Chapter 138

Chapter 138: He Has Returned

“The situation is quite grim, but as long as Madam wakes up, there’s still hope,” Imperial Physician Li said, then went off to prepare the prescription.

Sheng Zhi Wan did not linger. As soon as she stepped away, Meng Yang began demonstrating her filial piety before Qi Shu Xian. Meng Yang personally fetched a handkerchief and gently wiped Madam Cui’s face.

However, while she was wiping, a foul odor suddenly wafted up from beneath Madam Cui.

Meng Yang’s expression instantly froze.

Qi Shu Xian also caught the scent, his handsome brows tightly furrowing.

Madam Cui finally stopped making those dreadful, raspy noises. Her eyes widened in mortification, desperately wishing she could die at that very moment.

Born into the noble Cui family of Clear River, Madam Cui had always lived in pride and luxury. Yet now, she lay helplessly in bed, unable to control even her most basic bodily functions.

Madam Cui shut her eyes tightly.

Qi Shu Xian felt a painful bitterness in his heart. He wanted to step forward but knew it would be inappropriate, so he glanced expectantly toward Meng Yang.

Meng Yang stiffened, gripping the handkerchief tightly, uncertain whether to continue or not.

“Young Master!” Ting Lan entered the room, instantly recoiling from the stench. Covering her nose, she stepped back, saying, “The Princess sent this servant to remind you, Young Master, not to forget to deliver the land and house deeds.”

After quickly bowing, she turned to leave, but paused at the doorway.

Pinching her nose, Ting Lan turned back, frowning, “Oh? Meng Concubine, why haven’t you started cleaning Madam yet? When Young Master left for Cangnan before, Madam was also severely ill. At that time, our Princess cared for Madam herself—washing her, dealing with her chamber pot—and wouldn’t even let us servants help.”

“The Princess said that although we are her servants, we’re still outsiders. Madam values her dignity, and certainly wouldn’t wish outsiders to witness such personal affairs.”

“Meng Concubine, since you always suspect our Princess of harming Madam, shouldn’t you be eager to take care of such personal tasks yourself? Why haven’t you moved yet?”

Ting Lan pursed her lips, openly showing disdain.

Qi Shu Xian was shocked and deeply ashamed. [Did Zhi Wan truly do all that?]

He had never known.

His gaze turned back to Meng Yang.

Meng Yang bit her lip, holding her breath, but the moment her eyes fell upon the filth, she gagged loudly.

Madam Cui, who moments ago wished only for death, was deeply wounded by this sound, tears streaming from her tightly closed eyes.

“Tsk…” Ting Lan murmured audibly, “I thought she was supposed to be so filial, yet she clearly despises Madam!”

She didn’t wait to see everyone’s reaction, turning swiftly and leaving the room.

The smell was terrible! So disgusting! If not for defending her Princess, she certainly wouldn’t stay here enduring this scene.

As Ting Lan’s footsteps faded, Qi Shu Xian’s expression darkened terribly.

Qing Xing forced herself to speak despite her own nausea, “Young Master, Concubine Meng is pregnant and has been feeling sick. Surely she didn’t mean to show disgust toward Madam.”

Only then did Qi Shu Xian’s face soften slightly.

But he still didn’t intervene to spare Meng Yang from the task.

Princess Sheng Zhi Wan herself, with her noble status, had personally attended to her mother-in-law without complaint. Meng Yang, merely a farmer’s daughter, had no excuse.

Qi Shu Xian had heard of many village women who worked tirelessly in the fields even while pregnant, returning to labor shortly after giving birth. Compared to them, Meng Yang was already privileged. What difficulty was there in serving his mother?

In the end, Meng Yang, suppressing constant retching, forced herself to clean Madam Cui.

Sheng Zhi Wan lightly laughed upon hearing Ting Lan recount the scene.

In her past life, Madam Cui had been extremely satisfied with Meng Yang as a daughter-in-law. At least now she could experience her beloved daughter-in-law’s care ahead of time.

She should be grateful to her.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s mood lifted considerably.

Later that evening, Qi Shu Xian personally brought the land and house deeds to Pinglan Residence.

Sheng Zhi Wan had just finished bathing, her hair still damp with steam, her porcelain-like face tinged faintly with pink.

She instructed An Zhi to accept the documents.

Arching a brow, Sheng Zhi Wan asked casually, “Does Young Master have anything else?”

Qi Shu Xian hesitated, then softly said, “The plum blossoms in the garden have bloomed. You used to want to see them. How about I take you there tomorrow?”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s expression cooled, “That was before. Young Master, if you have time, perhaps you should spend it with Madam or Concubine Meng. Madam is ill, Concubine Meng is pregnant—both are certainly more important than I am.”

Her voice was deliberately indifferent.

Qi Shu Xian watched her, feeling helpless and sad.

Yet her words were right. He was indeed busy now; his earlier suggestion was merely a fleeting thought.

He sighed softly. Well, the plum blossoms would bloom for some time yet. When he had more time, he could take her.

Meanwhile, due to Madam Tao entering the household and Madam Cui’s subsequent stroke, Duke Qi, wary of appearances, refrained from immediately granting Madam Tao a rank. Instead, he temporarily placed her in Joyful Orchid Courtyard with Concubine Lian.

At court, Emperor Chong Sheng announced important news: the Northern Di envoy would arrive tomorrow.

Northern Di, a vassal of Sheng Kingdom, usually sent envoys annually. This year, however, the delegation had been repeatedly delayed, and now their representative was the sickly Fourth Prince, the least favored son of Northern Di’s king.

Their intentions were clear.

If something befell the Fourth Prince in Sheng Kingdom, it could trigger war. Emperor Chong Sheng wished for war eventually, but not yet; the kingdom still needed at least two more years of preparation.

Thus, he entrusted the welcoming banquet to Wu Han Yue, Minister of Rites. Then, after a careful gaze across the hall, his eyes settled on one man.

After the court session, Emperor Chong Sheng privately summoned Qi Shu Xian.

Nothing could better intimidate the restless Northern Di than a youthful, skilled military commander.

…

The following day, the Northern Di envoy entered the capital with an impressive escort of three hundred guards.

Many citizens braved the chill to watch the procession.

Sheng Zhi Wan had chosen a prime spot in a teahouse overlooking the main street, leisurely sipping hot tea.

Beside her, Ting Lan craned her neck, eagerly peering outside. Suddenly, she gasped, “Second Young Master Shang?”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s hand holding the teacup paused.

“Princess, look! Isn’t that Second Young Master Shang? Maidservant thinks it looks like him! Strange, there hasn’t been news of him lately…”

“Eh? Why is Second Young Master Shang holding the reins of a lady’s carriage?” Ting Lan asked, puzzled.

Sheng Zhi Wan looked outside.

Indeed, riding tall and graceful on horseback was a figure strongly resembling Shang Hang Yu. Next to him trotted a fine white horse, pulling an exquisite carriage. The carriage curtain fluttered slightly, revealing a delicate female figure within.

The white horse’s reins were firmly held by Shang Hang Yu.

At that very moment, as Sheng Zhi Wan watched, Shang Hang Yu seemed to sense her gaze and turned his head toward her.

Their eyes locked.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s lips tightened, and without knowing why, she abruptly slammed the window shut.

“Princess?” Ting Lan jumped at the sudden noise.

Sheng Zhi Wan took a deep breath, “The wind is chilly. Close the window.”

“Yes,” Ting Lan swiftly obeyed.

Lowering her eyes, Sheng Zhi Wan confirmed inwardly—it was indeed Shang Hang Yu.

He had returned.

But why had he come back now, of all times?

Just then, An Zhi entered, carrying a steaming tray of freshly cooked black rice cakes. Smiling eagerly, she said, “Princess, guess what Maidservant just overheard?”