Chapter 5 – Between Kneeling and Standing, She Chose to Squat

The front courtyard wasn’t far from the flower hall.

Shen Zhaozhao followed the women of the Zhan family through a few small gates. After passing through the receiving hall’s rear exit, they arrived at the front courtyard.

In the courtyard, four full rows of armed soldiers stood neatly in formation, their blades and swords glinting.

At the very front, one man sat atop a tall horse, his gaze condescending as he looked down on the women and children of the Zhan family.

Everything was exactly as in her dream.

“By imperial decree—Zhan family members, kneel and receive the edict!”

Wang Feiyi swept his gaze over the women of the Zhan family, savoring the feeling of looking down upon them.

Back then, the Zhan family had basked in glory.

So glorious that even his grandfather—Prime Minister Wang, a man of unchallenged authority—would make way for the Zhan family.

So glorious that the woman he loved, the renowned noble lady Miss Xie Si of the capital, had eyes only for Zhan Nanxing.

So glorious that when his younger brother was whipped by Zhan Nanxing, their father punished the younger brother by making him kneel in the ancestral hall and endure the humiliation in silence.

But look at them now.

Wang Feiyi raised the imperial edict high and watched with satisfaction as the women of the Zhan family one after another fell to their knees before him.

As Shen Zhaozhao approached the front courtyard, she silently slowed her steps, trailing behind the others.

Watching as the Zhan family matriarch led the group in rustling submission, she curled her lips slightly.

“Hm?”

Wang Feiyi’s eyes naturally landed on Shen Zhaozhao, the only one still standing.

At first glance, a flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.

His fiancée, Miss Xie Si, was already hailed as a beauty who captivated the entire capital—yet here the Zhan family had hidden a woman no less beautiful than her?

“Third Brother’s wife, kneel quickly,” Second Sister-in-law Guo hastily turned back and tugged at the hem of Shen Zhaozhao’s skirt.

Kneel?

That word didn’t exist in Shen Zhaozhao’s dictionary.

“This one…” Wang Feiyi narrowed his eyes; he had clearly heard Guo’s form of address.

Third Brother’s wife.

That cripple Zhan Nanxing actually managed to marry such a stunning woman?

*Crack—*

The whip in Wang Feiyi’s hand was suddenly pulled taut, producing a sharp buzz as a vicious glint flashed through his narrow eyes.

Such a beautiful little face—what a pity it would be to ruin it.

But then again, who told her to be so unlucky as to marry that cripple?

“Lord Wang, my Third Brother’s wife comes from a humble background. This is her first time receiving an imperial edict—she’s simply terrified,” Eldest Sister-in-law Lin said anxiously, worried that Shen Zhaozhao would be whipped. She forced a smile as she tried to plead on her behalf.

Wang Feiyi could ignore Guo’s words.

But Lin’s grandfather and his own grandfather currently served as the Left and Right Prime Ministers.

They were rivals—constantly opposing and checking one another.

So, for now, Wang Feiyi had to give her face.

“Hmph,” Wang Feiyi regretfully stroked the whip in his hand. “Are you done being scared? Can you kneel now?”

Even without looking at him, Shen Zhaozhao could feel that venomous gaze settling on her.

Like a snake—coiled and ready to strike.

If she insisted on not kneeling, that whip would surely come down.

Guo was still tugging at the hem of her skirt.

Up front, the Zhan matriarch kept turning her head to glance at her, anxiety clear in her eyes.

Shen Zhaozhao took a deep breath.

Her knees buckled.

She squatted.

She smoothed out her skirt, using the wide folds to completely cover her legs and feet.

“Mercy, My Lord! This humble girl is witnessing your awe-inspiring presence for the f-first time, and I’m s-so—hic!”

Shen Zhaozhao trembled as she suddenly hiccupped.

All the Zhan family’s women let out a silent breath of relief.

Amid Shen Zhaozhao’s intermittent hiccups, Wang Feiyi finally stopped staring at her.

A woman from such a modest background.

No matter how beautiful, she could never compare to the famed Xie Si of the capital.

He thought of how the Zhan family had lost the war, how that cripple Zhan Nanxing had broken off the Xie family’s engagement and ended up marrying a woman with no standing.

While he, Wang Feiyi—once dismissed by Zhan Nanxing—was now engaged to Xie Si.

That thought gave Wang Feiyi a surge of satisfaction.

His gaze swept over the group of women.

“Are all the men in your family dead? Why hasn’t the last man come out to receive the edict?”

The old Madam lifted her head and glanced at Wang Feiyi, who sat high on his steed, looking down at everyone with his chin slightly raised.

Suppressing the anger in her heart, she instructed Huang Juan to fetch Third Young Master.

After all, the man had come bearing an imperial decree.

Huang Juan acknowledged the command and stood up to go.

Shen Zhaozhao panicked.

If Zhan Nanxing really came out, there was no telling if a conflict might erupt again, handing this man more ammunition against them.

“Huang Juan, wait.”

Shen Zhaozhao rose and stopped her.

“Madam, what do you mean by this?” Wang Feiyi tugged at the corner of his lips, his whip flicking twice in the air. “Are you planning to defy the edict?”

He had gone to great lengths to obtain this assignment, all just to vent his pent-up resentment.

If he couldn’t lash Zhan Nanxing himself, hitting the disgraceful woman Zhan Nanxing married would be just as satisfying.

“This official,” Shen Zhaozhao spoke timidly, “it’s not that my husband refuses to receive the edict. It was I who instructed the servants not to summon him. If his festering leg wounds were to offend Your Excellency’s senses, it would be my fault.”

As she spoke, Shen Zhaozhao cast a glance full of tender emotion toward Wang Feiyi, while subtly revealing a trace of disgust toward Zhan Nanxing.

Shen Zhaozhao had an impeccable grasp of human nature.

Wang Feiyi had come today solely to bask in his own superiority.

As long as she fed him what he wanted, he would have no reason to act out.

Sure enough, Wang Feiyi, without realizing it, felt his ego thoroughly flattered by Shen Zhaozhao’s subtle manipulation, and he relished it.

So the cripple had married a beautiful wife who couldn’t even stand the sight of him.

Wang Feiyi chuckled, his gaze brushing past Shen Zhaozhao. Once the edict was delivered, he believed this beautiful wife would “properly” tend to Zhan Nanxing afterward.

A cripple, stripped of his title and exiled with his family.

What woman would have the patience to care for such a man?

Abusing a disabled husband, cheating on him—it happened all the time.

Where there was satisfaction, there was also resentment.

“Third Sister-in-law, you…” Zhan Zhiyao looked up at Shen Zhaozhao in disbelief.

Her Third Brother was a good man.

And Third Sister-in-law… was showing contempt for him?

She was just about to confront Shen Zhaozhao when the Zhan Matriarch tugged her sleeve, and she was forced to swallow her words.

“Very well. In light of the young general’s grave injuries, this official will not press the matter,”

Wang Feiyi finally relented and unfolded the imperial edict.

Shen Zhaozhao quietly exhaled and lowered herself back into a squat.

It was better that Zhan Nanxing didn’t come.

At least it would avoid any uproar that could lead to their entire family being executed.

“Who said having this general step out to receive an edict is a hardship?”

A slightly hoarse voice rang out, filled with unyielding pride.

Shen Zhaozhao’s eyes widened as she turned her head.

Zhan Nanxing was being helped out by a servant. Because of his injured leg, his steps were uneven, each one a visible struggle.

He looked directly at Wang Feiyi, who sat atop his horse.

Though his face was pale, there was not the slightest trace of fear or avoidance in his gaze.

In that moment, Wang Feiyi felt as though the man standing before him was still the same Zhan Nanxing who once looked down on him with contempt.

The hand gripping the whip bulged with veins.

“So it seems Young General’s injuries aren’t that serious. Why did your wife make you sound like you were at death’s door?”

Wang Feiyi bared his teeth, his gaze sweeping over Shen Zhaozhao with clear malice.

“Shen, a woman who kneels and flatters doesn’t deserve to be my wife,” Zhan Nanxing cast a sideways glance at Shen Zhaozhao, still squatting on the ground.

Shen Zhaozhao rolled her eyes.

If they weren’t stuck in this mess together, who would even want this?

Even though Zhan Nanxing’s leg was crippled, Wang Feiyi could still see the pride that hadn’t diminished one bit.

He wanted nothing more than to whip that arrogant spirit right out of him.

To make Xie Si regret ever falling for a cripple like him!

“Fine. Since you’re here, kneel and receive the edict.”

Wang Feiyi’s gaze shifted to Zhan Nanxing’s leg.

The man couldn’t even stand without support—Wang Feiyi was eager to see how this once high-and-mighty young general would kneel at his feet.

And if Zhan Nanxing refused to kneel, even better.

Wang Feiyi let out a cold sneer and drew his whip.