Chapter 9: Unruly. Disrespectful.

A certain child had been squirming in her seat for a while, waiting for an opportunity to speak. Seeing that Yingyue had just sat down, she immediately stood up and went before her father and Madam Cha.

Yingyi had been taking etiquette lessons from a well-known lady recently – although the standard was no where near the standard of the Junior Academy of Arts, it was still a rare opportunity among the young misses of the important families in the Capital.

Knowing that neither of her sisters had this chance, her eyes glinted with smugness. She believed that there was no way that her useless trash sister possibly painted something like that. She must have cheated! She must have prepared the paper in advance which was why no one was able to see what she was painting during that time at all!

Of course, all of her emotions clearly showed on her face. Anyone looking at her would immediately be able to see the jealousy and hate. As she walked to stand in front of her father and Madam Cha, she put on a show of elegance which nearly made Yingyue laugh out loud. What etiquette lessons? Each movement was stiff and childish... even that smile plastered on her face didn't seem sincere at all.

Su Rushi[1] couldn't help but to frown. What exactly had she been paying for? It had been a month already... there was no way that her talented daughter would look like this. It had to be that woman that they had hired... when she returned to the courtyard, she would send that woman away!

[1] Madam Jiang's actual name

Standing before Madam Cha, she bowed deeply and addressed her. "Madam Cha, Yingyi would like to play you another piece on the zither. Or paint for you? I can even do calligraphy if you wish... Please write Yingyi a recommendation for the academy too."

Madam Cha stared down at the girl in slight disbelief... Even if she was a child, was she so dense that she couldn't even understand that just moments ago, even her father hadn't dared to ask for such a thing, yet she had directly stood up and asked?? It was common knowledge that the young misses of the influential families were spoilt and pampered, but she had never seen such poor etiquette.

Before a single person could utter a word in response, Yingyi continued speaking, oblivious to the expressions on every person's face...

"Madam Cha must know of my younger sister's reputation. Yingyi doesn't know how she was able to paint that for you today, but she must have prepared the paper in advance. Yingyi is willing to take all the blame for her, but please consider Yingyi for the academy. Yingyi will paint for Madam Cha right now before your eyes. Please give me a chance, Madam Cha."

An idiot. That was what Jiang Yingyi was. An utter idiot. Although Yingyue was way above average as a 12 year old in the modern world, she couldn't remember a single 12 year old that was as dull as this Yingyi.

Without considering that she had directly dared to ask Madam Cha, her reasoning alone was enough to show how brainless she was. Bad-mouthing her younger sister, then pretending to be virtuous by taking the blame. Did she think someone like Madam Cha would not be able to see through her act...

Both Jiang Zhenfeng[2] and Su Rushi were speechless... Yingyi had dug herself a hole that no one would be able to pull her out of. Seeing the look on both parents' faces, Yingyue could barely hold in her laughter... she had been in this 'place' for merely a few hours, yet she could read every person like an open book. Only Madam Cha was somewhat mysterious...

[2] Prime Minister Jiang's actual name

Without any intention to reply, Madam Cha's look of disbelief had quickly changed to disdain...

"Prime Minister Jiang... If I were you, I would be embarassed to say that my daughter has any upbringing at all. Unruly. Disrespectful. To malign her own sister? An absolute embarassment to your household...!"

Madam Cha, who had remained calm through the whole affair finally showed her emotions. Her voice was cold and coated in disgust... Every word was a sharp blow to Jiang Zhenfeng. At this moment, he really wanted to cry...

That wretched daughter of his! If she was a concubine's child, then perhaps it might have been somewhat acceptable... But she was the precious child of his main wife, and the eldest daughter no less! If word spread out to the streets, forget finding a suitable husband, they would be mocked the moment their feet stepped out the door!

At this point, Yingyi was still in her imaginary world. The sweet expression on her face didn't bother to hide the sneering beneath. She was still thinking that Madam Cha was reprimanding Yingyue.

Ha! That concubine daughter should not have turned up today... What painting skills? Thinking she could surpass my talent with those cheap tricks...? Not even in her dreams! Who am I? The main daughter of this house! The talented beauty of the capital!

"Madam... Madam Cha... I... I... she... must be muddle-headed today! I will bring her back and teach her carefully so that this doesn't happen again. Please consider my reputation and forgive us this once! Yingyi! Quickly get on your knees and apologise to Madam Cha!" Although stuttering through it all, he rushed to appease her anger.

Hearing those last words, Yingyi's sweet expression immediately went stiff before it slowly cracked and then completely shattered. Her eyes darted around in confusion... What did her father just say?! Who apologise? She had clearly just acted virtuously and based on her display of elegance earlier, Madam Cha should have immediately agreed and discarded that wench's daughter... But what was this right now?? Were they mistaken?!

Seeing that the young girl in front of her had not even bowed her head down, she became even more displeased by this household. It was unbelievable that a family like this could be called a prominent household.

She was saddened that the name of the Left Prime Minister had fallen to a house like this... If the late Minister Lu [3] knew, he would surely turn in his grave...

[3] Not Prime Minister Jiang's father - he is the previous Left Prime Minister before Jiang Zhenfeng