The clan members were greatly shocked:
“Huh? But it was Yao’er who was engaged to the Second Prince.”
“Was it a case of the wrong bridal sedan?”
Faced with everyone’s doubts, Cheng Jiahui didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Wang Qiuniang awkwardly smiled and chimed in, “The two girls happened to like the opposite men—Yao’er likes the War Prince, while Lan’er likes the Second Prince. On the wedding day, they secretly swapped grooms without announcing it publicly. I’ll have to give them a good talking-to later; they’re too reckless.”
What?
Swapping grooms?
Is that even allowed?
This is treating marriage like a child’s play. How will they explain it to His Majesty?
Besides, it’s well-known that Cheng Yao has a crush on the Second Prince and has been chasing after him, even causing many scandals over it. Old Master Cheng shamelessly begged His Majesty for this marriage, and Cheng Yao got her wish. How could she possibly like the War King?
Everyone harbored doubts in their hearts. Wang Qiuniang, feeling guilty, avoided meeting their eyes, her gaze wandering as she called to the maid beside her, “It’s getting late. Go check if the newlyweds have returned.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a servant reported, “Master, Madam, the young lady and her husband have returned for the home visit.”
Wang Qiuniang’s face lit up with a smile, though she chided, “No manners! That’s the Second Prince and the Imperial Consort.”
“Madam, let’s go welcome them.”
Cheng Jiahui, brimming with confidence, strode forward with Wang Qiuniang clinging to his arm. The couple cheerfully went to greet the newlyweds, with all the clan members following behind.
As Cheng Yao stepped out of the carriage and saw the large crowd rushing toward her, her mind instinctively conjured images of a zombie tide, and she nearly couldn’t resist the urge to turn and flee.
When Wang Qiuniang saw it was her, her expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
The smile on Cheng Jiahui’s face instantly vanished, but realizing it was inappropriate, he forced a strained smile.
“Yao’er, you’re back?”
The guard Mo Baichuan brought out the wheelchair and interjected, “Father-in-law, you should address her as Princess Consort.”
Cheng Jiahui was taken aback, his smile growing even more forced. “Yes, yes, even if she’s my own daughter, etiquette must not be neglected. I should change my address.”
Wang Qiuniang nudged him with her elbow. “Master, the War Prince has difficulty moving. Shouldn’t you lend a hand?”
Her words seemed kind on the surface but subtly implied that Zhan Haoting was a cripple.
However, Zhan Haoting simply placed his hands on the soft couch beside the carriage and effortlessly settled into the wheelchair, his movements light and graceful.
Cheng Yao smiled. “My prince only injured his leg; he’s not disabled. Why are you so nervous, Auntie? He’s skilled in martial arts—not only can he move around easily, but he could even go to the battlefield to fight. On the other hand, I recall that my half-brother often frequents brothels, exhausting his body to the point where he needs servants to support him when walking. Shouldn’t you be worried about him instead?”
When did this little wretch become so sharp-tongued?
After a moment of shock, Wang Qiuniang secretly seethed with hatred but maintained a gentle tone. “Yao’er, sixteen years ago, I was officially elevated by your father to become his legitimate wife, the mistress of the Cheng family, and your mother. Why are you calling me ‘Auntie’ again? And as for the half-brother you mentioned, he is your own brother, the legitimate heir of the Cheng family, not a bastard. He’s just playful; there’s nothing wrong with his health. Don’t make such jokes, lest everyone misunderstand.”
Cheng Yao feigned confusion. “If I remember correctly, you moved in before my mother’s body was even cold. But you didn’t have a proper matchmaker, a formal wedding, or even a dowry—you just brought a small bundle and entered the household. You don’t even qualify as a remarried wife. How… could you be considered a legitimate wife?”
Cheng Jiahui’s face turned ashen. “Cheng Yao! You little—”
Before he could finish, Mo Baichuan cut him off. “Lord Cheng, according to the law, addressing the Princess Consort by her full name is considered disrespectful and punishable by twenty strokes of the cane.”
Wang Qiuniang’s eyes reddened. She tugged at Cheng Jiahui’s sleeve and pleaded with Cheng Yao, “War King Consort, we admit our mistake. Your father is old and cannot withstand the cane. Punish me instead.”
Cheng Yao smiled sweetly. “Since Auntie insists, how could I, as the Princess Consort, refuse? Guards—”
By now, everyone could see that the War King Consort had likely been forced by Cheng Jiahui and his wife to marry the War King, which was why she was picking a fight the moment she returned.
An elder of the clan hurriedly intervened. “Yao’er—no, War King Consort, you still call her mother. Since she has admitted her mistake, please spare her this once, won’t you?”
“Very well… Auntie, for Third Uncle’s sake, I, as the Princess Consort, will let this go. But remember, from now on, do not refer to yourself as the mistress of the Cheng household—that is against the law. Father,”
Cheng Yao turned to Cheng Jiahui, “without a proper mistress in this household, every corner is filthy and in disarray. That day, I was forced by the servants to take the place in the bridal sedan. Though His Highness is magnanimous and did not pursue the matter, the dignity of the royal family cannot be insulted. If His Majesty were to punish us, the entire clan might face exile.”
Everyone’s expressions changed drastically. Wang Qiuniang panicked and said, “It was you and Cheng Lan who were confused and got into the wrong sedan. The Second Prince and the Second Princess Consort will plead for us. His Majesty will at most reprimand the master a few times—nothing serious will happen.”
However, no one present was a fool. Swapping a bride was not just deception—it was an insult.
Even commoners would be furious enough to kill over such a matter, let alone the Emperor?
We’re doomed!
The clan members turned deathly pale. “Jiahui, you must hurry to the palace and beg for forgiveness.”
“Plead earnestly with His Majesty, or we will all be implicated.”
The more they spoke, the more fearful they became, and they began making excuses to leave. “My wife is about to give birth. I must go.”
“My sow is about to farrow too.”
“My mother is getting married.”
Cheng Jiahui tried to stop them. “Hey, don’t leave…”
But they fled as they spoke, vanishing in the blink of an eye, perfectly illustrating the phrase “the fickleness of human relationships.”
This was the first time Cheng Jiahui had been so thoroughly humiliated, and he felt deeply ashamed.
Noticing that Third Uncle was still standing rigidly in place, he thought at least one clansman supported him and was willing to share his hardship, feeling somewhat comforted. He reached out to help the old man.
But before his hand could touch him, Third Uncle trembled and said, “Nephew, have someone escort me back. My—my legs are weak. I can’t walk.”
Cheng Jiahui: “…”
Cheng Yao burst into laughter. Cheng Jiahui glared at her fiercely.
She retreated two steps as if frightened. “Father, you and Auntie look so displeased. Are you not welcoming His Highness and me? Should we leave then?”
With that, she began pushing Zhan Haoting’s wheelchair to leave. Third Uncle hastily said, “Don’t go, War King Consort! There are no lasting grudges between father and daughter. Don’t take your father’s behavior to heart.”
“Jiahui, why are you just standing there? Invite your daughter and son-in-law inside!”
Cheng Jiahui wore a constipated expression. If the War King’s rank were below his, he would have thrown the couple out without a second thought, as if he had never had this daughter.
But the other party was a Yixing Wang, second only to the Emperor and above all others. He could not afford to offend him in the slightest!
He forced a smile and made an inviting gesture. “War King, Princess Consort, please come inside.”
As he spoke, he nudged Wang Qiuniang again. “Take the guests inside and entertain them properly.”
Wang Qiuniang, her eyes red, sobbed, “The War King Consort doesn’t care for me. Why should I go near her and humiliate myself? You entertain them yourself, sir. I’ll wait here for Lan’er.”
Cheng Jiahui was so angry he felt smoke rising from his head. Was this really the time to act coy?
They had made Cheng Yao take the place in marriage, and the War King was the aggrieved party who needed to be properly appeased.
Otherwise, if he were to submit another memorial against him before Your Majesty, his situation would only worsen.