Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Wait and See

“Stop!” Sheng Zhi Wan called sharply as she returned, just in time to witness the scene unfolding.

Duke Qi halted mid-kick, startled by her sudden command. Once recognizing Sheng Zhi Wan, his expression hardened fiercely. “How dare you address me in such a tone!”

Liu Shang and An Zhi quickly rushed to their princess’s side.

Ignoring his angry retort, Sheng Zhi Wan turned calmly to the Eunuch Attendant and Imperial Guards who had escorted her. “Thank you all for your troubles.”

Once they departed, she turned her attention back to Duke Qi. Beneath the deep night sky, two lanterns behind her cast shadows that concealed her expression, yet an inexplicable unease stirred within Duke Qi. His face tightened.

“What was Lord Duke intending to do just now?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked coldly, her voice devoid of its usual politeness.

He paused, momentarily startled by her use of “Lord Duke.”

Recovering, Duke Qi’s irritation grew. “I was disciplining your maidservants! They show no respect for their elders!”

Qi Shu Xian stepped forward, frowning. “Zhi Wan, your maidservants truly lack respect; they even disobeyed my orders.”

Liu Shang hesitated nervously, intending to apologize, but An Zhi bravely stepped forward. “Princess, we wanted to greet you upon your return, but the Heir Apparent insisted we attend Meng Concubine, claiming she was unwell. Considering Meng Concubine previously caused you trouble, and Lai Fu lost his life over it, we were afraid she would use this to accuse us unfairly again. Liu Shang merely stepped in to protect me.”

Qi Shu Xian’s expression darkened in anger at being misunderstood. But reminded of Meng Yang’s suffering, he implored, “Zhi Wan, please. Meng Yang is in great pain. Even if you resent her, the child is innocent. Help her, I beg you.”

Sheng Zhi Wan laughed coldly. “Is the Heir Apparent truly confused, or pretending ignorance?” Her beautiful face reflected clear disdain in the flickering firelight.

Duke Qi frowned. A wife should not speak this way to her husband.

Before he could respond, she turned sharply towards him. “Lord Duke, did you say you intended to discipline my servants?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Duke Qi glared angrily.

“A Lord Duke meddling in his son’s household matters? If word gets out, it wouldn’t look good,” she continued coolly. “Given your recent troubles, Lord Duke, it might be wise to speak carefully.”

Duke Qi trembled with rage. “Are you criticizing my affairs now?” he snapped, pointing a shaking finger at her.

“Lord Duke should mind his words!” Sheng Zhi Wan stepped forward assertively, her gaze chilling him into silence. “Your secret affairs are acceptable, yet my efforts to secure peace between Sheng Kingdom and Northern Di by healing Imperial Prince Lu Chuo are disgraceful? Is this truly your view?”

Speechless, Duke Qi watched helplessly as she passed him, heading toward her quarters.

A piercing scream shattered the tense silence.

“Heir Apparent… where is the Imperial Physician? It hurts…” Meng Yang stumbled out, gripping the doorframe desperately as blood pooled beneath her.

Sheng Zhi Wan paused slightly. Helping was impossible.

But Meng Yang’s child should have been safe. Without Huan Zhu’s interference this time, the child should not have faced trouble. Was this fate?

No, Sheng Zhi Wan rejected the thought immediately. Fate was changeable. She had already secured an imperial decree for separation; tomorrow, after receiving it officially, Qi Shu Xian would mean nothing to her.

“Zhi Wan!” Qi Shu Xian blocked her path desperately. “Are you truly so heartless?”

Meng Yang, her breathing ragged with pain, pleaded weakly, “Princess, please save me…”

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly. “Had you fetched the Imperial Physician earlier instead of wasting time here, perhaps things wouldn’t be this severe. But if you insist I act, it would mean two deaths. Is that your choice?”

“Zhi Wan!” Qi Shu Xian’s disbelief was profound, yet her coldness was undeniable.

Meng Yang screamed again, her blood spreading further.

“You’ve lost your senses! Utter madness!” Duke Qi roared at Sheng Zhi Wan. “This child is the Duke Residence’s first grandchild! If anything happens, you’ll answer for it!”

“Very well,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied softly, undisturbed. “I’ll wait and see.”

She entered her chamber, leaving Duke Qi’s furious cries behind.

Eventually, Qi Shu Xian summoned the Imperial Physician amidst the turmoil. The palace physician worked through half the night, finally stabilizing Meng Yang somewhat. After Meng Yang fell asleep, the physician quietly informed Qi Shu Xian.

“Heir Apparent, you came too late. The child’s heartbeat is gone. Medication only delays the inevitable. Tomorrow, return home and summon a midwife to help her deliver.”

Qi Shu Xian gazed bitterly toward Sheng Zhi Wan’s darkened chamber. Had she acted, perhaps this tragedy could have been averted.