Chapter 162 - Fifteen Blows
The young maids might have been proud of her but Lin Xiaofei wasn't done with the gifts that she's about to leave in the Fourth Prince's residence.
Looking at the sour look on Concubine Shang's face was a sight to see.
Inwardly, Concubine Shang was seething in anger but due to her proud character, she couldn't show it too much on her face as to not let anyone think that she was beginning to go soft on others.
If ever the other concubines in the inner courtyard were to hear of this event, they would surely talk of this for weeks and laugh behind her back.
Honestly, she didn't think that Lin Xiaofei would ever say too much in front of everyone. Concubine Shang heard of the young miss from the Lin family and how she spent her days as a troublemaker.
She didn't really believe as Lin Xiaofei was the same as those foolish young girls who secretly rely on their family's prestige.
But she never met someone who would shamelessly and bluntly show off and tell people that they were lower than them.
Indeed, Lin Xiaofei's reputation wasn't just for show. But she didn't expect it to be this worst.
Seeing that the Lady Shang wasn't able to say anything to counter Lin Xiaofei, Tan Fen was dramatically surprised but he kept it to himself.
He saw that Lin Xiaofei was being too strict on the rules when she was supposed to be there to visit. But what can he possibly tell her? That he doesn't agree with what she said even though it was the truth?
"Miss Lin, please forgive Lady Shang for her mistake. As soon as the prince is back, we will report this and let him handle the perfect punishment for her actions." Attendant Tan tried to get in between them. He wanted to appeal to Lin Xiaofei by telling her that she doesn't have anything to worry about as Yu Fangzhu would handle everything when he comes back.
But Lin Xiaofei didn't worry about this at all.
On the other hand, Concubine Shang was not feeling good after hearing Attendant Tan's words. He may appear to be appealing to the young lady and protect her by apologizing first but it was making her look terrible for not handling things differently.
She wanted to move and say something but one warning glare from the attendant was enough for her to shut her mouth.
"That is why I'm only asking for Miss Lin to forgive and forget this mistake." Attendant Tan's voice rang out loudly in the hall.
He might sound so polite and persuasive but the hidden meaning behind his tone was not left unnoticed by Lin Xiaofei. Asking for forgiveness while mentioning his master's name, Attendant Tan was reminding her to not be too much and offend the prince.
Smiling inwardly, Lin Xiaofei almost clapped her hands at the attendant's cunningness. He deliberately tried to put her into the spot where she could neither retreat nor attack.
If she didn't accept his apology, she would look bad in front of everyone else. And if she pursues the matter, she would look like a horrible young lady who can't give second chances to someone else.
Unfortunately, Attendant Tan didn't completely understand Lin Xiaofei's character. He treaded carefully but the stick under his feet broke.
Who said that Lin Xiaofei cared if she looked bad in front of others or she was willing to give second chances?
As expected, Lin Xiaofei smilingly said, "Attendant Tan, aren't you being too much? You said nothing while they kept calling me disrespectful and when one mentioned the same to them, you try to strengthen things by apologizing? You should have done that the first time rather than wait for this to escalate further."
Attendant Tan's polite smile paused briefly before resuming. "I apologize for my belatedness then. I only wish that Miss Lin would forgive this humble servant and not to pursue this matter."
Lin Xiaofei stared at him directly, "I don't think so. A mere servant asking me as if I owe him something? Where did such a servant like you learn your lessons?"
"You!" Concubine Shang couldn't take it any longer. Seeing how Lin Xiaofei continued to make things difficult for them even after Attendant Tan apologized, she couldn't keep herself from not reacting.
Even the noble lords in the capital often showed their great admiration to the attendant and treated him nicely. However, Lin Xiaofei didn't even try to get along with him as she continued to attack them.
"Lin Xiaofei…" Liu Shishi went to her side. A worried look on her face was visible. She was worried that Lin Xiaofei would offend the prince if she continued on like this.
Offending the royalty wasn't a good thing to do. Even Liu Shishi wasn't that courageous to go against a prince.
Lin Xiaofei naturally heard the worry in Liu Shishi's voice. But such a good chance to humiliate others, why would she waste it?
Feeling that Lin Xiaofei wouldn't allow this matter to pass, Attendant Tan decided to say, "I apologize for making the young miss feel that way. If there is anything we could do to ease and make you forgive this mistake, we would gladly do it."
"That's a good idea!" Lin Xiaofei beamed which was out of everyone's expectations.
They thought that she would definitely push and act difficultly. But Lin Xiaofei thought that the attendant's words were quite admiring.
Tan Feng smiled. At least the girl was agreeing with him now, he thought to himself. Whatever Lin Xiaofei asked him, it shouldn't be that difficult to do.
Young girls like Lin Xiaofei would love to look at beautiful things and Lin Xiaofei would surely ask him to acquire the highest grade items. It doesn't matter if she asked for other things as well for as long as she doesn't pursue things further.
"Then, what does Miss Lin want us to do? We just received a bolt of phoenix fabric that one could use to your marriage. We also have a necklace made out of crystal." Said Tan Feng. The things he mentioned were worth thousands of silvers. Not even Concubine Shang was able to get some of it even if she served Yu Fangzhu for the whole week.
Hearing this, she couldn't stop biting her lips and stab her palms with her nails.
"Hmm… those are also nice." Lin Xiaofei nodded her head as if she was thinking that these items were indeed great. "However, those aren't what I wanted."
"And what do the young miss wish?" Tan Feng asked carefully and waited for her to answer his question.
"Fifteen blows." Her voice sounded soft and echoed in the hall, "I heard from my grandfather that when a soldier do something wrong, he must be punished with a whip."
Letting her eyes roam around the faces of the people who tried to speak disrespectfully to her before landing on the other people who laughed in ridicule, she continued, "I think fifteen blows from the whip should suffice as punishment and payment for disrespecting me. Don't you think so, Attendant Tan?"
Attendant Tan was stunned.