Currently, the Shen Residence has exploded.
Most likely because Shen Wan said to let Shen Yue marry into the Wang family as a Píngqī (aka equal wife), and this finally made Shen Yue panic. In the situation where Shen Yue had no other ideas, she actually made a bold move and escaped from the Shen Residence. Before leaving, she also cleared off all the gold and silver in the room and left a big mess for Chen Rou Qiu.
Shen Wan was naturally furious and shouted angrily at Chen Rou Qiu, "I told you to watch over her properly. How could she then escape?"
Chen Rou Qiu was naturally scared in her heart. Her heart ached for her daughter and did not completely confine Shen Yue up, just like what Shen Wan said. She did not expect that Shen Yue would make use of her love for her like this. Now that Shen Yue ran away, she also did not know what to do and could only say to Shen Wan, "One has already sent people out to search. Lǎoyé, Yue-er did not intentionally do it. She is scared.���
Even at such a time, she still did not know what was wrong and was still looking for excuses for Shen Yue. Shen Wan scoffed, "She is scared? She was scared and still could exchange her marriage with others? Scared and still could run away from home? Being properly betrothed makes one a wife, while those who run away would be a concubine. I, Shen Wan, do not have a daughter that is this shameless!"
"How could you say that of her?" Chen Rou Qiu's eyes widened, "That is your daughter!"
Shen Wan had been a civil official for his life and would rarely say such serious words, moreover, he was scolding his own daughter. Chen Rou Qiu dared not believe her own eyes. After Shen Wan said those words, he looked at Chen Rou Qiu and there was a trace of impatience and disgust in them before he turned around and walked out of the room.
Chen Rou Qiu's sensitive perception had felt that there was something wrong with Shen Wan and almost fell to the ground weakly. She grabbed onto Shi Qing's hands and her nails dived deep into them, making Shi Qing's face whiten in pain but she dared not move.
The quarrel in Qiu Shui Yuan quickly spread out to Rong Qing Tang. Old Shen Fūrén leisurely sipped tea and smiled indifferently when she heard it, "Do it. Just do it. Chen Rou Qiu can just do it. She still thinks she is a newly wedded daughter-in-law." After pausing, she then spoke again, "What kind of mother would have that kind of daughter. Each one of them causes all the trouble for me."
Zhang Māmā carefully massaged her shoulders, "One does not know if the people searching for Èr xiǎojiě would have found her?"
"Care for her for what?" Old Shen Fūrén became angry, "I do not know how capable she is, but after not too long she will come back with her tail between her legs. Throwing away the Shen family's reputation for nothing, let Lǎo sān handle it, I do not want to manage these trifle matters." She suddenly thought of something and frowned, "Lǎo sān is still heading to the Western Courtyard?"
Zhang Māmā nodded her head, "These days, Sān Fūrén and Sān Lǎoyé often squabble; thus, Sān Lǎoyé headed towards the Western Courtyard more frequently. Each trip would be almost half a day."
Old Shen Fūrén nodded her head, and a trace of radiance appeared in her gaze, "Since this is the case then it is time for the road to be brightening. Quickly birth a son for Lǎo sān, I still want to hold grandchildren." She laughed coldly, "Chen Rou Qiu, that stupid thing, should also see carefully how much she is weighed. Zhang Māmā, go and do it. Lately, nothing goes right for the Shen family. It is time to hold a joyous occasion to wash away the bad luck."
Zhang Māmā nodded her head and complied.
On this night, Shen Wan had not returned to the room, and Chen Rou Qiu felt a whisper in her heart. Previously, even if Shen Wan had social niceties outside, he would always send his servant over to pass an oral message, but one did not know where he went today. Thinking of the squabble this morning with Shen Wan, she could not help but be somewhat anxious in her heart. A female at her age was, after all, declining in her appearance and was not as fresh as younger females that could give youth to men. Currently, there was some disagreement between Shen Wan and her, it would be troublesome if one would bring in a woman from outside. Chen Rou Qiu was different from Ren Wan Yun, with just those thoughts from Shen Gui, Ren Wan Yun had long settled all the females that Shen Gui had brought in in droves. As long as Ren Wan Yun could sit securely in the position as the matriarch of the household, she did not care about others. Chen Rou Qiu had dominated Shen Wan's favour for so many years, and Old Shen Fūrén was not wrong with her words. Chen Rou Qiu was the extremely jealous type as she did not allow Shen Wan to have other women.
Thinking of this, Chen Rou Qiu was unable to sit or stand due to uneasiness.
Hua Yi walked in from outside, "Fūrén, Old Fūrén had gotten a few bolts of fabric and instructed for you to send one over to Chang Gūniáng."
Old Shen Fūrén had always looked down on Chang Zai Qing and would usually act as though there was no such person in the residence, so why would she be thinking of Chang Zai Qing today? Chen Rou Qiu frowned, "Old Fūrén can directly send someone over, why need me to go?"
Hua Yi also did not understand, "Most likely because you have good relations with Chang Gūniáng."
Just when Chen Rou Qiu was feeling ill-at-ease, Old Shen Fūrén actually instructed her to do things, which would distract her from her thoughts. Thus, she did not say anything more and headed towards the Western Courtyard with Shi Qing and Hua Yi after putting on a cloak.
At the moment the skies had turned dark but it was not yet for one to rest yet, thus, Chen Rou Qiu reckoned that Chang Zai Qing had not slept yet and did not notify her.
Upon reaching the Western Courtyard, unexpectedly the lights were actually extinguished early. Chen Rou Qiu felt that it was somewhat strange and she saw Zhao Māmā startled when she saw her, seemingly panicking as she said, "Why has Sān Fūrén come over?"
"Old Fūrén instructed me to gift some fabric to Qing mèimèi." Chen Rou Qiu said and pointed towards the bed chambers with her head, "Has Qing mèimèi fallen asleep?"
"Yes. Yes." Zhao Māmā said, "Xiǎojiě's body is not feeling well these few days and thus slept early."
Chen Rou Qiu felt somewhat strange as she felt that Zhao Māmā's expression was not natural. She then looked at the surrounding maids and their heads were all lowered, seemingly afraid that something could be discovered. At the same time, there was some faint ambiguous sound coming from the room. One was unable to hear clearly but when the sounds came out, Zhao Māmā's expression became tenser.
Although Chen Rou Qiu was curious, currently she did not wish to have conflicts with Chang Zai Qing. In her view, Chang Zai Qing was perhaps a very good knife, and it was good to use it to deal with the Eldest Household of the Shen family. Especially, nothing went right for her today, she had a stomach full of anger with nowhere to vent, thus the more she wanted to see the Eldest Household of the Shen family down on luck.
Chen Rou Qiu let the servants put the fabric down and just as she was about to leave, her footsteps suddenly stopped.
Zhao Māmā looked towards where Chen Rou Qiu's gaze was at and saw that there was a small sachet leaning against the window. That dark red embroidered sachet was filled with fragrance and was very exquisite. Chen Rou Qiu walked over and picked the scented sachet up. When Zhao Māmā wanted to stop her, it was too late.
When Shi Qing and Hua Yi saw that scent sachet, they could not help but widen their mouths and became speechless due to shock.
On the day that Shen Yue married, Chen Rou Qiu saw Chang Zai Qing wearing a very pretty scent sachet. The embroidery on the sachet was very exquisite that Chen Rou Qiu fondled admiringly. Chang Zai Qing was generous and gifted that sachet to Chen Rou Qiu. Afterwards, due to Shen Yue's matter, Chen Rou Qiu wanted Shen Wan to be happy, she then gave the exquisitely made sachet to Shen Wan. That embroidered egret on the sachet was not feminine and the scent was not cosmetic at all. Chen Rou Qiu remembered that because the sachet contains tea leaves, it has the light refreshing tea fragrance but Chen Rou Qiu felt that the tea fragrance was too light and added dried Osmanthus that were picked during autumn.
There were no two leaves that were exactly the same in the world, even if Chang Zai Qing was capable and able to make an exact same scent sachet, not every sachet was filled by Chen Rou Qiu with Osmanthus.
Chen Rou Qiu held the scented sachet and her hands were somewhat trembling. She finally brought it to her nose and took a whiff determinedly.
The sweet scent of the Osmanthus that was mixed with the tea leaves slowly entered Chen Rou Qiu's nose. Chen Rou Qiu closed her eyes abruptly.
When she opened them again, her gaze made Shi Qing and Hua Yi somewhat scared.
She suddenly turned towards Zhao Māmā. Zhao Māmā did not pull back her increasingly panicked expression and this fell completely into Chen Rou Qiu's eyes. Chen Rou Qiu coldly scoffed, "Each one of you all really treats me like a fool?" Finishing, she walked quickly towards Chang Zai Qing's bed chambers and was about to break down the door.
"Fūrén cannot!" Zhao Māmā quickly stopped her in panic.
Chen Rou Qiu asked, "Why not?"
Zhao Māmā was unable to say anything.
Chen Rou Qiu's heart could not help but sink and she only felt that she was almost ripped apart. The more upset and pained she was, the colder her expression was. She said to Shi Qing and Hua Yi, "Smash! Go and smash it ruthlessly! I want to see which pair of adulterous couples they are that dare to do such a shameless matter in my Shen Residence! Smash!"
Shi Qing and Hua Yi dared not disobey the orders and immediately stepped forward to open the doors. Chen Rou Qiu took the lamp beside her and walked in without waiting for Zhao Māmā to stop her.
The brazier in the room was burning bright, and there were clothes and shoes scattered all over the floor and jewellery was broken and in disorder. There were two people on the bed intertwined, looking like they were sleeping soundly.
That female's body was exposed and her posture was embarrassed and shy. That male, however, unhurriedly draped the clothes over to cover both of their bodies. When he turned over, it was Shen Wan.
The room was filled with the taste of alcohol, it was obvious that they drank before sleeping together, but one could not use such a lapse to describe it as one had feelings and the other had intent. Chen Rou Qiu and Shen Wan had been husband and wife for so many years, if Shen Wan did not like her, then how would he let Chang Zai Qing climb up the bed? Moreover, this was Chang Zai Qing's bed and it was Shen Wan who came over actively.
Chen Rou Qiu closed her eyes and quickly stopped the tears that were almost overflowing out before screaming, "Cheating couple!"
The wind began to rise at night and a few hundred Lis (1 Li = 500 meters) away from the Ding capital city, there was an inn where the purple-clad youth was sitting in front of the table in the middle of it, reading the letter in his hand. In a jiffy, he raised his hand and threw the letter into the brazier at the side and the letter instantly turned into ashes.
"Zhǔzi, there is a letter from Great Liang." The secret guard, Nan Qi, beside him said, "Bìxià urges you to hurry back."
"No need to care about him." Xie Jing Xing said without any care, "When the matters are finished, I will naturally return."
"Bìxià is afraid that you will delay matters." Nan Qi said, "The people at that end have noticed the movements in Ming Qi. Previously, Bìxià mentioned to choose a Consort for you in the course of time, it is almost the time. If Zhǔzi still does not return, one fear that things will be held up."
Xie Jing Xing shot a glance at Nan Qi and he immediately kept quiet but his heart had bitter words. Emperor Yong Le had a personality of standing by one's word and his own Master was one who disregarded the law and natural morality, making the subordinates sandwiched between them have problems. Moreover, with regards to the matter of choosing a consort, others might not be clear but those secret guards that were beside Xie Jing Xing could see clearly that Xie Jing Xing obviously treated the Young Lady of the Shen family in a special way. Not mentioning how Emperor Yong Le would view the matter, the secret guards felt that this matter was not feasible. Shen Miao was a Ming Qi's person and how would the Shen family be willing to have relations with Great Liang?
However one would never dare to say these words in front of the Master. If Master was not happy and sent one off to guard the pagoda prison, then that would not be worth it at all.
"Since Huángxiōng is bored." Xie Jing Xing said, "And incredibly suffocated, then go and tell him what kind of intentions the Qin is planning. Do not worry about things that one should not worry about."
Nan Qi wiped the sweat off his head. One could not offend both people, one's heart was breaking a sweat.
Just as he was thinking, he saw Tie Yi walking in from outside, and was holding a small box that one did not know what it was. When he entered the room, he placed the small box on the table and said, "The jewellery that Diànxià has instructed to make is finished and the bank notes are sent over."
Nan Qi who was standing behind almost choked on his own saliva. What did Tie Yi say? Making jewellery? Nan Qi secretly looked towards the table and indeed saw that the box was very exquisitely made. A small little box and there was a fine flower patterned on top of it. Upon closer look, it seemed to be a tiger's head?
What thing was that?
Xie Jing Xing opened the box and took a glance. It was filled up with all kinds of jewellery. Cat's eye, a pair of jade bracelets, pearl head ornament, jasper hairpin, they were things that were extremely fine. It was not an exaggeration that this small little box had a value of more than a thousand gold. Nan Qi thought secretly, could it be that this was something to be gifted to the Young Lady of the Shen family? But the Young Lady of the Shen family did not look like one who loves jewels and jade? Would Master be able to gift these out?
However, it was indeed very generous.
Xie Jing Xing closed the box and said, "Not bad." Suddenly he thought about something and asked, "What are Fu Xiu Yi's recent movements?"
Tie Yi thought before saying, "There is no movement at the moment and is just closer to Tàizǐ."
The Crown Prince. Xie Jing Xing raised his brows, "Watch him closely. Fu Xiu Yi is not a simple character."
Tie Yi coupled and retreated.
"Wait." Xie Jing Xing stopped him, "Pay attention to Shen Yue too."
One did not know what kind of luck the Shen family was on these days as there was mayhem all day. Previously, it was the matter of Shen Dong Ling and Shen Yue exchanging marriage, then it was the matter of the Wang family not accepting Shen Yue, then later it was Shen Yue rebelling and running away from home. It was even better now, Chen Rou Qiu caught the adultery of Chang Zai Qing and Shen Wan in the act.
Chang Zai Qing is a guest in the Shen Residence and the daughter of an old friend of Old Shen General's, the relationship with the Shen residence should have been very polite. Apart from Old Shen Fūrén, everyone would often speak a few words to Chang Zai Qing when they met her, thus the current matriarch of the family, Chen Rou Qiu, liked her a lot. Who knew that Chang Zai Qing was so courteous that she climbed onto Shen Wan's bed. Chen Rou Qiu was not stabbed at the back by others but by the 'cherished and attentive' younger sister.
Chen Rou Qiu kicked up a fuss on the spot and disputed hotly all the way to Rong Jing Tang.
Within Rong Jing Tang, Old Shen Fūrén was sitting at the highest position. Chang Zai Qing and Shen Wan were standing at the side. Shen Wan did not have any expression on, Shen Gui had the appearance of watching a good show, whereas Chang Zai Qing's eyes were hung down as if she was ashamed. However, Chen Rou Qiu forced herself to stop crying and put up an appearance of being unable to let the matter drop.
"Enough already. How does it look when one cries like this?" Old Shen Fūrén finally said after being bored with Chen Rou Qiu's appearance, "What is the matter of one's husband bringing a gūniáng in, that you would cry like the Heavens have collapsed.��
"Pópó." Chen Rou Qiu shouted, "If it was Lǎoyé that brings gūniáng in and lifts them up as concubines, naturally this Xífù will not say anything and would even take the initiative to do the preparation. But both of them kept silent about it and did such a thing in front of my face in this courtyard. Everyone in the courtyard kept me in the dark and it is obvious it is deliberately not giving me face. Pópó, I am also your Xífù and you are also a female. If one's husband wants to bring in a concubine, can I stop it? Then why is there a need to use such an insulting method?"
"Sān Fūrén." Chang Zai Qing could not help but spoke, "Today's matter is all a misunderstanding. It was me who drank too much and it has nothing to do with Sān Lǎoyé. Zai Qing will not be a qiè so take it as this matter had never happened. Tomorrow I will pack up and leave the Shen Residence. One hope that Jiějiě would not blame Sān Lǎoyé about it."
Compared to Chen Rou Qiu��s aggressiveness, Chang Zai Qing had never denied being involved with Shen Wan but placed all the blame onto herself, making oneself look very fair and reasonable. Shen Wan's expression slightly changed, "Why leave? The things I do, naturally one would give you a resolution."
Originally, Chen Rou Qiu felt that Chang Zai Qing's words were somewhat piercing to her heart, and now listening to Shen Wan still urging Chang Zai Qing to stay, it was adding fuel to fire and she immediately said, "Resolution? How would you want to resolve? It is to chase me away and give official wife position to her?" After she spoke, she turned her head to Chang Zai Qing and pointed to her while scolding, "You sure are an ingrate. You came to the Shen Residence and it was me who supported your food and clothes, but who knew that you would have such a depraved heart to even climb onto your Jiěfū's (Older Sister's husband) bed. Really very shameless! You cannot seduce Shen Xin so you come and seduce the husband of someone beside you? No wonder you are not married at such an old age. Which good son would dare to want such a woman who offends public morals?"
Not only Shen Wan was stunned with her words, but even Old Shen Fūrén was also somewhat startled. The self-proclaimed scholarly Chen Rou Qiu was scolding just like a shrew on the streets. This scene was indeed somewhat ugly to see.
Shen Wan was so angry that he could not speak, and Chang Zai Qing bit her lips with a look of enduring in silence. It was Shen Gui, who was standing at the side, who could not help but say something, "Dìmèi (Younger Brother's wife), you are at fault here. If a husband wants to bring in a concubine, it is you as a Fūrén who should naturally help to handle it. Initially, there were no other people in Sāndì's courtyard, and this was already somewhat unreasonable. Now, after much difficulty, there is finally a mèimèi who can help you to share tribulations, why are you still blocking it?" Shen Gui was lecherous and naturally favoured beauties like Chang Zai Qing. It was just that Chang Zai Qing was Shen Wan's people and he would not touch a brother's woman. However, Shen Gui did not like seeing Chen Rou Qiu's shrewish manners. When Ren Wan Yun was alive, she did not stop him from bringing in concubines.
However, the current Chen Rou Qiu was already extremely sensitive at the moment, thus not only Shen Gui's remark did not appease her, instead, but it also seemed that she was being stepped on the foot, and she immediately went on scolding indiscriminately at Shen Gui, "Èr bǎizi still have the free time to care about the matters of the Third Household. One fear that Èr bǎizi's matter had not been taken care of. Currently, one's lineage has been cut off, even if one brings in eight or ten concubines, so what? There is still no one to carry down the line!"
Shen Gui's pain was that he was unable to have any descendants in this lifetime, and who knew Chen Rou Qiu would jab Shen Gui's sore point. Shen Gui was so angry that his face became livid, and Old Shen Fūrén's expression was not good at all.
"Then, what does Madam Chen want?" Old Shen Fūrén said angrily.
"I have married into the Shen family for so many years and am not an unreasonable person. Cast Chang Zai Qing out and I will treat it as though nothing had happened."
"Not possible." Shen Wan said angrily, "Since I have touched her, naturally one will take responsibility for her."
"It is alright for anyone but her!" Chen Rou Qiu pointed at Chang Zai Qing and shouted. She could not tolerate the fact that Chang Zai Qing had betrayed her and climbed onto Shen Wan's bed. This made her feel a sense of humiliation and shame. The most important thing was that Chen Rou Qiu understood Chang Zai Qing very clearly. Chang Zai Qing was not inferior in any aspects than her and had a good temperament. Even Chen Rou Qiu herself felt difficult to feel malice towards Chang Zai Qing. Especially with the matters now, Shen Wan's words intentional or otherwise were protecting Chang Zai Qing, making Chen Rou Qiu feel a sense of crisis. As a woman, she understood Shen Wan's mind more than anyone else. One feared that once Chang Zai Qing entered, not only would she share the favours with her, it was possible that only she alone was favoured. She could not bring such a great rival in for herself!
"Why can it not be her?" The person saying it was none other than Shen Wan. Shen Wan was also furious at the moment, most probably because Chen Rou Qiu had been tender and graceful in front of him for so many years, but now was as irrational and ill-mannered like a shrew, making Shen Wan unbearable to look at her.
Chen Rou Qiu said angrily, "Then, you divorce me! If you want to bring her in then annul the marriage with me!"
This made Shen Wan so angry that he was in a complete mess. However, Chen Rou Qiu seemed to have confidence and became more aggressive, "After getting the annulment letter, I will naturally leave without a second word. Bring in whoever you want to bring in, it would be of no issues since we would be of no relations then, and each can do what one likes!" Finishing, two streams of tears flowed down on her cheeks, looking very pitiful.
Chen Rou Qiu's words were ones that were said in anger. She was husband and wife with Shen Wan for so many years, even if there were conflicting views lately, but they had many years of harmonious relations before. Chen Rou Qiu understood Shen Wan. Shen Wan still had some affection for her at the end and was currently blinded by Chang Zai Qing for the moment, thus it was absolutely not possible for Shen Wan to divorce her because of Chang Zai Qing.
It's a pity that Chen Rou Qiu, who calculated thousands of ways, and who calculated that Shen Wan still had affections for her, did not calculate Old Shen Fūrén's attitude.
Old Shen Fūrén coldly laughed once, and looked at Chen Rou Qiu as if she was watching a clown performing, "Annulment? You would wish but one fear that you had miscalculated. It is not possible for Lǎo sān to give you an annulment letter. The very most, one would give you is a divorce letter!"
Chang Zai Qing, who wanted to speak at the moment, swallowed the words that were at her mouth.
Chen Rou Qiu was not to be outdone and asked, "On what basis am I given a divorce letter?"
"On what basis?" Old Shen Fūrén looked at her, "Ever since Lǎo sān married you, there are no other gūniáng in the courtyard. Not to mention about a qiè, there are not any Tōng Fáng at all. As the matriarch of the family, you failed to organise things for your husband, that is being jealous and lacking virtue! Lǎo sān's heart is magnanimous and I do not want to be involved in Lǎo sān's courtyard matters but for so many years, Chen Rou Qiu, you calculate... You have been in the Shen Residence close to twenty years and have not given birth to a son for the Third Household. Let me ask you, in the whole of the Ding capital city, who is like you, marry into the husband family and are unable to give birth to a son, but do not let one's husband have a son with others? You want our Shen family to end the line is it?"
"You do not have a son and are jealous. There are already two out of the seven grounds of divorces, enough to give you a divorce letter!"
Even though Old Shen Fūrén came from the marketplace and did not have much knowledge, when she was arguing with others, she would not be at a disadvantage at all. Especially, she already had anger with Chen Rou Qiu and now that it was Chen Rou Qiu's fault, as tensions ran high, she made Chen Rou Qiu speechless.
That was right. Just the one ground of being without a son, the Shen family could push all the faults upon Chen Rou Qiu. Even if this was brought to court, Chen Rou Qiu would be the one that would be pointed at. Helplessness streaked across Chen Rou Qiu's heart as she always thought that she had firmly grasped Shen Wan's heart, and also thought that Shen Wan and her would be in love for their entire lifetime. But now, seeing Shen Wan's attitude of protecting Chang Zai Qing was like a slap to her, which made Chen Rou Qiu's belief that she was infallible to shatter!
Shen Wan was no different from other men who were greedy for freshness and love tenderness. There was no difference between one's or other women but as time passed and age caught up, one had to give way to younger females. But if one still had a son by one's side during those days, one could still sit on the position of a matriarch but she did not have a son at all, thus her position was also in jeopardy.
Old Shen Fūrén looked at Chang Zai Qing and said slowly, "Lǎo sān, since you have touched others, our Shen family is not people who are unreasonable, naturally one must take responsibility. There is no one else in Chang Gūniáng's family and if Chang Gūniáng is willing, then after tomorrow, one will give her a Guì Qiè (higher-ranked concubine). Lately, there has been a lot of bad luck and one should flush it out with joyous events."
For Old Shen Fūrén to raise her to a Gui Concubine, it was obviously a deliberate move to go against Chen Rou Qiu and to let Chen Rou Qiu see her face.
Chen Rou Qiu looked at Old Shen Fūrén. On Old Shen Fūrén's ravine filled face, there was a trace of a smile that quickly flashed past. That smile made Chen Rou Qiu suddenly understand something in her heart.
How did one find out the matter of Chang Zai Qing? It was Old Shen Fūrén that instructed her to go to the Western Courtyard to gift some bolts of cloth when she discovered it. She did not go early or later but purposely at that time; so, could it be that Old Shen Fūrén did it on purpose? These days, she was worried about Shen Yue and did not care about anything else, thus she did not discover Chang Zai Qing's and Shen Wan's secret, but that did not mean that Old Shen Fūrén did not discover it. Old Shen Fūrén wholeheartedly wanted to bring in a concubine for Shen Wan, and upon discovering the exchanges between Chang Zai Qing and Shen Wan, one feared that she was extremely happy. Or perhaps there were other things that contributed to this so that such a situation would happen today.
Forcing Chen Rou Qiu into such a situation and letting Chang Zai Qing enter the residence.
Within Chen Rou Qiu's heart, an infinite hatred for Old Shen Fūrén appeared and she said as she gritted her teeth, "Such humiliation is absolutely unreasonable!"