Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Not in Vain

“Princess, please spare her. Thirty strokes could kill her…” Meng Yang cradled her belly, her voice trembling with sorrow.

Yet Sheng Zhi Wan remained unmoved. She ordered coldly, “An Zhi, take her to the steward. Explain clearly the wrong she has committed and the things she said. Watch closely as the steward administers the punishment.”

“Oh, and tell the steward clearly—if I discover he’s gone easy, he’ll face the consequences.”

“Yes!” An Zhi’s expression darkened as she dragged away Qing Liu, whose face was pale as death.

Meng Yang realized her pleas were useless. Holding her belly, she stumbled away toward Mountain Mist Courtyard to seek out Qi Shu Xian.

Qi Shu Xian had just returned from a social gathering. Recently, thanks to Jiaoniang Wine and his connection to the Third Prince, he’d been receiving more invitations than ever before.

Upon hearing that Meng Yang’s maid was slapped thirty times and dragged off to be caned simply for misspeaking, his face twisted with displeasure.

“She just can’t bear to see the Duke’s mansion prosper!”

Qi Shu Xian hurried with Meng Yang to the Front Courtyard. Qing Liu had already received more than a dozen strokes, her clothes stained with large patches of blood.

Seeing Meng Yang approach, Qing Liu’s eyes filled instantly with desperate hope. “Concubine… please save me! Maidservant knows her wrongs; maidservant truly meant no harm!”

Meng Yang shivered, her delicate frame trembling violently at the sight. “Stop! My Lord, quickly, tell them to stop!”

Qi Shu Xian, after all, was the young master; when he spoke, the steward had no choice but to halt. An Zhi left reluctantly to report back to Sheng Zhi Wan.

Once An Zhi departed, Meng Yang recklessly rushed forward, attempting to help Qing Liu up.

Seeing her pregnant, Qi Shu Xian quickly stopped her. He gently held her back and commanded the other servants to assist Qing Liu instead.

Qing Liu, initially harboring resentment, was deeply moved seeing Meng Yang’s concern.

Large tears streamed down Meng Yang’s face as she turned and threw herself into Qi Shu Xian’s embrace. “How can Princess be so ruthless? Qing Liu is just a child!”

“She merely spoke out of turn, and I’ve already had her apologize. Yet, Princess refused to forgive! My Lord… Is it because of me that Qing Liu suffered?”

Meng Yang sobbed bitterly, soaking Qi Shu Xian’s robe with her tears. He recalled how she had similarly cried with worry when he was wounded on the battlefield. A pang of tenderness rose in his chest.

Watching her weep inconsolably, Qi Shu Xian sighed inwardly, scooped Meng Yang into his arms, and carried her directly back to Endless Courtyard.

Qing Liu was gravely wounded, prompting Qi Shu Xian to send for special medicine.

Meng Yang personally applied the medicine, eyes rimmed red. Qing Liu murmured gratefully, “Concubine, you are so kind.”

“Silly Qing Liu, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have suffered this.”

Meng Yang lowered her lashes softly. “I know the things you said about Princess were meant to cheer me, not from your heart. But I did like hearing them, because… I truly love the young master.”

Meng Yang sighed gently. “But never speak those words again. I’m afraid next time, I won’t be able to protect you.”

“Concubine…” Qing Liu hadn’t expected Meng Yang to read her mind so clearly.

Meng Yang gently stroked Qing Liu’s hair. “You know my origins; I’m just a farmer’s daughter. Before entering Duke Qi’s mansion, I had a younger sister your age. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Qing Liu was deeply moved, replying earnestly, “Concubine, rest assured. You hold a special place in the young master’s heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have carried you back himself earlier.”

Meng Yang’s eyes flickered slightly.

“Qing Liu, today’s suffering—you certainly shall not endure it in vain!”

Saying this, Meng Yang suddenly removed her outer robe, splashed tea over her inner garments, and then opened the window wide.

…

That night, temperatures plunged sharply.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s cold poison flared painfully, causing her to curl tightly within her blankets. An Zhi tended the stove diligently, placing multiple hand-warmers around her mistress. Yet despite these efforts, Sheng Zhi Wan only fell asleep near dawn, remaining asleep through breakfast.

“What’s the commotion outside?” An Zhi whispered.

Ting Lan replied softly, “It seems the woman from Endless Courtyard suddenly fell ill with fever last night. Hmph, who cares? Princess’s cold poison flared even before winter arrived. Without the Heavenly Pearl Fruit, how will she survive when the weather gets even colder?”

Both Ting Lan and An Zhi detested Meng Yang deeply. So, they firmly closed the gates of Pinglan Residence, ensuring no disturbances reached their princess.

Sheng Zhi Wan slept soundly until mid-afternoon.

Awaking with hunger, Ting Lan quickly instructed the small kitchen to prepare food. Soon, a medicinal soup, gently warmed over a small stove, was brought to Sheng Zhi Wan.

She had barely tasted the soup when she heard the faint voices of Ting Lan and a maid from the kitchen. Although she couldn’t make out their words, their anxious faces spoke clearly enough.

“What is it?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked.

Ting Lan hurriedly exchanged a few more words with the maid, then rushed over. Her voice was tense. “Princess, Lai Fu has gone missing!”