Сhaptеr 8: Dеflоwеrеd in the Wilderness
Тhе bedding on thе couсh hаd bееn rерlaсеd with thе icе silk satin shе usually slерt on, аnd plасеd neаtlу besidе thе рillоw wаs hеr fаvoritе small wооden tiger carving—аdorаbly сlumsу аnd рolished tо an eхсерtionаlly smоoth finish.
—This wаs thе оnlу suсcеssful piecе shе hаd mаnаged to cаrvе аfter ruining mаny blоcks of wооd аs а child.
Ning Hеng sаt on the еdge of thе bеd, hеr fingеrtips trасing the familiar grain of the woоden саrving, а slight smilе сurling at thе corners оf her liрs.
“A Сhan.”
In thе next instant, a purple figure flipped down from the rafters like a ghost, landing silently and gracefully before her.
“I knew I couldn’t hide from you, Sister,” the girl said in a crisp voice, tinged with a hint of coquettishness.
The girl appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old, with long, upturned eyes, a sharp gaze, and thin lips—a face that seemed highly aggressive.
But at this moment, this seemingly unapproachable girl clung to Ning Heng’s neck like an affectionate, spoiled kitten.
“Sister, you’re so heartless! I was still in the southern border, and you suddenly abandoned us to become the daughter of a marquis’ household and even get married?”
The girl wore silver ornaments on her wrists and ankles, her dress bold in style, with exposed arms of a healthy wheat-colored complexion, their lines firm and smooth. With every movement, the ornaments jingled softly.
Feigning complaint, she nuzzled her head against Ning Heng’s neck. “I exhausted two horses, riding day and night to find you…”
Ning Heng let her cling on, her tone calm as she exposed the truth.
“In that case, it’s the poor horses who should be complaining.”
She patted A Chan’s back. “Since you’re here, where is A Jian?”
Yin Chan and Yin Jian were a pair of siblings her mother had rescued from the clutches of the King of Hell along the way, and they had grown up together with her.
The two often fought fiercely over who was her most loyal servant, yet they were inseparable.
A Chan pouted. “Him? He probably thinks you’re not used to living in this rundown marquis’ household, so he’s already started arranging for a grand mansion. And he’s quietly moving our family’s… uh, thriving businesses that can’t see the light of day… to Sheng Jing…”
“Tsk, such a housekeeper, even more of a worrier than Mother.”
She was about to lie down on Ning Heng’s lap to rest when her head suddenly brushed against a soft, slightly raised curve.
A Chan froze, straightening up abruptly. Her sharp gaze locked onto the now perceptibly changed abdomen, her brow furrowing tightly.
“Sister, why is your stomach swollen? Are you injured?”
Ning Heng replied calmly, “It’s nothing. I’m just pregnant.”
Hearing this, A Chan instinctively sighed in relief, patting her chest. “Oh, so it’s just pregnancy. You scared me! I thought something had happened to you—wait, no!”
She suddenly snapped to her senses, her phoenix eyes widening. “Pregnant?! I haven’t been gone that long! How could you already be pregnant? Which bastard did this? I’ll go kill him!”
As she spoke, she reached behind her back for the curved knife tucked there, radiating murderous intent.
Ning Heng raised her hand and poked A Chan’s forehead. “All this talk of killing and fighting—aren’t you afraid of scaring the child?”
“Other people’s children might get scared, but if it’s Sister’s child…”
A Chan grumbled as she withdrew her hand, but she still leaned curiously closer to Ning Heng’s belly, her voice turning strangely gentle. “It’s probably a little tyrant, definitely fiercer than us in the future… Little darling, I’m Auntie A Chan. Can you hear me? Make a sound?”
Ning Heng was about to say that the fetus was only a little over three months old and couldn’t possibly hear sounds, let alone respond.Yet unexpectedly, something inside gently nudged against her abdomen from within, a sensation both strange and wondrous.
Both of them froze, staring at each other in disbelief.
“It… just moved?”
…
Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Lately, for some unknown reason, He Lian had been sleeping restlessly at night, often plagued by dreams.
The trouble was, they weren’t nightmares, but rather indescribably intimate and lingering dreams.
This inevitably reminded him of that absurd incident several months ago—the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler of the land, had actually been deflowered in a remote wilderness hut… and afterward, he couldn’t find a single trace of that woman.
The “Zhang Shan” or “Zhang Shan” he had tracked down turned out to be either a seventy-year-old crone or a young girl with her hair still in childish braids—not a single one matched.
He Lian had subjected the foreigner who drugged him to every form of punishment imaginable, yet it still couldn’t dispel the frustration in his heart.
It was truly infuriating!
If he ever caught that woman, he would absolutely make her suffer, make her regret ever committing such an absurd act.
To distract himself, aside from handling state affairs, He Lian devoted an extraordinary amount of attention to Lu Yun Jue’s wedding.
“Defu, I recall that the Kingdom of Persia presented a batch of exquisite blood-red coral and luminous pearls the year before last. Are they still in storage?”
Defu bowed and replied, “Your Majesty has an excellent memory. They are indeed still in the treasury. The blood-red coral is entirely crimson, flawless and lustrous, and the luminous pearls are as large as longan fruits, radiant and brilliant—both are rare treasures of the world.”
He Lian nodded. “Retrieve them and add them to Rui Prince’s betrothal gift list.”
Although it was a wedding meant to ward off misfortune, everything was to be expedited, and the wedding date was set as early as possible.
But as a cousin and the ruler of the nation, He Lian absolutely would not allow his cousin’s wedding to be the slightest bit shabby.
Looking at the lengthy betrothal gift list, even Defu, who had served as the chief eunuch for decades and was accustomed to extravagance, couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
If he were a widow and encountered such a generous, prestigious in-law family that didn’t look down on him, he would undoubtedly marry without hesitation.
At that moment, a young eunuch outside bowed and announced, “Your Majesty, Prince Duan requests an audience.”
He Lian narrowed his eyes slightly. What was that old fox here for now?
He set down his vermilion brush. “Summon him.”
Compared to Helian Xu’s honest and simple appearance, his father, Prince Duan, looked more in line with royal standards. Nearly forty, he was still well-preserved, with shrewdness and worldly wisdom evident in his eyes.
“Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years.”
“Royal Uncle, please rise and take a seat.”
He Lian’s tone was indifferent. “What brings you here at this time, Royal Uncle?”
After expressing his gratitude and sitting down, Prince Duan wore a perfectly measured smile. “Your Majesty, I have come regarding the marriage of my unworthy son, hoping to seek Your Majesty’s grace and request a marriage decree.”
He Lian repeated with a faint, ambiguous smile, “A marriage decree?”
“Yes,” Prince Duan said. “Xu’er has reached the age for marriage. It is time for the family to have a well-educated and sensible princess consort to manage household affairs and discipline him, so that I may rest assured.”
“Establishing a family and career is indeed appropriate.”
He Lian spoke slowly. “However, if I recall correctly, the Second Miss Xue whom my cousin favors does not seem to be Xue Hongyuan’s biological daughter. She is merely the daughter of a midwife, and even her exact name and background are unclear…”
He looked up. “Has Royal Uncle considered this carefully? Such a background as the princess consort of Duan Prince’s Estate would likely be a mismatch in status.”
How could Prince Duan not understand the intricacies of this? He was deeply frustrated himself!
Despite having numerous wives and concubines in his estate and exerting every effort, he had only managed to produce this one sole heir.He had been raised from childhood with every star and moon he desired, showered with endless affection and indulgence.
Yet this son of his had peculiar tastes—he cared not for the daughters of noble houses or the esteemed ladies of prestigious families. Instead, he stubbornly set his heart on Xue Wan, the so-called “adopted daughter” of the Pingyang Marquis household!
Recently, he had stirred up chaos at home over this matter, refusing to eat or drink, even threatening to starve himself or hang from a beam. He nearly frightened his old father out of his wits.
What could Prince Duan do?
He had only this one son. Could he truly stand by and watch him throw his life away for a woman? With no other choice, he swallowed his pride and made a trip to the palace.
“Your Majesty, please understand,” Prince Duan said with a bitter smile, his tone genuinely helpless. “My son Xu is deeply devoted to the second daughter of the Xue family, and his feelings cannot be swayed. I… I truly have no other recourse.”
“As long as he is willing to settle down and temper his ways in the future, I… I will accept it.”
He Lian watched Prince Duan’s “bowing for his son” demeanor and inwardly scoffed.
This old fox had been shrewd all his life. Among his brothers, some died young, others were imprisoned and met tragic ends. Only he remained unscathed, comfortably enjoying his life as a wealthy prince. He was far from simple.
Yet, he had fathered a simple-minded, lovesick son who had learned none of his father’s cunning or scheming.
He Lian said, “Since my cousin is so deeply in love, I shall grant him this favor and bestow the marriage… Has Your Highness chosen an auspicious date?”
Prince Duan hurriedly replied, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s great kindness. The eighteenth of next month is an excellent auspicious day, ideal for weddings.”
The eighteenth of next month…
Beneath his dark, long lashes, He Lian’s expression grew inscrutable. He slowly set down his teacup, his voice betraying no emotion. “Your Highness, are you aware that Huai Jin is also getting married on the eighteenth of April?”
This old fool knew full well how much he valued Huai Jin’s wedding. Yet he deliberately chose the same date?
Was he trying to steal the spotlight or simply cause trouble?