The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1846 Shang tide Sends Hong Jiutong Off

Shang tide nodded in agreement. "I've thought about all of that. You Ning is unruly; I don't know where he got that personality from. I've decided that if he bullies Hong Jiutong, I'll have no choice but to hit him!"

Cheng Feng instructed Shang Xi, "Wife, if you're going to lay a hand on him, beat him hard! Try to subdue him in one go!"

While eating noodles, Yu Hua's eyes widened: "Are you You Ning's biological parents? Why are you hitting the child without even asking any questions!"

Cheng Feng repeated his usual words: "If we don't beat him, this child will be ruined!"

Yu Hua disagreed. She had practically raised Cheng Youning from infancy, and hearing that Cheng Youning was to be beaten was no different from beating her, Yu Hua. She would be the first to object to beating Cheng Youning! "It's not as serious as you're making it out to be. I have to go with Hong Jiutong when he's sent off. I absolutely will not allow you to abuse the child like this!"

For many years, Shang tide has regarded Yu Hua as a stumbling block on her path of educating her children, so she decided not to take Yu Hua with her to the Crown Prince's residence today.

So, since it was agreed that Hong Jiutong would be sent back to the Crown Prince's residence after dinner, Shang tide had to change the time. After 1-3 PM, Shang Xi secretly called Hong Jiutong out of Madam Wan's room.

"Jiutong, I'll escort you back to the Crown Prince's residence!"

"Mother, shall we leave now?"

"Yes, go inside and tell your grandmother we're leaving!"

Hong Jiutong obediently did as he was told.

A moment later, Hong Jiutong quietly emerged with his little maid. Hearing that they were returning to the Crown Prince's residence, Hong Jiutong's little maid was even happier than Hong Jiutong himself! She carried two bags slung across her body, and her steps were much lighter than when she arrived. Most noticeably, she was no longer frowning and finally looked somewhat cheerful.

Fearing Yu Hua would discover her, Shang Xi grabbed Hong Jiutong's hand and hurried towards the main gate. Hong Jiutong followed anxiously, realizing for the first time how strong her mother-in-law's legs were—she walked like the wind! She could barely keep up, while Jingjing, carrying two bundles on her back, could only run and walk behind them!

Jingjing had a persistent feeling that the princess was fleeing with her and her servants, but she didn't dare ask the princess why they were leaving in such a hurry!

Upon seeing that it was the Princess Consort leading Hong Jiu out of the manor, the gatekeeper quickly opened the gates, which had been closed all day, and let the group out!

The carriage had been prepared long ago; Shang tide always does things in an orderly manner!

Hong Jiutong shook the hand that Shang tide was holding, her voice trembling with nervousness: "Mother, look, those are members of the Han family!"

Shang tide looked in the direction Hong Jiutong was looking, and who else could it be but a member of the Han family? Shang tide sighed and wondered why she hadn't checked the almanac before going out. Getting rid of these people was much harder than getting rid of Yu Hua!

Shang tide looked back at the closed gate. It was too late to go back to the manor, so she could only push Hong Jiutong's arm and urge him, "Jiutong, get in the carriage quickly!"

Hong Jiutong shook his head, "Mother, there are too many of them. Let me help you into the carriage first!"

"If we tell you to get on, then get on. If you don't, none of us will be able to get onto the carriage!"

While the two were making excuses, the Han family members, who were not far away, arrived.

Madam Han brought a group of daughters-in-law, about twenty or so! She only has three sons! When she first came to Fengqi, she didn't have this many daughters-in-law. How long has it been! The Han family's ranks have grown again!

Madam Han grabbed Shang Xi's hand: "Shang Xi! It's so good to meet you here! We've already been here once today, but your gatekeepers are really inconsiderate, they wouldn't let me in. I need to talk to your mother-in-law!"

The way she said it, saying the gatekeeper was ignorant, was less than just scolding Cheng Feng for being ignorant. Shouldn't the gatekeeper always obey his master's orders?

Who do they think they are? Their granddaughter is in jail, and they still come here to vent their frustrations. Shang tide pulled her hand back, her face and tone cold. "Mrs. Han, didn't my mother-in-law fall ill because of your Han Nianxia's suicide attempt? Didn't I tell you? My mother-in-law is recuperating and can't see you!"

Shang tide was practically telling them to go back, that her mother-in-law wouldn't see them, but the meaning was the same. The shrewd Mrs. Han couldn't possibly fail to realize that she was trying to get rid of them!

"You should let me see your mother-in-law. I have important matters to discuss with her. If she hears I'm here, she'll definitely get up to see me!" Madam Han maintained her elder's demeanor as always, her tone arrogant in a way that Shang tide had never heard before.

Shang tide, however, sensed something amiss. It was as if her mother-in-law was dying, and upon hearing that Shang Xi had arrived, she would rise to see her. What kind of important person did she think she was? Shang Xi glanced at the aloof Madam Han, then at the more than twenty daughters-in-law following behind her. Clearly, they were a force to be reckoned with. What hadn't Shang Xi seen? So what if they were numerous? They were at her doorstep; they couldn't possibly devour her!

Shang tide asked the arrogant Madam Han, "Are you saying that my mother-in-law should receive you even though she's ill?"

"Shang tide, your mother-in-law is perfectly healthy, how could she be sick? I think it's obvious that you and Cheng Feng don't want us to see your mother-in-law! Do you and Cheng Feng think that our Han family got our positions because of your Wan family!"

This arrogant and disrespectful attitude is probably the true nature of Madam Han!

Shang tide retorted, "Isn't that right? Without the Wan family, how could your Han family have a nominal third-rank official position!"

"Shang tide, you know this is just a nominal position! The Emperor was raised by your mother-in-law. Shouldn't the Emperor treat your mother-in-law's family well? Shouldn't he bestow official titles and ranks upon the Han family?"

Such shameless words were uttered by Madam Han with such confidence and self-righteousness, as if it were perfectly natural and fitting. It was as if the blame for the Han family's inability to attain high office lay with the Emperor, as if he were heartless and ruthless, disregarding even his own family!

Shang tide thought to herself, "The shameless are fearless, and the fearless are invincible!"

"Madam Han, your tone is far too arrogant. You are merely a merchant family. The fact that your Han family was granted an official position was only because my mother-in-law pleaded for it. Without my mother-in-law's intervention, would your Han family even dare to dream of becoming officials? Since your Han family is so disdainful of this honorary third-rank position, why don't we see your eldest son resigning? Your Han family is truly ungrateful! Even when begging for food, you complain! My mother-in-law raised the Emperor. What does that have to do with your Han family? Do you think my mother-in-law's achievements belong to your Han family?"

"Shang tide, what you're saying is rather unpleasant to hear. The Han family has only obtained a nominal third-rank official position, but in your mouth, it's as if our Han family has gotten a great deal! I know you look down on merchant families, but who isn't a merchant family? Isn't your Wan family a merchant family too? And now you've produced an emperor, haven't you? How come your Wan family can produce an emperor, but our Han family can't produce a few high-ranking officials?"