Chapter 34

Mo Lin turned and left the room, seeing Xie Yunjian approaching. They nodded to each other, and Mo Lin left.

Xie Yunjian entered the room and respectfully greeted Yan Donghuang, “Your Highness, there’s news from the dungeon. Sheng Jing’an is making a fuss and demanding to see you. Shen Yun also insists she has the antidote and wants to deliver it to you.”

Yan Donghuang, thinking of something, spoke heavily, “They are both injured. Have someone skilled in treating external injuries apply medicine to Sheng Jing’an and let him treat Shen Yun’s injuries as well.”

Xie Yunjian frowned, “Let them fend for themselves. Why waste money on them?”

Yan Donghuang’s voice was cold, “Since they were brought here, they should live a few more days.”

Since Sheng Jing’an dared to poison her and wanted Shen Yun as his equal wife, she would see how long their love would last. She wanted Sheng Jing’an to know that his own hands destroyed all the glory and wealth of the Duke’s mansion. When he entered the underworld, would he have the face to meet his ancestors?

Xie Yunjian nodded, “Understood.”

“Release the second and third madam of the Sheng family,” Yan Donghuang ordered, “One person does the deed, one person bears the responsibility. No need to implicate the innocent.”

“Yes.”

…

Feng Yaoguang soon returned and instructed the kitchen to prepare a table of delicious dishes, all to Yan Donghuang’s taste.

“Today was a great harvest. The camp’s meals will improve tomorrow, and so should yours,” Feng Yaoguang said, directing the maids to set the table. He then removed his weapons and approached Yan Donghuang, “I’ll dine with you tonight.”

Yan Donghuang looked at him expressionlessly, “Since when did you become the master of my residence?”

“Starting today,” Feng Yaoguang said domineeringly, “You are exhausted, and it’s only right for me to do something for you.”

Yan Donghuang: “…” What a way to avoid the heavy and take the light.

“Why did you bring that dying illegitimate son of the Chu family into the
residence?” Feng Yaoguang asked sourly, “He’s so weak that a gust of wind could knock him over. I don’t see what use he could be.”

Yan Donghuang walked to the table, “He may not be of much use, but a person who has been in despair for a long time needs a bit of hope.”

Feng Yaoguang pursed his lips, “He is of the Chu bloodline.”

Yan Donghuang glanced at him, “What are you trying to say?”

“What if…”

Yan Donghuang frowned, deep in thought, “A person who has never seen the outside world, what are you worried about?”

Feng Yaoguang remained silent. Can’t he have a sense of crisis?

Although that person was weak and emaciated, his skin was so pale it was almost transparent, yet he still had a few traces of beauty.

Feng Yaoguang couldn’t imagine how stunning he would look once he recovered.

Minister Chu was of ordinary appearance, and Madam Chen wasn’t exceptionally beautiful either, so how did they produce such a handsome son?

Feng Yaoguang sat opposite Yan Donghuang, elegantly smoothing his clothes, “After I sent Princess Fengyang back, the Marquis of Pingyang looked very displeased, especially when he learned that Princess Fengyang couldn’t save the Chu family. His face was as dark as a storm cloud, and his mother even scolded Princess Fengyang on the spot. Their attitude showed no respect for a royal princess.”

Yan Donghuang said, “I’ve already instructed Si Ying to keep an eye on them.”

After saying this, she seemed unwilling to speak further and quietly began to eat.

Feng Yaoguang also fell silent.

After dinner, Yan Donghuang ordered two plates of light food to be packed and got up to leave.

Feng Yaoguang followed closely behind. His beautiful peach blossom eyes were fixed on her back, his gaze deep and unreadable. He wanted to speak several times but stopped.

Arriving at the small courtyard where Mingzhu was housed, Yan Donghuang pushed the door open and saw the young man curled up by the window. His long black hair was neatly groomed, and the servants had bathed and dressed him. He wore a loose robe; he was so thin that he seemed to have no flesh. The sound of the door startled him, and he looked up at her with fear and unease.

Seeing Yan Donghuang, he visibly relaxed, kneeling without speaking. He knew Yan Donghuang’s identity but had never been taught how to greet a grand princess properly. He only knew that kneeling was more humble than sitting or standing.

“From today, your name is no longer Mingzhu. I give you a new name, Chonghuan,” Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “Reborn, renewed.”

The young man lowered his eyes, “Thank you, Grand Princess.”

“Stretch out your hands,” Yan Donghuang said, taking out a key. “I’ll unlock your chains.”

Chonghuan trembled as he extended his hands, his eyes gradually showing a glimmer of hope.

Yan Donghuang observed his wrists, long scarred by the chains, the metal embedded in his flesh. Expressionless, she unlocked the chains.

Chonghuan trembled in pain but bit his lip to stay silent. He was long accustomed to pain. As the blood-stained chains fell from his wrists, Chonghuan stared at his mangled wrists, examining every inch of his skin.

“Apply some medicine to his wounds,” Yan Donghuang ordered, “Assign two people to take care of him. The Grand Princess’s residence can afford this.”

Changyue nodded, “Yes.”

Chonghuan looked up in a daze, “Why is the Grand Princess so kind to me?”

Yan Donghuang paused, then said indifferently, “I’m used to the cold-blooded killing on the battlefield. Occasionally, I feel a bit of compassion. Don’t think too much about it.”

With that, she turned and left.

Feng Yaoguang followed silently, suddenly wondering if the Grand Princess saw a reflection of her past self in Chonghuan.

Though a princess, Yan Donghuang had once been helpless and mistreated. In the imperial family and noble households, there was always flattery and cruelty, dirt and secrets. The emperor had his harem, and nobles had multiple wives and concubines. They had many children but didn’t protect each one. The legitimate wife had absolute authority, controlling others’ fates. Legitimate children were born noble, free to oppress and torment illegitimate ones. It was a twisted and cruel system.

Concubines were lowly, and many didn’t choose that life. Just as royal authority couldn’t be defied, palace maids were forced to serve. Low-status women had no right to refuse. Not everyone wanted to climb higher, but men’s absolute authority left no room for resistance.

Yan Donghuang, born a princess, had endured years of hardship. What about the concubines, maids, and illegitimate children in noble households with no voice? Who knew their suffering?