I Am This Type of Woman

“Your Majesty, although my son doesn't possess world-shaking talent, he is dedicated to the people and would absolutely never do something that would invite the scorn of the world. I implore Your Majesty to discern the truth!”

“You think highly of yourself. How many people in this world even know your Xie family's name?” Ban Huai said sarcastically. “Even if you wanted the whole world to curse you, you wouldn't have the ability.”

“Ban Huai!” Lord Zhongping, unable to endure any longer, roared furiously, “I've tolerated you for long enough! Stop this unreasonable nonsense!”

“I was merely stating a fact. There’s no need for Lord Zhongping to be so enraged.” Ban Huai sighed. “Forget it, I don't wish to argue with you over such a trivial matter. Xie Eldest is renowned throughout the land, known to everyone, isn't that right?”

“You… you…” Lord Zhongping felt that every word, every expression of Ban Huai's was an insult to his Xie family. In a fit of rage, he raised his hu (笏, a ceremonial tablet or scepter used by officials at court) and charged forward.

“Lord Zhongping, you mustn't!”

A civil official cried out, and the court immediately descended into chaos. One person reacted quickly, intercepting Lord Zhongping before he reached Ban Huai, but his arm took a heavy blow.

“At the foot of the Emperor, you dare to raise your hand in court? Do you have any respect for His Majesty?!” Ban Huai quickly pulled Lord Chengan, who had shielded him, back, lest the enraged Lord Zhongping continue his assault.

A military general standing nearby stepped forward, twisted Lord Zhongping's arm behind his back, and forced him to the ground.

“Lord Zhongping, forgive me.”

The general glanced at Ban Huai and Lord Zhongping, then with a stern expression, returned to his position.

“Lord Chengan, is your arm alright?” Ban Huai, seeing that Lord Zhongping was now face down on the floor, turned to Rong Xia, feeling both guilty and grateful. “I’ve implicated you in this. I truly apologize.”

“Marquis, you are too kind.” Rong Xia glanced at Lord Zhongping and bowed towards him. “Lord Zhongping, you and Marquis Jingting serve the court together. Whatever misunderstanding there is, it's best to talk it out. Such anger is harmful to your health!”

“Hmph!” Emperor Yunqing, seated above, slammed his hand on the imperial throne with a dark expression. “In my opinion, he is simply lashing out in shame, showing no respect for me.”

“Your Majesty, this subject had no intention of offending Your Majesty. It's just that Marquis Jingting has been excessively bullying me, constantly finding fault. I couldn't bear it any longer and acted impulsively, committing such a grave error. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly.” Lord Zhongping, having been thrown to the ground by the general, had regained his composure. Hearing the Emperor's anger, he was filled with regret and even greater hatred for Ban Huai, who constantly antagonized him.

Emperor Yunqing was aware of the feud between the two families. In his view, Ban Hua was a likable junior. Although he wouldn't allow his son to marry her, it didn't mean he could tolerate others disrespecting her. Who was Ban Hua? His niece by marriage, the granddaughter of Grand Princess, related to the royal family. Marrying her to Xie Second Young Master was considered marrying down.

Who would have thought that Xie Second Young Master would elope with a courtesan? This not only slapped Ban Hua in the face, but also him.

Everyone in the court knew he favored Ban Hua. But the junior he favored had been jilted. Was this disrespecting him, or mocking his poor judgment for favoring a young woman who had been abandoned at the altar?

What was wrong with Ban Huai, as Ban Hua's father, making a few sarcastic remarks? He hadn't seen Lord Zhongping this agitated when his son eloped. Now, after hearing a few jabs, he dared to assault a marquis of higher rank in court. This was a blatant disregard for the court's decorum.

Emperor Yunqing was displeased, harboring resentment. Thus, everything Lord Zhongping said sounded like empty excuses.

Without even glancing at Lord Zhongping, he addressed Grand Councilor Yan Hui, “In that case, you shall thoroughly investigate this matter, with the assistance of the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice. Until the case is resolved, Xie Chongjin will be temporarily imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, with no visitors allowed!”

“Your Majesty!”

Lord Zhongping slumped to his knees in the hall, his voice trembling. “Your Majesty, my son is innocent!”

“Innocent or not, we will only know after the investigation is complete.” Emperor Yunqing stood up impatiently. “Court dismissed!”

“Farewell, Your Majesty.”

Lord Zhongping knelt on the ground in a daze. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have called his eldest son back to the capital. His second son had lost an eye, and now his eldest was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. What evil spirit had his Xie family offended?

“Lord Zhongping, aren't you leaving?”

Lord Zhongping rose from the ground and looked at the general who spoke to him, walking out of the hall in a daze.

Suddenly, he remembered something and turned back to the general. “If I remember correctly, General Cao was a former subordinate of the late Duke Jingting?”

General Cao stroked the stubble on his chin. “Indeed, this general was once a subordinate of the late Grand Princess’s consort. Why does Lord Zhongping ask?”

“I thought you military men would be utterly disappointed with such a descendant of Duke Jingting, but I didn't expect…” Lord Zhongping shook his head. “You military men are truly loyal and righteous.”

General Cao looked at Lord Zhongping in bewilderment. “What are you talking about?”

Seeing his expression, Lord Zhongping couldn't help but frown. Had he overthought it?

“Lord Bo Rong, be careful of the steps.” Ban Huai escorted Rong Xia all the way back to the Chengan Manor. Only after the physician specializing in injuries arrived did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Marquis, I’m not really injured.” Rong Xia rolled up his sleeve, revealing a large bruise that looked rather alarming.

“It’s bruised so badly, and you say you’re not injured?” Ban Huai turned to the physician. “Physician, please take a look. Are any bones broken?”

It was said that Lord Bo Rong was skilled in painting and calligraphy, even capable of writing with both hands simultaneously. If his hand were truly injured, how could his conscience bear it?

“Rest assured, Marquis Ban. Lord Bo Rong only has superficial injuries. Applying this ointment for a few days will heal them.” The physician was somewhat surprised. How did such a brilliant figure like Lord Bo Rong end up associating with an old rake like Marquis Ban?

Perhaps… He glanced at Ban Huai. Lady Ban was renowned for her beauty. Could it be that the two families were planning a marriage alliance? Lady Ban was beautiful, indeed, but was she truly a suitable match for Lord Bo Rong?

Meanwhile, in the Jingting Marquis Manor, Ban Hua was supervising Ban Heng's martial arts practice. Ban Heng groaned and complained, but he dared not sit down for fear of the whip in his sister's hand.

“Sister, has a quarter of an hour passed yet?”

“Not even close.” Ban Hua stared at the bowl on his head. “Don’t shake. If you spill the water, I’ll whip you.”

Ban Heng gritted his teeth. “Sister, I’m the elder brother of the most beautiful woman in Daye. Can you let me catch my breath? Just one breath.”

Ban Hua looked at Ban Heng pointedly. “Hengdi, if you don't train your body properly, how will you protect our parents when they grow old?”

“You're not good with poetry; you won't become a scholar.”

Ban Heng’s knees weakened slightly.

“You're not good at painting; you can't sell paintings.”

His knees weakened further.

“You're not good at arithmetic; you can't be an accountant.”

His knees were now very weak.

“You're not good at riding or archery; you can't be a hunter.”

Ban Heng was about to kneel to his sister.

“You’re unskilled in physical labor and ignorant of farming; you can’t farm. The only thing you can do is build up your strength and earn a living through physical labor. Even if your future isn't this difficult, at least with a strong body, villains won't dare to mess with you.”

Ban Heng finally collapsed onto his knees.

“Sister! I was wrong.”

Ban Hua took out a handkerchief and wiped the water from his face, patting his head in satisfaction. “Good that you understand. Go change into dry clothes and then come back to continue.”

“Yes.” Ban Heng dejectedly climbed to his feet, glancing at the broken bowl on the ground. He began calculating in his mind how many sacks of goods he would have to carry at the docks in a few years to afford such a fine porcelain bowl.

That afternoon, he went to the steward to inquire. The bowl he had broken was produced by the imperial kilns, and a single bowl cost about twenty taels, enough to cover the expenses of an ordinary farming family for a year, with some left over. A dockworker could earn five copper coins for carrying one sack of goods, and that was if they were lucky and had a generous foreman.

One tael of silver exchanged for one thousand copper coins, so twenty taels was twenty thousand copper coins. That meant he would have to carry five thousand sacks of goods to buy one bowl like the one he used?

“Sister!” Ban Heng wailed, rushing into Ban Hua’s courtyard. “Let’s go bury some silver!”

Author's Note:

Ban Heng: I can't bear such a heavy future!

ʕ◉ᴥ◉ʔ

Love what you read?