Chapter 79: Who Gave Her the Nerve?

Tan Yunge could hardly believe her ears. “Father, you want me to apologize to her?”

“You were the one who pushed your sister into the water. Naturally, you should apologize.”

Tan Yunge staggered back two steps, staring dazedly at Tan Yun. In that instant, she felt as though she had never truly known her father at all.

Hadn’t he always doted on her the most?

When she married into the Prince Ding’s household, when she wed Shen Xiao, Tan Yun had told her especially that she was his pride, that he would always be her shield, that no matter what happened, he would support her unconditionally, forever.

But it had only been a few years—why had everything changed?

Even before, when she was at the Tan residence, it wasn’t as though she hadn’t secretly bullied Tan Qingjiu. Her father knew about it, but every time, he’d only say mildly, “Don’t go too far.”

He had always dismissed it as childish games.

But now?

Now, she was clearly being wronged.

She was the one truly suffering.

Why did it feel as though everything had been turned upside down?

Her father hadn’t even bothered to investigate, hadn’t questioned the servants in the courtyard, but on Tan Qingjiu’s word alone, he’d condemned her?

And even demanded she apologize to Tan Qingjiu?

“Why should I apologize to her? I’ve already said it wasn’t me who pushed her—she jumped herself! Why won’t you believe me?”

“Why do you believe her and not me? Didn’t you say before, Father, that you would always trust me unconditionally?”

“I am the Princess Consort of Prince Ding’s heir!” The veins on Tan Yunge’s brow bulged, her face contorted with rage. “Have you forgotten, Father? If not for me, for my marrying into the Prince Ding’s household and serving my parents-in-law dutifully every day, you would still be nothing more than a lesser official at the Court of Judicial Review. It is only because of me that you hold your current rank.”

“And now, for a lowly wretch, you accuse me without even distinguishing right from wrong?”

“You—”

A sharp crack rang out as Tan Yun raised his hand and slapped Tan Yunge across the face.

Stunned, Tan Yunge stood frozen, staring at him in disbelief, her face pale and mottled.

Tan Yun’s expression was equally grim. Though it was true he owed his current position to the Prince Ding’s favor, hearing his own daughter say so aloud filled him with both anger and humiliation.

Was she reproaching him for being incapable, for relying only on his daughter, for needing the help of marital connections to achieve success?

Tan Yun’s expression turned icy. “Apologize.”

“You hit me?” Tan Yunge’s voice was hoarse. “You hit me for this little wretch?”

Her eyes rimmed red, she nodded gently and gave a bitter laugh. “Very well. Excellent.”

“You actually hit me for her…”

She shot Tan Qingjiu a venomous glare, then spun around and stormed out with her maidservant in tow.

“But… but she hasn’t apologized to you yet, miss!” Qingdai called out in a fluster.

“So what if she’s the Princess Consort? Does that mean she can disregard human life? That she can push others into the lake as she pleases?”

“My mistress is a miracle physician who has saved countless lives. So many prominent officials in the city come to her for treatment—if something really happened to her and her patients could no longer be treated, they’d want nothing more than to tear the Princess Consort apart.”

Tan Qingjiu looked at Qingdai with a smile in her eyes.

Qingdai was clever; she knew exactly what Tan Yun cared about, and said all this for his benefit.

Since Qingdai played the stern role, Tan Qingjiu naturally took on the gentle one.

“Father, don’t be too harsh on Elder Sister. She’s only spoiled from childhood,” Tan Qingjiu said, dabbing at her eyes as if to wipe away tears. “When I lived here before, she was always like this. After all these years, Sister’s temperament hasn’t changed much.”

“I don’t dare blame her, and Father, you shouldn’t either.”

“Elder Sister is the Princess Consort—her status is too high to stoop to apologizing to me.” Tan Qingjiu sighed. “Besides, I’ve already been rescued and I’m unharmed. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Tan Yun clenched his jaw. Princess Consort? So being Princess Consort gave her the right to show him such disrespect?

Who gave her such airs?

He hadn’t realized before just how willful and unreasonable Tan Yunge truly was. Clearly in the wrong, yet refusing to admit fault, and even looking down on him.

A mere Princess Consort, and she thinks herself above all else?

The capital is full of nobility; the title of Princess Consort hardly counts for anything here. Yet she leans on it to defy her elders.

How laughable…

In contrast, Tan Qingjiu was so much more considerate. Even when wronged, seeing him insulted by Tan Yunge, she bit her lip and agreed to let it go.

Let it go?

How could this matter simply be let go?

Just as Qingdai had said, fortunately nothing happened to Tan Qingjiu today. If something had, her patients—each one of distinguished background—would have torn the Tan family apart.

Not to mention others—even just Prince Duan alone could make the Tan family suffer.

He’d heard Tan Qingjiu had delivered medicine to Prince Duan not long ago…

Tan Yun’s expression hardened. “You’re soaked through. Be careful not to catch a chill. Go back, bathe in hot water, and change your clothes. Leave this matter to me. I will see justice done for you. Rest assured.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded gently, then bit her lip and looked at him. “I understand, Father. Please don’t be too angry. As for this sort of thing…”

She lowered her eyes, her lashes trembling. “I’m already used to it.”

Without waiting for a reply, she curtsied deeply. “Then I’ll take my leave.”

Qingdai and Zisu quickly supported Tan Qingjiu away from the pavilion, heading toward Cloud Court.

Once Tan Yun was out of sight, Qingdai dropped her head and burst into laughter. “Oh, I’m sure Tan Yunge is absolutely furious this time! Did you see her face just now? It was dreadful.”

A faint smile played at the corner of Tan Qingjiu’s lips. “She’s just been spoiled too much. She’s always gotten whatever she wanted. Now, faced with a little hardship for the first time, she can’t cope.”

“But she probably doesn’t realize that this is only the beginning.”

“It’s nothing more than using her own tactics against her.”

Tan Yunge, seething with anger, stormed into Chen Yueru’s quarters.

Chen Yueru was in her bedchamber, sprawled on the couch, crying out in pain. “Gently, gently!”

Her face was ashen; the bite from that big black dog still hadn’t healed. Aside from a chunk taken out of her arm, she had several other wounds about her body.

Even her hips…

As she was applying medicine, Tan Yunge suddenly burst in with her attendants. “Mother!”

Startled, Chen Yueru hastily pulled the covers over herself.