Chapter 105

Chapter 105: Light as a Feather

“Nonsense! You vile woman!” Zhang Da Hu roared in fury.

Jiang Mang stood frozen for a moment, then spoke bitterly, “It’s true, Miss Meng’s letters never explicitly asked Da Hu to attack the Princess, but…”

“But that wicked woman knew exactly how foolish I was!” Zhang Da Hu harshly interrupted Jiang Mang, each word gritted out between clenched teeth. “I’m just a rough man. My benefactor was wronged—what’s death compared to repaying a kindness?”

“If my head falls off, it’s only a scar the size of a bowl; after eighteen years, I’ll be a good man again!”

As Zhang Da Hu spoke, his eyes blazed with hatred, nearly spilling out of him. “All I knew was that she saved me, collected my brother Er Hu’s remains. For this kindness, I’d gladly do anything! Ha, hahaha—she knew this all along!”

Jiang Mang listened silently, but his trembling fingers betrayed his emotions.

Meng Yang’s eyes flickered tearfully, gazing pitifully at Qi Shu Xian. “My Lord, I didn’t do it! I only complained casually—I never meant to harm the Princess!”

Qi Shu Xian lowered his gaze. After a long pause, he finally looked toward Sheng Zhi Wan, whose expression remained cold. “Zhi Wan, after all, you weren’t hurt, and she didn’t intend—”

Before he could finish, a shrill voice cut through sharply.

“Imperial Edict arrives!”

A pale-faced eunuch in attendant’s robes hurried into the hall.

Recognizing him, the Minister of the Dali Court quickly stood and bowed. “Eunuch Su.”

Sheng Zhi Wan frowned slightly. [Eunuch Su is Imperial Father’s favored attendant—did Imperial Father already learn about this so soon?]

Qi Shu Xian’s heart sank heavily.

“Eunuch Su, does His Majesty have any instructions?” Qi Shu Xian asked carefully.

“Heir Apparent Qi, Princess Qing Ning,” Eunuch Su smiled. “His Majesty summons you both immediately. No delays.”

“And this Miss Meng must come along as well.”

The Minister of the Dali Court silently sighed in relief.

They prepared swiftly to enter the palace. Before leaving, Eunuch Su turned again to the Court Minister.

“Court Minister, His Majesty says that the bandit Zhang Da Hu committed an unforgivable crime by attacking the Princess and must be executed immediately.”

Having spoken, Eunuch Su departed.

Jiang Mang shivered violently, eyes wide in shock. He seemed to want to speak, but he was powerless; his words held no weight.

As the group exited Dali Temple, the commoners outside had completely changed their attitude.

Many cursed angrily:

“What Lady Meng? She’s nothing but a cruel, greedy villain!”

“So many soldiers died—how can she sleep peacefully at night?”

“Why isn’t such an evil woman executed immediately? She even dared attack the Princess—there’s nothing she wouldn’t do!”

Su Qi Nian stood numbly, his mind a confused mess. Moments earlier, he had confidently defended Meng Yang; now, he wished he could disappear, feeling the sharp stares like needles in his back.

Meng Yang couldn’t bear the harsh curses either, hurriedly covering her face and rushing into the carriage.

“Smack!”

A rotten egg struck the carriage frame, splattering everywhere.

Meng Yang shrank in a corner, listening to the screams outside and rotten vegetables and eggs hitting the carriage walls. Her heart twisted with anxiety and resentment.

[All I wanted was to save lives. How could I have known Qian Ji Powder had an antidote? Ignorance shouldn’t be punished! These foolish ancient people are truly hopeless!]

“My Lord…” Meng Yang whimpered as Qi Shu Xian entered with a dark expression. A rotten leaf dangled from his clothing, adding to her misery.

Qi Shu Xian ripped off the leaf, glaring darkly at her. “You conspired with bandits to kidnap a royal princess…Meng Yang! Who gave you such courage?”

Meng Yang continued denying desperately, tears immediately flooding her eyes. “My Lord, I didn’t…”

“You still dare deny it!” Qi Shu Xian grabbed her throat, unconcerned about the child she carried, pulling her roughly toward him. “Vile woman! Do you take me for a fool? Your petty tricks only worked on idiots like Zhang Da Hu!”

“Cough… cough…”

Meng Yang choked, struggling to breathe.

Only when her face flushed crimson did Qi Shu Xian finally release her with a harsh shove.

Meng Yang gasped for air, trembling as tears streamed down her face.

[Sheng! Zhi! Wan!]

[It’s all her fault! Without her, I would already have lived happily ever after with Qi Shu Xian! Zhang Da Hu must have been arranged by her. She set all this up!]

[No! I won’t lose!]

[I still have my modern knowledge. The Third Prince will surely value me more highly. Qi Shu Xian will eventually see—I’m the most suitable woman for him!]

Soon, the carriage stopped at the palace gates. Eunuch Su led them inside.

Emperor Chong Sheng already awaited them in the great hall.

As they entered, his expression was grim. Without a word, he threw a tea cup directly at Qi Shu Xian.

Qi Shu Xian didn’t dare dodge. The cup shattered by his ear, tea spilling onto the floor. A heavy silence filled the hall.

“Qi Shu Xian, do you admit your crime?”

Qi Shu Xian’s heart trembled. He swiftly knelt, bowing low. “This servant admits his guilt.”

“Oh? Then tell me, what is your crime?”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, watching him closely.

Qi Shu Xian spoke slowly, each word clear: “This servant failed to discipline his household properly, causing the military doctors to be reassigned and delayed in returning to the battlefield. Meng Yang’s interference with the injured soldiers’ treatment was also due to this servant’s negligence.”

“At least you know your faults,” the Emperor laughed coldly. “Hundreds of soldiers died because of you. You will be demoted to Junior Sixth Rank and given thirty strokes. Any objections?”

“Your Majesty is wise. This servant willingly accepts punishment.”

Qi Shu Xian felt bitterness in his heart but kept his face blank. [The rewards I earned through battle, now gone—I feel as if my heart is bleeding.]

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her gaze.

[Compared to hundreds of soldiers’ lives, this punishment is nothing. Imperial Father clearly intends to be lenient with Qi Shu Xian.]

“You must be Meng Yang?”

After punishing Qi Shu Xian, Emperor Chong Sheng turned sharply toward Meng Yang.

Meng Yang’s body froze in fear. Suppressed by the Emperor’s imposing presence, she dared not raise her head. “Yes.”

“You deceived the soldiers into believing Qian Ji Powder had no antidote, leading to many unnecessary deaths—is that correct?” The Emperor looked down on Meng Yang as if she were an ant.

“This woman…this woman did not mean it.” Meng Yang’s forehead dripped cold sweat, stammering her defense. “I only wanted to save people, but I accidentally made a mistake.”

“Foolish, ignorant woman!” Emperor Chong Sheng’s voice carried fury, making Meng Yang tremble, fearing his next words would be a death sentence.

“Imperial Father, please calm down!”

Suddenly, a bright, steady voice from outside interrupted, breaking the tension.

A young man in embroidered robes entered gracefully—the Third Prince, Sheng Yuan Hao.

Sheng Yuan Hao seemed oblivious to the heavy atmosphere and comforted gently, “It’s merely a small matter. Imperial Father, is there really any need for such anger?”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s lashes trembled lightly.

[A small matter?]

[Hundreds of lives are as light as a feather to my third brother and Imperial Father.]