Xiao Yuwan had her suspicions, and today’s intention in summoning this concubine-born daughter was to probe. Fortunately, although this girl was beautiful, her eyes were naive and simple; she didn’t seem particularly sharp, and she appeared quite timid and fearful.
A perfect target to wheedle information out of.
Thus, with a face full of gentle smiles, Xiao Yuwan invited Su Wantang to sit, offering a long string of considerate and cordial platitudes, as if she were a kindly elder who had felt an instant connection with Su Wantang.
Having confirmed that this concubine-born girl was a simpleton who had never seen the world, Xiao Yuwan subtly shifted to the point.
She wore a mask of hidden concern: “…After what happened last night, rumors about Second Miss Su’s improper conduct—seducing your brother-in-law and intentionally trying to enter your eldest sister’s inner chambers—are likely to spread. In the future, how will you conduct yourself?”
Su Wantang’s eyes widened, her face filled with panic and indignation as she trembled: “What kind of base creature is spreading such lies?”
The corner of Xiao Yuwan’s mouth twitched at the lie she had spun: …
This vile wench with her mouth full of crude words!
She forced herself to maintain her smile: “Regardless of where it came from, Second Miss, you must understand that people’s words are to be feared.”
Xiao Yuwan sighed, pretending to be thoughtful on Su Wantang’s behalf: “I know you are a concubine-born daughter and a victim of circumstances, but the Heir’s wife is your eldest sister after all… If I were truly thinking of your well-being, I would have to make the gravity of this situation clear to you.”
She patted Su Wantang’s hand: “Your eldest sister and the Heir are childhood sweethearts in love—they are famous in the capital for being a devoted couple. Everyone knows the Heir swore an oath to her that he would never take a concubine. Even when the Empress Dowager tried to have him take a secondary consort, the Heir resolutely refused… Their hearts are joined and unshakeable; there is absolutely no place for anyone else.”
Xiao Yuwan sighed again: “I feel a kinship with you, Wantang. I felt a sense of pity the moment I saw you, which is why I couldn’t help but tell you these things. If you have any other plans, you must think them over very carefully.”
However, just as Xiao Yuwan finished her long speech, looking at Su Wantang with eyes full of encouragement and benevolence, waiting to see what she would say, she saw Su Wantang look up at her with a completely blank expression.
“What is the Princess speaking of?”
Su Wantang’s eyes were dazed: “I… I don’t understand a single word.”
Xiao Yuwan’s heart skipped a beat, and she nearly choked.
This fool!
Whether she was spewing filth or acting as stupid as a pig, even Xiao Yuwan, with her deep schemes, was infuriated by the stupidity of this empty-headed vase.
Since she already had her suspicions, she stopped beating around the bush with this idiot and spoke earnestly and directly: “I am a veteran of these inner-chamber affairs of the nobility. Wantang… I heard that you discarded your former fiancé without mercy once his family fell on hard times, so it is evident that you have high aspirations.”
Xiao Yuwan smiled: “Since you have entered the Prince’s mansion and reached the Heir’s inner chambers, you must have an agenda. But perhaps you don’t understand your eldest sister… The Heir’s wife will absolutely never allow another woman by his side. Therefore, no matter what she has promised you, she is lying to you, understand?”
As she finished, she watched Su Wantang bite her lip, her face filled with nervousness and shock.
Thinking she had a breakthrough, Xiao Yuwan’s voice grew even gentler: “I am the mistress of the Prince’s mansion; naturally, I do not wish to see anything unseemly in the Heir’s inner court… Wantang, tell me the truth: what exactly did your sister tell you?”
She took Su Wantang’s hand, her expression earnest and kind.
“If you have truly been deceived by her, then the mansion has failed you… I will certainly stand up for you. Even if you cannot stay in Prince Ding’s mansion, there are many young, promising men among my Xiao family’s nephews. Since you are so beautiful and pure, I shall arrange a match for you with one of my nephews, allowing you to enter a Duke’s household as a legitimate wife. Isn’t that more dignified than your current identity, which must remain in the shadows?”
Zhao Xuanzhen and Su Huajin, upon learning that the secondary consort Lady Xiao had called for Su Wantang, had rushed toward the main courtyard. Just as they reached the outside, they saw the maid on guard sneaking inside, clearly intending to send a signal.
The two faces darkened, and they quickened their pace. Su Huajin felt filled with unease, regretting that she hadn’t instructed Su Wantang sooner on how to deal with the secondary consort. But some things were difficult to say, and even if said, Su Wantang might not understand… She only hated Lady Xiao’s ambition; not satisfied with occupying the position of Prince Ding’s wife, she was always lurking and eyeing the position of the Heir!
The personal maid entered and whispered: “The Heir has arrived.”
Xiao Yuwan gave a silent, cold smile, her grip on Su Wantang’s hand tightening as she urged warmly: “Wantang, do not be afraid. As long as you tell me, I will certainly uphold justice for you…”
Zhao Xuanzhen stepped into the room just as he heard this. Su Huajin’s expression changed drastically, and she interrupted directly: “Wantang… why are you bothering the Princess for so long? You have no manners.”
Su Wantang looked up, meeting Xiao Yuwan’s gaze, which was filled with profound meaning and encouragement.
She knew Xiao Yuwan wanted her to admit that Su Huajin had told her to bear a child… If that were confirmed, Xiao Yuwan would have an excuse to “show concern” for Su Huajin’s health and force a physician to examine her, making it impossible to hide Su Huajin’s infertility.
Zhao Xuanzhen’s expression was also icy. He knew the secondary consort was never content, but he hadn’t expected her to be this desperate. Xiao Yuwan must have vaguely guessed the truth, but without evidence, her reach couldn’t extend into the Minghui Courtyard… That was why she had resorted to such unscrupulous means to target Su Wantang.
Zhao Xuanzhen’s tone was heavy: “Wantang, come here at once and go back with your sister. You are not to disturb the Princess’s peace any further.”
Xiao Yuwan, however, held Su Wantang’s hand down, her lips curling into a mocking smile: “Why is the Heir in such a rush?”
At that moment, Prince Ding arrived. Prince Ding, Zhao Cheng, knew his son had always harbored resentment toward him and was never close to his stepmother. Thus, seeing the Heir and his wife in the Princess’s quarters, his expression was noticeably strange.
“Why is it so lively today? Is there some joyous occasion?” Zhao Cheng intended to ease the atmosphere between his wife and his son, joking on purpose.
Xiao Yuwan smiled with deep meaning: “I felt an instant kinship with Second Miss Su and wanted to keep her for a chat. I didn’t expect the Heir and Huajin to seem so nervous… I don’t understand why that is?”
She patted Su Wantang’s hand: “Wantang, what I asked you earlier… have you considered it?”
Prince Ding, Zhao Cheng, was curious: “What matter?”
Xiao Yuwan laughed: “I see that Second Miss Su is truly beautiful and has a pure heart, so I wanted to pick a suitable husband for her among the Xiao family nephews… Wantang, what do you think?”
Su Huajin’s heart instantly tightened. She realized the secondary consort was trying to trick Su Wantang, but… Su Wantang was a fool and surely wouldn’t understand. If she truly believed she could marry into the Duke of Yong’s household as a legitimate wife, she would definitely refuse to continue eating the “concubine for the Heir” pie she had been fed.
Beside her, Zhao Xuanzhen’s expression was also dark as he already considered countermeasures. If Su Wantang actually said it… But at that moment, he saw Su Wantang, watched by everyone, shake her head.
“I am unwilling.”
Xiao Yuwan’s expression froze, and the smile faded: “Oh? Why is that? Could it be that Wantang feels my Xiao nephews aren’t worthy of you?”
In full view of everyone, Su Wantang pursed her lips and shook her head: “Because the Princess kept asking me about the Heir and my sister’s inner court… saying that I would only let the Xiao family marry me if I told you. But I truly don’t know what to say.”
Su Wantang lowered her eyes and said hesitantly: “Moreover, I come from a humble background and have no talent; I dare not climb so high as to seek the Duke’s household.”
Xiao Yuwan’s expression froze completely, and then she saw Prince Ding frowning as he looked over.
Before Zhao Xuanzhen or Prince Ding could ask, Xiao Yuwan suddenly laughed: “You child, why are your words so twisted? When did I pursue you about the Heir’s inner court? I only said that since your sister is currently frail, I feared she couldn’t look after your future. I asked if she had made any arrangements for you; if not, I would arrange one for you…”
Xiao Yuwan turned to Prince Ding, her face full of helplessness: “How is it that when it comes out of this child’s mouth, the meaning changes?”
Prince Ding understood and patted her: “Enough, you worry too much about these things all day. Use that energy to properly inspect matches for Heng’er instead.”
Opposite them, Zhao Xuanzhen and Su Huajin simultaneously eased their expressions, saying with smiles that didn’t reach their eyes that it was time to take Su Wantang back.
Xiao Yuwan naturally wouldn’t keep them, but before letting them go, she looked at Su Wantang with a mocking gaze, her eyes icy.
So this concubine-born girl was just playing the fool with her earlier!
Zhao Xuanzhen observed Xiao Yuwan’s expression, his own face dark.
After leaving the Langyue Courtyard, Su Huajin couldn’t help but ask Su Wantang: “What exactly did you say to the Princess just now? Tell me and the Heir everything.”
Su Wantang hesitated, biting her lip. Meeting Zhao Xuanzhen’s calm gaze, she whispered: “I didn’t say anything.”
Taking advantage of the fact that there was no one around, she carefully gripped Zhao Xuanzhen’s sleeve: “Heir, although I am not smart, I can hear that the Princess is not good to you… She said many things to me, but I didn’t say a single thing to her…”
Zhao Xuanzhen lowered his eyes toward the hand clutching his sleeve, meeting Su Wantang’s soft, clear eyes.
She said: “Heir, I will never help others bully you…”
Zhao Xuanzhen instinctively wanted to grasp that hand, but then, under Su Huajin’s reprimand, he suddenly came to his senses.
“What are you doing, grabbing and touching? Behave yourself outside.” Su Huajin’s face was ugly.
At that moment, Zhao Xuanzhen realized what he had just wanted to do… He had actually wanted to grasp another woman’s hand in front of Huajin.
The detestation he had felt a moment ago when seeing Prince Ding and the secondary consort so lovey-dovey rushed into his heart, and then, seeing Su Wantang looking at him so tenderly… Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t help but wonder: back then, had the secondary consort looked at his father like this?
So, that man had abandoned his mother to be lovey-dovey with another woman, flying off together? Once a man had his first betrayal, everything that followed became easy. His father had disregarded his mother’s misery and depression, only caring about being lovey-dovey with the Xiao woman… With the Xiao woman, came more concubines…
His wife, a childhood sweetheart he had once lived in mutual respect with, had died in depression, and then he had promoted the secondary consort, Lady Xiao, to the position of legitimate wife.
And he, carrying his father’s blood, was he also this cold-hearted and unfaithful?
No, that won’t happen!
He will never be like that man!
Zhao Xuanzhen violently flung Su Wantang’s hand away, and under her startled, panicked gaze, he spoke coldly: “In the future, be cautious in your words and deeds. Do not engage in your frivolous behaviors in front of me…”
Before he finished speaking, he strode away without looking back.
Beside her, Su Huajin’s expression suddenly softened. She was no longer angry with Su Wantang, but instead showed a hint of gloating pity.
“Did I not tell you, be respectful toward the Heir…”