Chapter 772: Etiquette Towards Higher Ranks
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After saying this, it was obvious who was right and who was wrong. The Jiazhou Residence’s expressions turned ugly.
At the entrance of the restaurant, a girl had been insulted with dirty words. Her reputation was damaged. Even if she was not really harmed, her reputation took a hit.
Even though she was as deviant as Lin Ruoruo, after being openly teased by Jia Changfeng, she was too embarra.s.sed to say it and endured it.
The County Head of Shaoyi was from a n.o.ble family, so her reputation should be valued more, right?
The Jiazhou Residence had a bad feeling.
After explaining what had happened, Xia Tao lowered her head and bowed. “Everything I said is true. At that time, there were many commoners at the entrance of the Immortal Pavilion. They can all testify.”
Everyone present understood the situation and couldn’t help but point at Jia Changfeng and whisper.
As expected of a wily old fox of the officialdom, the head of Jiazhou Residence quickly reacted. “County Head, you’ve misunderstood. My son has always had a grudge with Miss Lin. Every time they meet, he has to say something. This is something that everyone in Quanzhou is aware of. The Lin Residence also knows about this. They feel that it’s just a show of tongue among the younger generation. In addition, Quanzhou is an open-minded place, so they ignored it. His words were not directed at the County Head, but it’s also a fact that my son offended you. The County Head has also beaten and punished him. Please calm down you anger.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Yu Youyao realized that Jia Changfeng had indeed not insulted her by name at the entrance of the Immortal Pavilion. Instead, he had targeted Lin Ruoru, allowing this sly old fox to take advantage of the situation.
The Lin family did not pursue the matter of Jia Changfeng often “teasing” Lin Ruoru. Just as the Jiazhou Residence had said, it was just a small matter, which made her seem like she was making a mountain out of a molehill.
This further confirmed her reputation as arrogant and domineering.
Yu Youyao chuckled. “Lord Jia, you’re being too serious. Your young master has offended and provoked me time and time again, disregarding my status and disdaining my family background. That’s why I was so embarra.s.sed and angry that I broke your young master’s leg. This leg can recover after recuperating for a few months. It’s a small punishment.”
The eyelids of the Jiazhou Residence twitched. The Great Zhou Dynasty valued the eldest child of the first wife, and there was a law. There was a difference between the first wife and the second wife. Changfeng had teased the County Head on the streets and had his legs broken. No matter how angry he was, it was useless.
Therefore, the first thing he thought of was how to use Changfengs “painful state” to make a big fuss. That was why he had brought Changfeng over to apologize.
He had clearly underestimated the County Head of Shaoyi.
“However, your young master doesn’t know how to repent. He even insulted me on the spot. There’s a difference between the first and second wives, and there’s a law. I couldn’t let him use such filthy words to tarnish my reputation anymore.”
She held the t.i.tle as County Head of Shaoyi.
Furthermore, she was from a n.o.ble family.
The concubine’s son had no standing to provoke her.
Head of Jiazhou Residence opened his mouth, but Yu Youyao changed the topic. “Lord Jia is here sincerely to apologize and ask for my forgiveness. However, you didn’t bring a gift or send a greeting card to visit. Why did you have to make such a big fuss and make it known to everyone? Do you think that I haven’t embarra.s.sed myself enough just now? Do you want to humiliate me more?”
The County Head of Shaoyi was a woman. It was already damaging to her reputation to let Jia Changfeng say such dirty words in public. If he really wanted to apologize, he should have been more low-key about it.
Jiazhou Residence groaned inwardly and hurriedly said, “County Head, please calm down. This…
Yu Youyao said angrily, ‘Although I’m the daughter of an external minister, my name is also on the imperial family’s jade plate. In terms of respect and etiquette, we can’t be so impudent.”
As soon as the imperial family’s jade plate was brought out, the Jiazhou
Residence knew that they had kicked an iron plate. “Th-this is my negligence. When I heard that my son had offended the County Head, I hurriedly brought him over to apologize. I was afraid that I would be a little late and offend the
County Head. It was my fault for acting improperly and being rude…”
Initially, he was pretending to apologize, but now, he was really doing it.
Yu Youyao sneered. “In my opinion, it’s a lie that you rushed over to apologize.
I think that you want to frame me. You have the authority of an official. Compared to the Xie family who are the lowest-ranking merchants, how can we be worthy of Lord Jia’s etiquette? If others see this, won’t they say that the Xie family has messed up the rules?”
“If I hadn’t appeared today and allowed you to do as you please, I’m afraid my reputation would have spread throughout Quanzhou and even the entire world.’
“The Jiazhou Residence has been an official family for decades. It’s impossible that they haven’t even thought of this.”
“Although I’m not talented, I’m still remembered as the G.o.ddaughter of the Duke of Ying. Under the name of the General of Huai En, I’m a legitimate n.o.ble daughter.”
The Great Zhou Dynasty had strict etiquette.
The eldest son of the Emperor’s first wife could inherit the throne. The other sons had to be demoted and conferred the t.i.tle of Duke.
The eldest son of the first wife of a duke could inherit the position of Emperor. The other sons would be demoted to the rank of general. If they were the children of concubines, they would be demoted to a second-rank general of a supporting country.
Emperor Mingzong had a younger brother and was given the t.i.tle of Prince.
The second son of King Rui’s first wife was conferred the t.i.tle of Duke of Ying. This lineage was an upright direct descendant of the Yin family and the orthodox lineage of the royal family.
From Emperor Xianzong to Emperor Cheng (the first emperor), the Duke of Yings t.i.tle had been pa.s.sed down for two generations. In this dynasty, it was already the third generation. There was only one descendant left in the Duke of Yings Residence. He had been stripped of his t.i.tle by the current Emperor and conferred the t.i.tle of General of “Huai En”.
The General of Huai En had just reached the age of maturity and had yet to have a biological child. He accompanied the Emperor on an expedition and died in the North. He had no children and lost his family.
At this point, the Jiazhou Residence was already drenched in sweat. “This… we definitely did not have any intention of being disrespectful to the County Head. I came to apologize today with sincerity. Tt’s my fault for any inappropriate action and causing a misunderstanding. I’ll send over a greeting card to your residence another day and prepare a generous gift to apologize to the County Head.”
Yu Youyao glanced at the Jiazhou Residence and said calmly, “The law states that etiquette towards higher ranks can’t be crossed. Your young master’s dirty words were disrespectful. I’m the one who’s been humiliated, but the one who’s been disrespected is the dignity of the imperial family. There’s no need to apologize. In the future, the Jiazhou Residence has to teach your young master well.’
Cold sweat kept breaking out on Jiazhou Residence’s forehead. He did not have to take a small County Head seriously. Quanzhou was under his rule. After dealing with the Xie Residence, no matter how important her status was, she was still alone. No matter who she calls for, they would not respond. She would still be under his control.
However, the County Head of Shaoyi directly mentioned her connections to the imperial family.
Naturally, the name of the daughter of an external minister was to be conferred the t.i.tle of n.o.bility on a jade plate. The status of the person did not depend on their rank. Instead, it depended on who their name was put under.
The lineage of the General of Huai En was the legitimate lineage of the Yin family. This already indirectly showed that Yu Youyao was really valued by the current Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
If he dared to twist his words, it would be disrespectful to the imperial family..