Chapter 135

Chapter 135: An Omen of Death

Eunuch Su stepped down from the carriage right in front of Duke Qi’s manor.

Seeing the gathered commoners, Duke Qi stiffly pleaded, “Eunuch Su, might you announce this inside the manor instead?”

“No need,” Eunuch Su replied, a mocking smile twitching at the corner of his lips. “I’ll wait right here for the Duchess.”

He had watched Princess Ning grow from a child. Over the past two years, Duke Qi’s household had grown arrogant, mistreating others simply because Princess Ning adored their heir apparent. Even if His Majesty overlooked it, Eunuch Su had not forgotten.

Now that he had an opportunity to humiliate Duke Qi’s family, Eunuch Su naturally chose a busy street.

Meanwhile, in Evening Tide Courtyard, Madam Cui was still lying dizzily in bed when her nanny came rushing in.

“What?” Madam Cui mumbled, bewildered. “His Majesty’s decree? For me specifically?”

She was just an inner courtyard woman—why would His Majesty issue a decree to her? Only after repeatedly confirming did she hurriedly rise, carefully dressing and applying rouge to hide her pallor, before quickly heading outside with the help of two nannies.

Outside the manor, Eunuch Su’s patience wore thin.

[This Madam Cui certainly thinks highly of herself!]

He had waited half an incense stick’s time already, yet she remained absent.

“Eunuch Su,” Duke Qi implored again, “my wife’s health is poor. Perhaps you’d prefer to come inside for tea and warmth?”

Before Eunuch Su could respond, Madam Cui appeared, walking unsteadily between two nannies. Duke Qi’s expression darkened.

Eunuch Su flicked his sleeve and raised his voice, declaring, “Madam Cui, wife of Duke Qi, hear His Majesty’s decree!”

Madam Cui barely had time to wonder what had happened before hurriedly kneeling down. “This humble subject listens to His Majesty’s words.”

The servants behind her followed suit, dropping to their knees.

Eunuch Su loudly proclaimed, “By heaven’s mandate, His Majesty decrees: Madam Cui, Duchess Qi, possesses a jealous nature, causing discord within the household and neglecting her duties as a mother. Forgetting kindness and gentleness, she has tarnished her family’s honor. Madam Cui must mend her ways and reflect deeply. If stubbornness persists, she will not be spared lightly!”

Eunuch Su recited His Majesty’s words precisely, each syllable like a hammer striking Madam Cui’s heart. Her mind filled with fear and confusion as whispers and curious eyes surrounded her.

She instantly thought it was about Qi Fei Yan’s smuggling incident. But why call her jealous?

Before Madam Cui could grasp it fully, Eunuch Su continued, “Duchess, today in court, the Duke openly admitted to keeping a mistress. He stated clearly that your jealousy and harshness caused his concubines to remain childless for years. Thus, he was forced into this choice. His Majesty is greatly displeased. He orders the Duke to bring her home immediately. Madam Tao, the mistress, is already pregnant. His Majesty commands that you care for her properly and ensure nothing goes amiss.”

Though Eunuch Su smiled politely, his voice carried an underlying threat.

[A mistress?]

Madam Cui looked up in disbelief. Her eyes froze upon spotting a timid woman descending from a carriage behind Eunuch Su. Seeing the woman’s familiar face, Madam Cui began trembling uncontrollably.

“Madam Cui? Did you clearly understand?” Eunuch Su asked impatiently.

With a pale face, Madam Cui shakily bowed, “Madam Cui accepts His Majesty’s grace.”

Only after Eunuch Su departed did she manage to rise, leaning heavily on her nanny.

The decree had been clearly audible—not only to Madam Cui and her servants, but to every commoner nearby. Their gazes now turned from Madam Cui’s stunned face to Duke Qi’s reddened one.

“Keeping a mistress?”

“Wasn’t Duke Qi famous for his devotion to his wife? Turns out he was pushed into it!”

“Bah! He’s nothing but a hypocrite, pretending to be noble!”

The crowd’s murmurs grew louder. Madam Cui felt dizzy, her eyes fixed blankly upon Madam Tao.

[A mistress!]

Her prideful husband, whom she’d always admired, had secretly kept a mistress! At first, she refused to believe it, but Madam Tao’s face was undeniably familiar. Even unwillingly, she had no choice but to believe.

Covering his embarrassment, Duke Qi approached her swiftly, whispering harshly, “Stop standing there! Discuss this back in the manor.”

Madam Cui’s eyes flickered sharply, her hand instinctively rising to slap Madam Tao—but Duke Qi grabbed her wrist firmly.

“Don’t forget His Majesty’s warning,” Duke Qi reminded coldly.

Madam Cui trembled, and Duke Qi released her. Then, half-supporting and half-dragging, he pulled her inside.

A wave of bitterness surged up her throat. As soon as the gate closed, Madam Cui spun around and fiercely slapped Madam Tao.

“Lowly wretch! Who gave you permission to enter my home?”

Madam Tao, who had been timidly admiring the grand manor, shrieked as she fell back, clutching her stomach, her face ghostly pale.

Duke Qi had always seen Madam Cui as gentle and dignified. He had suspected her interference with his concubines, but never witnessed it firsthand. Now, seeing her violence openly, his lingering guilt swiftly turned to disgust. He pulled Madam Cui away roughly.

“Cui Yu Zhi! Why Lady Lian and Lady Ping remained childless, I never pursued. But Madam Tao’s pregnancy is known to His Majesty. If harm comes to her or the child, the Emperor will surely hold you accountable!”

Madam Cui swayed, held upright only by her nanny. She watched helplessly as Duke Qi bent to pick up Madam Tao, whose face was drained of color.

The blood she’d suppressed finally surged out in a violent cough.

“Madam!” a nanny cried. “Lord Duke, Madam fainted!”

Duke Qi hesitated only briefly. Madam Cui fainting had become commonplace. He walked away without looking back.

The nannies panicked, quickly carrying Madam Cui back to Evening Tide Courtyard and calling the house physicians. The physicians, accustomed to her fainting spells, calmly began their work. But this time, their usual treatments failed—no matter what method they tried, Madam Cui remained unconscious. Worse, her face turned a sickly yellow, carrying the chilling look of death.

If not for the faint pulse beneath their fingertips, the physicians might have believed her already gone.

“What do we do now?” they asked helplessly, glancing at each other nervously.

Meng Yang tried every method she knew from her past life, but nothing worked.

“Where is the heir apparent?” Meng Yang asked, voice quivering with panic.