Chapter 165

Chapter 165: Too Absurd!

Sheng Zhi Wan first heard about it when the Marchioness of Shun Yang visited Duke Qi’s estate. After listening carefully to the symptoms described by the Marchioness, she wrote down a prescription to strengthen the body.

The Marchioness, unaware the prescription was from Sheng Zhi Wan, assumed it was a secret palace formula for conceiving. She immediately sent it by urgent courier to Prince Yi’s estate.

Three months later, her daughter, who had remained childless for years, was diagnosed pregnant. She smoothly gave birth to a son, and recently she conceived again!

Then there was Minister Cui Ji Wen of the Ministry of Works, who was famously devoted to his father. His elderly father’s legs ached terribly whenever it rained. Sheng Zhi Wan had someone deliver medicinal ointment, easing the old man’s pain.

And Madam You—last year she fell gravely ill with a lung disease. Even her husband, Feng Mao, had nearly given up hope. But Sheng Zhi Wan sent precious ginseng, pulling her back from death’s door.

As humans, how could one avoid illness? Even if one remained healthy, what about their elders and descendants?

Over the past two years, families on good terms with Duke Qi’s estate had all received medicine or prescriptions from Sheng Zhi Wan at one time or another.

Previously, while Sheng Zhi Wan resided in Duke Qi’s home, naturally they saw these favors as coming from Duke Qi’s estate, maintaining close relations accordingly.

But now Sheng Zhi Wan had formally separated from the Duke’s estate, severing all ties.

Naturally, these families now attributed their gratitude solely to her.

Thus, between Duke Qi’s estate and Princess Ning’s estate, they chose the latter.

Qi Shu Xian watched, astonished, as another carriage bearing a noble family’s crest rolled into Yongkang Lane.

It belonged to the estate of the Grand General Who Pacifies the Nation.

Qi Shu Xian clenched his fists, guessing it must be Lady Han arriving. That was understandable, since Sheng Zhi Wan had saved the Han family’s young heir.

But when Old Madam Han herself stepped down from the carriage, Qi Shu Xian’s eye twitched yet again.

Shortly after came Madam Ye and her daughter from the Ministry of Revenue Minister’s family.

Then Madam Pei from the estate of General Huaihua…

Madam Chen…

Madam Zhou…

Liang family…

Song Residence…

Another simple-looking carriage rolled in, carrying a woman who looked vaguely familiar to Qi Shu Xian.

After pondering for a moment, he finally recognized her as Madam Han, wife of Chancellor Han of the Imperial Academy. He had only met her once briefly during his studies, yet now she too appeared at the Princess’s estate.

When had these people formed bonds with Sheng Zhi Wan?

And why had she never mentioned them before?

“Oh, isn’t this Heir Apparent Qi? Why aren’t you at Duke Qi’s estate, selecting your new wife? How do you have time to visit Princess Ning’s residence?”

Suddenly, a teasing voice came from behind.

Qi Shu Xian turned around.

Shang Hang Yu stood there, holding a red fox’s pelt and smiling mockingly. “Ah, my mistake. Everyone is here at the Princess’s residence—who even has time for Duke Qi’s?”

Qi Shu Xian’s expression darkened.

Shang Hang Yu winked at him. “Are you going inside, Heir Apparent Qi? If you’re not, I am.”

With that, he started toward the entrance of the Princess’s residence.

“Wait!” Qi Shu Xian gritted his teeth, stepping forward to block him. “She’s establishing her estate today. Why are you here?”

“To offer a gift, naturally,” Shang Hang Yu replied, waving the red fox pelt casually.

“Weren’t you selling that to her?” Qi Shu Xian remembered Sheng Zhi Wan had offered fifty thousand taels.

“I’ve changed my mind. I want to give it to Princess now, is that a problem?” Shang Hang Yu said, bumping Qi Shu Xian’s shoulder forcefully.

Qi Shu Xian staggered back two steps, shocked by Shang Hang Yu’s sudden strength.

By the time he regained his footing, Shang Hang Yu was already swaggering past.

“Second Young Master Shang!” Qi Shu Xian called out coldly. “Don’t forget—Sheng Zhi Wan once starved herself, pleading to marry me!”

Sheng Zhi Wan had loved him deeply, without reservation.

Even now, after their separation, Qi Shu Xian still considered her his. He would never allow another man to covet her!

Hearing this, Shang Hang Yu turned back, looked Qi Shu Xian up and down, and suddenly asked, “Heir Apparent Qi, don’t you relieve yourself every day?”

Qi Shu Xian stared blankly.

By the time he understood Shang Hang Yu’s insult, Shang had already entered the Princess’s estate.

Qi Shu Xian reddened with fury.

What did Shang Hang Yu mean? Was he implying that he should relieve himself on the ground and take a good look at himself?

Filled with resentment, Qi Shu Xian returned to Duke Qi’s residence.

Outside Duke Qi’s gate, only a few wheel marks could be seen.

Madam Tao awkwardly accompanied several noble ladies and young misses who had come, sitting in an outdoor pavilion, claiming to admire the falling snow.

But who truly admired snow in such bitter cold?

These noblewomen shivered, clearly unhappy. They had heard Qi Shu Xian was choosing his second wife today, yet after waiting for a long while, he hadn’t appeared. Displeased, they quickly made excuses and left.

Duke Qi’s face darkened. Seeing Qi Shu Xian, he immediately demanded, “Where have you been?”

Qi Shu Xian hesitated, lips moving without sound.

Impatient, Duke Qi pressed again.

Finally, Qi Shu Xian murmured three words: “Princess Ning’s estate.”

“What? What were you doing there? She requested a separation—why are you still looking for her?” Duke Qi’s anger flared.

Qi Shu Xian’s voice was bitter. “Father, do you know why no one came today?”

Duke Qi froze.

Qi Shu Xian continued slowly, “Because they all went to Princess Ning’s residence.”

“Marchioness Shun Yang, Madam Cui from Minister Cui’s household, Madam Wang, Madam You, wife of Chancellor Feng Mao…”

As Qi Shu Xian recited each name, Duke Qi’s face darkened further.

Finally, Duke Qi interrupted furiously, “Impossible! She’s merely a woman. Those people have always favored our Duke’s residence. How could they go to Princess Ning’s estate? Too absurd!”

Even if they hadn’t come here, why would they go to the Princess?

“I saw it myself. If you don’t believe me, Father, go and see.” Qi Shu Xian had no desire to argue further.

If Father knew even Old Madam Han from the Grand General Who Pacifies the Nation’s estate and possibly even Madam Han, wife of the Imperial Academy Chancellor, had visited Sheng Zhi Wan, he’d probably feel worse.

Forget it…

Qi Shu Xian took a deep breath. Even if these people favored Sheng Zhi Wan now, so what?

Ultimately, she was just a woman.

As long as he rose steadily in the future, he would make Sheng Zhi Wan—and all these people—regret their choices!

With renewed resolve, Qi Shu Xian straightened himself, preparing to head to the Training Field.

Just then, a servant from Meng Yang requested his presence.

Meng Yang was furious that Duke Qi’s residence was already choosing a new wife for Qi Shu Xian while she still lay in bed.

She had just managed to push Sheng Zhi Wan out; she’d never accept someone else rising above her again.

Besides, the Third Prince had urgently sent a message: within two months, she must gather three hundred thousand taels of silver!

Without the expenses for the soldier-benefit scandal, she might’ve managed by stretching her resources. Yet, she hadn’t realized those soldiers from Cangnan were recruited near the capital, and her careless words had cost seven or eight tens of thousands of taels to quiet things down.

Fortunately, the timely snowfall reminded her of the unprecedented Northern Desert disaster in Sheng Kingdom’s history.

Where countless perished.

But there was gold to be made.

If handled well, she could turn this tragedy into immense profit…