Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Returning the Dowry

“What are you doing?!” Sheng Zhi Wan’s heart jumped. She stepped forward and blocked him.

“Sheng Zhi Wan, you had better not forget who you are!” Qi Shu Xian’s eyes were bloodshot. Her resistance only made his suspicion heavier.

Blazing anger made him forget even the pain from the caning on his back. He shoved her hard.

Sheng Zhi Wan crashed into the corner of a table.

She watched Qi Shu Xian storm inside. Her fingers clenched, and in an instant she was already weighing what poison could kill him without a sound.

Qi Shu Xian flung aside the screen and ripped open the bed curtains.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s hand closed around a porcelain bottle hidden in the dressing table.

Then, the quilt shook loose.

When Sheng Zhi Wan saw what was inside, her eyes trembled.

The moment Qi Shu Xian turned back, she forced her face into cold calm and said icily, “Is the Heir Apparent insane? Breaking into my room in the middle of the night to search for what? Did you think I was hiding a man?”

Qi Shu Xian met her mocking gaze and had no answer. He did not even know why that thought had seized him just now.

After a long silence, he softened. “Zhi Wan, I was just punished with the rod. My back hurts. Will you apply medicine for me?”

“If the Heir Apparent is in pain, go find a physician, Concubine Meng, or Concubine Huan Zhu.” Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice stayed cold. “I am vicious and aggressive. If I injure the Heir Apparent, that would be unfortunate.”

Qi Shu Xian fumbled, “Why do you have to be like this? You know I had no choice. Third Prince values Meng Yang. Nothing can happen to her.”

Sheng Zhi Wan did not bother listening. She pulled her outer robe closed and called out, “Servants! I’m tired. See him out!”

Ting Lan stepped forward and signaled politely. “Heir Apparent, this way.”

Qi Shu Xian stared at Sheng Zhi Wan, who showed not the slightest softening. In the end, he drew in a deep breath, turned, and left in large strides.

When his footsteps faded, Sheng Zhi Wan shut the door with a blank expression.

Only then did she finally let out a breath.

But before she could finish exhaling, a figure dropped down from above.

“You!” Sheng Zhi Wan had not expected Shang Xing Yu to still be here.

“Princess, you had quite the presence,” Shang Xing Yu said with a grin. “If you had not stopped Qi Shu Xian just now, I would have been discovered.”

Sheng Zhi Wan remembered how, in her panic, she had shoved him under the quilt and nearly been caught. She felt even more awkward.

She coughed and changed the subject. “Young Master Shang Er came in the dead of night. Did something change in Te Dan?”

“I only heard the capital city had some excitement lately,” Shang Xing Yu said, sitting comfortably on the small stool by Sheng Zhi Wan’s dressing table. “And I happen to love excitement, so I rushed back to take a look.”

Sheng Zhi Wan frowned, both startled and doubtful. Even if he rode at full speed without rest, it would still take days to return from Te Dan. The future King of Qin Yu had really come all this way just to watch a bit of fun?

But then, what excitement was there in the capital city at this time?

Shang Xing Yu watched her shifting expression. His smile faded slightly as he took a small box from his robe and placed it on the table.

“In Te Dan, I happened to meet someone selling this. I thought the Princess might need it, so I bought it.”

“This is…” Sheng Zhi Wan stared in surprise.

Shang Xing Yu did not answer. He simply changed the topic. “The Princess does not need to worry about Te Dan. Everything is proceeding as planned. The Queen Consort of Te Dan now demands that her bedroom have Li Lan Flower arrangements changed three times a day.”

“The most famous royal painter in Te Dan even painted a portrait of her and the King of Te Dan with purple Li Lan Flowers. Many merchants among the common people are already hoarding goods and driving up prices…”

“It moved even faster than expected. When Young Master Shang Er acts, I naturally feel at ease.” Once they spoke of business, Sheng Zhi Wan forgot to ask what was inside the box.

Shang Xing Yu smiled. “It’s just that I must hurry back to Te Dan tomorrow. I secretly returned tonight. I wonder if the Princess would allow me to stay the night?”

“Stay the night?” Sheng Zhi Wan’s face stiffened on the spot.

This Shang Xing Yu really was outrageously bold. How could she, a woman, allow an unrelated man to stay the night, especially him?

Sheng Zhi Wan was not foolish. She could sense that Shang Xing Yu treated her differently. Whether it was true feeling or mere use, she had already suffered once because of Qi Shu Xian. She would not let herself fall into the same trap again with any other man.

Just as Sheng Zhi Wan, half embarrassed and half annoyed, searched for a way to refuse, Shang Xing Yu suddenly laughed.

In a blink, he sprang to the window and slipped out. Only his voice remained behind, light as smoke. “It was only a joke. Princess, rest early. I will not disturb you.”

Sheng Zhi Wan stood there, stunned.

After a moment, she could not keep her calm expression. She huffed through her nose in irritation.

So he really was a spoiled playboy. Flirting with women came as easily as breathing.

Her gaze fell on the box Shang Xing Yu left behind. After a brief hesitation, she reached out and opened it.

With a single glance, her breath caught.

Inside were three Heavenly Pearl Fruits she had recently searched for everywhere without success.

So it was not about coming back to join excitement at all. He had rushed back just to deliver Heavenly Pearl Fruit to her.

Sheng Zhi Wan looked at the window he had left open. The wind was biting cold, yet she felt warmth rise in her chest, making her heart pound twice.

*That night, Sheng Zhi Wan slept unexpectedly well.

So when the noisy clamor outside woke her early the next morning, she did not feel impatient.

“An Zhi, what happened?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked.

An Zhi hurried inside and reported, “Princess is awake? The Heir Apparent and Concubine Meng brought a lot of people over. They said they came to return your dowry.”

Sheng Zhi Wan raised a brow and instructed, “Find someone quick-footed and send them to the Da Li Court. Tell them the Duke’s residence is returning my dowry. Have them bring my dowry inventory as well, so we can verify everything on the spot.”

The noise outside did not bother Sheng Zhi Wan. She washed, dressed, and changed clothes at an unhurried pace.

When she finally stepped out, Meng Yang saw her dazzling face and a flash of resentment crossed her eyes.

Supporting her waist, Meng Yang bowed softly. “This concubine greets the Princess.”

As she spoke, her body swayed. Her footing went unsteady, and she nearly fell.

Qi Shu Xian quickly caught her. “Enough. You are with child. When there are no outsiders in the residence, you do not need to bow.”

Meng Yang took the chance to hook his arm, lifted her head, and smiled. “The Heir Apparent is so considerate. I am truly moved. Still, propriety cannot be discarded. I only felt dizzy after standing for half an hour, so I lost my balance. It is nothing.”

Sheng Zhi Wan heard the meaning behind her words, yet she did not care.

“Concubine Meng truly understands etiquette better than when you first entered the residence,” Sheng Zhi Wan said lightly. “Mother must have taught you well.”

By bringing up Madam Cui, Sheng Zhi Wan left Qi Shu Xian no room to keep excusing Meng Yang from bowing in the future.

Meng Yang’s expression stiffened.

Sheng Zhi Wan had made her wait for so long for nothing, and now she was mocking her for lacking manners in the past.

Just then, the people An Zhi sent to invite the Da Li Court arrived.

Da Li Court Assistant Fang Hong Zhi led several yamen runners into the courtyard. He first bowed to Sheng Zhi Wan and Qi Shu Xian before saying, “By the Princess’s request, this official came to witness the Duke’s residence returning the Princess’s dowry.”

Qi Shu Xian’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.