Chapter 131

Chapter 131: Into the Bone

Nanny Fan collapsed helplessly upon hearing her sentence.

“Hold on,” Sheng Zhi Wan suddenly spoke up.

A spark of hope flickered in Nanny Fan’s heart.

Yes…

In the past, the Heir Consort was always gentle and kind. Even toward servants, she spoke softly and kindly. Although she had changed lately, deep down, she must still hold kindness in her heart.

Was she perhaps thinking of sparing her?

Unfortunately, Nanny Fan was quickly disappointed.

Sheng Zhi Wan continued, “Aside from Nanny Fan, someone else must have been helping her. Otherwise, how could that intruder slip so easily into my courtyard? Why not sell off all the guards who were on duty tonight?”

At this, Nanny Fan wept uncontrollably.

Tonight’s guards included her husband and her son… How could they be sold away?!

Yet, just as she opened her mouth to plead, Qi Shu Xian already nodded, agreeing easily, “Very well.”

They were merely servants. As long as Sheng Zhi Wan did not implicate his mother, selling them off was trivial.

“No! Madam, say something! Clearly—”

“Silence her! Drag her out!” Qi Shu Xian’s eyes turned icy.

Immediately, servants rushed forward, muffling Nanny Fan’s mouth…

The night grew especially cold.

Madam Cui helplessly watched as Nanny Fan, who had accompanied her faithfully for years, was taken away. Her face was pale as parchment even without powder.

“This matter is yours to handle, Heir Apparent,” Sheng Zhi Wan covered her mouth gracefully as she rose. “Mother, if you’re fine, do get some rest. I believe Elder Sister, from beneath the earth, would not wish to see you suffer excessively for her.”

With these parting words, Sheng Zhi Wan smiled lightly and left.

Qi Shu Xian’s face was clouded with fury. The moment Sheng Zhi Wan left, he quickly sent Meng Yang away as well. Only then did he turn his red, angry eyes to Madam Cui.

Madam Cui’s heart trembled beneath her son’s accusing gaze. Remembering the scene of Nanny Fan being dragged off, an unbearable frustration rose in her chest.

“Enough! Why do you stare at me like that?”

“Mother! Why must you do this? Did you ever consider, before you acted, that Sheng Zhi Wan is my legitimate wife?” Qi Shu Xian’s voice trembled with anger.

Initially, Madam Cui felt guilty. But being questioned like this, indignation flared in her heart, “Because she caused Yan’er’s death!”

“Haven’t you seen it clearly yet? She no longer cares about you or the Duke’s residence! What use is such a wife to you?”

“Better to remove her! Mother can easily find you another noble girl for your remarriage!”

“Mother, watch your words!” The veins on Qi Shu Xian’s forehead bulged angrily.

…

When Sheng Zhi Wan heard Meng Yang had come out first, she already knew Qi Shu Xian was aware Madam Cui was behind this plot.

Yet, what difference would it make?

Sheng Zhi Wan laughed coldly. Fine, if he wanted to protect Madam Cui, she would let him.

In fact, she planned for Madam Cui to live a very long life.

After all, only by living a long, long time could one experience suffering for even longer.

She only hoped Madam Cui would not regret it later.

Blood stained the Duke’s manor that night.

Only the next morning did Sheng Zhi Wan learn that Qi Shu Xian had not only beaten Nanny Fan to death but had also killed her husband, her son, and even the young scholar from Li Hui Garden who had dared sneak into her courtyard.

Eradicate the roots completely.

Qi Shu Xian truly was ruthless in cleaning up Madam Cui’s mess.

Sheng Zhi Wan was pondering this when An Zhi hurriedly came to report, “Princess, Miss Xiu He has arrived.”

Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow.

Xiu He was Shang Hang Yu’s subordinate. Shang Hang Yu was currently in Tedan, so if Xiu He had come, it must be with news from there.

She ordered An Zhi to bring the girl in.

Soon, a delicate and pretty young woman followed An Zhi inside.

It was Sheng Zhi Wan’s first time seeing Xiu He’s true face, as previously she had disguised herself as An Zhi.

After dismissing everyone else, Xiu He handed Sheng Zhi Wan a letter, “Princess, this letter arrived from Master last night. It is intended for you.”

Sheng Zhi Wan took the letter but did not immediately open it.

Instead, she asked thoughtfully, “Can you also send a message back?”

Xiu He hesitated briefly before nodding, recalling her Master’s instructions, “Yes. Master’s merchant guild has post stations connecting every province. Even in Tedan, Master’s people are present.”

Sheng Zhi Wan was momentarily stunned. She had only intended to pass along a simple message, not expecting such openness from Shang Hang Yu.

Since Xiu He was so candid, Shang Hang Yu must have allowed it.

Did he truly trust her that much?

Qin Merchant Guild—it appeared Shang Hang Yu had fully taken control and was now revealing his hidden strength.

Sheng Zhi Wan replied, “Wait here for a moment. I’ll write a reply for you to deliver.”

“Yes.”

In the study room, Sheng Zhi Wan quickly wrote a reply. After Xiu He left with her letter, she finally opened Shang Hang Yu’s message.

The letter was thick, densely written with ink from a goose feather.

Initially expecting important matters, Sheng Zhi Wan found the first page indeed serious.

Orchid bulbs had completely captured the market in Tedan, rapidly spreading from nobles down to ordinary farmers.

Just days ago, some farmers began trading cattle they’d raised for an entire year, just to obtain a single orchid bulb.

At first, it seemed absurd.

Yet soon, something even more unbelievable occurred. Within only three days, those initial farmers tripled their investment, for people were now willing to trade three cows for a single bulb.

Many peasants suddenly gained wealth beyond what they could earn in a year, three years, even ten.

Tales of this instant prosperity sparked even greater madness.

Now in Tedan, aside from the extravagantly wealthy, almost no one cared about actually cultivating orchids. Instead, they hoarded bulbs as treasures, hoping their value would rise further.

“Greed is bottomless… human hearts indeed are never truly satisfied,” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly.

It seemed Shang Hang Yu’s net was nearly ready to close.

She turned to the second page—and paused, startled.

Then Sheng Zhi Wan could not hold back her laughter.

For the second page contained not only words but also a drawing. It depicted, from the viewpoint of the ceiling beam, the night Qi Shu Xian stormed into her room.

The drawing was crude, portraying Qi Shu Xian as a fierce monster with a grotesque nose, ugly horns, webbed feet, and cruel eyes.

Below the drawing, Shang Hang Yu had added humorously:

“This is certainly improper—I know it’s wrong to mock someone behind their back. But Heir Apparent Qi truly frightened me that day, and I’ve had nightmares ever since. Does the Princess think my drawing captures his likeness well?”

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled, took up her pen again, and playfully drew a large “ten” beside the drawing.

Afterward, the letter contained small sketches and descriptions, mostly about Tedan’s local customs and laws differing from Sheng Kingdom.

Unknowingly, Sheng Zhi Wan finished reading the letter. At the final page, she found herself still wishing for more.

“Princess, what were you reading just now? You laughed so many times,” Ting Lan asked curiously as Sheng Zhi Wan stepped out.