“How dare you!”
A man’s cold, furious voice came from the doorway, silencing the mockery in the hall.
Lin Nong was pleasantly surprised to see him, though a hint of embarrassment and resentment flickered in her eyes.
As if saying: Had you come with me, I wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation!
But in truth, her heart remained completely unruffled.
Zi Sangli’s deliberate provocation was merely to flaunt that she was the only woman in Xiao Chengyan’s heart and eyes. Should Lin Nong dare entertain any improper thoughts, the solely favored principal consort could instantly make her life unbearable.
Yet the more Zi Sangli acted this way, the more Xiao Chengyan would feel guilty toward Lin Nong.
Because the humiliation she endured was ultimately brought about by Xiao Chengyan himself!
“Your Highness, what brings you here?”
Xiao Chengyan stepped forward, softening his tone: “Today is your bridal return. Naturally, I should accompany you. Fortunately, though I arrived late, I’ve discovered there are those who dare show me such disrespect!”
His expression was stern.
The third branch’s mother and daughters trembled in fear, kneeling in trepidation: “Your Highness, please calm your anger! We meant no such disrespect.”
Xiao Chengyan took the seat of honor.
A maid served tea.
Xiao Chengyan lifted the cup, slowly stirred the lid a few times, then slammed it back onto the table.
The unstable cup rolled onto the floor, making the third branch members jump with fright.
Xiao Chengyan declared angrily: “My marriage to Consort Lin was decreed by both His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress. Your mockery of her lack of favor constitutes slander against me for disobeying the imperial decree—how is this not showing disrespect toward me?”
“Moreover, Consort Lin’s gentle and considerate nature has earned her the Empress’s fondness. Your ridicule and humiliation of her clearly imply criticism of the Empress’s judgment!”
The third branch’s mother and daughters shuddered uncontrollably.
They had only intended to humiliate Lin Nong—how would they dare mock the Empress or challenge the Qinwang (imperial prince)?
“We… we didn’t, truly we didn’t! We were just joking with Lin Nong, merely joking!”
Xiao Chengyan’s face darkened: “Are you worthy of addressing Consort Lin by her personal name?”
Third Madam hurriedly turned to Lin Nong: “It’s Lin Niangniang! Lin Niangniang is magnanimous—please don’t hold this against us!”
Lin Nong inwardly marveled.
See, this is the power of authority!
She looked gratefully at Xiao Chengyan.
Then she sighed softly and served him fresh tea: “Your Highness, don’t let such trivial matters upset you. In your magnanimity, please dismiss them.”
Xiao Chengyan had come precisely to support her, so he couldn’t let her words go unheeded: “You are my consort. Henceforth, whoever dares mistreat you must answer to me. I will uphold your dignity.”
Lin Nong nodded, gazing at him with gentle trust: “Your servant knows. Your Highness always keeps his word.”
They stayed for lunch at the Lin residence.
Throughout the meal, while not particularly intimate, Xiao Chengyan showed considerable tolerance toward Lin Nong in his speech.
Lord Lin and his wife observed this, finally feeling somewhat reassured.
Before departing, Lady Lin inevitably advised her daughter: “Don’t contend for favor. Protect yourself—peace and safety matter most.”
Lin Nong obediently agreed.
Here, she enjoyed loving parents and affectionate siblings—infinitely better than the son-preferring family of her previous world.
She was actually quite content.
“I understand. Both Wangye and Wangfei are good people. Your daughter fares well in the prince’s household—Father and Mother need not worry.”
They departed while it was still early.
The streets were bustling with activity.
In the spacious carriage, Lin Nong deliberately maintained the greatest possible distance from Xiao Chengyan.
She remained quiet, not attempting to make conversation.
At first, Xiao Chengyan thought she was quite considerate and closed his eyes to rest against the carriage wall. But somehow, his gaze unconsciously drifted toward her.
She was looking down, reading a book.
Her slender, graceful neck was bent, her profile delicate and fragile. Her eyes sparkled with longing as she read. “What are you reading?” he initiated the conversation.
Lin Nong looked up at him in slight surprise. “Your Highness, it’s a travelogue.”
Now it was Xiao Chengyan’s turn to be surprised. “You enjoy reading this?”
Lin Nong lifted the carriage curtain and looked out at the sky, her long lashes fluttering like a crow’s wings. “The majestic mountains, the vast rivers and seas, the horses on the grasslands must be magnificent. Your servant yearns for such sights. Originally at this time…” Her voice grew very soft, tinged with faint regret.
“I should have set out with the others to cultivate myself and travel.”
Many officials’ families nowadays were reluctant to let their daughters marry, so they built Taoist temples at home for their daughters to practice cultivation.
These young ladies would travel together, exploring mountains and rivers, living freely and unrestrained.
Lin Nong’s family had also built a Taoist temple for her.
Of course, this cultivation was merely preparation for today, establishing her persona as someone free-spirited and unwilling to engage in scheming and competition in the inner courtyard!
Sure enough, Xiao Chengyan felt even more guilty.
This seemingly delicate dodder vine was actually a young woman who yearned so deeply for freedom.
If his wife hadn’t been unable to conceive for so long, she wouldn’t have been forced to enter the prince’s residence as a concubine, cutting off her path to roam freely through the vast landscapes!
“You…” Lin Nong’s eyes glistened with tears as she looked at him pleadingly. “If one day Your Highness no longer needs Lin Nong as a pawn, could you… let ‘Lin Nong’ quietly pass away?”
Xiao Chengyan felt as if pierced by the tears in her eyes, his heart skipping a beat.
He wanted to give her a happy answer, but for some reason, the words stuck in his throat and wouldn’t come out.
The carriage came to a stop.
They had arrived at the government office where he worked.
Xiao Chengyan took the opportunity to disembark.
Watching the carriage curtain fall back into place, Lin Nong wiped away the tears at the corner of her eye.
Men in this world, with just a little spare wealth, wanted to take concubines. He was a royal descendant holding power – would he truly be content with one wife?
One man, one woman for a lifetime… that was nothing but foolish talk from youth!
“Return to the residence.”
Passing by the capital’s most popular restaurant, she saw Miss Xu entering.
Lin Nong knew of this woman – deeply infatuated with Xiao Chengyan. Moreover, the book had mentioned that the concubine who drugged Zi Sangli, causing her to become irritable, was surnamed Xu!
Her beautiful eyes flickered, and she stopped the carriage.
Instructing her confidante Yi Ran: “Make sure Miss Xu learns that I get along harmoniously with Wangfei and have won Wangye’s favor. The palace has no plans to take more concubines for Wangye in the short term.”
Yi Ran acknowledged and left.
After a while, Miss Xu emerged from the restaurant with a dark expression.
A smile touched Lin Nong’s beautiful eyes. “She took the bait.”
Bringing freshly made pastries, she went to Zi Sangli’s quarters.
“I heard Wangfei enjoys pastries from this establishment. I’ve arranged with the restaurant to deliver some to Wangfei every three days. I hope Wangfei won’t find them unworthy.”
Zi Sangli’s people had been watching her and were pleased to see she hadn’t tried to seduce their husband. “That shop’s pastries are very difficult to order. Common flavors require three days’ advance notice, while special flavors – even if Wangye went personally to buy them for me – would need to be reserved three days in advance. I didn’t expect Younger Sister to have such influence.”
Lin Nong listened quietly as she boasted about Xiao Chengyan’s affection for her, softly praising their loving relationship.
She felt neither envy nor jealousy, her gaze entirely serene.
After sitting for a while longer, she rose to take her leave.
Zi Sangli said politely, “There are few people in the residence. Feel free to visit anytime, sister. We can keep each other company and pass the time together.”
She paused briefly.
Then added, “The weather is still quite cold. Aside from the first and fifteenth days of the month, you needn’t come for morning greetings. Seeing how delicate your health is, if you were to catch a chill, it would surely be my fault.”
Lin Nong understood her meaning.
Morning greetings would inevitably lead to encounters with Xiao Chengyan—she was warning her to know her place!