Chapter 241

Chapter 241: He Is Very Good

“But he’s still alive!” Qi Fei Rui’s eyelids jumped, finally noticing the man had been wheeled back inside the medical hall.

Sheng Zhi Wan asked softly, “Then shall I ask him if he prefers to live painfully or to die swiftly?”

“No!” Qi Fei Rui’s palms were slick with sweat. No matter how clever and composed she usually was, Sheng Zhi Wan’s words had frightened her deeply. Her lips trembled, unable to find the right words.

At that moment, a male voice broke through the murmuring crowd.

“Enough now. This child was clearly led astray by someone’s scheming. Since Second Young Master Qi has already been punished, this prince thinks it fair that Duke Qi’s family pays the injured party’s medical fees. When the man heals, Second Young Master Qi can personally apologize.”

The crowd parted for several guards, revealing the speaker’s noble attire. Recognizing him, the commoners quickly bowed in respect.

Sheng Yuan Hao raised his hand gently and smiled warmly. “Please, no need. I was merely passing by and noticed something amiss. Thus, I had someone interrogate him.”

He nodded toward the guard, who immediately threw a servant boy forward. It was Mo Hui, who crumpled to the ground, pale as death.

He knelt and confessed in despair, “Princess, please forgive me! It was me—me who couldn’t bear seeing a fool causing trouble for my godfather, which led to his punishment by Lord Duke. So I urged the Second Young Master to teach him a lesson.”

“Second Young Master is still young, and I deceived him. I said the rope would break after a short distance and only intended to scare that fool. He didn’t know it might kill someone…”

Mo Hui finished speaking and collapsed lifelessly.

Sheng Zhi Wan raised her gaze, meeting Sheng Yuan Hao’s mocking eyes. “Heir Apparent Qi is fighting bravely at the Northern Desert borders, risking his life for the kingdom. Qing Ning, surely you wouldn’t let personal grudges chill the heart of such a heroic man!”

[Ah, how convenient!] Sheng Zhi Wan’s fists tightened beneath her sleeves.

“Oh? Third Imperial Brother, those words aren’t quite right!” Shang Hang Yu, having just arrived, scoffed openly. He had barely shown up before hearing someone slandering his princess.

He rolled his eyes openly and sneered, “According to you, does anyone whose family member fights at the border automatically receive an Imperial Pardon Token? Does their family become untouchable, free to kill or commit arson as they please?”

“If that’s the case, why even bother with laws in Sheng Kingdom? One person serves at war, and the entire family can do whatever they wish—kill if they like, burn houses if they prefer…”

As he spoke, Shang Hang Yu carefully pulled out a small package from his robe. “Princess was curious about butter cakes, weren’t you? I queued up and managed to buy some.”

Sheng Zhi Wan stared at the offered cakes, momentarily stunned.

Earlier, she had been with Shang Hang Yu when she heard a street vendor selling butter cakes in the deep alley. Shang Hang Yu, surprised that she’d never heard of them, insisted on buying some for her.

But soon after he’d left, Sheng Zhi Wan had seen a carriage dragging someone behind it. The alley was secluded, rarely traveled. Liu Shang had recognized the injured man—a simple-minded youth Sheng Zhi Wan had met only yesterday, whom she had generously given silver to, asking the neighbors to care for him.

Immediately, she ordered Liu Shang to cut the rope and rescue him. Seeing the man badly injured, they had hurried to Merciful Creek Hall. As for Qi Shu Lang, the reckless youth driving the carriage, Liu Shang forcibly brought him along as well.

In her anger, Sheng Zhi Wan had completely forgotten Shang Hang Yu back in the alley.

She felt guilty. “Earlier, I was in such a rush…”

“No need for apologies. I understand.” Shang Hang Yu’s eyes sparkled. [Why should Princess explain herself to me?]

But that she chose to explain filled him with joy.

Feeling delighted, Shang Hang Yu laughed aloud.

Behind him, Sheng Yuan Hao—ignored and offended—was far less pleased. With a forced smile, he remarked coldly, “Qing Ning certainly found herself an attentive consort.”

“He is indeed very good,” Sheng Zhi Wan agreed softly.

Shang Hang Yu’s eyes grew brighter still. [Did Princess just praise me?] Eagerly, he looked toward Sheng Yuan Hao, ready for another verbal duel.

Sheng Yuan Hao, however, knew better than to spar further with this unruly fellow. Shaking his head with a strained smile, he avoided conflict. “Second Young Master Shang need not twist my words. This incident is unique—firstly, Second Young Master Qi is only a child, deceived by another. Secondly, even reporting this to the Dali Temple would result in nothing more severe than a beating. Qing Ning has already disciplined him, so let’s leave it here.”

Sheng Zhi Wan knew he was technically correct—but settling the matter wouldn’t be easy.

She said, “Since Third Imperial Brother speaks thus, I shall accept. But the injuries were severe, his flesh stripped away from being dragged by a wild horse. Doctor Jiang said it requires the finest medicines.”

“I already gave him a bottle of Golden Healing Ointment. Since Duke Qi’s household is paying, that includes not only this ointment but also subsequent medicines, nourishment, and treatment…”

Doctor Jiang emerged from the hall, bowing respectfully to Sheng Yuan Hao. “Reporting to Your Highness, aside from Princess’s ointment, this man must recover for at least a month. The total expense won’t be less than three hundred taels. As for Princess’s medicine—it’s so rare, it’s difficult to price…”

“I recall the Rare Treasure Pavilion’s last auction sold it for five thousand taels. To make things easier on Duke Qi, we’ll use that price.”

“You—you are simply extorting us!” Duke Qi’s face flushed crimson with rage.

From the moment Shang Hang Yu appeared, Duke Qi had wanted nothing more than to tear apart this shameless couple. Sheng Zhi Wan’s current demand only heightened his fury.

[A single bottle of Golden Healing Ointment—five thousand taels?!]