Xiao Chengyan explained to her: “Thanks to Lord Lin’s assistance these past few days, I was able to smoothly conclude my official duties. Upon returning, I heard that the Imperial Physician had been summoned to Changning Hall. Since the injury on Nong’er’s wrist was caused by me, I had to go check on her.”
Nong’er?
Like a thunderbolt striking directly at Zi Sangli’s heart, her body trembled violently.
Not long ago, it was still Lin Ceifei, Lin Nong—how could they already be so intimate as to call her Nong’er?
Rage and jealousy burned in her chest.
She desperately wanted to question this man—hadn’t he promised her that they would be devoted to each other for life?
How could he treat her like this?
But Zi Sangli also knew that her husband was a distinguished Qinwang, a proud son of heaven. Questioning him and making a scene would only push him further away.
Yet that wretched woman had a powerful father to fight and snatch for her!
Shameless slut!
Vile!
But that kind of strong support was something the Zi Sang family simply couldn’t provide!
Her tear-filled eyes narrowed slightly: “I must be overthinking. Sister Lin is such a clear-minded and kind person—how could she deliberately ruin our marital relationship? Besides, she already has a man she deeply loves in her heart!”
A man she deeply loves?
Xiao Chengyan’s brow furrowed, an inexplicable anger rising in his heart: “What? Are there rumors spreading outside?”
Zi Sangli said gloomily: “When I went out socializing today, I did hear a few things.”
Xiao Chengyan’s face darkened.
A confidant added fuel to the fire: “I heard the Helan Family has long regarded Lin Ceifei as their own daughter-in-law! They’ve often taken her along when going to temples to offer incense! If the palace hadn’t suddenly issued the decree, the Helan Family would have gone to the Lin residence to propose marriage!”
Xiao Chengyan’s gaze turned sharp, barely containing his anger.
No wonder!
No wonder on their wedding night when he said he would never touch her, she didn’t care at all!
“The past is the past. Since Nong’er entered the Wangfu, have any of you seen her behaving inappropriately with anyone?”
The confidant was startled: “N-naturally not.”
“Exactly!” Xiao Chengyan stood up, scolding: “How dare you gossip behind people’s backs when there’s nothing! If this spreads, where will that leave my dignity!”
The confidant trembled in fear, prostrating on the ground to beg for mercy: “Wangye, please forgive me! This servant wouldn’t dare spread rumors. These are just things people outside are saying. This servant won’t mention it again…”
Zi Sangli stood up and gently embraced him: “Don’t anger yourself over outside rumors—it’s not worth it! I’m sure Sister Lin isn’t the kind of shameless person who would do anything to disgrace Wangye!”
Xiao Chengyan didn’t want to take his anger out on her, but his fury was hard to suppress. He helped Zi Sangli lie down: “I have official matters to attend to. You should rest early.”
With that, he strode away!
Unable to keep him, Zi Sangli’s hatred and fear turned into tears that stung her eyes: “Does he only care about his own dignity, rather than that slut in Changning Hall having someone else in her heart and not regarding him highly?”
But the confidant noticed something else: “Wangfei, Wangye changed his clothes at Changning Hall!”
Zi Sangli froze, her body suddenly staggering.
“Have they already been intimate? After being busy for so many days, the first place he went upon returning was Changning Hall—just to sleep with that slut? How could he… do this?”
The confidant said grimly, “Lin Cefei is definitely not a good sort! Wangfei, we must eliminate her as soon as possible! Otherwise, who knows when her belly might swell!”
…
Xiao Chengyan returned to Changning Hall.
His steps were hurried and rapid, as if sparks were about to fly.
Only a faint glimmer of light remained in the bedchamber—she had already retired for the night.
Yi Ran, seeing his arrival and his still-dark expression, was jolted completely awake from her drowsiness: “Wangye…”
Xiao Chengyan raised a hand to silence her and entered the inner chamber.
With a sweep of his large hand, he flung open the bed curtains.
The woman on the bed was peaceful, her delicate face serene and fragile.
Xiao Chengyan suddenly felt a pang of reluctance.
But the moment he recalled Zi Sangli and her confidant’s words, his fury surged anew. He roughly hauled the sleeping woman upright.
Lin Nong awoke with a start. The ever-present bean-oil lamp in the hall had gone out at some point, and she seemed unable to immediately identify the intruder!
Her bewildered, frightened beautiful eyes and body trembled as she tried to retreat but found no escape. Her soft, delicate voice carried both fear and anger: “Who are you? How dare you be so insolent! Let me go… Yi Ran! Yi… Mmm!”
She was unable to call for help.
Pounding desperately against his shoulders proved futile.
She sobbed, tears rolling down and dripping onto the man’s hand gripping her chin.
Xiao Chengyan felt scalded, jolting in surprise.
His thumb rubbed forcefully against her lips.
“Who am I?”
“Say it! Who am I?”
Lin Nong seemed to finally recognize him, her tense body suddenly going limp as she collapsed softly against him.
Then, between sobs, she beat at him: “Why did Wangye frighten Nong’er like that! You’re so wicked…”
Her strength was like a kitten’s.
Her voice was like a kitten’s.
Low and weak, it always stirred the domineering man’s protective and possessive instincts.
Xiao Chengyan gripped her slender shoulders tightly, pressing further: “Answer me! What am I to you?”
Lin Nong looked up at him.
The waning moon’s light was not very bright, but at such close range, she could still make out his features—especially his sharp gaze, brilliantly clear in the darkness.
Lin Nong’s heart raced, her mind quickly analyzing the situation.
What madness has this dog man gotten into in the middle of the night?
Didn’t he say it himself?
That they have no relationship whatsoever!
But clearly, that wasn’t the answer to give now.
After careful thought, she recalled the message from her family: rumors had suddenly spread through the streets that she had once been betrothed to Helan Gongzi, described so vividly it was as if they had witnessed them engaging in illicit relations and sharing a bed.
Considering this wretched man’s terrifying behavior in the dead of night, he must have been provoked by something at Zi Sangli’s place!
His rage certainly wasn’t out of affection or lack thereof—it was simply because, nominally, she was now his cefei, his person, his possession. Her lack of vying for favor had already wounded his imperial pride; if she were also rumored to be pining for another, especially someone of lesser status and intellect than him, he would naturally be furious!
“You are the Qinwang of the court, Nong’er’s nominal husband!”
Nominal husband?
This answer dissatisfied Xiao Chengyan greatly: “And in your heart? Who is the husband in your heart?”
Lin Nong’s widened eyes showed clear shock: “What does Wangye mean by that?”
“It wasn’t that I shamelessly forced my way into the Wangfu! If even Wangye couldn’t refuse the imperial decree, what could I, your humble consort, do? Since entering the Wangfu, I haven’t dared to speak carelessly, I hardly dare to breathe freely—what more does Wangye want from me?”
“If Wangye wishes for me to disappear, just say so! Why ask such humiliating questions?”
Her words were filled with such grievance, tears falling drop by drop.
From somewhere, she produced a hairpin and pressed it against her neck.
Xiao Chengyan was startled.
He snatched the hairpin away and flung it far aside.
In the dim light, those innocent, delicate eyes brimmed with overwhelming, aggrieved tears.
He scolded in a deep voice, yet unconsciously softened his tone: “How dare you! I merely asked a question—how could you dare harm yourself!”