Chapter 1: I Will Not Be a Great Turtle

Her voice suddenly rose by an octave, "With so many people in the room, not a single one can take charge? Are those eyes just for show? Might as well gouge them out and feed them to the dogs!"

Although the third young lady is of illegitimate birth, according to the customs of a prominent family, she is still considered the daughter of Madam Lin. What does it mean for her to say such words in front of everyone now

Nurse Zhou is truly at her wit's end! My dear miss, you must save me; could you please do me a favor and refrain from rubbing my back?

Everyone was trembling uncontrollably, like sifted chaff, prostrating on the ground, repeatedly bowing their heads and crying for mercy, "Madam, please spare us! I will not dare again! I beg you for your mercy!"

Zhang Qingting felt a surge of resentment, thinking, if it weren't for you, my esteemed mother, how could I have acted in such a manner? With her head held high, she replied defiantly, "Regardless of what I say, you won't listen anyway, so why bother asking me? Do as you wish with me!"

Madam Wang was knocked back several steps, stumbling and finally falling to the ground. She landed hard, unable to straighten her back due to the pain, and in an instant, tears streamed down her face

Do not hit! Although Zhang Qingting desperately tried to stop them, how could she withstand the onslaught of the fierce women and servants? Soon, everyone in the room was dragged into the courtyard and forced onto the spring bench, where they were soundly beaten with boards.

Everyone was filled with fear, but only Zhang Qingting raised her chin even higher. She felt disdain in her heart, clearly having wanted to explode in anger long ago, yet she had pretended all this time, how hypocritical

Bang! Bang! It was the hour of the unknown, and the ornate, gold-painted grandfather clock in the hall began to chime obliviously, startling everyone and sending a chill through their hearts

Zhang Qingting kicked the person next to her without any hesitation, which made her feel somewhat relieved. She rushed into the courtyard, crouched down, and charged headfirst into the belly of Wang Dama, who was diligently carrying out the punishment.

"Impudent!" Mrs. Lin slammed the table heavily, "When did it become your place to meddle in how I manage the servants in my household?"

The middle-aged wet nurse, leading the young maids, knelt down together in fear, their voices trembling, "Madam... it is indeed our inadequate service, but please do not... do not blame Miss San!"

Madam Lin, in a fit of rage, exclaimed, "Since you insist that I have not properly disciplined you, very well! Someone, come here! The third young lady is disrespectful and utterly unruly; give her twenty lashes!"

Madam Lin remained utterly unmoved, "Take them all out, give each of them twenty lashes, deduct two months' wages, and send them to the village to do farm work! Double the punishment for Mother Zhou!"

The room was unusually quiet, not a sound to be heard. The servants in the house all had their faces tightly drawn, their eyes fixed on their toes. A gentle breeze swept through the hall, like a small boat cutting through the waves, momentarily easing the suffocating pressure that made it hard to breathe, but in an instant, it closed in even tighter.

Today, in order to establish this reputation, it is essential to properly discipline this illegitimate daughter! Otherwise, with so many people watching, are we really going to let her compromise her principles and seek peace? Wouldn't that only further solidify her guilt?

Once these words were spoken, everyone turned pale with fear

During her days at the residence, she finally observed that the period from after lunch to around 3 PM was when the defenses of the estate were the most relaxed. She planned to take advantage of this opportunity to sneak out of the house through the back garden and leave quietly. Everything was going smoothly, but there was one thing she had overlooked, and that was luck

These individuals, usually following Madam Lin, feel inherently superior. Apart from the few masters in the main residence, they do not regard the others at all.

Ah! Although it was quick, she still managed to bite her, leaving two rows of teeth marks on the back of her hand, with blood faintly seeping out. The two girls were so frightened that they quickly stepped back, "You... how could you bite someone?"

Zhang Qingting speaks bluntly, yet her reasoning is not coarse. If children are not taught, it is the parents' fault. She criticizes others for lacking discipline, but seizes the opportunity to turn the tables, shifting all the responsibility back onto herself

She glanced around, suppressing her temper as she explained a few more sentences, "What is wrong with the Pan family? Master Pan is a high-ranking official in the court, and the second son is his legitimate heir. This marriage proposal, if we think about it, is actually us trying to elevate ourselves!"

"Hey! What are you doing?" Zhang Qingting became anxious, "One person does the work, one person takes the responsibility. If you want to punish someone, punish me alone; what does it have to do with them?"

Madam Lin was not the least bit angered, her expression remaining calm and indifferent. "How can you say such a thing? Third Miss, what exactly are your grievances with this family that you would resort to such an act of running away?" She suddenly pulled a long face, her voice turning sharply cold, "Is this how a young lady of a prominent family should behave!"

Zhang Qingting was indeed not lying, but Mrs. Lin did not believe a word of it. She completely turned cold, saying, "Nonsense! The marriage with the Pan family has already been settled, so you should stop thinking about those unfounded ideas and prepare to get married with peace of mind!"

Zhang Qingting was furious! Wasn't the person hitting her right in front of her a public humiliation for her?

Biting? I still want to hit someone!

Just as she was about to climb over the wall, that fat man came over, idly shooting birds. Zhang Tai'an had no other skills, but his marksmanship was exceptional; he immediately shot a stone, knocking her off the wall.

I have already said! I don't remember anything at all. I can't do that thing for everyone. Please, have some mercy and let me go! After all, you have so many sons and daughters in your family; having one more or one less doesn't make a difference. Why are you forcing me to stay?

Yet, despite the cold sweat dripping from her forehead due to the pain, she did not cry out as loudly as before. Her fingernails dug deep into the hard wooden bench beneath her, but she did not utter a sound. She gritted her teeth and endured, her eyes tightly shut, desperately trying to hypnotize herself, to faint quickly, to faint quickly! This wretched situation, why hasn't she fainted yet?

Third Young Lady, please calm down. If you anger the Madam again, it would be most unfilial

"Caught red-handed, there is nothing more to say, right?" Beside Madam Lin, a chubby black-haired boy, around twelve or thirteen years old, glared at her with a face full of resentment, covering his bright red right ear, "If she dares to hit me again, Mother, use the family rules to deal with her!"

This is Mrs. Lin's youngest child, the second young master of the Zhang family, Zhang Tai'an

Madam Lin, having set aside the tea foam for nearly a stick of incense's time, only then began to speak leisurely.

This is the fate of a sycophant! Zhang Qingting turned around in anger and pounced on Nurse Zhou, changing her expression and howling, "Nurse! It's all my fault, I've implicated you and caused you to be beaten!"

Madam Lin raised her eyes, her dignified and beautiful face adorned with a customary faint smile as she looked at her, "Why are you not speaking? Have you gone mute?"

Only Zhang Qingting began to wail again, "Oh my dear mother! You left me without a care, and this motherless child is like a blade of grass, bullied all day long! Why didn't you take me with you? Why leave me here to suffer?"

Madam Lin's face suddenly turned a shade of bluish-purple. After enduring for a while, she barely managed to maintain her composure, saying, "Marriage is a significant matter, traditionally decided by the parents and the matchmaker. You cannot act recklessly!"

Madam Wang, the accompanying matron, had long been waiting on the side. Upon hearing her speak, she quickly lifted the Xiangfei bamboo curtain and pushed several people inside, saying, "Madam, everyone from Hefeng Pavilion is here."

Zhang Tai'an originally thought it was some girl trying to abscond with funds, but unexpectedly it turned out to be his half-sister, the third young lady. This has become quite interesting! The chubby boy immediately wanted to drag her in front of their mother to show off, but was instead dealt with by Zhang Qingting in just a few moves. However, due to the commotion caused by this fat boy, the servants were drawn in, and they still ended up getting caught.

Madam Lin cast a cold glance at her and spoke to the ground, "Zhou Mama, you have served the young lady since she was little, and you are considered an elder in the household. How is it that you are becoming increasingly careless? The last time such a significant incident occurred with the young lady, it was somewhat understandable that you were not by her side. However, I have repeatedly instructed you, yet you still exhibit such negligence. What is going on? And you too!"

Indeed! Madam has so many significant and trivial matters to attend to every day, which is already enough to worry about, leaving no time for anything else

The two of them still wanted to speak harshly to Zhang Qingting, but were startled to see the third young lady sneering coldly. Suddenly, she opened her mouth wide, revealing her snow-white teeth, and viciously bit down on one person's hand!

Zhang Qingting turned her neck decisively and changed direction, yet she neither looked nor responded

It was just after an afternoon nap when the concubines and their children came to pay their respects, and it was the perfect opportunity for the housekeeper to come in and report. Observing that more and more people were gathering outside the main room, yet none dared to step forward and speak on their behalf, Zhang Qingting felt a deep resentment, grinding her teeth in anger at this group of spineless cowards who only bully the weak and fear the strong

Looking down again at the kneeling crowd, she unleashed all her pent-up anger, "A well-bred young lady, all ruined because of you! Drag them out, double the punishment, and strike now!"

Madam Lin's lungs are about to explode with anger, wishing she could personally go up and sew that girl's mouth shut

Observing Mrs. Lin trembling with anger, Zhang Qingting further exaggerated the situation, "Poor me! Since childhood, no one has taught or cared for me. Only you, my wet nurse, have shown me affection, but you lack education and do not understand what rules are. My mother does understand, but she has no time to teach me! Oh, heavens! Why am I so unfortunate? I wasn't born like my second sister, who was carried in our mother's womb. I haven't learned the rules, and good marriage prospects have been taken by others. People are just not comparable!"

Fearing that she might say something embarrassing in public, he changed the subject, "Bring the people from Miss San's room in!"

Let go! Zhang Qingting wanted to break free from the two maids holding onto her.

This has nothing to do with them! Zhang Qingting is still very loyal, it was I who sneaked out while they were all asleep, and none of them knows.

She stared at the tall girl in the light green dress, "Lv Zhi, Mama Zhou is getting old, perhaps she might occasionally misjudge things, but how can you be so incompetent? It seems that the punishment for Bi Luo was still too lenient; it didn't frighten you at all, did it?"

Zhang Qingting scoffed derisively, calling it useless! She looked down on those who, after being beaten, went to tell an adult. If it were her own younger brother, she would have given him another beating for sure! It was already a favor that she didn't twist your ears off. Why are you out here in the middle of the day instead of sleeping, running around to confront her about something?

Speak, what exactly is going on

If others cannot be relied upon, then one must make their own decisions. You want to play mind games, do you? Well, the young lady Zhang, who has grown up navigating the streets, is not inferior to anyone! You want to make me lose face? Then I will make you lose face as well!

Zhang Qingting coldly snorted, "If it were really that good, why doesn't your own daughter marry there?"