Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Remembering Miss Meng’s Kindness

“Mother speaks wisely. I’ll find Zhi Wan immediately and have her take back control of Household Stewardship!” Qi Shu Xian turned to go.

Madam Cui hurriedly stopped him. “What’s the rush? No need to seek her out. Didn’t you spend the night in Meng Yang’s courtyard yesterday? Wait for her to come find you instead, then mention this matter naturally.”

“As always, I’ll follow Mother’s advice.” Qi Shu Xian found her reasoning sound.

But he urgently needed silver today…

“I have a thousand taels here. Take it first,” Madam Cui gestured to her close-serving nanny.

Once Qi Shu Xian had left, Concubine Ping recalled Sheng Zhi Wan’s gaze from yesterday and couldn’t help but whisper, “Madam, this Concubine feels that the Heir Consort has changed.”

Previously so compliant and easy to manipulate, Sheng Zhi Wan had suddenly grown firm and resolute. In the past, she’d been most filial to Madam Cui. Yet, yesterday, even seeing Madam Cui faint from anger, she hadn’t uttered a single word of concern.

A strange thought briefly flashed through Concubine Ping’s mind—perhaps Sheng Zhi Wan would no longer yield this time. But she quickly dismissed it.

[Impossible!]

Sheng Zhi Wan’s love for the Heir Apparent ran too deep; she had even starved herself to force the marriage. There was no way she’d ever let go. Moreover, even if she refused to compromise, what could she do? She had pleaded for the Imperial Edict herself. Since marrying into the Duke’s estate, she belonged to the Qi family in life and death. There was simply no other path.

Qi Shu Xian hosted his guests at the Serene Virtue Residence. To show his sincerity, he had booked the entire second floor.

As drinks flowed freely, a centurion suddenly approached him, cup raised high: “Heir Apparent, I’ve heard you were supposed to receive a Fourth Rank title, but ended up with Junior Fifth Rank, all because of a jealous woman at home!”

He hiccupped loudly. “Who cares if she’s a Princess? Once she becomes a wife, if she deserves punishment, then beat her or teach her a lesson! Even someone as gentle as Miss Meng gets bullied by her. In my hometown, that’s grounds enough to divorce!”

He emptied his cup defiantly.

Qi Shu Xian frowned. Such talk was tolerable in military camps, but how dare he speak this way in the shadow of the Son of Heaven? He glanced downstairs, relieved there were no familiar faces around.

“Elder Brother Jiang is drunk. Shun Zi, take him to rest,” Qi Shu Xian ordered a servant boy.

Jiang Mang shook off Shun Zi roughly. “I’m not drunk! Heir Apparent, Miss Meng saved my life! Without her, I’d have been wrapped up in a straw mat alongside Er Hu, never to return home!”

“I remember Miss Meng’s kindness, and it’s not just me. Zhang Da Hu!” Jiang Mang turned his gaze to another soldier.

Zhang Da Hu, a fierce, tall man who had lost his left arm, stopped drinking and wiped his mouth, eyes fierce: “Right! Whoever dares bully Miss Meng is my enemy!”

Zhang Da Hu and Zhang Er Hu were brothers. Born with incredible strength, Zhang Da Hu had lost an arm when Miss Meng ordered it cut off after it was poisoned by an arrow, saving his life. He bore no grudge; instead, he felt deep gratitude. Without Meng Yang’s decision, Er Hu’s body would have been left abandoned on the battlefield.

He owed Miss Meng deeply. Even if she was bullied by a Princess, Zhang Da Hu wouldn’t hesitate. His worthless life was nothing if he could take down a Princess with him.

Danger flickered in Zhang Da Hu’s eyes.

Qi Shu Xian remembered Meng Yang nursing him tirelessly at the Imperial Army camp, and his heart softened. “Rest assured, I’ll always protect her.”

Jiang Mang laughed heartily. “Good! Princess Qing, Princess Ning—who cares? In our hearts, Miss Meng and the Heir Apparent are a match made by Heaven.”

“Only the Heir Apparent is worthy of a beauty as charming as Miss Meng!” Jokes rang around the room.

Qi Shu Xian’s eyes flashed briefly. Meng Yang was indeed lovely, but only compared to these soldiers’ peasant wives. Against Sheng Zhi Wan…

If they ever saw Sheng Zhi Wan’s beauty, these men wouldn’t dare utter such comparisons. Still, Qi Shu Xian didn’t bother correcting them. If only Sheng Zhi Wan could have even half of Meng Yang’s gentleness and obedience. Even just a fraction would suffice.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted: “Are you…Heir Apparent Qi?”

Someone new had arrived at Serene Virtue Residence. Seeing Qi Shu Xian enjoying himself with his men, admiration appeared on the stranger’s face.

“The Heir Apparent truly treats his soldiers well! It seems the news about Princess Qing Ning donating food, medicine, and clothing to the frontiers must also be true.”

“What?” Qi Shu Xian had barely paid attention initially but was startled by this last remark.

“Doesn’t the Heir Apparent know?” The newcomer was shocked. “Yesterday, Princess Qing Ning’s words at Gathering Worthies Teahouse spread throughout the capital. Under the name of Prosperous Hall, she donated 300,000 bushels of grain, 30,000 sets of clothes, and medicine to several frontier posts over the past two years.”

The man’s expression grew increasingly peculiar. He had assumed Princess Qing Ning’s generosity had been influenced by her General husband, Qi Shu Xian. Yet clearly, Qi Shu Xian knew nothing about it.

Could it be…Princess Qing Ning had acted entirely on her own?