Chapter 60

Chapter 60: If She Didn’t Come Back

Zhang Da Hu’s whole face twisted from pain, and the veins on both sides of his forehead almost looked ready to burst.

Sheng Zhi Wan did not feel sick at the sight. In her past life, she had not killed with her own hands, but she had studied medicine and poison, and she had seen plenty of bloody scenes. What she cared about was the faint agarwood scent she had caught just now. It seemed a little like last night.

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her eyes, steadied herself, and took out a set of medicine. Under her direction, the blood pouring from Zhang Da Hu’s legs quickly stopped, and the wounds were tightly bound.

Sheng Zhi Wan left the dungeon with Shang Xing Yu.

From here on, Zhang Da Hu would stay there until his wounds stabilized. Only then would Shang Xing Yu’s people let him out. As for what he planned to do after he got answers about the Qian Ji Powder, or whether he would retaliate against Meng Yang, that had nothing to do with Sheng Zhi Wan.

Morning light shone from behind them. Sheng Zhi Wan looked at the two shadows walking side by side and suddenly spoke: “Young Master Shang Er is quite generous. You even took out a rare medicine like Golden Wound Skin-He A Ling Dew.”

Shang Xing Yu paused.

Sheng Zhi Wan continued, “What a coincidence. That medicine was originally mine. I never expected someone to take it to auction, for it to end up in your hands, and now for it to be used on me again. How much silver did Young Master Shang Er pay for it?”

Shang Xing Yu sounded surprised: “What? Does Princess plan to reimburse me?”

“Young Master Shang Er is overthinking it.” Sheng Zhi Wan’s tone stayed calm. “I simply dislike the idea of someone using my things to trade for silver.”

Shang Xing Yu stared at her. “Not even Qi Shi zi?”

“Of course.”

Shang Xing Yu suddenly laughed. Even though Sheng Zhi Wan could not see his expression clearly, she still felt that he was pleased.

“Then Princess must remember it well.” Shang Xing Yu spoke lightly. “One bottle of medicine, plus handling fees, cost me a total of one thousand seven hundred and sixty taels of silver. Princess must make sure to get every last tael back from Qi Shi zi.”

Sheng Zhi Wan turned her head and glanced at him. “You seem very happy.”

“Am I?” Shang Xing Yu tipped his chin up. “Maybe the weather is good, so it puts people in a better mood.”

“The weather is indeed nice.” Sheng Zhi Wan said, “It is also time for me to return.”

Duke Qi Residence.

In Wen Xi Courtyard, Madam Cui had not closed her eyes all night.

Of course, she was not worried about Sheng Zhi Wan’s safety. She was just thinking about how she had been the one to send Sheng Zhi Wan to Chao Ming Temple to fulfill a vow. Her heart kept jumping up and down, and she feared the Emperor and the Empress Dowager might blame her for it.

“The Heir Apparent still hasn’t returned?” she asked the nanny again.

The nanny shook her head and comforted her. “Madam, please do not worry too much. Heir’s Wife has the blessing of fortune. She will surely return safe and sound.”

“But an entire night has passed…” Madam Cui irritably set her tea down. Even if Sheng Zhi Wan came back, she would probably come back ruined.

But if she did not come back…

Wait. If she did not come back-

Madam Cui’s expression froze.

She had been thinking too much. If Sheng Zhi Wan did not return, so what? Praying for her mother-in-law and fulfilling vows was something every daughter-in-law was supposed to do. If Sheng Zhi Wan ran into mountain bandits, that was simply her own bad luck. It could not be blamed on anyone.

Even if the Emperor and the Empress Dowager punished her, she only needed to kneel and admit fault. Would they really execute her just because of one Princess? Sheng Zhi Wan had not been harmed by Madam Cui.

Besides, Sheng Zhi Wan had married into the Duke Residence for two years. In those two years, Madam Cui had never once seen her summoned to the Imperial Palace, nor had any imperial decree ever come to call her in. It seemed the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had grown cold toward Sheng Zhi Wan because of her past behavior.

On top of that, Shu Xian was skilled in both civil and martial arts and had achieved great merit in the Cang Nan war. The court was short on younger military officers, and the Emperor would surely rely on him in the future. The Emperor probably would not vent anger on him just because of Sheng Zhi Wan.

In fact, if Sheng Zhi Wan never returned, then her entire dowry would belong to the Duke Residence.

When Madam Cui pictured all that gold and silver, priceless treasures, and the many fertile fields and shops, a feverish glow rose over her earlier fear.

“Madam, the Heir Apparent has returned,” someone reported from outside.

Madam Cui quickly asked, “Did he find Zhi Wan?”

The servant thought she was worried about Sheng Zhi Wan. After hesitating, the servant answered carefully, “Replying to Madam, Heir’s Wife was not seen.”

Good.

Madam Cui’s chest loosened, and then Qi Shu Xian strode in from outside.

It had only been one night, yet the originally handsome and proud young master now had bloodshot eyes. His lips looked pale and cracked, and stubble had appeared along his jaw. He looked like he had aged ten years overnight.

Madam Cui’s heart ached. She hurriedly ordered the maids to fetch water and prepare food.

“Mother doesn’t need to busy herself,” Qi Shu Xian said. “I only came back to fetch Ao Tian. I am leaving again.”

Ao Tian was a hunting falcon Sheng Zhi Wan had given him four years ago. Though it was an animal, it understood people unusually well. It could deliver messages, find people, and hunt with ease. Yesterday, Qi Shu Xian had been too frantic. He had not even thought of it.

Qi Shu Xian turned to leave, but Madam Cui rose at once. “I know you are worried about Zhi Wan, but have you thought about it? Zhi Wan worries about you too. If you exhaust yourself because of her, would she truly want that? Wash your face and eat something. It won’t take long. And do you want your mother to worry about you as well?”

Madam Cui clutched at her chest as she spoke.

Qi Shu Xian’s gaze fell on the dark shadows under her eyes. He paused, then finally sat down with a heavy step. “Mother’s health is not good. You do not need to worry about me. You should also sit and eat a little with me.”

“Good, good!” Madam Cui sat down happily.

As long as she could delay him for even a moment, Sheng Zhi Wan would be in danger for even a moment longer. As long as she did not return…

Shu Xian might miss her for a while, but could he remember her forever? By then, Madam Cui could find him a gentle, virtuous noble lady to be his second wife. For example, the Chief Minister’s young miss, Liu Yan. People said Liu Yan was as beautiful as a flower, and her personality was good as well. Madam Cui did not believe Qi Shu Xian would not forget Sheng Zhi Wan by then.