Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Did You Forget?

“Heir Apparent! Save me—save our child! Please, save our child!” Meng Yang was truly panicked now.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll have someone fetch a doctor at once!” Qi Shu Xian quickly bent down, sweeping Meng Yang into his arms. His gaze fell briefly on Sheng Zhi Wan, who stood aside, pressing her bleeding palm, her expression cold and detached.

His steps faltered just for a moment. A sharp chill flashed across his icy brows, yet he said nothing, carrying Meng Yang swiftly away.

Watching his retreating figure, Sheng Zhi Wan smiled sadly.

“Princess, why didn’t you let me finish speaking? Meng Yang fell by herself! How could the Heir Apparent—how could he blame you?” Tears welled up in Ting Lan’s eyes.

Sheng Zhi Wan finally looked away. “Do you really think he would believe me?”

Not only would he not believe, he would only see her as crueler, making Meng Yang appear even kinder by comparison.

In her past life, Sheng Zhi Wan had suffered exactly like this.

Back then, it was Meng Yang’s third year in the manor.

Meng Yang, gifted in poetry, had already become famous among the noble ladies of the Capital City. Old Princess Consort Huai even took her as an adopted daughter, helping Meng Yang’s business flourish, making her beloved by all the noblewomen.

At that time, Sheng Zhi Wan had already fallen from Qi Shu Xian’s favor due to earlier events.

Precisely at that vulnerable moment, Meng Yang once again became pregnant.

Learning from past experiences, Qi Shu Xian personally chose skilled maidservants proficient in martial arts to guard Meng Yang day and night, fearing another attack by Sheng Zhi Wan, the supposed jealous wife.

Yet, even with such careful protection, they still crossed paths at a banquet.

Sheng Zhi Wan had still loved Qi Shu Xian then, and didn’t want to upset him, so she stepped aside willingly to give Meng Yang space.

But who would have thought?

Right on the path she cleared, several small beads lay hidden on the ground.

Meng Yang naturally slipped and fell.

Furious, Old Princess Consort Huai used her Imperial Gold Medallion to force Qi Shu Xian to publicly whip Sheng Zhi Wan.

Even though she explained—though she even found proof the beads had nothing to do with her and were accidentally dropped by Meng Yang’s own maid—what good was it?

That day’s humiliation still burned clearly in her memory. The whip biting into her flesh, taking her blood and skin, was vivid.

As long as Meng Yang shed a few tears and pretended to plead for mercy, everyone only saw Sheng Zhi Wan’s desperate defense as proof of her wickedness.

The harder she tried, the kinder Meng Yang seemed.

So why should she try to prove her innocence?

If Meng Yang insisted she was a villainess, then so be it.

Holding her bleeding palm, Sheng Zhi Wan coldly eyed the moss-covered stones.

She had prepared just in case, yet the trouble truly came.

Meng Yang, oh Meng Yang. Blame only the heavens for the rain, the earth for the moss, and yourself—for insisting on seeking ruin.

Pulling the thorn from her palm, Sheng Zhi Wan walked expressionlessly back to Pinglan Residence.

Meanwhile, tranquility was shattered at Endless Courtyard.

Qi Shu Xian originally intended to call the Imperial Physician, but due to Madam Cui’s earlier actions, Imperial Physician Li refused to come. He was forced to hastily find another doctor.

By the time the doctor arrived, blood had already soaked through Meng Yang’s bedding.

Meng Yang lay half-conscious, deeply regretting that she’d confronted Sheng Zhi Wan today.

Thankfully, Qi Shu Xian stayed by her side. Meng Yang grasped his hand desperately.

“How is she?” Qi Shu Xian asked anxiously.

The doctor withdrew his hand solemnly. “Her pulse is weak and strained, indicating a miscarriage…”

Qi Shu Xian’s expression darkened further. “Do you have any way to save the child?”

The doctor pondered a moment. “Yes, but several rare medicinal herbs are needed. Most are manageable, but Tianzhu Fruit is extremely rare. If it can be found within half an incense stick’s time, there might be hope. Otherwise, even Imperial Physician Song would be powerless.”

“Heir Apparent!” Meng Yang studied Western medicine and knew nothing of Tianzhu Fruit, but its name alone revealed its rarity.

Qi Shu Xian paused, determination flashing coldly in his eyes as he strode out.

He would never let anything happen to this child!

…

In the study, Sheng Zhi Wan was quietly writing a letter with her uninjured left hand when the door was suddenly kicked open.

Qi Shu Xian stormed in, his face shadowed with fury.

A rush of icy air swept through the room with him, causing Sheng Zhi Wan, wrapped in her thick white fur cloak, to shiver.

“What do you want?” Sheng Zhi Wan stood up quickly, hiding what she was writing.

Qi Shu Xian paid no attention to her movement, his eyes briefly glancing at her bandaged hand before turning away. “I recall you have Tianzhu Fruit!”

Sheng Zhi Wan froze in place.

Without waiting for her answer, Qi Shu Xian continued harshly, “You pushed Meng Yang and nearly caused her miscarriage. Now the doctor says only Tianzhu Fruit can save the child. Sheng Zhi Wan, hand over the Tianzhu Fruit!”

“Who says I pushed her? Meng Miss herself admitted she fell. How can you accuse me?” Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice was cold as ice.

“I saw it with my own eyes! Do you deny it? Where is the Tianzhu Fruit?” Qi Shu Xian pressed urgently.

“Have you forgotten why I even have that Tianzhu Fruit?” Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes suddenly turned red.