14
Wen Huai’an was stunned.
He hadn’t expected that his mother had called him over to discuss breaking off the engagement.
His handsome face darkened.
“Mother, I will not break off the engagement.”
Madam Min set down her teacup and frowned slightly.
“Huai’an, you should know that Miss Fourth Miss Tang, whether in terms of her status as a concubine born daughter or her character, is unfit to be the matriarch of a noble family. If you feel responsible, you can take her as a concubine.”
“I disagree. Mother, don’t forget that Tang Cheng is carrying my child—your grandchild!” Wen Huai’an’s handsome face shifted slightly, and he pressed his thin lips together.
If it weren’t for Tang Cheng, he would still be dragging around a frail body.
If his mother proposed breaking off the engagement, that carefree girl would eagerly agree.
“Now that your health has improved, is having children really so difficult? Why would you need Miss Fourth Miss Tang to bear them?”
“In short, I will not allow you to marry that menace Fourth Miss Tang!”
Madam Min was unpersuaded. By now, she had mistakenly concluded that a miraculous physician had resolved her son’s fertility issues, and her tone carried a hint of firmness.
She believed the duke would support her decision to break off the engagement.
In truth, Madam Min harbored some resentment toward the duke. If he hadn’t learned that Fourth Miss Tang was carrying his son’s child and, in a moment of rashness, agreed to the Marquis of Nanyang, that talentless and virtuouseless girl would never have become his son’s fiancée and the future young marquis’s wife.
In her heart, she had hoped her son would marry his cousin, Xie Xuening.
Since her son had difficulty fathering children, he could adopt a child from another branch of the family to raise as his own.
But Tang Cheng had been an unexpected complication, ruining Madam Min’s plans.
Now that Tang Cheng had once again acted recklessly, daring to torment her son, Madam Min decided to seize the opportunity to break off the engagement. Little did she expect her son to give her such a pleasant surprise.
Even if she broke off the engagement, the marquis would not reprimand her.
Who would want a troublemaker marrying into the family?
Madam Min was quite confident.
Menace…
So, in his mother’s heart, Tang Cheng was nothing but a menace.
Wen Huai’an’s heart suddenly sank. He hadn’t realized his mother’s impression of Tang Cheng was so poor.
“Mother, my health has only improved. The issue of difficulty fathering children has not been resolved.”
“The child in Tang Cheng’s belly may very well be my only chance at offspring.”
Madam Min was startled, but upon second thought, she found it impossible to believe. Her son was most likely lying to her. More than one imperial physician had said that once his health improved, having children would not be a problem.
She gave her son a deep, searching look, her heart filled with doubt and unease.
Her son had only gone to the Marquis of Nanyang’s residence today and had been tormented by that audacious Fourth Miss Tang. Shouldn’t he want to break off the engagement even more than she did?
Where had things gone wrong?
Could it be that he had taken a liking to that girl?
At this possibility, Madam Min’s expression turned very sour.
“Huai’an, I understand your position. You may go for now.”
Break off the engagement—it must be broken off.
This matter was non-negotiable!
What Madam Min did not know was that the pharmaceuticals produced by the interstellar empire came in several grades. The body-strengthening medicine Tang Cheng had concocted was only a basic version, with a very singular and extreme effect: strengthening the body—turning a weak, frail person into a strong, resilient one. It could not cure terminal illnesses or various hidden ailments.
Seeing that his mother’s expression and attitude seemed to have shifted again, Wen Huai’an assumed she had abandoned the idea of breaking off the engagement.
He felt somewhat reassured.
Unfortunately, he had miscalculated his mother Madam Min’s deep dislike for Tang Cheng and her determination to end the engagement.
Tang Cheng, unaware that the Duchess of Zhen wanted to break off the engagement, spent an hour comfortably soaking in the body-strengthening medicine in her room. Feeling the dramatic changes in her body, though still not matching the physique of her previous life, she was nonetheless satisfied. No matter how much she might stir up trouble in the future, her child would grow up healthy and strong in her womb.
“Miss, how do you feel? Should Hupo take your pulse?”
Zhenzhu, while helping her mistress change clothes, cautiously glanced at her expression.
Tang Cheng was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but seeing the worry on her four maids’ faces, she decided to set their minds at ease so they wouldn’t start imagining things.
“Alright.”
Hupo, who knew medicine, immediately stepped forward and carefully took Tang Cheng’s pulse and examined her bone structure. In truth, the four senior maids had all been specially trained for Tang Cheng by the Marquis of Nanyang. Aside from Zhenzhu, the other three maids were meant to be part of her dowry, just sent ahead of time.
The marquis hadn’t expected Tang Cheng to choose these three maids to serve her right away, which saved him a great deal of trouble.
Taking her pulse, Hupo was shocked. Her mistress’s pulse was strong and powerful—her physical condition rivaled that of the estate’s head guard. The effect of this body-strengthening medicine was almost too good.
Tang Cheng smiled at the stunned Hupo.
“How is it?”
Coming back to her senses, Hupo quickly replied, “Miss’s health is excellent, and the fetus is in very good condition.”
The other three maids were overjoyed.
“You can all worry less from now on. As long as I don’t eat anything problematic, the child will be fine. When morning sickness starts in a few days, I’ll take an appropriate amount of the body-strengthening medicine orally. It will not only stop the nausea but also make the child stronger and healthier.” Tang Cheng curled her lips, full of confidence.
The four maids: “…”
“Miss, the fact that body-strengthening medicine is beneficial for pregnant women must be kept secret. Zhenzhu, Linglong, Shanhu, be careful not to let it slip.”
Hearing her mistress’s words, Hupo’s brow twitched, and she quickly spoke up to remind them.
Tang Cheng curled her lips, stroked her abdomen, and revealed a sly smile.
“Don’t worry too much. Everyone outside is saying I’m foolish and stupid, trying to make a name for myself with useless medicine.”
The four maids: “…”
“Miss, did you deliberately prepare the medicine in the courtyard?”
Zhenzhu’s eyes widened suddenly.
“Yes. Good things should be shared with everyone.” Tang Cheng smiled.
After all, none of these people had soul power, so having the formula was useless.
So, she had generously exposed the formula.
The four maids twitched their mouths.
They suddenly realized their mistress was not simple—she seemed different from what they had imagined.
What happened to her being brainless?
That evening, when the Marquis of Nanyang learned of the effects of his precious daughter’s use of the body-strengthening medicine, he was greatly excited and overjoyed. At the same time, he warned Tang Cheng and impressed upon the four maids in the know to keep the secret.
…
The next day, the Duchess of Zhen, Madam Min, eagerly came to the residence in person to break off the engagement.
“Madam Tang, Miss Fourth Miss Tang has truly gone too far this time. My son has a weak constitution and cannot withstand her torment. I cannot accept such a daughter-in-law. This engagement is hereby terminated.”
When Madam Zhang learned of the duchess’s purpose, she was both surprised and delighted. That fourth girl was actually having her engagement broken off by the marquis’s manor—what wonderful news! Suppressing her excitement, she put on an embarrassed, placating smile.
“Madam Tang, although Fourth Girl is a bit troublesome, she is carrying Young Marquis Wen’s child. If the engagement is broken off, what will become of the child?”
Madam Min twitched her lips and said coldly, “Madam Tang, do you really think Miss Fourth Miss Tang can safely deliver this child?”
“If Miss Fourth Miss Tang is willing and lucky enough to give birth to the child, she may send it to the Marquis of Zhen’s manor. If she is unwilling, she may abort it.”
Madam Zhang was startled.
Hadn’t the Marquis of Zhen’s manor placed great importance on Fourth Girl’s child? Why had they suddenly changed their tune?
This was serious.
Any delight Madam Zhang had felt about Fourth Girl’s broken engagement vanished. Thinking of how the marquis might react when he learned of this, she couldn’t help but worry.
“Madam Tang, the marquis hasn’t finished his official duties yet. Could we perhaps wait until he returns to the residence to discuss the matter of breaking off the engagement?”
The Duchess of Zhen’s tone was resolute.
“No need. This engagement must be broken off. Please return my son’s birth chart.”
“By the way, I will also be taking back Old Madam Cao and Old Madam Gao, whom I sent here.”
“Does the duke also agree to breaking off the engagement?” Madam Zhang found the duchess’s attitude quite troubling.
The Duchess of Zhen, Madam Min, paused.
She had come to break off the engagement without discussing it with the marquis—it was her own decision.
She certainly couldn’t say that outright.
Instead, she responded vaguely, “What do you think?”
Misunderstanding that the marquis also agreed to the annulment, Madam Zhang said no more. She turned to look at Chen momo beside her.
“Chen momo, go invite Fourth Miss over.” To avoid the marquis’s wrath, Madam Zhang decided to let Fourth Girl handle it herself.
Chen momo accepted the order and went to the Peony Garden.
On the way, she ran into Tang Xin. Seeing her mother’s trusted Chen momo hurrying toward the Peony Garden, Tang Xin remembered Jinshu mentioning that the Duchess of Zhen had come again. She couldn’t help calling out to Chen momo.
“Chen momo, does Mother have something urgent to discuss with Fourth Sister?”
Hearing Third Miss’s voice, Chen momo quickly stopped and greeted Tang Xin.
“Answering Miss, the Madam has urgent business with Fourth Miss. This servant must hurry to the Peony Garden and cannot keep the Madam and the Duchess waiting. Please forgive me, Miss.”
With that, Chen momo made to leave.
“Wait. Chen momo, could you tell me what the urgent matter is?” Tang Xin’s curiosity was piqued, and she stopped her again.
Noticing the maids and elderly women nearby, Chen momo hesitated for a moment. Thinking the matter couldn’t be hidden anyway, she told Tang Xin.
“It’s about the Duchess of Zhen coming to break off the engagement. The marquis is not at the residence, and the Madam dare not decide on her own. So she sent this servant to fetch Fourth Miss.”
The surrounding maids and servants were astonished.
Had they heard correctly?
The Duchess of Zhen had come to break off the engagement?
Wasn’t Fourth Miss still carrying Young Marquis Wen’s child?
What on earth had happened?
“Ah, why is that!”
Tang Xin was stunned for a moment, then her expression shifted to one of surprise and joy. She waved her hand to dismiss Chen momo.
“Hurry to the Peony Garden, Chen momo. Don’t keep Mother and the Duchess waiting.”
After Chen momo left, Tang Xin suppressed her excitement and joy, quickly returned to her room, and laughed into her blanket.
In the backyard of the Peony Garden, Tang Cheng was lounging comfortably on a chaise, soaking up the sun and on the verge of dozing off when a maid announced that Chen momo from the main courtyard had arrived.
Tang Cheng lazily received Chen momo. Upon learning why she had come, she perked up instantly, all drowsiness vanishing. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Chen momo.
“You mean the Duchess of Zhen wants to break off the engagement?”
Chen momo nodded, feeling dizzy. Was Fourth Miss’s reaction a bit strange?
“Let’s go.”
Tang Cheng quickly rose, straightened her collar, and headed to the main courtyard with her four maids. She did feel a twinge of regret over wasting the body-strengthening medicine on Wen Huai’an—but it was only a twinge.
**