Burdened with numerous affairs, he dared not slack off in the slightest. Yet she, with only a minor injury, deliberately had the servants exaggerate it as severe—truly immature!
In contrast, Lin Nong.
Her wound was so deep, yet she endured it silently—neither crying nor causing trouble—and even urged him to focus on his official duties instead of squeezing out time to accompany her daily!
But after all, she was his principal wife. Xiao Chengyan held more tolerance for her, personally feeding her the medicine: “Rest early. Regaining your health is more important than anything.”
Zi Sangli lay delicately and weakly across his lap: “Wangye, your concern for your humble consort makes me so happy—it’s more effective than any miracle medicine!”
Xiao Chengyan remained silent, helping her lie flat.
Zi Sangli frowned and trembled, aggravating the hidden wound!
“It hurts so much!”
Xiao Chengyan knew she was pretending but didn’t expose her: “Sleep. This prince has to descend the mountain early tomorrow morning. Official matters have been overwhelming lately—you must understand.”
In the past, Zi Sangli would have understood.
After all, she was the only principal wife in the Wangfu, with no rivals to distract him.
But now, she didn’t believe him.
Convinced he was rushing back to dally with that wretched woman, she clung tightly to his hand.
Xiao Chengyan, considering her fright from the assassination attempt, indulged her affectation and willfulness, staying by her side until she fell asleep before rising to leave.
He went to the adjacent room, tidied up briefly, and prepared to lie down.
His attendant entered carrying a food box.
“Wangye, Cefei sent someone to deliver a bowl of soup, claiming it can calm the nerves, relieve fatigue, replenish qi and blood. It was tightly wrapped and is still warm. Please drink it before resting!”
Xiao Chengyan detected a faint pear fragrance in the soup, and his mood lightened involuntarily.
She was indeed considerate, remembering to care for his health.
The attendant smiled: “Although it’s already mid-April, the mountain nights remain chilly. Wangye has traveled arduously—a warm bowl of soup will warm your body comfortably. Cefei is truly attentive and cares deeply for Wangye!”
After drinking the soup, Xiao Chengyan naturally thought even more fondly of her thoughtfulness and gentleness.
…
Although Lin Nong’s wound was deep, fortunately, it hadn’t damaged the bones or tendons. After ten-some days of recuperation, it had nearly healed.
Once the scab fell off, it would be completely recovered.
Her trusted aide Chang Tian brought new news, whispering by her ear: “The man Wangfei tried to silence has been saved by us. It wasn’t for impregnation—her body has a problem…”
Lin Nong listened, her pupils shaking.
This news was even more shocking than Xiao Chengyan wearing a green hat.
Zi Sangli, a woman nurtured by this era’s rites and teachings, valued reputation most highly—how dare she let a strange man touch her body?
Chang Tian awaited instructions: “Master, what should we do next? Should we find an opportunity to expose this matter?”
Lin Nong shook her head: “This concerns the imperial family’s dignity. Exposing it would indeed disgrace Zi Sangli utterly, but you underestimate commoners’ fear of imperial power. Even if we saved him, would he dare testify and damage Wangye and the imperial house’s reputation?”
“Moreover, he has family to consider. If those in high positions become angry, he would die—his entire family would die! And if the palace or Wangye learn that we knew but didn’t report it promptly, we’d face an equally ugly situation!”
“Therefore, unless absolutely critical, we cannot use this move.”
She motioned for him to lean closer.
“Go investigate thoroughly how Zi Sangli has deceived Wangye all these years, then do this…”
After hearing this, Chang Tian grinned: “Once this matter comes to light, she’ll surely be frantic with anxiety and will personally urge Wangye to consummate the marriage with you as soon as possible! Master’s move truly destroys both the person and their spirit!”
Lin Nong truly wished to witness Zi Sangli gritting her teeth and swallowing her anger—it would surely be a spectacular sight.
Chang Tian acted swiftly.
Within two days, there was movement in the palace.
The Empress urgently summoned Xiao Chengyan to the palace and dragged Zi Sangli back from the monastery.
All the palace attendants serving in Jiaofang Palace were dismissed, leaving the atmosphere heavy and solemn.
“You two have never consummated your marriage, have you?”
Zi Sangli was shocked, her eyes filled with terror.
The Empress knew!
Xiao Chengyan was also startled: “How does Mother know?”
As a noble, personally striking someone was highly improper, but this time the Empress was so enraged that she forcefully slapped Zi Sangli twice across the face.
Zi Sangli collapsed to the ground, dizzy and disoriented, not daring to retort or even show anger.
The Empress trembled with fury: “Before, with your elder brother shielding you from the front, as long as you two were happily married, I could overlook how you lived your lives. But what is the situation now? This wretched slave, for her own fortune, cares nothing for your destiny and future, and you still help her deceive me!”
“I selected noblewomen from prestigious families for you with the utmost care, yet you refuse to touch them, allowing this reckless wretch to stir up trouble in your household. Must we wait until we all die at the hands of your political enemies for you to understand the gravity of the situation!”
“If all you want is to indulge in romantic affairs with this wretched slave, then I shall disown you as my son. I would rather support a concubine-born son than stake my own life and the fate of my maternal clan on you!”
Xiao Chengyan knelt in terror: “Mother, please calm your anger. Your son acknowledges his mistake. I am aware of my responsibilities and have never dared to neglect or relax!”
Zi Sangli’s hidden injuries had not yet healed, and being kicked like this sent waves of darkness before her eyes from the pain.
Enduring the agony, she trembled as she lay prostrate on the ground, both frightened and anxious, terrified that the Empress might force Xiao Chengyan to divorce her in her rage.
“Empress, please calm your anger. I have already urged Wangye to consummate the marriage with Lin Cefei as soon as possible. It was only delayed because Lin Cefei was recovering from her injuries recently! I will never interfere with Wangye’s private affairs again. I beg you, in consideration of my past service in saving Wangye’s life, to spare me this once!”
The Empress was utterly disgusted and shook off the hand clutching her robe: “If not for that, I would have long granted you the three-foot white silk!”
Zi Sangli turned deathly pale with fright.
Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted dead away.
The Empress only grew more contemptuous.
Disgusted, she ordered the palace attendants to drag her out.
“Look at what you’ve married! Qin Wangfei maneuvers everywhere for Prince Qin, currying favor with noble ladies, personally selecting concubines for him and strategizing for her husband. What has she ever done for you? All she knows is jealousy and pettiness, utterly lacking in vision.”
In truth, over the past year, Xiao Chengyan had grown somewhat disappointed in his wife.
But since he had chosen her himself and owed her his life, he had always been more tolerant and indulgent, personally guiding her on how to navigate, guard against, win over, and persuade noble families.
Yet not only had she failed to assist him, she had even schemed to kill the daughter of an official he was trying to win over! Had he not promptly erased all traces she left behind, he would have driven that official to join his opponents!
She truly… lacked vision and completely failed to understand the difficulties of his current situation.
The Empress took a deep breath and said solemnly, “My son, I will give you three more months. If you still cannot get your wives and concubines pregnant, I will select new consorts for you! Do not forget that Nong Er risked her life to take an arrow for you. Do not betray her profound devotion!”
Xiao Chengyan nodded. “Your son understands.”
On the way out of the palace.
After waking up, Zi Sangli was filled with grievances but dared not complain, only gazing at him with pitiful sorrow.