Chapter 47

Chapter 47: When She Was Desperate

The next two days in the Duke Residence passed peacefully.

Aside from Meng Yang running outside every day to prepare the opening of her Hotpot Shop, Sheng Zhi Wan spent most of her time in the study.

An Zhi and Ting Lan had no idea what the Princess was busy with.

Only the rumors outside grew louder and louder.

Especially yesterday, when a storytelling tale from Cang Nan began to be told in the teahouses, many people were moved by the love between a farm girl and a general.

That farm girl was not like an ordinary woman.

She was bold and meticulous. When she discovered a soldier had been poisoned, she cut off his arm without hesitation to save his life.

She was kind and loyal. In order to let that soldier be buried on Sheng Kingdom soil, she carried his corpse back from the battlefield.

Most importantly, she was extremely beautiful. Her delicate figure looked as soft as a slender willow.

If An Zhi and Ting Lan had not known the Princess had written the story about Meng Yang, they might have liked her too.

Meng Yang also did not expect her deeds in the Cang Nan army to be turned into a story, then told all the way in the capital city.

“Miss, is the story talking about you?” Qing Xing asked, eyes full of worship.

For the first time since arriving in this world, Meng Yang felt truly proud and high-spirited, but she still forced herself to smile as if she did not care. “I didn’t expect it would reach the capital city.”

Meng Yang sighed. “I don’t know how those noble young ladies will twist it into gossip again.”

“Who said that?” Qing Xing said. “Now the young ladies in the capital city all want to be women like Lady Meng in the storyteller’s tale!”

“Really?” Meng Yang asked.

“Of course.”

Meng Yang listened again from a private room, and sure enough, all she heard was praise.

In only two short days, it was as if everyone had forgotten Sheng Zhi Wan’s donation of grain.

In the streets, people spread the story of Lady Meng and the young general. Some people who vaguely knew the truth even whispered that since Sheng Zhi Wan was being neglected, Sheng Zhi Wan should have some self-awareness, ask to step down, and stop standing between Lady Meng and the young general – the lovers meant for each other…

“Princess,” Ting Lan finally could not hold back, “didn’t you say there was a second volume?”

It was exactly when the rumors were at their peak that Wen Xi Courtyard finally sent word.

Madam Cui had dreamed of gods and Buddhas last night. When Madam Cui woke this morning, Madam Cui felt much better. So Madam Cui specifically ordered Sheng Zhi Wan, as her daughter-in-law, to go outside the city to Chao Ming Temple and repay the vow.

She was to depart at once.

When Ting Lan heard, tears nearly fell. “The Princess offended Madam. Now that Madam has recovered, Madam is making you go to Chao Ming Temple.”

“It’s a full day and night there and back. Madam knows you can’t stand the cold. How will you endure the road?”

An Zhi immediately dug out the Silver Thread Charcoal, a copper brazier, and a hot water bottle, yet still felt it was not enough.

“Or… we just won’t go,” An Zhi said. Even steady An Zhi was starting to offer terrible ideas. “If we have to, Princess can pretend to be ill!”

Sheng Zhi Wan could not help smiling. “You can hide from the first day, but you can’t hide from the fifteenth.”

“Meng Yang’s reputation is booming right now. You said it yourself – Madam knows I can’t stand the cold, yet Madam still sends me to repay a vow.”

Sheng Zhi Wan looked at them. “Do you really think Madam only wants me to repay a vow?”

“Then why?” An Zhi asked.

“Because Madam wants me to bow my head and submit,” Sheng Zhi Wan said with a cold laugh. “And also so Madam doesn’t have to repay those twenty-thousand-plus taels of silver.”

Sheng Kingdom valued filial piety above all.

What Sheng Zhi Wan had done before had been protected by reasons of state and righteousness. So even though Madam Cui was furious enough to cough blood, Madam Cui could not openly say much.

But sending Sheng Zhi Wan to repay a vow was a family matter. If Sheng Zhi Wan refused again, it would spread as unfilial.

That was why Madam Cui dared to send the message directly.

On one hand, Madam Cui believed Sheng Zhi Wan feared the cold and would not dare to go. On the other, with the outside rumors spreading like this, Madam Cui believed Sheng Zhi Wan was terrified Qi Shu Xian would truly abandon her.

But this time, Madam Cui miscalculated.

If Sheng Zhi Wan guessed right, the idea of going to repay the vow must have been suggested by Meng Yang first. Meng Yang wanted to ruin Sheng Zhi Wan’s reputation during this trip outside.

Since that was the case, Sheng Zhi Wan would naturally give Meng Yang the chance.

So when Qi Shu Xian returned to the residence, Sheng Zhi Wan’s carriage had already left.

When Qi Shu Xian learned Sheng Zhi Wan was heading to Chao Ming Temple, Qi Shu Xian’s expression changed at once.

This morning, Old Madam Han had worn the robes of her imperial-bestowed title and knelt outside the palace gate. Old Madam Han begged His Majesty to send troops to search for her missing daughter-in-law and grandson.

They had disappeared on the way to Chao Ming Temple to burn incense, and every servant traveling with them had been killed.

Recently, there were also rumors that mountain bandits had been seen near Chao Ming Temple.

His Majesty had already ordered Qi Shu Xian to search first. If Qi Shu Xian could not find them, then tomorrow Qi Shu Xian would lead troops to Chao Ming Temple to wipe out the bandits.

How could it be such a coincidence?

“How long has she been gone?” Qi Shu Xian seized the steward by the collar.

The steward froze, then panicked. “About half an hour. She should still be inside the city. Does the Heir Apparent have urgent business with the Heir’s Wife?”

“I’ll have people chase her right now. We should still catch up.”

Qi Shu Xian paused.

Meeting the steward’s questioning gaze, Qi Shu Xian’s eyes flickered. Qi Shu Xian remembered that night, Sheng Zhi Wan’s indifferent eyes, and the words Sheng Zhi Wan had said when she told him to return to Wei Yang Courtyard.

Maybe…

Maybe this was a chance.

Zhi Wan had always lived too smoothly. Everyone pampered her and indulged her, so she did not understand how dangerous hearts could be.

That was why, over one Meng Yang, Zhi Wan fought with him and turned Duke Qi Residence into chaos.

If he used this chance to teach her a lesson, then appeared when she was desperate, letting her understand the only person she could rely on was him…

Thinking that, Qi Shu Xian slowly released the steward’s collar. “It’s nothing. Go do your work.”

The steward retreated.

Only then did Qi Shu Xian summon the Shadow Guard who always followed him, and quietly gave a few orders.