Chapter 250: Widowed

“Your Highness, there’s an urgent matter in the military camp,” Qin Yang’s voice came from outside.

Before Su Wan could respond, Gu Qingsong spoke first. “Thank you for your hard work today, Divine Doctor Su. I’ll have to trouble you to pay extra attention to Zhen’er’s health.” Opening the door, he saw Lady Liu standing at the entrance and instructed, “You go escort Divine Doctor Su.” With that, he strode away in large steps.

Qin Yang glanced at Su Wan, then quickly followed after Gu Qingsong.

Lady Liu let out a sigh of relief and forced a gentle smile onto her face. “Divine Doctor Su, allow me to escort you out of the estate.”

“Please, Princess, there’s no need. I can see myself out,” Su Wan politely declined, carrying her medicine box as she made her way toward the estate’s entrance.

Lady Liu followed behind her, her voice soft and gentle. “Divine Doctor Su, since Master Mingjue recommended you, it’s clear that your medical skills are exceptional. His Highness also holds you in high regard. If Zhen’er experiences any discomfort in the future, I’ll send a message to invite you over to treat him.”

Su Wan smiled faintly. “Alright.”

She had already explained everything to Gu Qingsong. Su Wan was well aware that Lady Liu did not value her medical skills, so there was no point in saying more.

After the New Year, she would return to the Great Zhou, and Gu Yunzhen’s illness would be entrusted to Master Mingjue.

Lady Liu tightened her fingers slightly, feeling a hint of dissatisfaction with Su Wan’s attitude.

But thinking about what she needed to do next, Lady Liu suppressed her emotions and escorted Su Wan to the entrance.

Just as Su Wan was about to board the carriage, Lady Liu suddenly asked, “Divine Doctor Su, Master Mingjue will be coming to the estate in a few days to check on Zhen’er. Shall I send someone to bring you here then?”

“You’ll have to wait for my notice. I might not be available,” Su Wan replied without giving a definitive answer, then lowered the carriage curtain.

Qi Sixteenth leaped onto the driver’s seat and drove the carriage away.

Lady Liu angrily twisted the handkerchief in her hands. This wretched woman was far too arrogant!

Wasn’t she just the Empress’s daughter left among the common folk?

She didn’t even have a title yet, so what was there to be so proud of?

Let her enjoy her arrogance for a few more days!

Lady Liu entered the estate just as Qin Yang was coming out of the study in the front courtyard. Their eyes met briefly.

Qin Yang caught the signal in Lady Liu’s gaze but quickly looked away, his face expressionless as he headed back into the inner residence.

Lady Qian was in the room, busy sewing new clothes for Qin Yang for the New Year. Hearing movement, she turned to look and saw Qin Yang returning. She quickly set down her needle and thread, smiling warmly as she went to greet him, unfastening the cloak he wore. “You’re back! Don’t you need to stay at the military camp today?”

“Where are the children?”

“They’re at the academy,” Lady Qian replied. Her features were delicate, not striking, but her gentle demeanor made her approachable. Noticing the heavy expression on Qin Yang’s face, she asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Did something upset you?”

Irritated and restless, Qin Yang suddenly shoved Lady Qian away, venting his anger on her. “This is all your doing! If you hadn’t let Lady Liu stay in the bed, that incident wouldn’t have happened. And if you hadn’t stopped me from confessing to His Highness, how would I now be at Lady Liu’s mercy?”

Lady Qian’s face turned deathly pale. Realizing that Lady Liu had likely threatened Qin Yang again, her trembling fingers clutched at the hem of her clothing as regret consumed her.

Back then, she had been blinded by foolishness. When Lady Liu came to her, she proposed arranging a position for her brother—making him the manager of one of the Liu family’s shops, with a monthly salary of ten taels of silver. It was more than enough to cover the expenses of the entire family, with some left over.

Prior to this, Lady Qian had begged Qin Yang to find a position for her brother in the military camp, but Qin Yang had refused, unwilling to abuse his authority for personal gain.

Lady Liu’s appearance had been like rain in a drought, and Lady Qian had felt deeply grateful to her. She began currying favor with Lady Liu, and over time, the two became familiar with one another.

Later, Lady Liu came to her in anger, claiming that Lady Qian’s brother had caused trouble at the shop and racked up a debt of several thousand taels of silver.

Panicked, Lady Qian didn’t know what to do. Lady Liu then made a proposal: if Lady Qian would leave the house to fetch wine and not return until nightfall, the matter would be settled, and her brother wouldn’t have to pay for the debt.

After all, Qin Yang was risking his life for Gu Qingsong, so how could Lady Liu not take care of Qin Yang’s relatives?

Lady Qian felt uneasy, instinctively sensing that such a generous offer couldn’t come without ulterior motives. She was certain Lady Liu had her own agenda. However, if she didn’t do as Lady Liu instructed, her brother would be taken to the authorities. Confused and desperate, Lady Qian agreed.

She never imagined that Lady Liu’s target was her husband. Lady Qian’s heart filled with hatred, but she was powerless to resist. No matter how much she thought about it, she knew she had fallen into Lady Liu’s trap. Yet, she couldn’t speak of it to anyone and could only swallow her bitterness silently.

“His Highness’s eldest son is here in Xiliang, right in the imperial palace. If His Highness finds out, you’d better prepare to be widowed!” Qin Yang spat these words before storming off.