“Half a pill won’t kill anyone.” Murong Chen was furious. “We have to shut them up. If word gets out, every one of us will die!”
Chen Qi felt his soul leave his body. He trembled all over. “But the elderly, women, and children in the residence—what if they can’t withstand the effects of the medicine...?”
Murong Chen’s gaze turned cold. “If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll be the first to force a few down your throat!”
Chen Qi’s heart gave a violent jolt, and he turned and ran.
Cheng Lan felt ice spread through her entire body. Her feet retreated of their own accord.
He was going to poison everyone in the residence? How dare he!
If anything went wrong, how many people would die?
This was nothing like the gentle and refined nobleman she had known. He was clearly a demon wearing human skin!
Perhaps she had been wrong. She should never have let Cheng Yao marry in her place...
“Lan’er, don’t be afraid.” Murong Chen rubbed his face and forced out a smile more ghastly than a cry. “I was caught off guard by the sudden bad news. I lost my head and frightened you.”
He reached out, but Cheng Lan instinctively moved away. In a quiet voice, she asked, “Are you going to make me take the medicine too?”
She regretted asking the moment the words left her mouth. The human heart could not withstand being tested. Wasn’t she only inviting humiliation by asking such a question?
Murong Chen froze. After thinking for a moment, he replied, “Of course not. You and I are husband and wife, one body. If something happens to me, you would also...”
He suddenly realized that something was wrong and stopped speaking.
And the heart Cheng Lan had kept suspended in hope finally died.
That was right. Their fates were bound together. He was not worried that she would betray him, so he would not make her take the medicine.
It was not because he cared about her or could not bear to hurt her.
The disappointment and sorrow on her face made Murong Chen feel guilty and embarrassed. He said awkwardly, “Lan’er, something this serious has happened in the residence. I have to deal with it. Go back to your room and rest for now.”
Cheng Lan nodded. Only after he left did she belatedly remember that the commander had said the entire treasury had already been emptied.
Did that mean they had nothing left?!
She had gone to such lengths to marry into this family, only to end up with an empty residence?
No. If this matter could not be handled properly, she might not even survive!
At the thought, all the blood drained from Cheng Lan’s body, and she felt as though she had fallen into an icy abyss.
...
Cheng Yao had still been hoping to sleep a little longer, but a maid woke her and had her dress and make up.
Once she was ready, Cheng Yao left with a maid and an older nanny accompanying her.
The autumn wind rose in the eighth month, making the red lanterns beneath the eaves sway wildly.
The moment Cheng Yao lifted her eyes, she saw Zhan Haoting sitting upright in his wheelchair. Judging by his appearance, he had been waiting for quite some time.
He had a strong, handsome face and long, beautiful phoenix eyes that tilted slightly at the corners. His entire bearing radiated an aggressive presence, yet he also possessed an upright righteousness, as though he could sweep away all the gloom and evil in the world.
It reminded her of the homeland of her previous life. No matter how dire and bewildering the circumstances were, the sight of someone in a military uniform brought an incomparable sense of security.
That was why she rather liked Zhan Haoting. Especially when he looked cold and cocky—it made her want to kiss his sexy lips. And, well, she wanted to do this and that with him too...
Damn, why was she so lecherous? Her mind was filled with nothing but dirty thoughts!
Cheng Yao did not even dare look directly at Zhan Haoting. Feeling guilty, she turned her eyes away.
Only then did she notice several more carriages behind him.
“Mother prepared these as gifts for your homecoming,” Zhan Haoting said.
Cheng Yao’s eyes widened. Was this not a little too extravagant?
There were this many gifts for a homecoming visit?
Lady Zhan had not come to bother with her over the past two days, which showed that she was a decent person—at the very least, she was not a meddler. And now she had given Cheng Yao so many gifts. This mother-in-law was generous and easy to get along with!
Of course, Cheng Yao would not take advantage of her. She would return twice as much in the future.
“Mother is so kind.” Cheng Yao was as sweet with her words as she was with her smile, like spring rain nourishing the earth and pleasing everyone who saw her.
She tilted her head and looked at Zhan Haoting. “You’re so busy. Are you coming home with me too?”
Zhan Haoting’s eyes were deep, a hint of scrutiny within them.
The young woman wore a plain dress that muted some of her dazzling beauty, giving her instead a more innocent and alluring air.
As far as he knew, Murong Chen had always favored women in white.
And today was the third-day homecoming visit. Murong Chen would be there as well...
His eyes flickered. “Does the princess consort not wish for me to accompany her?”
Huh?
Confusion filled Cheng Yao’s clear, limpid eyes. “Why would you think that? It is a sign of respect for a wife when her husband accompanies her on her third-day homecoming visit. I couldn’t be happier that you were able to find time to come with me despite your busy schedule.”
The little girl certainly knew how to speak.
Zhan Haoting’s brows were slightly cold, but his voice was clear and smooth, like a gently flowing stream. “Being able to accompany the princess consort home is also this prince’s honor.”
Cheng Yao’s eyes curved into crescents. “Then let’s go.”
She wondered whether Murong Chen and Cheng Lan would return as well. She was looking forward to watching the spectacle.
A guard came forward and lifted the carriage curtain. Zhan Haoting wheeled himself over, braced both hands against the carriage door, and leaped lightly inside. His movements and posture were graceful and effortless. Not even a strand of hair was out of place; there was not the slightest trace of the awkwardness one might expect from a disabled man.
Cheng Yao admired people who could remain calm and composed even in adversity.
They possessed powerful hearts, extraordinary patience, and an incredible ability to adapt. They were strong by nature.
She admired strength. What was she supposed to do when she was starting to fall for him? Ahhh!
The carriage began to move, swaying gently with every turn of the wheels.
Unable to restrain herself, Cheng Yao stole glances at Zhan Haoting from time to time. His face was flawless from every angle, devastatingly handsome and breathtakingly beautiful. Even the top stars and idols of her former world could not compare.
Dear heavens, please let him live...
...
The General’s Residence was still decorated with lanterns and banners, radiating a joyous atmosphere.
The reason was simple: today was the day the residence’s two young ladies returned home after their weddings. Their husbands were the War King and the Second Prince—one a renowned military prince, the other beloved by the emperor. They were the most powerful and prestigious men in all of Great Feng. Who among the officials of the court would not be envious?
Relatives from every branch of the Cheng family had also shamelessly arrived with gifts.
Cheng Jiahui was basking in triumph. He had arranged twenty tables at home to entertain the members of the clan.
In the study, one of the clan elders said, “Jiahui, you have two daughters, and both have brought glory to the family. Looking throughout the entire capital, who could be as fortunate as you? If you ask me, you should set up a hundred or even a hundred and eighty tables and let all those who once looked down on us see for themselves. Our family is about to become the noble relatives of the imperial house!”
Cheng Jiahui smiled and waved his hand. “Ah, humility brings benefit, while arrogance invites ruin. It is better to keep a low profile.”
Another young clansman disagreed. “Uncle Cheng, that isn’t quite right. His Majesty clearly intends to support the Second Prince. As his father-in-law, you may not need to go out of your way to help him, but at the very least, you must not hold him back.”
Those words made Cheng Jiahui and his wife, Wang Qiuniang, grin from ear to ear. Yet, with modesty on their lips, they said, “The Second Prince is a dragon among men. Anything I do might only be superfluous and end up dragging him down. Let’s not discuss such matters today. Come, have some tea.”
Everyone knew he was cautious with his words, so they did not continue the subject.
Someone flattered him, saying, “If the Second Prince ascends the throne, Yao’er will become the empress, and you will be the emperor’s father-in-law! Uncle Cheng, your blessings will flow like the mighty rivers, endless and unceasing—an honor rarely seen in this world. What’s more, this will be a once-in-a-thousand-years stroke of fortune for the entire clan. You will be the towering pillar that holds up the sky of the family’s glory, your name spreading far and wide and being remembered for generations.”
Cheng Jiahui and Wang Qiuniang’s smiles faded slightly. The other members of the clan secretly thought that he had tried to flatter them and only ended up embarrassing himself. But Cheng Jiahui said, “It isn’t Yao’er who’s marrying the Second Prince—it’s Lan’er. Be careful not to get it wrong later and upset the Second Prince.”
