The other two branches of the family looked shocked. “Sister-in-law, is this true?”
Zhan Erniang sneered, “Why don’t you go out and ask around? You’ll find out soon enough.”
Everyone’s expressions changed.
“Then our Zhan Family can’t keep such a scourge.”
“What a jinx—if she stays in our home, we’re bound to face misfortune.”
“The Cheng Family is truly shameless, dumping their unwanted trash into our Zhan Wangfu. Hurry up and give her the Heli shu so she can get lost.”
Everyone was cursing Cheng Yao, looking at her with the same disgust and rejection as they would a rat in a filthy gutter, their words dripping with malice.
Cheng Yao gritted her teeth in anger. They were leeching off Zhan Haoting, sucking his blood—how were they any better!
Just as she was about to roll up her sleeves and give each of them a beating, the corner of her eye caught sight of a wooden wheelchair turning from the far end of the corridor.
The wheels, made of some unknown material, made almost no noise, moving silently, unnoticed by everyone.
Cheng Yao’s eyes darted around. She suddenly pinched her thigh hard, her small hands helplessly twisting the hem of her clothes, murmuring in protest, “My family members all died of illness, not because I brought misfortune. I’m not a Sangmen xing…”
Her innocent eyes were moist, red like a rabbit’s, looking helpless and pitiful.
“Look, she’s pretending to be pitiful again,” Zhan Erniang said with a shudder. “Do you think you can rely on your seductive tricks to bewitch Haoting and act without fear? Just get lost and spare us the disgust!”
“She is my wife. Where do you want her to go, Second Aunt?” a cold, deep voice came.
Zhan Erniang spun around—Zhan Haoting was right behind her!
He sat upright in his wheelchair, dressed in a black brocade robe embroidered with coiling, ferocious pythons, which accentuated his imposing, stern demeanor.
Though he could not walk, his presence was commanding and lofty.
Cheng Yao quickly scurried behind him.
With a big shot shielding her, she didn’t want to fight—after all, hitting people hurt her hands too.
Noticing a faint scent of blood on him, her heart tightened, and she whispered, “Where did you go?”
Zhan Haoting replied casually, “Just dealt with two servants who made mistakes.”
“The ones who were bribed to tamper with the Xun Xiang?”
“Yes.”
“Killed them?”
“I prefer to eliminate problems permanently.”
Listening to the couple’s conversation, everyone’s expressions shifted, realizing that Cheng Yao’s position in the War King’s heart might be even higher than they had imagined!
Zhan Erniang steadied herself and was the first to complain, “Haoting, you’re finally back. You don’t know what Cheng Yao—”
Zhan Haoting cut her off. “Second Aunt, you should address her as Princess Consort.”
Everyone was stunned, an inexplicable panic rising in their hearts.
He was actually defending Cheng Yao like this!
And he was angry!
Zhan Qingrou pouted. “But, Elder Brother, Cheng Yao hit Sister-in-law.”
A wicked woman who married in through underhanded means had no right to be Princess Consort!
Zhan Haoting’s gaze turned sharp. “She is your sister-in-law!”
Zhan Qingrou pursed her lips, her face full of defiance.
Elder Brother was bewitched by her beauty—hopeless.
Zhan Haoting’s expression darkened. No one dared to speak, and the atmosphere grew tense and oppressive.
As if a long time had passed, he looked down at Cheng Yao. “Why did you hit someone?”
Cheng Yao pointed at Feng Xianxian. “She said I was toying with you and insulted me.”
Then she pointed at the others and added quietly, “They called me a Sangmen xing and want to drive me away.”
Zhan Haoting’s eyes turned sinister.
He had already investigated the entire matter thoroughly. The substitution in marriage was Cheng Lan’s doing; Cheng Yao was innocent.
Moreover, the incense from last night had been tampered with, causing him to lose control. Coupled with his lack of restraint and inexperience, he had been too rough with the young woman.
Now, her small face was somewhat pale, likely due to physical discomfort. Having to stand here early in the morning to face the judgment of the entire family was truly unfair to her.
Receiving no response from him, Cheng Yao felt uncertain. If he sided with his family, she would immediately pack her bundle and leave.
Old Madam snorted coldly, “You hit someone, yet you play the victim first?”
“Grandmother, she is my Princess Consort. She has the right to discipline anyone who disrespects her.” Zhan Haoting glanced around. “From the moment she married me, she became my wife. Her past is now behind her, and no one should bring it up again. Anyone who takes issue with this may move out of Zhan Wangfu.”
What?
Wouldn’t that mean dividing the family?
How could that be allowed?
The men of the Zhan family were either studying or holding idle positions in the court, none of them truly capable.
If they left Zhan Wangfu, who would still regard them as important?
Everyone exchanged glances, not daring to utter a word, shrinking their heads like timid quails pleading for mercy.
Feng Xianxian, with a vivid slap mark on her face, was consumed with jealousy and hatred, nearly tearing her handkerchief to shreds.
Cheng Yao had hit someone, defied and offended Grandmother, yet Zhan Haoting actually defended her!
Why!
Cheng Yao, you wretched woman, just you wait!
“Wasn’t the Tea Offering to take place?” Zhan Haoting reminded.
Immediately, a maid stepped forward with a tea cup.
Just as Cheng Yao was about to kneel, Old Madam sneered, “A dignified Princess Consort, kneeling before an old woman like me? No need. You’re unwilling, and I fear my old bones cannot bear it—it might shorten my lifespan.”
Tsk, who is this act for!
Cheng Yao instantly straightened her back.
Zhan Haoting also said, “Then there’s no need to kneel.”
His tone was icy, showing no indulgence toward the old lady.
Old Madam nearly choked on her breath, her aged face alternating between green and white.
Cheng Yao picked up the blue-and-white porcelain tea cup from the tray and bent over to hand it to her.
A flicker of malice flashed in Old Madam’s cold eyes.
A sense of foreboding rose in Cheng Yao’s heart. Thinking quickly, just as the other’s hand was about to touch the cup, she suddenly trembled and overturned it.
With a startled “Ah!” from her, the tea cup shattered at her feet, spilling everywhere.
The scalding tea quickly reddened the back of her hand.
Zhan Haoting’s expression instantly darkened terrifyingly.
Cheng Yao’s teary eyes were red, holding back tears, looking pitiful and delicate.
Seeing Old Madam’s stunned and furious expression, she secretly felt pleased.
She was determined to walk the enemy’s path, leaving them with nowhere to go!
Second Madam Zhan seized the initiative, “Cheng Yao, you didn’t want to offer tea to Grandmother, so you tried to overturn the cup and scald her? How could you be so malicious?”
Cheng Yao’s almond-shaped eyes brimmed with tears, her entire hand trembling. “Second Madam, didn’t you see? The one scalded was me.”
“Are you trying to say Old Madam deliberately overturned the cup to scald you?” Zhan Erniang laughed in anger. However, before she could continue, Zhan Haoting’s cold voice echoed beside her, “Since Grandmother is unwilling to drink, there’s no need for the Tea Offering.”
Old Madam was so furious she felt smoke rising from her head, her lips trembling. “Haoting! Can’t you see this is her scheme of self-injury, meant to drive a wedge between our grandparent-grandchild bond?”
“Seeing is believing, and I trust my own eyes more.” Zhan Haoting turned his wheelchair expressionlessly and headed out, glancing at Cheng Yao from the corner of his eye. In the end, he couldn’t hold back, “Aren’t you coming over to apply the medicine?”
Cheng Yao obediently followed him to the side.
A guard handed over a pot of cold water. Zhan Haoting first rinsed the back of her hand, then took out an exquisite porcelain bottle, scooped out some ointment, and gently applied it for her.
Her slender wrist was held in his rough, large hand. The faint scent of medicine lingered in the air, cool and soothing, easing the burning pain.
Cheng Yao stared blankly at Zhan Haoting, her heart pounding.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, highlighting the refined and profound contours of his profile.
The way he carefully applied the ointment for her was truly handsome!
His thin lips were red, with a distinct cupid’s bow—so sensual. She had kissed them last night; they were soft like jelly, so pleasant to kiss.
Perhaps her gaze was too intense, as Zhan Haoting grew somewhat uncomfortable under her scrutiny. He released her hand and said, “Go back.”
…
Cheng Yao pushed Zhan Haoting back to their courtyard.
A maid brought breakfast, filling the entire table.
Cheng Yao’s appetite stirred as soon as she sat down at the table, but then she heard Zhan Haoting say, “Last night, the Princess Consort promised to take responsibility for me, yet today she asks for a Heli shu. Is she physically here but mentally elsewhere, or has she realized I’m a cripple and regrets it?”
His tone carried a hint of bitterness, but the remaining nine parts were pure mockery.
Cheng Yao knew she was in trouble and feigned a pitiful expression. “I thought the person you wanted to marry wasn’t me, and your family doesn’t like me either. It’s better for me to leave on my own than to be cast aside by you later.”
Then it dawned on her. “Wait, you heard everything I said? So you just stood by and watched them bully me?”