Chapter 49 – His Movements Were Surprisingly Gentle

Mei-shi’s brazen confidence made Princess Consort Cheng let out a cold laugh in her heart.

Prince Cheng would never stand by and watch her run wild. Just as he was about to scold her, Princess Consort Cheng strode up to him and struck him hard on the head.

Since there were blisters on his face, she found it disgusting to hit his face, so she aimed directly for his head.

Everyone was stunned.

No one had expected the princess consort to actually hit the prince.

The dizzy Prince Cheng stammered, “Y-you… how dare you! I will repudiate you, you shrew!”

Princess Consort Cheng sneered, lifted her foot, and kicked the plump Prince Cheng hard. “It’s I who will repudiate you, not the other way around, you worthless cur!”

Having lived to this age, she no longer feared the gossip of the outside world. She only wanted her son to survive.

Besides, her natal family was a prestigious clan—not something easily bullied.

The guards wanted to protect Prince Cheng, but they did not dare lay a hand on the princess consort.

Princess Consort Cheng ordered the maids to drag Mei-shi to the pond. Mei-shi struggled, crying out for help.

It was only now that she finally realized fear. She recalled—

Before the eldest young master fell ill, Princess Consort Cheng had been a formidable and ruthless mistress of the household.

Princess Consort Cheng looked coldly at Mei-shi’s terrified struggling. Her gaze was frigid as she said, “Mei-shi, if you wanted your son to survive, you should have behaved yourself, content to remain an obedient concubine!”

“To dare covet my son’s life… Your ambitions truly soared to the heavens. You enjoy digging pits for others to fall into? Push her in!”

“No—! My lord, save me! Don’t— Ah!”

The maids shoved Mei-shi into the pond. She flailed desperately in the water. She couldn’t swim, so she could only cry for help.

Princess Consort Cheng watched her struggle indifferently and let out a scornful, furious curse:

“My son’s life hung by a thread—saved by Heaven’s favor—yet you dared scheme against him. You’ve left me nothing but bitter regret!”

She also hated herself for having been too soft-hearted.

Today, she would let everyone in the Prince’s Manor see what happened when she was enraged!

The maids all fell to their knees in terror.

And those who were hesitating over whether to jump in and rescue Mei-shi no longer dared act.

Prince Cheng saw the princess consort’s crazed expression, and he trembled with fury, his fingers shaking. “Are you all dead?! Jump in and save her! If Mei-shi dies, none of you will live either!”

However, today, Princess Consort Cheng was utterly determined to see Mei-shi die.

Among the guards who knew how to swim, only men were left. If they went in to save Mei-shi, sooner or later, the prince would hold it against them.

That left only women to rescue her.

Madam Li, who had been sent to Zhuque Lane to find Tang Zhaoyang, finally returned, only to see her princess consort in this ruthless state.

At first, she thought the young master must not have survived.

When she saw that two rough-servant women had jumped into the water to try to save Mei-shi, Madam Li’s gaze turned vicious, and she plunged into the pond herself.

She pushed and grappled with the other two women.

Princess Consort Cheng, seeing Madam Li enter the water, was both moved and anxious. She signaled two of the skilled-swimming senior maids to jump in and help.

By then, Mei-shi had already sunk below the surface, nearly drowned.

She was overwhelmed with unwillingness…

The title of heir apparent of Prince Cheng’s Manor was supposed to go to her son…

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**

“Mei-shi was pushed into the pond by Princess Consort Cheng. She’s likely about to drown. Tang Dafu, do you wish to save her?”

Ling Gurong sat casually in a chair, watching Tang Zhaoyang perform acupuncture on Qin Ruoming as he spoke.

Tang Zhaoyang’s gaze flickered slightly. She curved her lips in a faint smile. “If Lord Guguan wants to save her, you may go. Why ask me?”

That question had been turned right back on Ling Gurong.

Ling Gurong’s lips curved with a hint of amusement. He said languidly, “I thought physicians all possessed a heart that wished to save lives.”

“Are you the fool, or am I?” Tang Zhaoyang finished inserting the final needle before turning her head to glance sidelong at Ling Gurong.

If all physicians had a heart intent on saving everyone, then her son in her previous life wouldn’t have died.

What Princess Consort Cheng was handling was a woman who had tried to murder her child.

Tang Zhaoyang wasn’t so brainless as to meddle in such affairs.

She had finally saved Qin Ruoming’s life—though his lifespan had been shortened. Whether he could live to forty would depend on his own fortune.

Ling Gurong wasn’t angered by being called a fool. He only smiled lightly. “I was only worried you might do something foolish. Tang Dafu, I have other matters. I’ll be leaving first.”

Tang Zhaoyang reacted swiftly, rising to stop him.

“Hmm?” The man arched a brow in mild puzzlement.

“Lord Guguan, please don’t go yet. I have something to ask your help with.”

Tang Zhaoyang actually called him Lord, and even used the respectful you—her face wearing a brothel-keeper’s ingratiating smile.

Ling Gurong calmly drew a handkerchief from his robes and placed it over Tang Zhaoyang’s head.

His movement was surprisingly gentle, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

It felt a little like placing a bridal veil on a bride.

What he said next nearly made Tang Zhaoyang spit blood.

“Tang Dafu, please don’t smile at me with that blistered face. I… am still a man. I also need something pleasant to look at.”

“…”

The handkerchief covered her line of sight. Otherwise, he would have seen her roll her eyes toward the ceiling like a dead fish.

Ling Gurong’s lips lifted in a faint smile. His voice dropped low: “Ling Yi will stay behind to help you.”

By the time Tang Zhaoyang tugged down the cloth, Ling Gurong had already left.

She knew very well that Qin Ruoming was alive because Guguan had helped her—

Had he not galloped over to fetch her, or ordered Ling Yi to open the Prince’s Manor gates, she wouldn’t have made it in time.

Tang Zhaoyang tucked the handkerchief away to wash and return later.

Princess Consort Cheng came into the room, her voice trembling with tension: “Tang Dafu, my son—?”

“His body must be nursed carefully. I’ll write you a prescription. He was poisoned. You’d best investigate this thoroughly. If it happens again, I won’t be able to save him. His body can’t withstand it.”

Princess Consort Cheng nodded repeatedly. She wiped her tears, choking up: “Tang Dafu, thank you. Please rest assured—I won’t allow the prince to trouble you further.”

Tang Zhaoyang smiled faintly. “Once they take the antidote, their faces will recover over time. The fee is five thousand taels.”

The antidote she’d given them was an improved version of her earlier pill.

Its effect was slow—the pustules and blisters wouldn’t vanish quickly.

Prince Cheng’s Manor did not lack money.

When Tang Zhaoyang finally left the manor, she reluctantly counted out five thousand taels and handed them to Ling Yi. “Give this to your master.”

Ling Yi silently accepted the banknote.

“And please do me another favor—use your Jin Yiwei identity to intimidate Prince Cheng, so he won’t come after me.” she added.

Although Princess Consort Cheng had promised her, Tang Zhaoyang liked to have double insurance.

The Jin Yiwei were perfect for scaring people.

Ling Yi: “…”

The Jin Yiwei had only just been established, and already they were being used to frighten nobles. Lord Yu Wen was truly formidable…

After arranging everything, Tang Zhaoyang had planned to head to Zhuque Lane alone. Unexpectedly, Ling Yi invited her onto a carriage.

The moment she climbed aboard, she collapsed into the seat, completely limp.

Though she’d been calm while saving lives, she had been genuinely tense.

Only when she was alone could she let herself relax.

Soon, the matter at Prince Cheng’s Manor would be settled. Then she could bring Widow Liu and her daughters safely back to the capital.

Tang Zhaoyang thought of Liu Erniang, who in her previous life had been loyal to her unto death.

Unconsciously, a radiant smile appeared on her face.

She hoped this life would bring them happiness.

**

Meanwhile, Ling Gurong hurried back to the palace to discuss state affairs with several senior ministers.

He was busy until sunset.

Chief Steward Feng finally came to report: “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager asks whether you have time to attend the flower-viewing banquet tomorrow, the fifteenth.”

Ling Gurong rubbed his faintly throbbing temples.

Tomorrow was indeed the fifteenth. The Empress Dowager’s banquet was merely an excuse to help the new emperor choose an empress.

Ling Gurong lowered his hand and said blandly, “There’s no need. I trust the Empress Dowager’s judgment.”

Chief Steward Feng withdrew respectfully, sending his adopted son Yu Fu to deliver the message to the Empress Dowager.

Who knew in whose hands the Phoenix Seat would eventually fall?

When the harem gained new mistresses, the palace would only grow more lively.

Chief Steward Feng turned back to the imperial study and happened to see Ling Yi handing the emperor the banknote.

“?”

Ling Gurong counted it. Oh my—five thousand taels exactly. Tang Dafu must have felt the pain in her heart.

Just imagining her pained expression improved his mood.

Indeed, watching someone else suffer losses always delighted him.

Chief Steward Feng’s mind stirred. He dared not speculate on the emperor’s thoughts.

Whoever had given that money must be someone special, to make His Majesty so pleased…

**

At that moment, in Cining Palace—

Empress Dowager Dong reclined on a pearwood couch, absently turning a string of prayer beads in her hand.

After hearing Yu Fu’s message, she simply made a soft “Mm.”

Yu Fu rose, bowed low, and respectfully withdrew.

The senior palace maid dismissed all the other attendants.

Wisps of incense drifted from the auspicious cloud-patterned censer.

White smoke curled upward through the lotus-shaped openings in the lid.

Empress Dowager Dong murmured, “This incense does smell quite good… Mammy, tell me—does His Majesty truly trust this widow?”

The senior maid knew her mistress did not expect an answer.

After all, His Majesty was not her flesh and blood.

No matter how affectionate they appeared, there would always be that thin veil between them.

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