Chapter 65

Chapter 65: A Grand Gift

Just as Ye Rong was fretting with worry, a voice called out suddenly from outside.

“They are not to be trusted. And as for what that Madam said—does Heir Apparent Qi truly deserve to be believed?”

A modest carriage had halted not far from Duke Qi’s estate.

All eyes turned instinctively toward it.

Madam Cui’s brows knitted in displeasure. [Who now has come to stir trouble in my carefully laid plans?]

Then, under the support of her maidservants, Lady Han stepped gracefully from the carriage, dressed in robes of deep purple patterned with flowing cloud motifs.

Madam Cui froze in place.

Qi Shu Xian’s brows furrowed even deeper. [Old Madam Han knelt at the palace gates just yesterday, pleading with His Majesty to help find her. I led troops to scour the entire capital and turned up nothing—how has she suddenly appeared here?]

And from the sound of her words, could it be that Sheng Zhi Wan had spent the night in her company?

Wouldn’t that only prove that Sheng Zhi Wan had indeed been abducted?

Countless thoughts whirled through Qi Shu Xian’s mind, but before he could sort through them, Lady Han had already stepped calmly up to Sheng Zhi Wan.

Madam Cui, now recognizing the newcomer, quickly plastered on a smile and bustled over.

Though Lady Han was still young, her husband had died in service to the kingdom, and she had long been granted a noble title. Her father-in-law was none other than the First Rank Grand General Who Pacifies the Nation. She rarely appeared at social gatherings, and Madam Cui had always struggled to find a way to connect with her.

Who would have thought she would come of her own accord today?

“What wind has brought Lady Han here?” Madam Cui greeted her with a beaming smile.

But Lady Han didn’t spare her so much as a glance. She went straight to Sheng Zhi Wan and said, “Last night, my son was struck with a fever at Morning Light Temple. We waited long for the imperial physician, yet no one came. Thankfully, it was Princess Ning who lent her aid and saved him from danger.”

“Today, I’ve come to express my deepest gratitude.”

As she finished speaking, she gave a slight nod to the attendants behind her.

Only then did the crowd notice that several carriages had trailed behind the unassuming one. Following Lady Han’s signal, maidservants stepped down one after another, each bearing a red lacquer tray in their hands.

Gasps rippled through the onlookers as the maidservants approached.

Though it was unclear what treasures filled all the trays, the gleam of golden ingots alone was enough to blind the eyes of those watching.

Qi Shu Xian’s gaze landed on a partially unrolled scroll painting.

It was none other than the masterwork Landscape of Mountains and Waters by the late Grandmaster Yi.

He knew this piece. It was said to have been seized from the royal court of the Northern Xiongnu by Grand General Han in his youth after a crushing victory.

The artist himself had long passed, and this painting was the most renowned among the very few of his works still in existence.

Even the late emperor had once expressed interest in obtaining it, only to be politely rebuffed by Grand General Han, who claimed that the Old Madam was too fond of it to part with it.

Yet now, the Han Residence was offering it up!

If a single painting carried such weight, the other offerings were no doubt equally extraordinary—each a rare treasure, many bearing the marks of foreign lands, clearly spoils from Grand General Han’s campaigns.

Qi Shu Xian was stunned.

Madam Cui, meanwhile, was nearly dazzled blind by the sight. All the irritation she had felt from Lady Han ignoring her vanished without a trace.

The golden ingots alone would have been enough—Duke Qi’s household was desperate for silver.

And as for the other gifts, they suited her tastes perfectly…

“This is but a trivial matter. How could it possibly warrant such a lavish offering from your esteemed household?” Madam Cui said, feigning modest refusal.

Only then did Lady Han turn her gaze toward her, her brow creased. “You overthink, Madam of the Duke. These gifts are from the Han Residence, offered in thanks to Princess Ning. They are not meant for the Duke Qi estate.”

Madam Cui’s smile froze on her face.

Lady Han now looked to Sheng Zhi Wan. “We are deeply grateful, Princess Ning, for what you did last night. Rui Er is the only son of the Han family, our last hope of carrying on the line. Had anything happened to him, our house would have faced extinction.”

“So please, I must ask that you accept these tokens.”

With that, she offered Sheng Zhi Wan a deep, solemn bow.

Sheng Zhi Wan said nothing at first, but she fully understood what Lady Han meant by this gift. Not only were they confirming each other’s stories, but accepting the offerings would also give Lady Han peace of mind.

Since that was the case, she had no reason to decline.

Besides, she would need a great deal of silver for the plans she had yet to unfold.

“Grand General Han is the kingdom’s own Grand General Who Pacifies the Nation. General Han gave his life for Sheng Kingdom. Compared to such service, what I did last night is barely worth mention. But as the Han family cherishes their young master dearly, and Lady Han’s heart is sincere, I shall respectfully accept your gift.”

“Is that the Han family? The one famed for its dual lineage of generals? Whose son died rather than surrender, leaving behind only a posthumous child?”

“Of course it is! Who else but Grand General Han is worthy of the title ‘Pacifier of the Nation’?”

Lady Han turned then to Qi Shu Xian, who stood silent with pursed lips.

“If Heir Apparent Qi cannot bring himself to trust Young Master Ye or Second Young Master Shang, then ask me. I can tell you where the Princess was last night.”

“Old Madam Han pleaded with His Majesty to search for you yesterday,” said Qi Shu Xian. “The servants you brought were found slain halfway to Morning Light Temple. As a woman alone, you too must have been captured by bandits.”

“Ha! And to think you earned such acclaim in Cangnan,” Lady Han scoffed coldly. “My servants were killed, and yet you assume Rui Er and I must have been in that carriage?!”