Chapter 99

Chapter 99: Deliberate Torment

“Ugh…ugh…” Meng Yang’s eyes brimmed with hatred, glaring fiercely at Sheng Zhi Wan in the darkness.

Sheng Zhi Wan remained calm. Her fingers gently stroked Meng Yang’s hair as her soft voice murmured, “Don’t worry, the Lotus Pond is just for growing flowers. Even the deepest spot won’t drown you. Aren’t you always eager to fall sick? I’m simply granting your wish.”

Those slender fingers slid from Meng Yang’s hair down to her neck, causing Meng Yang’s entire body to tremble with fear. She desperately wanted to scream, but with her jaw dislocated, she could only emit muffled sounds.

“My patience has limits, Concubine Meng,” Sheng Zhi Wan’s gentle voice abruptly turned cold.

Meeting Sheng Zhi Wan’s expressionless gaze, Meng Yang suddenly recalled the moment yesterday when she’d wielded a blade against Qi Shu Xian.

Her body shuddered uncontrollably.

There was no hope of rescue. Even Qing Xing, the only maid she’d brought along, had already been restrained by Sheng Zhi Wan’s people.

Finally, after struggling internally, Meng Yang closed her eyes bitterly, swallowing her resentment. With tears streaming silently, she nodded and stepped toward the pond, slowly descending.

Cold water seeped into her shoes, the chill quickly crawling upwards from her soles.

Meng Yang stared at the dark waters before her, unable to move forward.

“Concubine Meng doesn’t think merely wetting your feet is enough, does she?” Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice urged like a haunting whisper.

Meng Yang clenched her fists, biting down her fear as she moved deeper. The water rose over her calves, then waist-deep, soaking her completely.

Only then did Sheng Zhi Wan smile with satisfaction.

Yawning lazily, she said, “Very good. Concubine Meng, just stand right there. Once the heir is finished, I’ll naturally allow you to leave.”

“Princess, please rest first,” Ting Lan anxiously urged, afraid Sheng Zhi Wan would catch cold. “Once this is over, we servants can fix Concubine Meng’s jaw.”

Sheng Zhi Wan nodded thoughtfully, “Fine.”

She smiled again, eyes glittering as she addressed Meng Yang, who stared at her hatefully. “By the way, if Concubine Meng is thinking about complaining to the heir later, think carefully. Is it more serious that I, the legitimate wife, made a concubine stand in a pond, or that a concubine dared write letters colluding with bandits to kidnap the princess herself?”

Meng Yang stood frozen in the icy pond, eyes wide with disbelief.

[What is Sheng Zhi Wan talking about? How does she know about my letters?]

[Those bandits are all dead. Even Zhang Dahu is gone. Isn’t he?]

Whether from cold or fear, Meng Yang trembled violently, longing desperately to question Sheng Zhi Wan further. But the princess had already turned away without another glance.

Meanwhile, this night, Qi Shu Xian tasted a forbidden sweetness.

Huan Zhu’s body had a strange allure, leaving him insatiable. He indulged repeatedly, only pushing her away once completely drained.

Seeing the room in disarray afterward, he stiffened slightly.

But Huan Zhu, pressed onto the table, was in far worse shape. Her skin was bruised deeply, covered in blue and purple marks, with intimate areas swollen beyond recognition.

Qi Shu Xian frowned and remarked briefly, “I’ll send medicine for your injuries shortly. But if you dare speak of tonight, I promise you’ll regret it. Understand?”

“I…I understand…” Huan Zhu’s voice was hoarse.

Only then did Qi Shu Xian straighten his clothes and leave the Fragrance Gathering Garden.

In the depths of night, he naturally didn’t notice Meng Yang’s soaked figure standing miserably in the nearby pond.

Only after Qi Shu Xian vanished did Qing Xing, finally released, help Meng Yang out of the water.

An Zhi disdainfully popped Meng Yang’s jaw back into place.

Meng Yang yelped in pain, but before she could voice her anger, An Zhi’s palm slapped her face sharply. Smiling mockingly, An Zhi said, “Sorry, Concubine Meng. It’s so late, and this servant fears you might disturb the heir if you’re too loud. You understand, right?”

She glanced at Qing Xing, adding, “Your concubine accidentally fell into the pond tonight and caught a cold. Hurry back. Next time, be more careful.”

Ting Lan couldn’t help but laugh quietly.

Meng Yang, shivering from both cold and rage, felt utterly humiliated. These two lowly maids dared to mock her!

She longed to tear An Zhi and Ting Lan apart. But Sheng Zhi Wan’s earlier threat rang in her ears. More pressing than tonight’s humiliation was her fear of exposure.

Thus, shaking uncontrollably, she forced down her hatred.

“Back… now!” Meng Yang squeezed Qing Xing’s arm painfully tight.

Qing Xing flinched silently, obediently following her mistress home.

The next day, Meng Yang indeed fell severely ill again, shivering despite layers of thick blankets.

Upon hearing the news, Qi Shu Xian hurriedly summoned the doctor.

Meng Yang’s slender wrist extended from beneath the covers. After checking her pulse, the doctor frowned, openly displeased. “Another severe invasion of cold dampness. Did the concubine visit a particularly damp place again? Otherwise, she wouldn’t deteriorate so drastically in just a day!”

He’d seen too many women feigning illnesses to curry favor. Yesterday, he’d already sensed something suspicious but had remained quiet to preserve dignity. Yet today, she repeated the act.

He rose immediately, bidding Qi Shu Xian farewell, “Please find someone else, Heir Qi. Though I may have some medical skill, I won’t tolerate being toyed with repeatedly!”