Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Dragging You Down With Me

Without question, Sheng Zhi Wan had deliberately set him up to lose that huge pile of silver!

No wonder just when he needed that medicine, Rare Treasure Pavilion coincidentally had a bottle, pricing it directly at five thousand taels, forcing him to buy it even though he knew it wasn’t worth that much!

“So you were the one who placed that medicine on sale? Where are the silver ingots?” Qi Shu Xian rushed forward and fiercely grabbed Sheng Zhi Wan’s wrist.

Sheng Zhi Wan shook him off. “What nonsense is the Heir Apparent speaking? I don’t understand.”

“Do you truly want to see the Duke’s residence lose all its silver so badly?” Qi Shu Xian gritted his teeth.

“What does that have to do with me? If my memory serves right, I haven’t used a single coin of your Duke’s household money in the two years since I married in. Even the silver-threaded charcoal I bought with my own silver required someone else’s charity!”

“That was because Meng Yang was pregnant! Didn’t I make up for it later by personally delivering some to you? What else do you want?”

“Her pregnancy, what does it have to do with me? Did I force her to tumble into bed with you? Did I force her to conceive your child? If the Heir Apparent wants to impress his concubine by generously spending his main wife’s silver, what a thick face you have!”

Enraged by her words, Qi Shu Xian raised his hand high, ready to strike fiercely.

Seeing this, An Zhi hurried forward to shield Sheng Zhi Wan.

“Smack!”

A heavy slap landed solidly on An Zhi’s head. Her figure wobbled, nearly falling backward.

Sheng Zhi Wan quickly supported her, noticing blood seeping from An Zhi’s mouth. Her expression immediately grew icy, and without hesitation, she turned and swung a slap toward Qi Shu Xian’s face.

Qi Shu Xian reacted swiftly, raising his hand to block, easily stopping Sheng Zhi Wan’s arm.

However, Sheng Zhi Wan’s real target wasn’t his face. Her foot crushed down fiercely on his instep, causing him a moment of shock, and she swiftly lifted her knee!

“Ugh!” A muffled groan escaped Qi Shu Xian.

His face changed dramatically. He never anticipated Sheng Zhi Wan to move so swiftly and ruthlessly, aiming directly to cripple him.

Fortunately, he managed to retreat slightly at the critical moment, or else…

Yet before he could catch his breath, Sheng Zhi Wan freed her hands. While he covered himself in pain, her hand whipped forward again, landing a loud “smack!” squarely on his face.

Had Qi Shu Xian not moved quickly, a second slap would have swiftly followed.

“Sheng Zhi Wan, have you lost your mind?” Qi Shu Xian stumbled back several steps.

Sheng Zhi Wan breathed slightly heavier but gazed unwaveringly into his eyes. “If you ever dare raise a hand against me or anyone under my protection again, even if I must die, I’ll drag you down with me. Do you believe me?”

Qi Shu Xian’s face turned extremely grim upon hearing this.

His gaze darkened. “Meng Yang is talented in managing trade. With her in charge, the Duke’s residence won’t take advantage of you. Tomorrow, I’ll inform Mother to hand the household management over to her. When that happens, don’t regret it!”

After speaking, he stared intently into Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes, hoping to see her suffering or unwillingness.

Yet Sheng Zhi Wan didn’t even spare him a glance. Instead, she turned to An Zhi and gently asked, “Does it hurt?”

“No, not at all,” An Zhi shook her head.

Actually, it did hurt terribly, but thinking how that slap was originally aimed at the Princess, An Zhi felt no pain at all.

Besides, the Princess had even struck the Heir Apparent for her sake, filling An Zhi’s heart with gratitude.

Being ignored completely, Qi Shu Xian stood coldly for a moment before storming out of Pinglan Residence. His mind was occupied by Sheng Zhi Wan’s harsh words and the murderous glare she had aimed at him earlier.

All of this made Qi Shu Xian realize for the first time that perhaps Sheng Zhi Wan truly meant it when she said she no longer loved him.

But why? Just because of Meng Yang?

Impossible!

He hadn’t abandoned her despite her being unfilial, jealous, and domineering. How dare she abandon him first?

Qi Shu Xian’s expression grew darker. Ever since they met, it had always been Sheng Zhi Wan who loved him more deeply. She prepared exam materials for him, coaxed him to study even in the sweltering summer heat, and frequently sent him military texts and letters full of care when he was in Cangnan. He had never imagined a day when Sheng Zhi Wan would stop loving him.

Yet now, when this harsh reality was plainly in front of him, he found it even harder to accept.

Sheng Zhi Wan, worried about An Zhi, carefully checked her pulse and examined her face thoroughly, finally relaxing only after confirming nothing serious.

Early the next morning, barely awake, Sheng Zhi Wan was informed someone had come to summon her to the Evening Tide Courtyard.

Thinking of Qi Shu Xian’s words yesterday, she already knew why.

She couldn’t help but smile slightly at herself in the bronze mirror.

Currently, the Duke’s residence was nothing but an empty shell. Even Madam Cui found managing household expenses troublesome; why would they think she cared?

But since the summons had arrived, she had no choice but to attend.

She instructed An Zhi to choose a spring gown in jade-colored silk. Although she hadn’t yet put on makeup, she already looked as radiant as a flower blooming on a spring morning.

“Princess, your complexion has grown much clearer and fairer lately. The previous face powders now seem to make your skin look darker,” An Zhi remarked while preparing to apply makeup.

Sheng Zhi Wan studied her reflection carefully and realized An Zhi was correct.

Indeed.

Before, she had worried constantly about Qi Shu Xian, fretted over Madam Cui’s health, and dealt with numerous tedious affairs within the Duke’s residence. But now, having cast those burdens aside, eating well, sleeping deeply, and feeling carefree—even despite the kidnapping incident—her complexion had greatly improved.