After the Spring Radiance Banquet, as soon as the carriage stopped in front of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, a servant rushed anxiously into Old Madam Xie’s courtyard.
“Old Madam, something terrible has happened! The master has returned covered in injuries!”
Old Madam Xie had been resting on a soft couch when she was startled awake by the news. Without even properly putting on her embroidered shoes, she hurried outside.
“Wasn’t he attending a banquet? How could he be injured?”
The messenger servant wiped sweat from his forehead. “This servant doesn’t know either. The Prime Minister refused to say, but he truly is covered in injuries—his clothes are soaked through with blood.”
Old Madam Xie was horrified and quickened her pace.
“Hurry, go fetch an Imperial Physician!”
The servant acknowledged the order and immediately rode off toward the Imperial Medical Office.
Old Madam Xie, leading several maids and attendants, arrived at the mansion’s entrance just as Xie Yuheng was being helped down from the carriage by Su Qingxi.
Beneath his cloak, his blue robe was stained dark with seeping blood, riddled with tattered whip marks.
His handsome face was pale as paper, and he swayed unsteadily, barely able to stand.
Old Madam Xie’s expression changed drastically as she hurried forward, and the group made their way into the mansion.
“Oh heavens, what happened? Who would dare lay such heavy hands on you?”
Xie Yuheng endured the pain throughout his body and shook his head at Old Madam Xie.
Old Madam Xie’s heart ached terribly for her son.
Seeing that Xie Yuheng still refused to explain, she could hardly contain her anger and glared at the servants who had accompanied him.
“Are you all dead? Watching your own master suffer such severe injuries! Speak! What exactly happened?”
Su Qingxi, supporting Xie Yuheng, had already cried until her beautiful almond-shaped eyes were swollen.
“Aunt Xie, it was Princess Changle who ordered Qing Gui brother to be beaten.”
Old Madam Xie was incredulous, her brows furrowing in rising anger.
“How dare she have Qing Gui beaten?”
“No matter how angry she is, she can’t lay such deadly hands on her own fiancé! What will happen when she marries into our family? Won’t she turn the entire Prime Minister’s Mansion upside down?”
“What kind of daughter-in-law behaves like this?”
The old lady grew angrier as she spoke. “No, I must go and demand an explanation from her.”
Xie Yuheng’s expression shifted slightly. He grabbed Old Madam Xie’s arm, his brow deeply furrowed.
“Mother, don’t make a scene. I said it’s not her fault.”
Old Madam Xie glared at Xie Yuheng, trembling with anger. “You useless child! Look at the state you’re in, and you still speak up for her!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Yuheng could no longer hold on and fainted.
Everyone panicked at the sight and hurriedly carried Xie Yuheng back to his room.
The Imperial Physician arrived quickly and examined Xie Yuheng.
Upon hearing that although the injuries looked severe, they were all superficial wounds and would heal with careful rest over time, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
But Old Madam Xie couldn’t swallow her anger. She summoned a servant, her face dark.
“Go to Princess Changle’s Mansion and bring her here!”
She wanted to see just what kind of trouble this future daughter-in-law intended to stir up.
The servant, having witnessed Princess Changle’s humble demeanor in front of the old lady before, immediately agreed and rode off to the Princess’s Mansion.
Upon seeing the gatekeeper, he put on an arrogant air.
“Hurry and have your princess come with me.”
The gatekeeper, unfamiliar with this servant and angered by his audacity, retorted, “Who dares to act so insolently in front of the Princess’s Mansion? Do you value your life so little?”
The servant stood with his hands behind his back, glaring at the gatekeeper. “Are you blind? I am from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, sent by our Old Madam to summon your princess to our mansion.”
What of the Princess’s Mansion? In the past, weren’t they always polite to the servants of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, offering them good food and drink to curry favor?
A mere gatekeeper dares to shout at him like this?
Upon hearing it was someone from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the gatekeeper immediately furrowed his brow.
Last time, when he delivered chestnut cakes for the Prime Minister, a month’s wages were docked.
He hadn’t forgotten that lesson yet.
Seeing the gatekeeper remain silent, the servant grew smug.
“Scared now, aren’t you? Then hurry up and let me in!”
With that, the servant strode boldly toward the Princess’s Mansion but was abruptly stopped by the gatekeeper.
“What does it matter if it’s the Prime Minister’s Mansion? My princess has already given orders—no visitors!”
The gatekeeper stumbled from the push, his eyes wide with anger and frustration.
“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me say it’s our Old Madam who invites Princess Changle over?”
“Your princess has always been so respectful in front of our Old Madam. How dare a lowly servant like you block the way? Offend me, and believe me, I’ll report you when I get back. You’ll lose even this dog’s job of guarding the gate!”
The gatekeeper couldn’t help but sneer at this.
If even the Prime Minister couldn’t see the situation clearly, how could a mere servant from his mansion understand?
In the past, the respect shown to the Prime Minister’s servants was all because the princess favored the Prime Minister.
The favor and glory the Prime Minister’s Mansion enjoyed were all given by the princess.
Now that Her Highness no longer cares for Prime Minister Xie, why should they bother saving face for the Prime Minister’s Mansion?
“Come! This person dares to spout nonsense in front of the Princess’s Mansion and offend the princess. Beat him out of here!”
As soon as the words fell, three or five guards rushed out from the mansion and rained blows upon the servant with their clubs.
The servant fled, covering his head, but even as he ran, he couldn’t stop cursing.
“You just wait! I’ll go back and report you right now. You’ll regret this!”
The gatekeeper snorted coldly. With Her Highness’s orders, he wouldn’t hesitate to stop even the Prime Minister himself.
Why should he fear a mere servant?
The incident at the Princess’s Mansion soon reached Shen Zhaoli’s ears, and she merely smiled faintly.
“Reward that gatekeeper with a month’s wages.”
…
Prime Minister’s Mansion, Old Madam Xie’s courtyard.
The sound of a teacup shattering was accompanied by Old Madam Xie’s furious roar.
“How dare she defy heaven itself! Does that little wretch still want to marry my son?”
The servant, covering his bruised and swollen face, wailed, “That gatekeeper was incredibly arrogant. He said even if you personally begged at the door, he wouldn’t let you in.”
“He even cursed you for relying on your age to act superior and daring to disrespect the princess, warning you to watch your head.”
Old Madam Xie’s chest heaved with rage, her eyes rolling back.
Fine, fine! Princess Changle indeed!
Usually so respectful and attentive, but now that her son has agreed to the marriage decree, she changes her tune!
She’d like to see if Shen Zhaoli can even step through the Xie family’s gates without her, the mother, agreeing.
She would make that ungrateful little wretch kneel and kowtow to apologize!
“Old Madam, please calm your anger. Don’t let this harm your health.”
Old Madam Xie glanced at the servant’s bruised and swollen face and softened her tone slightly.
“You may go. Have someone call a doctor to examine you.”
The servant felt smug inside. Offending the Old Madam meant even the princess wouldn’t escape unscathed.
That damned gatekeeper would get his punishment soon.
Meanwhile, at Xie Yuheng’s place.
Su Qingxi leaned by the bedside, her already pale face from illness now shadowed with dark circles under her eyes. Her head nodded slightly, drowsy and weary.
Xie Yuheng, who had been unconscious all night, finally awoke slowly. A burning pain in his throat made him frown slightly.
“Water.”
The hoarse voice immediately startled Su Qingxi beside him, her face filled with delight.
“Qinggui Brother, you’re awake!”
The unexpected voice made Xie Yuheng pause briefly. Looking at Su Qingxi before him, he blurted out, “Where is Shen Zhaoli?”
Su Qingxi’s smile froze on her face, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on her handkerchief.
“Princess Changle hasn’t come. I’ve been the one taking care of you all along.”