Chapter 35

A sound of footsteps approached from the front. The second and third madam of the Sheng family walked over with a look of panic, followed by two guards.

“Grand Princess,” the second madam curtsied and spoke with her head lowered, “I heard that the Grand Princess has been poisoned. Miss Shen in the dungeon keeps shouting that she has the antidote. Why not call her to try it? Maybe she can really cure the poison?”

Yan Donghuang looked at her, “The Sheng family wishes for my death, yet the second madam hopes I can be cured?”

The second madam lowered her head, her tone panicked and cautious, “No one knows why the wedding turned out this way, but I know the Grand Princess has been wronged. I just don’t know how to resolve the Grand Princess’s resentment. I only ask the Grand Princess not to harm innocent people.”

Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “You may leave.”

Since the rebellion has already started, it’s impossible not to harm innocent people. She could only try her best not to implicate the innocent.

The second and third madam turned and left.

The second and third branches of the Sheng family had been separated from the Duke’s mansion. The old madam of the Sheng family did this to prevent the second and third branches from taking advantage. The two separated families were doing just okay. Although they were far from the Duke’s mansion, they had never been in such a dire situation.

Yan Donghuang changed direction and said indifferently, “Let’s go to the dungeon.”

It was already nightfall, and the patrol guards lit torches, making the entire Grand Princess’s mansion as bright as day.

The dungeon, however, was narrow and dark, filled with a mix of damp, stuffy, and sour smells, with only a dim light from the lamps hanging on the walls.

Feng Yaoguang followed her, frowning, “This place is really not suitable for you to come personally, Your Highness.”

“I came to see if there will be any dog-eat-dog drama,” Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “If there is, I can watch a show.”

Feng Yaoguang said nothing more.

Sheng Jing’an and Shen Jun were both serious criminals, but they were locked up together in the innermost part of the dungeon, past several narrow stone doors.

A voice was heard from a distance, “Doctor, please treat my son’s injury well. He is the Duke. After these few days, we will return to the Duke’s mansion. You must treat him well. I will reward you handsomely.”

Yan Donghuang paused.

The Doctor treating Sheng Jingshan’s injury was a military doctor from the Qingluan Army. He said coldly, “Old madam, don’t get your hopes up. If you’re lucky, this dungeon will be your permanent residence; if not, you might be executed in a few days. Expecting a handsome reward? In the underworld, perhaps?”

“You… how dare you!” The old madam was either furious or desperate, involuntarily putting on the airs of the Duke’s wife, “The emperor values us. He will never let us be executed. Once Yan Donghuang dies, the Duke’s mansion will immediately regain its former glory!”

Feng Yaoguang’s face turned cold, and a flash of hostility was in his eyes.
He was about to go in and teach the old woman a lesson when Yan Donghuang turned to look at him. Her gaze was calm, and she clearly did not take the old woman’s words to heart.

But as these words fell, a familiar scream suddenly sounded, “Ah!”

“What are you doing?” The old madam screamed in anger and panic, “You quack, are you trying to kill the Duke?”

“Sorry, old madam Sheng. Your loud voice startled me, and I accidentally hurt the Duke.”

Yan Donghuang walked a few steps forward, bent down, and passed through the last stone door, seeing Sheng Jing’an trembling on the broken bed—whatever method the Doctor used, it hurt him so much that he couldn’t speak, his whole body drenched in sweat.

Yan Donghuang’s gaze swept through the cell.

Sheng Jing’an and Shen Jun, both disheveled, were locked together, while the two concubines and daughters of the Sheng family were locked with the old madam.

The dungeon cells were not spacious. One person per cell was barely enough, but several people together made it cramped. But there was no other way. The Grand Princess’s dungeon was not large, incomparable to the Ministry of Justice’s prison, and it also held the entire Chu family, so they had to squeeze in.

“The Duke’s wounds have been treated,” the Doctor said, lifting his medicine box and leaving a paper packet, “Here are some crushed herbs. Since men and women should not touch each other, the Duke’s family can apply the medicine themselves later.”

After saying this, he bent down and walked out of the cell, looking up to see Yan Donghuang and Feng Yaoguang.

“Your Highness,” the Doctor was surprised, “Why are you here in such a dirty place?”

As soon as he said this, the old madam in the left cell and Sheng Jing’an in the right cell were both shocked. Then, they hurriedly got up and clung to the cell door, looking at Yan Donghuang.

“You quack, if you can’t speak properly, shut up! Why else would the Grand Princess be here? Of course, to see her husband.” The old madam scolded, then turned to Yan Donghuang, “Grand Princess, Your Highness, please let Jing’an out. I promise not to trouble you again, and I won’t set any rules for you… Your Highness and Jing’an are married, you are husband and wife, Your Highness…”

Yan Donghuang said nothing, just looked at her calmly.

Feng Yaoguang listened to the old madam’s words in silence, for the first time doubting if she was switched at birth, as someone her age shouldn’t be so naive.

“Donghuang,” Sheng Jing’an looked at her through the cell door, his eyes complex and filled with regret and pain. “Are you still angry?”

Feng Yaoguang laughed at this. He leisurely walked past Yan Donghuang to the cell, looking at Sheng Jing’an’s expectant eyes. “Duke… you are still the Duke, though the title was earned through the Grand Princess’s military achievements and marriage, but you shouldn’t say such laughable words, right?”

“You—” Sheng Jing’an looked at him coldly, “I’m talking to my wife. Who are you to interrupt?”

“Wife?” Feng Yaoguang’s eyes turned cold. He pushed open the door and entered the cell, grabbing his head and slamming it against the cell door.

“Who is your wife? Are you still dreaming? Tell me, who is your wife?”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Sheng Jing’an’s head hit the cell door repeatedly, making him dizzy; soon, blood flowed from his forehead.

“What are you doing?!” The old madam was stunned, then reacted and shouted angrily, “Jing’an is the Duke. You are committing treason, attempting to murder a Duke! Stop! Stop it!”

Yan Donghuang watched coldly, not stopping it.

Feng Yaoguang grabbed Sheng Jing’an’s hair, slammed it one last time, then let go, throwing him to the ground.

Sitting in the corner with disheveled hair, Shen Yun watched this scene indifferently; only her trembling voice and suppressed screams showed her inner fear. She shivered, looking at Yan Donghuang in panic.

“Jing’an! Jing’an!” The old madam pounded on the cell door, calling her son, “Jing’an, are you okay? Jing’an!”

Sheng Jing’an opened his eyes from the chaos, his face covered in blood, his voice hoarse. “Donghuang, we are married. I… I like you. We have been childhood sweethearts for many years. Have you forgotten? You promised the late emperor and my father that we would live well and let the Duke’s mansion be passed down for generations…”

Yan Donghuang looked at him, her eyes cold and beautiful, “I am dying from poison. I wonder what method you have to ensure the Duke Mansion’s legacy together with me?”