says, that I hit you both?" Bai Xi did not see the change in the others' expressions. She immediately walked in front of Bai Lin and Bai Ling Long and started talking.

"It is… no." The two of them started nodding, and then quickly shook their heads in denial. For some reason, they suddenly felt scared of Bai Xi and wanted to force some distance between them.

"Ah, it's really pitiful. People would surely feel sorry for these two delicate white faces which have swelled up." As she spoke, Bai Xi reached out to touch the fading hand marks. Her eyes were full of pity. "This is truly distressing."

"Second older sister should not be a hypocrite. You are the one who hit Lin'er's face!" Mistress Lan rose to go support Bai Lin and pulled her to her side. She was afraid that Bai Xi would once again slap her daughter.

"Really, second older sister should not pretend to be a good person. Even if you are a legitimate daughter, you severely beat your sisters. This changes nothing." Mistress Lin also moved in front of her daughter to protect Bai Ling Long.

"The two concubine mothers want to talk about the affairs of two days ago?" Only after 24 hours did these people want to talk about those affairs? Wasn't this too late?

"The second young miss dares to say that she didn't hit Lin'er's face the other day?"

"There were many servants who observed the second young miss' behaviour. Does second young miss not want to admit this?"

In response to their questions, Bai Xi shrugged, and then looked over at where Zhang Shu Yi sat with a slight smile. "Mother, perhaps there is a misunderstanding. Instead of only listening to what others have to say, please let Xi'r recount her side for you."

After her words, nobody managed to react before they heard two slapping sounds. Bai Lin and Bai Ling Long who were originally next to Mistress Lan and Mistress Lin were now standing on both sides of Bai Xi.

"Is mother clear about this? Xi'r merely stretched. Xi'r did not expect third younger sister and fourth younger sister to help Xi'r to go rest in bed. Xi'r woke up and felt Xi'r's whole body aching, so Xi'r stretched her waist. Who would expect… Ah, this happened the day before yesterday around midday. After two days, even if third younger sister and fourth younger sister's faces are delicate, it is impossible for this red swelling to be from then. Their current face injury must have occurred yesterday, certainly not more than twelve hours ago¹⁰. This injury…"

"Nonsense! Second young miss should not quibble. Lin'er's facial injury was obviously caused by you hitting her!" Mistress Lan was quite flustered.

"Third concubine mother, consider this re-enactment of the incident. I was not careful back then and slapped third younger sister's face. At most, it could be seen as a moment of carelessness only, and third younger sister's face would have just the remaining signs of a handprint. Being slapped and being beaten are two different concepts that you cannot compare." As soon as she finished speaking, everyone suddenly recalled the slapping sound. Mistress Lan had been slapped so quickly that the people in the room could not see clearly who had done it, but they knew deep down who it was. Bai Xi smiled thinly.

"You…"

"I only had good intentions and gave third concubine mother a reference. I will give third concubine mother a bronze mirror so that you can compare a slap with a beating and see the difference," Bai Xi said softly. Her mood was difficult to read.

Mistress Lan's clenched her hands tightly, wishing she could immediately walk over there and slap this ugly woman. One slap was not enough. She wanted to thrash Bai Xi, and only then would her heart be satisfied.

"Mother, do you feel that Xi'r's words are correct?"

^{1. Qing You Yuan (清幽園) - translates to quiet and beautiful garden↩}

^{2. Granny Li is not related to Bai Xi. This is a term used for the older women who help raise a household's children.↩}

^{3. Face (臉面) - this is sort of like dignity and prestige, and how other's perceive oneself. If you would like to read more about this, read this article. It explains it very well. ()↩}

^{4. Chinese idiom (in the final analysis), which means something along the lines of 'it all boils down to one point' or 'in the end'.↩}

^{5. Mistress Lan (藍氏) - Lan is the third concubine's last name and translates to 'blue'. 'Mistress' is the title that is added to a married woman. When a woman marries, they do not change their last name. Instead, the title of 'shi' is added to their maiden name to indicate that they are married, but I have translated it to mistress for this since this is closest equivalent I can think of (suggestions are welcome).↩}

^{6. The four arts (琴棋書畫) - these are playing the gu qin, playing chess, calligraphy, and painting.}

Gu qin

Chinese chess

↩

^{7. Lin (林) - this is the character for forest.↩}

^{8. Chinese idiom (以此為戒) - translates as 'be admonished with this', which roughly means 'take warning from this' or 'take this as a lesson'.↩}

^{9. Be at a disadvantage (吃虧) - the literal Chinese translation is to 'eat a loss' or 'suffer a loss'.↩}

^{10. She actually says "6 shi chen" here. A shi chen was the unit of time used before the Western scale came out. A shi chen equals 2 hours. So, 6 x 2 = 12 hours.↩}