Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Seeing with Her Own Eyes

“Commander Xie!” Qi Shu Xian hurried forward. “Have you discovered who from the Lian family is involved in the salt trade?”

Xie An paused abruptly upon seeing him.

“Who exactly in the Lian family is connected to this?” Qi Shu Xian felt something was off from Xie An’s expression.

Xie An’s lips twitched slightly. “Heir Apparent Qi, do you truly not know?”

“What?” Qi Shu Xian was stunned. How could he possibly know about matters involving the Lian family?

“Qi Fei Yan… is the only woman involved in the salt smuggling affair.”

Qi Shu Xian froze, thinking he must have misheard. But Xie An’s expression confirmed that he’d heard correctly.

Qi Fei Yan…

His elder sister…

She dared to smuggle illegal salt?!

How could she be so bold?

No wonder she fainted earlier—it was because the culprit was herself!

Qi Shu Xian shut his eyes briefly, gathering himself before clasping his hands in farewell to Xie An.

Back at the Duke’s residence.

Madam Cui had just received comforting news when her eldest son rushed back, his face shadowed with worry.

“Mother, has Father returned yet?”

“Not yet.” Madam Cui sighed. “Ask around when your sister will be released. Do we know who from the Lian family is involved?”

“If it really is Lian Wen Hui, perhaps we can use some connections. Even exile is better than execution. We can’t let your sister become a widow so young…”

Madam Cui kept rambling.

She had considered letting Qi Fei Yan divorce her husband, but divorced women, even with powerful families, were always judged harshly. Even Princess Sheng Zhi Yue herself had to bear her husband’s coldness silently.

Thus, the best way was still to keep Lian Wen Hui alive. If he couldn’t be saved, adopting a relative’s child as his heir could suffice…

“Mother!” Qi Shu Xian took a deep breath. “We can discuss this later.”

“How can this wait?” Madam Cui became anxious.

Qi Shu Xian didn’t want to harm her health with bad news and quickly left to find Duke Qi.

Sheng Zhi Wan also received word about Emperor Chong Sheng’s handling of the salt traders.

Just as she remembered from her past life.

Qi Shu Xian cared about Madam Cui’s health, but she didn’t.

After thinking for a moment, she sent Liu Shang out on an errand.

Soon, news spread throughout the streets that Duke Qi’s eldest daughter Qi Fei Yan had smuggled salt.

Of course, many were involved, but being the only woman made her stand out clearly.

Sheng Zhi Wan even kindly arranged for gossipers outside the Duke’s residence, and within minutes, every servant and maid heard the news.

“Is it true?”

“How could Young Miss do such a thing?”

“Smuggling salt? Where did you hear this?”

“It’s absolutely true! Dali Temple confirmed it. Everyone from the Lian Residence has been released except our Young Miss and her maid Chun Chan…”

Madam Cui had just taken her medicine and decided to stroll in the Flower Garden after dinner to improve her health.

As she walked, she overheard two maids whispering.

Initially unable to hear clearly, she moved closer, and once she understood, she nearly lost her breath.

Concubine Lian quickly supported her.

“Catch those two maids and bring them here!” Madam Cui trembled with rage.

Soon, the frightened maids were brought before her.

“What did you just say? Everyone from the Lian Residence is released? What about Yan’er? Is she released?”

“Madam…” The maids trembled fearfully.

Madam Cui kicked one maid down. “Speak!”

“Yes, Madam… Everyone from the Lian family was released except Young Miss and Chun Chan, and…” The maid hesitated.

“And what?” Madam Cui’s voice shook.

“And Young Miss’s shops were sealed. They say she ordered the shopkeepers to smuggle salt.”

Madam Cui let out a sharp gasp and collapsed unconscious.

“Madam! Madam!”

“Quick, summon the doctors!”

“Hurry, fetch Lord Duke and the Heir Apparent…”

When Sheng Zhi Wan learned of Madam Cui’s collapse, she felt pleased, immediately changing into vibrant clothes to pay her respects.

“Princess, if you go now, Madam will surely force you to plead for Qi Fei Yan. It might be better not to go,” An Zhi advised.

“If I don’t go, will she stop demanding that I plead?” Sheng Zhi Wan countered.

“That… makes sense. Then will you really…”

“Of course not.”

Qi Fei Yan’s downfall was her design. She meant for Qi Fei Yan to die! Why would she plead for her?

She was merely going to witness Madam Cui’s grief firsthand.

As Sheng Zhi Wan approached Evening Tide Courtyard, she heard chaotic noises from within.

Several doctors emerged from the room.

“Is Madam awake yet?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked with concern.

The doctors paused upon seeing her. Just moments before, Madam Cui had cursed Princess Ning’s lack of filial duty. Yet now, Princess Ning stood here looking genuinely concerned—not at all like the rumors suggested.

“Madam has awoken,” replied one doctor respectfully.

Just then, sounds of shattering porcelain echoed from inside.

Sheng Zhi Wan frowned slightly, instructing the maid beside Madam Cui, “Escort the doctors carefully. They’ve worked hard today.”

“You’re too kind, Princess.” The doctors bowed again.

It seemed the rumored Princess Ning was actually quite gentle. Perhaps the issue lay with Duchess Cui herself?

But that was Duke Qi’s household affair.

After the doctors left, Sheng Zhi Wan calmly entered the room.

Madam Cui, hearing Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice, struggled upright immediately. “Sheng Zhi Wan! If you hadn’t insisted on reclaiming your dowry, Yan’er wouldn’t have resorted to smuggling salt! Are you satisfied now?”

Madam Cui’s eyes were red with fury, as if wanting to tear Sheng Zhi Wan apart.

Sheng Zhi Wan pursed her lips lightly. “Mother, how can you blame me for this? Reclaiming my dowry was perfectly justified. Did I somehow force my sister to smuggle salt?”

“It is your fault! Without you, Yan’er would never be in this situation!”

Madam Cui gritted her teeth, “Now, go immediately to the palace! Beg the Empress Dowager to release Yan’er!”

“Ha,” Sheng Zhi Wan glanced around casually, choosing a comfortable seat on a nearby couch. “Mother, are you perhaps dreaming? Qi Fei Yan committed a crime punishable by execution—even imperial relatives face death. Why would I plead for her?”

“Because she is your husband’s sister!” Madam Cui roared.

“Oh? So what? The Heir Apparent could use his military merits to pardon her… Ah, but wait, he’s already used those merits to save Meng Yang and even endured punishment for her.”

“Even so, there’s still Duke Qi. Perhaps the Duke could exchange his title for her life… though it seems unlikely since the title ends with him,” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled softly.