Chaptеr 19: Мadam Shеn Cries Оutsidе thе Рrinсе’s Mаnоr
Fоr sevеral сonseсutivе daуs, Xiао Lin stаyеd in thе Mаin Соurtуаrd.
Аftеr cоnfirming that thеу had consummatеd their mаrriagе, Qiu Нuа оversaw Lin Zhаo’s clеаnuр оf the Рeаrl Jade Соurtуаrd bеforе returning to the раlасе to repоrt.
With hеr рresеncе, Lin Zhao hаd nо wау to cоnсeal аnything. Evеrу misdееd cоmmittеd by her subordinates was laid оut on Хiао Lin’s dеsk.
Lоoking аt case аfter сasе—seizing trеasures by force, encroaching on fertile farmland, and even plotting murder for wealth—Xiao Lin’s expression darkened to the extreme.
He had never imagined that such scum could exist under his watch.
And all under Lin Zhao’s indulgence.
“Shadow One,” he called out. “Personally investigate these cases again. If they are true… execute them on the spot.”
“Yes.”
A figure vanished into the shadows.
After a long silence in the study, Xiao Lin spoke wearily, “On the battlefield, Lin Zhao was wise, resourceful, and righteous. Why… in just two years, has she become the kind of person she once despised the most, even allowing her subordinates to run wild like this?”
Qing Xi poured him a cup of tea and cautiously said, “This servant will speak bluntly. The Secondary Consort often says that women in the inner courtyard have narrow perspectives and love to scheme, but hasn’t she herself been confined to the inner courtyard for too long? If her vision has been dulled by this, leaving only the pursuit of favor in her eyes, it’s only natural that she would lose her sense of propriety.”
Xiao Lin remained silent for a long time.
“She always said she longed for the battlefield and freedom… Did I truly trap her?”
“Oh!” Qing Xi hurriedly replied, “How is this the Prince’s fault? Back then, she followed you to the battlefield and then back to the capital. You warned her that the capital was difficult to live in, but she insisted on following you! A person… must take full responsibility for the choices they make.”
Seeing Xiao Lin’s silence, Qing Xi quickly changed the subject. “Moreover, no matter how resentful she is, she shouldn’t have targeted the Princess Consort.”
Xiao Lin glanced at him.
Qing Xi lowered his head slightly. “The imperial decree was issued by His Majesty, and the Princess Consort was married to you. The Secondary Consort harbored resentment but dared not direct it at His Majesty or you, so she vented it on the innocent Princess Consort. Isn’t this… bullying the weak?”
“And you…” Qing Xi muttered softly, “You only favored the Secondary Consort, agreeing not to show affection to the Princess Consort or set foot in the Main Courtyard… Since entering the manor, the Princess Consort has gained nothing but suffered losses.”
Seeing Xiao Lin glare at him darkly, he quickly lowered his head and fell silent.
He saw clearly that the Princess Consort was affectionate and sensible, with powerful backing behind her—far better than the Secondary Consort, who only caused trouble.
Even for the Prince’s sake, he had to side more with the Princess Consort.
Xiao Lin unconsciously rubbed his fingers.
He had never considered things from Cui Jin’s perspective.
But once he thought deeply about it, he realized how much grievance she had swallowed.
As Qing Xi said… she had suffered an unjust disaster.
In the evening, Lin Zhao sent someone to invite him. After a long silence, Xiao Lin still went.
After all, they had fought side by side for five years and shared a deep understanding. He did not want to be too cold toward Lin Zhao.
This time, Lin Zhao surprisingly lowered her pride, tearfully admitting her lax oversight and promising to cooperate with Qiu Hua in a thorough investigation to bring the wrongdoers to justice.
Her submission eased Xiao Lin’s anger, and the atmosphere between them returned to its former natural harmony.
However, after dinner, Xiao Lin stood up. “You are still injured. Rest well.”
Watching his retreating figure, Lin Zhao clenched the quilt, her expression grim.
Main Courtyard.
Cui Jin looked at Xiao Lin entering the room with surprise in her eyes.
“Not welcome?” Xiao Lin sat at the table.
“No…” Cui Jin hurriedly poured him tea. “This concubine is overjoyed that the Prince is willing to come.”She truly hadn’t expected Xiao Lin to come to the Main Courtyard after visiting Pearl Jade Courtyard.
Xiao Lin didn’t say much either. He sat briefly before bathing and going to bed.
Cui Jin quietly watched him. After a moment, she suddenly rested her forehead against his shoulder, a satisfied smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
A tickling sensation spread from Xiao Lin’s shoulder.
He raised his arm to embrace Cui Jin. With a slight bow of his head, their faces were now mere inches apart, their breaths audible to each other.
Since that night when Qiu Hua had kept watch, although they had shared the same bed, they had never been this intimate again.
Xiao Lin’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly covered her lips with his own.
Cui Jin froze for a moment, then soon seemed to lose herself, allowing him to do as he pleased.
The next day, she woke up late again.
Xiao Lin went to court, while Cui Jin sat lazily before the dressing table, applying her makeup.
Ru Chun silently used rouge to cover the marks on her neck, her thoughts drifting far away.
Things have gotten so out of control… yet the Prince still managed to restrain himself.
The Prince’s Manor has had no offspring for years. Could it be that the Prince is incapable?
Just as Cui Jin was having breakfast, Ru Qiu entered and said, “Princess Consort, last night, the Shen residence was set on fire. Fang Yun was burned, and the Shen family’s young lady was frightened.”
“Was the arsonist caught?” Cui Jin asked.
Ru Qiu smiled. “You had instructed Madam Shen, and she has been keeping an eye on the Shen residence. Last night, her people caught the arsonist, so she sent someone to ask you whether to hand him over to the authorities?”
“Also, regarding the eldest young lady… a few days ago, she suddenly went out, but it’s unclear whom she met. That person covered their tracks well, and Madam Shen hasn’t been able to find out yet.”
Cui Jin pondered thoughtfully. “It’s likely aimed at me.”
Ru Qiu frowned slightly, feeling somewhat worried.
“Princess Consort, something terrible has happened!” A maid hurried in. “Madam Shen is outside the Prince’s Manor, weeping and complaining… She says she doesn’t mind that you once stole her marriage, but she only begs you to let her go.”
“The Secondary Consort sent guards to drive her away, but they ended up injuring Madam Shen. Now… now everyone outside is saying that you, Princess Consort, have a guilty conscience and are trying to silence her!”
Cui Jin understood and said to Ru Qiu, “Tell my mother to hand him over to the authorities.”
It was time to put an end to bearing the blame for the marriage swap.
Before going out, she whispered to Ru Chun, “Tell Fang Yun that the opportunity to ruin Cui Ruyue has come. She knows what to do.”
Ru Chun immediately nodded and quietly left.
When Cui Jin walked outside, she saw Cui Ruyue with blood staining her left arm, crying pitifully. Shen Zhiying stood by her side, and a crowd had gathered around.
Those who could pass by the Prince’s Manor were either officials or their household stewards and servants, so they were bolder in their words and actions.
As soon as Cui Jin appeared, Shen Zhiying looked at her with disgust. “Cui Jin, how dare you show your face!”
Cui Jin remained silent. Ru Xia stepped forward and slapped Shen Zhiying across the face.
“Who do you think you are, daring to address the Princess Consort by her name?”
Shen Zhiying covered her face, her eyes filled with resentment.
Cui Ruyue quickly shielded her and cried, “Sister, I beg you to let me go… I’ve already given up Prince Xin for you. Why must you still cling to Shen Zhiheng? Just because I accidentally saw you seducing him on your return visit day, are you now trying to silence me?”
Her left arm was still bleeding, a shocking sight. Her tearful, pitiful appearance stirred sympathy and pity in many onlookers.
“Is the Princess Consort really that kind of person?”
“Wasn’t there a rumor before? She swapped marriages because she was unhappy about marrying a poor scholar. Who would have thought she’d go back to seduce the scholar again… She wants both sides, it seems.”The surrounding crowd buzzed with discussion. A flash of triumph crossed Shen Zhiying’s eyes as she continued, “Last night, you set fire to our house, but you never expected my elder sister-in-law would take the blame for my second sister-in-law, did you? Otherwise, how could she still be alive today to testify against you!”
Cui Jin ignored her and simply ordered, “Quickly summon the manor physician.”
“I don’t need your false kindness!” Cui Ruyue cried, gasping for breath between sobs. “You dared to order your guards to silence me in front of everyone—how could I possibly trust your physician? I came here today only to beg you to spare me, to spare Shen Zhiheng!”
Cui Jin’s expression remained calm. “Who injured her? Take them to Shuntian Prefecture and deal with them according to the law. The Prince Xin’s Manor does not keep guards who harm others!”
A nearby guard’s face instantly paled.
Under the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, anyone who injured another without cause would receive twenty strokes of the rod. Since Cui Ruyue was the wife of a provincial scholar, he would also face the punishment of exile to three thousand li away!
“Princess Consort, have mercy!” He immediately knelt down. “This subordinate was only following your orders. You cannot discard me like a worn-out tool!”