Chapter 126: Liu Zhao Bai’s Desperate Bid for Ascension
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“Actually, Young Master Liu is deeply envious of the Prince Consort.”
“He’s jealous that the Prince Consort is more handsome, more talented, and comes from a better background than him. So, he devised such a vicious plan to make the Prince Consort’s life unbearable.”
“He figured that, given the Prince Consort’s proud nature, being defiled by a man would leave him utterly devastated. And with such an embarrassing secret, the Prince Consort would likely keep it under wraps.”
“If the Prince Consort didn’t commit suicide afterward, Liu Zhao Bai planned to use the incident as leverage, coercing the Prince Consort to serve his interests. Alternatively, if the Prince Consort succumbed to despair and took his own life, Liu Zhao Bai would have a high chance of ascending to the Prince Consort’s position.”
“Today was the day he intended to put his scheme into action.”
“You had already planned to go boating earlier today and were unlikely to return to the residence until late tonight, if at all. Even if you did return, it would be well past the hour of Hai (9-11 p.m.). By then, the deed would already be done.”
“Right now, Liu Zhao Bai has arranged for that man to infiltrate the Princess’s residence under the guise of a gardener, lurking near the Prince Consort’s quarters. He’s just waiting for dinner time to tamper with the Prince Consort’s food. The man carries a knockout drug, along with two ropes for binding the victim’s hands and feet, and a ball gag designed to prevent any sound from escaping.”
With every word Yu Zhi Yi spoke, Liu Zhao Bai’s face grew paler and paler.
He couldn’t fathom how this woman seemed to know everything.
Princess Feng Xiang had no patience for further explanations. Gritting her teeth, she barked out an order, “Guards! Arrest this scoundrel and throw him into the dungeon!”
Then, without wasting a moment, she hurried back to her residence as fast as she could.
It wasn’t difficult to locate the “gardener” who had recently appeared in the Princess’s residence.
When they captured him, the man was hiding behind a rock, gazing toward the Prince Consort’s courtyard with a sickening grin on his face.
Princess Feng Xiang personally led the team to apprehend him, and sure enough, they found all the tools on his person.
Especially the knockout drug!
She had the residence physician examine it, and it turned out to be an extremely potent sedative. Just a small amount would put a person to sleep for two to three hours. The entire package would ensure the victim remained unconscious until the same hour the next day.
Moreover, once sedated, the person would remain oblivious to anything that happened during their slumber.
As for the other implements, the physician explained that the ball gag wasn’t merely meant to block the mouth. The straps attached to it were designed to keep it securely in place, making it impossible to spit out. They could even be used for more covert purposes, with the straps facilitating easy removal.
Princess Feng Xiang: “!”
Her eyes blazed with fury.
As a dignified princess, she had never even considered doing something so outrageous to the Prince Consort, yet these two lowly creatures dared to hatch such vile plans!
Not only dared, but they had actually taken steps to execute it!
She resolved to have them torn limb from limb!
Afterward, the Princess approached the Prince Consort with an overwhelming sense of guilt, adopting a softer demeanor to coax him.
Although the Prince Consort was unaware of the full story, he never truly stayed angry with the Princess.
Thus, the two reconciled.
Having saved both a marriage and a life, Yu Zhi Yi was rewarded with a faint golden light of merit.
However, she had little time to refine it, as she was currently surrounded by a throng of enthusiastic commoners, all clamoring to know if Graceful Phoenix Charity would provide free aid or assist with any problem they brought forward.
Caught in the crowd, Yu Zhi Yi could hardly move, nor could she drive them away. She could only trudge forward with difficulty.
Fortunately, Steward Wu Shan and his team noticed the commotion outside and came to her rescue.
With a perfectly measured smile, Steward Wu Shan patiently addressed the crowd, “If anyone has questions, please line up and ask them one by one. We have staff dedicated to answering your inquiries and ensuring all your concerns are addressed.”
Once Yu Zhi Yi was inside the hall, Old Man Zhang approached her, dropping to his knees. “Thank you, Proprietress! Your great kindness and virtue, I will never forget. I have no way to repay you, so please accept my gratitude!”
As he spoke, he kowtowed repeatedly, producing loud thuds.
Yu Zhi Yi was unable to stop him in time. Just as he was about to lower his head for the fourth time, she finally intervened. “That’s enough. Please get up. The very purpose of establishing this charity was to help those in need.”
“Your choice to trust Graceful Phoenix Charity means you were destined for this fortune. You should thank yourself for seizing it.”
Old Man Zhang wept openly. “Proprietress, you don’t need to comfort an old man like me. I’ve been a poor farmer for eight generations; how could I have any fortune?”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled faintly. “Although your life has been hard, you never lost your moral compass. When you encountered others in need and could help, you did so without hesitation. These small acts of kindness, insignificant as they might seem to you, are what brought you this blessing. Good deeds, no matter how small, bring merit; evil deeds, no matter how trivial, invite retribution.”
“Your destiny originally foretold a life of hardship, culminating in a lonely, regret-filled death while searching for your son. But your good deeds created an opportunity for change.”
“This turning point not only altered your fate but also saved your son’s life.”
If they hadn’t found Old Man Zhang’s son today, he would have been beaten to death by a gang of thugs that very night.
But now, Zhang Tu Wa’s life trajectory had shifted.
“In short, as long as you’re alive, there’s hope. Cherish your life and never belittle it. You’ll eventually find meaning in living.”
Old Man Zhang nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes!”
Still, the words “live well” were easy to say but far harder to practice.
Zhang Tu Wa, having lost his hands and feet, had endured years of suffering that left him physically and mentally drained.
Standing tall and living with dignity was out of the question; even lying in bed to greet the next sunrise took every ounce of his strength.
But Yu Zhi Yi, adept as she was at foretelling fortunes and rewarding virtues, had no experience in reigniting someone’s will to live.
Fortunately, Graceful Phoenix Charity had more than just her. There was Red Luan—and even Du Zi Heng, who would visit every evening after work.
Initially, the staff at Graceful Phoenix Charity didn’t realize that this refined, scholarly gentleman was their Proprietress’s husband. It wasn’t until Du Zi Heng introduced himself that they found out.
Yu Zhi Yi, who had no intention of publicizing their relationship: “…”
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
Her clear, luminous eyes brimmed with displeasure.
Du Zi Heng replied calmly, “We are husband and wife. Even if we privately consider ourselves siblings, outsiders will not see it that way. Rather than letting others uncover the truth, it’s better to be upfront about it.”
Just as Yu Zhi Yi was about to retort, Du Zi Heng abruptly changed the subject. “Aren’t you trying to motivate Zhang Tu Wa to find a reason to live? I have an idea.”