The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 265

Now, who in the entire imperial capital doesn’t know that behind Chen Yunyu’s glamorous facade lies a household in utter disarray? Once, noble ladies lamented not being able to marry him, but now they all count their blessings for avoiding such a pit of misery.

Xu Lian'er, meanwhile, openly harbors hostility toward Xu Wan, a fact noted by all the noble matrons. Their children receive exemplary tutelage at the Marquis Manor, and they certainly won’t stand by while Xu Lian'er bullies Xu Wan.

After Lady Wei finished speaking, both Madam Shen and Lady Wei lifted their chins, their expressions haughty and their demeanor fierce, making it clear that Xu Lian'er ought to rein herself in.

Perhaps driven to madness by the torment of her domestic life, Xu Lian'er snapped back defiantly, "How ungrateful—mistaking a fish eye for a pearl!"

Madam Shen smiled coolly. "Some fish eyes ought to save their breath, lest they not only fail to harm the pearl but end up scorned by all."

Xu Lian'er retorted furiously, "You…! The wife of a mere minor official from the Ministry of Rites—what gives you the right to act so arrogantly?"

Madam Shen’s face darkened instantly. "Xu Lian'er," she said sharply, "how dare you drag court affairs into the disputes of the inner chambers?"

True, her husband’s rank was not as high as Chen Yunyu’s, but Chen Yunyu’s father, despite holding the title of Duke, wielded less real power than her father-in-law. Xu Lian'er could recklessly bring up court matters because she lacked discretion. Madam Shen could do the same, but she cared more about her husband’s and father-in-law’s careers and refused to entangle them in petty harem squabbles.

Seeing her hesitation, Xu Lian'er grew even bolder. "Everyone knows the current Grand Chancellor is about to retire. The six ministers and heads of various offices are all scrambling for promotion. What’s the matter? Are you so nervous because your father-in-law can’t compete? Well, of course—how could the insignificant Ministry of Rites compare to the others?"

Xu Wan immediately rose to intervene. "Lian'er, don’t speak nonsense. The Minister of Rites and our father both hold the same second-rank position—there is no hierarchy between them. Today is merely a palace banquet for ladies to converse. Do not drag our elders’ court affairs into this."

Xu Lian'er sneered. "Xu Wan, don’t pretend to be kind. Before your marriage, you weren’t even worth one of my maids. Now that you’ve entered the Marquis Manor, you dare act like a grand mistress? This isn’t your home—don’t think you can scold me like a servant! Hmph! And as for the Ministry of Rites, what great achievements has Censor Wei’s family accomplished? Oh, I remember now—Censor Wei once encouraged his subordinates to flatter him, which is why he never rose to the top. Tell me, does a man like that even have hope for promotion?"

Xu Lian'er had lashed out at Lady Wei, who was so enraged she nearly lunged at her. But just then, the ladies behind them suddenly shrieked, "Minister Xu is here!"

Minister Xu had come to find Xu Wan, intending to ask her to visit Duke Jin's Manor next month to support her younger sister. Instead, he arrived just in time to hear Xu Lian'er’s outrageous insults—slamming both the Minister of Rites and the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. The Minister of Rites was one thing, but provoking the censors of the Court of Censors? A single impeachment memorial could bring ruin upon them all!

Minister Xu had doted on Xu Lian'er for years. Even now, he had been thinking of ways to help her secure her place in her marital home. Yet here she was, making enemies left and right. For an inner-chamber woman to slander court officials—this was his greatest fear and his deepest fury.

Seeing her father’s expression darken, Xu Lian'er panicked. "Father, you misheard! I was just spouting nonsense! It was Xu—it was my sister! She had them insult me first! I only retaliated because I was furious—"

Minister Xu strode forward.

*SLAP!* A resounding blow landed.

"Ah—!" Xu Lian'er collapsed to the ground, clutching her cheek. "Father! I’m your most beloved daughter! You hit me—you struck me in public! Do you want to drive me to my death too?"

Minister Xu roared, "You wretched girl! It is *you* who seeks to destroy *me*!"

Gasping for breath, he quickly turned to Lady Wei and Madam Shen, bowing apologetically. "My daughter speaks without restraint. It is my failure as a father. I beg your forgiveness on behalf of Censor Wei and Minister Shen. Please do not hold a grudge. She… she has suffered greatly in her marriage…"

Lady Wei, who had been ready to strike Xu Lian'er moments ago, now felt slightly mollified seeing her disciplined by her own father. She curtseyed. "Minister Xu, we all understand that inner-chamber matters should not involve the court. Out of respect for you, I will not repeat Xu Lian'er’s words to my husband. But if this happens again, I will not keep silent."

"My deepest gratitude for your understanding, Lady Wei," Minister Xu said.

Madam Shen added, "Minister Xu, as Xu Lian'er said, we did reprimand her first. But the reason was her blatant disrespect toward her elder sister—glaring at Xu Wan with malice in front of everyone. We could not stand by and let such behavior go unchecked."

Minister ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍Xu forced a smile. "I appreciate your guidance, Madam Shen. Rest assured, I will discipline her properly upon our return."

Xu Lian'er tried to protest again, but Minister Xu silenced her with a glare and dragged her away, abandoning his original purpose of speaking to Xu Wan.

Xu Wan watched silently as her proud father bowed and apologized on Xu Lian'er’s behalf—without so much as a glance in her direction, let alone a word.

Such a stark difference between two daughters of the same blood.

Madam He noticed her mood and patted her shoulder. "Don’t be disheartened. You have a brighter future ahead."

Xu Wan smiled faintly. "Thank you for your kindness, sister. With a father like this, I long ago abandoned any futile expectations."

Lady Wei scoffed. "Minister Xu is blind—fawning over a venomous wretch while neglecting such a fine daughter. I can’t fathom his reasoning."

Madam Shen chuckled softly. "Patience. The days are long, and our sister’s fortunes will only rise. By the time he looks back, it’ll be Xu Wan’s turn to scorn *him*."

Xu Wan couldn’t help but laugh. Her sisters were painting her a grand future—but it was a future worth striving for.

As they spoke, the Crown Princess arrived, cradling the eight-month-old Little Princess in her arms. She jingled a rattle to amuse the child while motioning for the ladies to rise.

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The Little Princess was beautiful—her dark eyes bright and lively, her demeanor sweet and angelic.

Xu Wan had never seen the Little Princess before, and unlike her usual indifference toward boys, she couldn’t resist the urge to pinch those soft, fragrant little cheeks.

Madam He, noticing her fascination, whispered, "Sister, have you never held a child this small before?"