Chapter 4 – The Ex-Husband Sends Someone to Take the Child

After Tang Chaoyang was reborn, she had once considered escaping Hancheng with her son.

But after weighing the risks, she realized it wouldn’t work—she had a criminal record, no travel permit, and no household registration.

And she and her son were both too weak; they would be easy prey on the road if anything happened.

In short, nowhere would be truly safe.

So she had decided to wait for the Su family to come and get her.

Granny Zhao, with the help of a young maid, walked up to Tang Chaoyang and gave her a formal bow. “Young Miss, I’ve come under Madam’s orders to escort you back to the Su family.”

Her overly ceremonious manner—relying on a maid to support her as she bowed—was meant to pressure Tang Chaoyang.

She wanted Tang Chaoyang to understand her future position, and to learn restraint, so as not to bring disgrace upon the Su family.

This tactic had been suggested by Madam Su herself. Otherwise, Granny Zhao wouldn’t have dared treat Tang Chaoyang so disrespectfully on the surface.

Tang Chaoyang gave her a lazy glance, her gaze light. “Let’s go.”

She immediately boarded the carriage Granny Zhao had just stepped out of.

Granny Zhao: “…”

That was her carriage. In this freezing weather, Tang Chaoyang was really going to make her walk back to town on foot?

But she was a servant, after all.

Granny Zhao secretly scorned Tang Chaoyang. Even in this state, she still didn’t understand her current situation.

The least she could do was invite her to share the carriage, right?

But Tang Chaoyang never said a word to her. As if she were still the wife of the Prime Minister, still so proud.

Tang Chaoyang didn’t care what Granny Zhao thought. If she had opinions, then as a servant, she could keep them to herself.

Even if she had fallen from grace, she was still the master here.
“Granny Zhao, hurry back to the city—I’m hungry.”

Granny Zhao walked beside the carriage and, in an intentionally respectful tone, said, “Young Miss, His Majesty has issued a decree dissolving your marriage to Lord Fei.”

Inside the carriage, Tang Chaoyang sneered faintly.

In her previous life, she hadn’t known that being exiled to Hancheng by the Empress Dowager was part of the emperor’s calculated plan.

This new emperor was no simple man. By the time she died, the Jin Kingdom was already flourishing under his rule.

The Empress Dowager had stepped in to discipline her on behalf of Dong Xinrui, conveniently saving the emperor the trouble.

He wanted the military seal held by the Su family.

He gave them a “ladder” to descend with dignity—help Tang Chaoyang, but in return, they had to hand over the seal quietly.

As for that other man, Fei Yan—he had been eager to divorce her and marry the woman he truly loved. Of course he hadn’t spoken up for her.

Tang Chaoyang lowered her eyes, smiling faintly.

This time around, she only wanted one thing: to raise her son safely and peacefully.

She placed a hand over her heart.

In her past life, this heart had been pierced by a sword—wielded by one of Fei Yan’s own guards—and then crushed.

The pain of having her heart shattered was unforgettable.

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As the carriage returned to the alley, Tang Chaoyang stepped down herself, bending slightly to use the stool, without waiting for a maid’s help.

She looked up—only to see another carriage stopped at her doorstep.

And standing beside it was a man.

Her dark eyes instantly turned icy cold.

The man was none other than Cheng Shijian, Fei Yan’s personal guard.

In her past life, only the Su family had sent someone to pick her up. The Prime Minister’s estate had never bothered.

Tang Chaoyang couldn’t figure out why Cheng Shijian had come now.

Cheng Shijian caught sight of her disheveled appearance and quickly lowered his gaze, bowing.
“Miss Tang, my lord has sent me to bring the young master back to the residence.”

Tang Chaoyang’s calm expression cracked at those words.

Fei Yan! He wanted to take An’an away from her!

No wonder she hadn’t seen Cheng Shijian in her past life—it must’ve been because they knew An’an was already dead, so they never bothered coming.

Her face now brimmed with fury and hatred, her eyes dark as night.
“Guard Cheng, you should leave. From now on, An’an will stay with me. Your master will have many children with other women—one less won’t make any difference.”

She laughed coldly.
“An’an’s been missing for an entire month, and only now does he send someone? What a cold-hearted beast! He’s not fit to be a father!”

Cheng Shijian kept his composure even after hearing her curse his master.
“Miss Tang, please don’t make things difficult for me. My lord won’t allow you to take the young master away.”

After all, Fei An’an carried the blood of the Fei family.

Tang Chaoyang’s face turned completely cold.

She had been given a second chance—there was no way she’d let Fei Yan steal her son away again.

Forcing herself to stay calm, she spoke slowly and clearly,
“Go back and tell Fei Yan—he has nothing to do with An’an anymore. If he dares try to take him, I swear I’ll turn the entire Prime Minister’s estate upside down!”

Cheng Shijian hadn’t expected such a fierce reaction.

If the child stayed with Fei Yan, he’d be the Prime Minister’s son.
With Tang Chaoyang, he’d just be the son of a divorced woman.

“Miss Tang, for the young master’s future, you should think carefully,” Cheng Shijian said gravely.

“His future?” Tang Chaoyang scoffed.
“I’m more worried he’ll be ruined by Dong Xinrui! Fei Yan never cared about An’an—what future would he have in that house?”

She was blunt.

“Miss Tang, please mind your words. Madam Dong is not that kind of person.”

Tang Chaoyang wasn’t surprised that Cheng Shijian defended Dong Xinrui. After all, everyone around Fei Yan saw her as a burden.

“Guard Cheng, you’re so protective of Dong Xinrui—you must like her a lot.”

“Miss Tang!”

“Cousin Miss!”

Cheng Shijian hadn’t expected her to say something so outrageous and his face darkened.

Granny Zhao nearly choked on her breath—this kind of talk could not be said lightly! Dong Xinrui had the Empress Dowager and Imperial Tutor backing her!

Tang Chaoyang smirked.
“What are you all so nervous about? When I say ‘like,’ I don’t mean romantically. I mean he admires her as the lady of the house. Tsk, what filthy thoughts you people have.”

“…”

Cheng Shijian took a deep breath. It was clear Tang Chaoyang was determined not to let Fei An’an go.

He’d have to report this to his lord and let him decide.

Inside the house, little Fei An’an had been listening with his ears perked. He thought he’d heard his mother’s voice.

He rushed to the door with his short little legs.

The moment he opened it, there she was.

“Mother!”

Tang Chaoyang, whose expression had been tense and grim, instantly softened into a radiant smile.
“Baby, Mommy’s back.”

She stepped forward and scooped him into her arms.

Mother and son, their foreheads pressed together affectionately.

They were completely wrapped up in each other, forgetting anyone else was even present. Not that any of those outsiders mattered to them anyway.

Carrying Fei An’an, Tang Chaoyang walked into the courtyard and shut the door behind her with a firm click.

As for the people outside? They were none of her concern.

Granny Zhao looked at the sky. “Let’s find an inn. We’ll set out for the capital tomorrow.”

Every extra day in this cold hell made her miserable—her teeth were chattering.

Cheng Shijian stared at the tightly shut door, gave the coachman some orders, and left with the others.

Inside, Tang Chaoyang listened to the fading sound of departing carriages. She looked down at the little boy in her arms.

Fei An’an gazed up at her, eyes sparkling, waiting for praise.
“Mother, I didn’t open the door for strangers today!”

She held him and stroked his little back gently.
“An’an is very smart.”

“Mm! Just like Mommy!”

The little guy proudly praised himself—and praised her too.

Tang Chaoyang couldn’t help laughing at his proud little face.
“Yes, An’an is just as clever as Mommy.”

He rubbed his head against her, then wrinkled his nose and pinched it.
“Mommy smells stinky.”

This little rascal. Tang Chaoyang laughed and put him down.
“Mommy’s going to fetch water and wash up first.”

As for Fei Yan wanting to take An’an back to the Fei family?

She needed to carefully consider how to handle it.

In her previous life, she’d spent twenty years locked in a power struggle with Fei Yan. That man might’ve seemed elegant and refined on the surface, but his methods were ruthless. She’d lost many people because of him.

In this life, she didn’t want to waste another breath fighting with him.