Chapter 22: Revenge and Retribution?

“Who else do you wish to investigate, my lord?”
Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. “The heir of Prince Ding.”
“Tan Yunge is notoriously jealous. The heir has only one child, Shen Zijiao, but regrettably, that child was not born of Tan Yunge. Tan Yunge believed I was dead, which is why she acted so recklessly.”
“Now that she knows I’m alive, she must be frightened. Frightened that I might expose what happened six years ago, terrified that her status as the prince’s consort will be threatened.”
“She used Shen Zijiao to test me, so naturally, I must return the favor.”
While Tan Qingjiu was plotting her next move, Shen Zijiao returned to the prince’s residence with his servants.
Upon arrival, Shen Zijiao rushed straight to the main hall. “Mother! I was bullied!”
Tan Yunge’s gaze fell upon Shen Zijiao. Unable to speak, she merely furrowed her brows and glanced at Madam Li beside her. Madam Li understood Tan Yunge’s intention and quickly asked on her behalf, “Young master, what happened?”
“I had just entered the inn, when a child darted out and, with a few quick shots—” Shen Zijiao mimed pulling a slingshot. “He used a slingshot to deal with the servants I brought.”
“I was furious! He even tried to sell medicine to my servants, completely ignoring me! I wanted to beat him, but my servants are useless—they couldn’t win at all. I’m so angry, I’m about to cry.”
“Mother, you must avenge me…”
“A child? He managed to teach all the servants a lesson?” Madam Li pressed urgently.
“It’s true! If you don’t believe me, you can ask Chen San.”
Irritation welled inside Tan Yunge. The presence of Tan Qingjiu was like a thorn lodged in her heart, stirring her fury and unease.
It was a constant reminder: this child was not hers, but Tan Qingjiu’s.
With this thought, Tan Yunge’s expression darkened further. She pointed at Shen Zijiao’s face and waved her hand dismissively.
Madam Li caught on. “Young master’s face is dirty. Let the maid take him to wash and change his clothes.”
“Alright.” Shen Zijiao sniffled, then looked earnestly at Tan Yunge. “Mother, you must, must avenge me.”
Seeing Tan Yunge nod, Shen Zijiao finally allowed himself to be led away by the maid.

Tan Yunge finally turned her gaze toward the servants. Madam Li quickly asked, “Is what the young master said true?”
“Yes.” Chen San lowered his head. “The princess didn’t see the child herself, but the child’s slingshot was deadly accurate, and he moved swiftly.”
Chen San pointed to the swelling on his forehead. “The slingshot hurt terribly. After being hit, we felt dizzy and had headaches.”
Madam Li knew Tan Yunge had no interest in these details and promptly pressed further, “Did you see the miracle doctor? Did you glimpse her face? You barged in so suddenly—she must have been flustered and wouldn’t have come out with that shabby veil, right?”
Chen San shrank back. “We—we never saw the miracle doctor. She never appeared from start to finish.”
Tan Yunge slammed the table and instinctively opened her mouth, “Useless!”
But no sound came out.
Her fury rose, and she picked up her brush, scribbling on the paper beside her: Twenty strokes of the cane.
Madam Li quickly added, “You failed at such a simple task. What use are you? This afternoon, each of you will take twenty strokes as punishment.”
“Yes.” Chen San gritted his teeth and withdrew.
Once Chen San had left, Madam Li frowned, worry written all over her face. “Is the miracle doctor really Tan Qingjiu?”
Tan Yunge sneered, her cold gaze landing o