Chapter 9

Chapter 9: You Went and Complained?

“Perhaps you’re right.”

Duke Qi tried to cheer his son, forcing a smile. “It isn’t proper to be promoted directly to a fourth-rank general after just one battle. Perhaps His Majesty wants you to achieve a few more feats so that your promotion appears justified, giving you a stronger standing among the Imperial Army.”

“Mm…” Qi Shu Xian nodded, though his expression remained gloomy. Deep inside, he felt the situation wasn’t so simple.

As expected, upon arriving at the manor, he saw Sheng Zhi Wan stepping down from a carriage, supported by Ting Lan.

When he saw the court robes she wore, Qi Shu Xian froze.

Then, his expression darkened instantly.

No wonder!

No wonder yesterday His Majesty was ready to make him a full fourth-rank General of Pingyan, yet today, everything had suddenly changed!

He’d only been granted the position of junior fifth-rank General Xuanwei.

All that talk about proving himself, about justifying a future promotion—it was nothing more than Sheng Zhi Wan complaining to His Majesty!

When he thought of his accomplishments, earned through countless deadly battles! Two full years of enduring hardships alongside his soldiers, braving bitter ice and snow, now all ruined because of her petty jealousy and spite!

Fury surged uncontrollably through him as he strode forward.

He yanked Sheng Zhi Wan away from Ting Lan roughly, his voice thunderous: “Sheng Zhi Wan!”

Ting Lan, caught off guard, stumbled aside, anxiously shouting, “Young Master, what are you doing?!”

“Stand aside!”

Qi Shu Xian glared at Sheng Zhi Wan, veins throbbing visibly at his temples. Gone was the calm demeanor he’d maintained before the emperor.

“You went to complain to His Majesty, didn’t you?”

Before Sheng Zhi Wan could respond, he continued angrily:

“She’s just a woman. Why must you torment her and drive her to death? Were all your past words about women’s hardships merely to make yourself look kind-hearted? The moment someone touches your interests, you mercilessly crush them!”

“I was drugged by an enemy spy on the battlefield. She rescued me. I mistook her for you while under the drug’s effects, wronged her innocence, and it’s my duty to take responsibility. I promised never to see her again, and you even agreed with Mother’s request! But you turned right around and ran crying to His Majesty! Do you have to see her dead to feel satisfied?”

“Sheng Zhi Wan! How did I never notice how cruel your heart is before? Do you truly wish to kill an innocent person simply out of jealousy?”

Each harsh word stabbed deeper.

Qi Shu Xian had returned alive from the battlefield, yet Sheng Zhi Wan neither cherished nor longed for him. Instead, she argued bitterly over another woman.

Any guilt he’d felt vanished the moment he stood in the rain that day.

Even afterward, though he’d not intended to act on Mother and Eldest Sister’s harsh words, it was purely out of past affection. But what about her? Utterly unrepentant!

With just a few sentences, she’d erased all his pain and sacrifices from the past two years.

Meng Yang was merely a common village girl, yet she’d stayed awake all night, changing his bandages and caring for him when he was wounded.

She asked for nothing more than survival and promised never to rival Sheng Zhi Wan. Despite her humble pleas, Sheng Zhi Wan remained unrelenting.

The man’s handsome face twisted with anger and disappointment.

Sheng Zhi Wan quietly watched the enraged man, her eyes deep and calm.

[So, this is what he thinks of me?]

Ting Lan, in tears, tried desperately to speak up for her mistress. But Sheng Zhi Wan silenced her with a gentle glance.

“What madness is this?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked quietly.

“Don’t play innocent!” Qi Shu Xian snapped. “Yesterday His Majesty intended to appoint me as General Pingyan of the fourth rank, but because of you, everything is lost!”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes flickered briefly. [In this life, Imperial Father didn’t grant him a fourth-rank position?]

What had changed?

Oh, yes—last time, persuaded by Huan Zhu, she’d reluctantly agreed to Meng Yang entering the manor as a concubine. To quell any harmful rumors about Qi Shu Xian, she’d hurried to the palace early that morning, earnestly praising him in front of her Imperial Father.

She’d explained his actions, painted him as honorable for taking responsibility for an innocent girl’s reputation, and vividly described his courageous deeds in the final decisive battle.

She’d praised him until her father sighed with complex emotions, remarking only that she’d grown up. Later, the entire manor celebrated when Qi Shu Xian was appointed General Pingyan.

Thinking about this, Sheng Zhi Wan wished fiercely she could slap her past self!

Seeing her silent, Qi Shu Xian thought she felt guilty, growing angrier still. Just as he was about to speak again, Sheng Zhi Wan raised her eyes calmly.

“You once vowed never to take a concubine, yet now you force me to accept her—this is shamelessness. You hid Miss Meng’s pregnancy to trick me into agreeing—this is disgraceful. Rather than reflect on your dishonorable actions, you blame me for revealing the truth?”

With a cold sneer, she shook off his grip.

Qi Shu Xian’s grip had been harsh; a bruise surely formed on her delicate arm. Holding back tears, Ting Lan hurried forward to support her mistress.