Zhan Erniang pinned the blame on the shopkeeper, forcing him to pay compensation.
How could the shopkeeper afford it?
That very night, he hanged himself.
His family surrounded Zhan Wangfu, wailing and making a scene. It was only after Old Madam gave them a large sum of silver that they finally quieted down. However, the Zhan family’s reputation plummeted as a result.
Zhan Erniang was also forced to kneel in the ancestral hall.
Three days later, news arrived that the ship transporting Shu brocade had caught fire. Overnight, the price of Shu brocade in the capital skyrocketed several times over.
Cheng Yao seized the opportunity and sold the Shu brocade at a high price, earning a fortune.
But she then donated one hundred thousand taels of silver to the disaster-stricken areas, an act that shocked the entire capital.
When Old Madam Zhan learned of this, she was so furious she vomited blood, extending Zhan Erniang’s punishment in the ancestral hall by another three days.
In the end, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fell ill.
Cheng Yao secretly laughed herself silly.
“Cleverness can backfire”—that perfectly described these two.
In truth, everyone had underestimated the amount of Shu brocade she had managed to acquire. They all assumed the one hundred thousand taels she donated represented all her earnings from selling the brocade.
In reality, she had only sold one-third of it, and the one hundred thousand taels was merely one-tenth of her total income.
Why did she donate it?
It was merely to divert attention.
Her confidence was growing stronger by the day. Cheng Ling, as she had instructed, sold the Shu brocade and quietly left the capital with her entire family.
Cheng Yao hoped that Cheng Ling’s family’s fate would change from now on.
She was already planning how to liquidate the remaining assets under Zhan Haoting’s name and turn them into resources for his eventual comeback.
She had been pondering this for days and, once she had some ideas, went to find Zhan Haoting.
The study door was slightly ajar. She knocked lightly twice and, upon hearing Zhan Haoting’s deep voice say, “Come in,” pushed the door open. Inside, Zhan Haoting was sitting in a wheelchair, intently studying the account books spread out on the table. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his expression was grave. The fading glow of the sunset streamed in through the window, casting a golden edge on his resolute profile.
Cheng Yao called out to him. “Prince.”
Zhan Haoting looked up and, seeing it was Cheng Yao, his stern expression softened slightly. “Come in.”
He gestured to the chair opposite him, his gaze carrying a hint of inquiry.
Cheng Yao walked over and sat down, getting straight to the point. “Prince, I’ve heard that the Prince’s mansion still has many assets lying idle. Given the current dire situation, it would be a shame to simply abandon them. If handled properly, they might help alleviate the mansion’s current difficulties and pave the way for the future.”
Zhan Haoting frowned slightly. “It’s not that I don’t want to act, but the Emperor is watching me closely. The slightest misstep could bring disaster upon us and lead to the mansion’s downfall.”
His voice was low and steady, tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Cheng Yao thought to herself, Even if you don’t act, disaster will still come.
She bit her lip, pondered for a moment, and said, “Prince, could we secretly transfer or sell some of the assets without arousing the Emperor’s suspicion? We could keep some superficial businesses as a front. This would not only strengthen the mansion’s finances but also allow us to quietly accumulate strength for unforeseen circumstances.”
Zhan Haoting looked at Cheng Yao, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
From her words, he keenly felt the Emperor’s relentless pressure on him.
This Emperor, who viewed him with such suspicion, could use even the slightest disturbance as an excuse to move against the mansion. Yet, Cheng Yao’s words made sense—the mansion truly needed to prepare for the worst.
He fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly, “What you say makes sense, but this matter carries great risks. We must plan carefully and not act in haste.”
Cheng Yao nodded. “I think we can first arrange for trustworthy people to discreetly handle those relatively hidden yet highly profitable businesses.”
Zhan Haoting looked at the intelligent and courageous woman before him, his admiration for her growing even more. “The Princess Consort is thoughtful and thorough in her considerations. This matter is already being arranged.”
Having said all that needed to be said, and with Zhan Haoting already taking action, Cheng Yao did not intend to linger any longer.
“Prince, I won’t disturb you any further,” she said, rising to leave in a hurry.
Zhan Haoting watched her retreating figure, his gaze profound.
It was evening, and the fiery sunset painted the Prince’s mansion’s garden like a scene from a poem or painting.
Cheng Yao, dressed in a pale pink luo skirt, strolled along the garden path. A gentle breeze brushed past, causing her hair to sway lightly. A faint smile graced her face as she savored this rare moment of tranquility.
Not far away, Zhan Haoting sat in a wheelchair, being slowly pushed forward by a servant.
His eyes immediately fell upon Cheng Yao amidst the flower bushes, and his gaze was instantly captivated, unable to look away.
“Stop here,” he said softly to the servant, who understood and quietly withdrew.
“Princess Consort,” Zhan Haoting’s clear voice carried a hint of tenderness.
Cheng Yao turned and, seeing Zhan Haoting, a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. “Prince? Do you need something from me?”
With light steps, she walked over to Zhan Haoting’s side.
“Nothing,” Zhan Haoting replied, his tone tinged with weariness. “Would you accompany me for a walk?”
Cheng Yao was taken aback but then happily agreed, “Of course.”
It was an honor for her to accompany the God of War on a stroll.
The lingering glow of the sunset bathed the two of them, casting their shadows long upon the ground.
Zhan Haoting looked up at Cheng Yao, his eyes filled with deep affection. Slowly, he reached out and gently took her hand.
Cheng Yao stiffened slightly, instinctively trying to pull her hand back. “Prince, this…”
But Zhan Haoting held on tightly, refusing to let go, his gaze burning as he looked at her. “Yao’er, I have seen and remembered all the efforts you have made, offering strategies and working tirelessly for me.”
Seeing the deep affection hidden in Zhan Haoting’s eyes, Cheng Yao felt an inexplicable panic in her heart. She struggled hard to free her hand.
But she used too much force, lost her balance, and stumbled backward.
Zhan Haoting reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward him. Helplessly, she collided into his embrace.
Her face was almost pressed against Zhan Haoting’s chest. She could clearly feel the steady vibration of his heartbeat, and with each breath, she inhaled the cold, crisp scent of snow pine that clung to him.
Her heart pounded wildly, gradually falling into sync with Zhan Haoting’s rhythm.
How could this be!
This is bad!
Cheng Yao’s face flushed crimson. She tried to get up but found herself held tightly in Zhan Haoting’s embrace, unable to move at all. “Prince, I… I’m fine.”
Zhan Haoting’s hands clasped behind her waist, pulling her close with an irresistible force. He lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against the top of her hair. Her heart pounded against her ribs, and even her fingertips tingled with numbness.
She wanted to retreat, but the grip around her waist tightened further.
“What are you hiding from?”
His voice was lower than usual, carrying a magnetic, husky amusement. His fingertips even slid half an inch upward along the curve of her waist.
She tensed her body abruptly, her ears burning hot. Clutching the fabric of his chest, she wrinkled it into several folds.
“Let go first…”
Her voice was soft, lacking even her own conviction.
Yet he seemed not to hear, instead tilting his head slightly, his nose brushing past her temple, his breath sweeping across her sensitive neck: “What if I don’t?”