Chapter 64: Dog Eat Dog, All Covered in Fur, Hahaha

“Princess Changping, this protective talisman is for you.” Taoist Baiyun took out the protective talisman that Ah Bao had given him.

Princess Changping was a bit puzzled. “Taoist, what is this for…?”

【Aunt, accept it! Misfortune will turn into good luck, yay!】

Concubine De quickly spoke up, “Perhaps the Taoist noticed that the princess has been feeling troubled lately. Since it’s a protective talisman for peace, the princess should accept it.”

Princess Changping, having heard Ah Bao’s thoughts, smiled slightly. “Alright, I’ve heard that the talismans from this temple are hard to come by. It seems I’m in luck today. In that case, thank you, Taoist Baiyun.”

Taoist Baiyun: “You’re too kind, Princess. Since it’s rare for Concubine De and Princess Changping to visit the temple, why not take a walk around? The air here is quite refreshing, perfect for clearing the mind.”

“The Taoist is absolutely right.” Shangguan Ze quickly chimed in.

Wasn’t this Taoist Baiyun here to help him?

He had been worrying about how to keep Changping here a little longer, and now the Taoist had spoken up.

It seemed his son was destined to be a noble of the royal family. Look at that—heaven had handed him an opportunity. Today, he must persuade Changping to take their son back to the princess’s residence.

Concubine De and Princess Changping took Ah Bao for a stroll in the backyard.

From a distance, Shangguan Ze saw someone. “Ping’er, a familiar face is ahead. I’ll go say hello.”

Princess Changping nodded, and Shangguan Ze strode away.

Following the sound, Concubine De looked over and saw a young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a blue robe, sitting on a stone bench not far away.

“Princess, who is that young man?”

“That’s Wen Qingyuan, the youngest son of the Vice Minister of Rites. Speaking of the Vice Minister, he was one of the chief examiners in this year’s imperial examination.”

【The Vice Minister of Rites’ lifelong reputation for integrity and uprightness might be ruined because of this late-born son of his.】

Concubine De was startled.

The emperor was investigating this year’s imperial examination. Could it be related to the Vice Minister of Rites?

Princess Changping, however, was enjoying the drama.

【Wen Qingyuan and that scumbag seem to get along well. Hehe, no wonder they’re friends—neither has good taste. That mistress has both of them wrapped around her finger, hahaha.】

Concubine De: “…”

Princess Changping: “…”

The big drama unfolds!

What does Wen Qingyuan have to do with that mistress?

【Aunt, just watch. The father of that mistress’s son is actually Wen Qingyuan.】

【Scumbag deceives scumbag! Dog eat dog, all covered in fur, hahaha!】

【Scumbags will get their comeuppance! Those two are bound to meet their end sooner or later!】

Concubine De understood.

So the mistress was also involved with Wen Qingyuan.

Then she put a green hat on Shangguan Ze, claiming she gave birth to a son for him, but in fact, that son was Wen Qingyuan’s.

Heavens.

This mistress had such a deep scheme.

One woman managed to ruin two men.

Princess Changping, however, felt a secret sense of relief, as if the stifling anger in her chest had finally eased a bit upon learning this.

Shangguan Ze betrayed his wife, but now the mistress had betrayed him.

Was this the karmic retribution of the heavens?

Meanwhile, Shangguan Ze, grinning cheekily, approached, “Young Master Wen, you’re here too?”

Wen Qingyuan, who had a small black dog by his side, was lost in thought while walking the dog.

Today, Xiao Liangliang said he had a big secret to tell him, and he was wondering what it could be.

“It’s the princess’s husband.” Wen Qingyuan, who was only twenty years old and very handsome, was a well-known playboy in the capital, given his good family background. “Are you here at the temple to pray as well?”

“I came with the princess and Concubine De. I heard that Taoist Baiyun is back, so I came to see him.” Shangguan Ze thought he must win over this young master from the Wen family, the youngest son of the Vice Minister of Rites.

Wen Qingyuan seemed distracted. “It’s getting late, I just remembered I have something to do, so I’ll be leaving first.”

Shangguan Ze smiled and nodded. “Alright, take care, Young Master Wen.”

Wen Qingyuan led the little black dog away without looking back.

The little black dog turned its head, locking eyes with Ah Bao.

Little Black Dog: “…”

“Whimper… whimper…”

Its fur bristled as it broke free from Wen Qingyuan’s grip and dashed off.

Wen Qingyuan: ??

What was going on? His usually gentle and adorable little black dog was acting like it had gone mad.

…

Shangguan Ze continued accompanying Princess Changping and Concubine De as they strolled with little Ah Bao. He was sweating profusely, pondering how to bring up what he wanted to say next.

“Hmm, what’s that sound? It sounds like someone is crying,” Princess Changping said, looking at Concubine De. “Did you hear that?”

Concubine De pointed ahead, “It seems to be coming from that grove up ahead.”

“In broad daylight, and near a temple no less, there must be something going on. Let’s go have a look,” Princess Changping suggested, taking the lead and walking forward.

Shangguan Ze secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Heaven was truly on his side.

Hold on, auntie. You’re about to see the mistress soon.

Don’t be upset, it’s not worth it.

Princess Changping hesitated for a moment, then continued following the sound.

Deep within the woods, they saw a woman dressed in white sitting on the ground covered in fallen leaves, leaning against a large tree. She was silently sobbing and wiping away tears.

“My poor child, it’s your mother who has wronged you. Mother has no other choice. If you want to blame someone, blame me. I only hope you can live on…” Xiao Liangliang placed her months-old son on the ground, bit her finger, and wrote something on a handkerchief. It was unclear what she wrote.

Xiao Liangliang began sobbing again. She patted her baby, who was still swaddled, as if saying goodbye. The infant seemed to sense that his mother was abandoning him and started crying loudly.

Xiao Liangliang wiped her tears away and, still holding the baby, cried even harder, “Oh, my child, my child… I can’t bear to leave you, but I really have no other choice…”

Behind her, Shangguan Ze sighed heavily, “That mother and child look so pitiful.”

Princess Changping suddenly said, “Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ‘There’s always something despicable about those who are pitiable?'”

Shangguan Ze: ?

A vague sense of unease crept over him.

Princess Changping’s eyes narrowed, “Concubine De, let’s go see what’s going on.”

Concubine De opened her mouth, wanting to say they shouldn’t, but seeing the determination on Princess Changping’s face, she nodded.

“Are you abandoning your child?” Princess Changping said coolly as she stood behind Xiao Liangliang.

She had mentally prepared herself for this.

Xiao Liangliang, who had been crying, froze.

She turned her tear-filled eyes toward Princess Changping.

At such close range, Xiao Liangliang couldn’t help but admire how beautiful Princess Changping was. Despite the years spent recovering her health and attempting to conceive, neglecting her skincare, and her slightly pale complexion, Princess Changping still had a grace and aura that Xiao Liangliang could never match.