“Chen Lang, you worthless coward! You have no ability of your own, so you sell your daughter for glory—what kind of hero does that make you?!”
Madam Xu, like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins, her face twisted with rage, launched into a furious tirade at Prince Huai’an.
She was not well-educated, and her words were as crude as a shrew’s.
She pointed at Chen En and raged like a madwoman.
A rare occurrence—Chen En actually endured it.
He simply sat on the couch, expressionless.
Madam Xu was beyond furious, completely abandoning her usual gentle demeanor.
She pointed at him, jumping and cursing,
“You despicable scoundrel, selling your daughter for status! The Chen family bullies us too much! I, Xu Huilan, raised my daughter all by myself! The main branch of the family never contributed a thing—what right do you have to take her away?!
A-Ying has a father who gave birth to her but never raised her! Chen En, what gives you the right to send her away?!”
She was so enraged that she lost all restraint.
Her face turned red, contorted with fury, and her words became increasingly vicious.
Chen Jiao, standing to the side, knew there was no way to stop her.
He did not step forward to intervene, allowing her to vent her anger.
But Madam Xu was still not satisfied after her scolding—she charged forward, ready to claw at him in fury.
Suddenly, a sharp “PAH” rang out.
Chen En had swung his palm and slapped her hard across the face.
Madam Xu was caught completely off guard.
Unable to steady herself, she stumbled and fell to the ground.
Chen Jiao cried out in shock, “Mother!”
Madam Xu clutched her face, her eyes blazing with fury.
Chen Jiao rushed to help her up, but Madam Xu shoved him away and shouted,
“Chen En! If you push me to the brink, I will set fire to your Prince Huai’an’s residence! If I die, we all die together!”
Chen En’s face darkened with anger, his voice cold, “Nonsense!”
Though he usually had a gentle and amicable appearance, he was still the ruler of a region.
His authority could not be challenged, and he would not allow Madam Xu to threaten him.
“You entered the Chen family’s household, which means in life, you are my person, and in death, you are my ghost. Madam Zheng was married into this house through proper betrothal rites. She is A-Ying’s legitimate mother.
A marriage is decided by the orders of the parents and the words of the matchmaker. If I have the authority to make the decision, so does she. How dare you interfere?”
Madam Xu spat furiously, “Pah! You hypocritical scum! The entire Chen family is full of heartless bastards!
You prey on helpless widows and orphans! If you force A-Ying into marriage, I, Xu Huilan, curse you, Chen En, to die without heirs! Even as a ghost, I won’t let you off!”
Her words were venomous, making the veins on Chen En’s forehead bulge with rage.
Chen Jiao, afraid that his father would strike again, quickly shielded Madam Xu behind him.
Chen En, his face dark with fury, pointed at the mother and daughter.
In the end, he swallowed his anger, stood up, and stormed out, flinging his sleeve.
Madam Xu, eyes red with rage, cursed after him, “You bastard born of a whore! I hope you trip and die outside, choke on your food, and when you drink water—”
Chen Jiao, fearing she would suffer further consequences, quickly covered her mouth.
Outside, the servants were utterly terrified, kneeling on the ground, not daring to make a sound.
Chen En, filled with pent-up rage with nowhere to vent it, kicked a maid as he passed by.
The maid was sent tumbling to the ground but, despite the pain, dared not make a sound.
She got up and knelt again, her face full of silent grievance.
Chen En walked with his hands behind his back, his face dark as water, exuding an aura of menace.
As he and his servant passed through the moon gate, he accidentally stepped on a stone and slipped.
Fortunately, his attendant, Gao Zhan, reacted swiftly and caught him in time, preventing what would have been an inevitable fall.
Chen En felt utterly unlucky, gritting his teeth as he cursed, “Shrew!”
He increasingly questioned how he had been blind enough to take a liking to Xu in the first place.
Such a vulgar woman—completely unbearable!
The courtyard suddenly fell into silence.
Madam Xu’s face was swollen and red.
Chen Jiao ordered someone to bring a twisted cloth soaked in cold water to reduce the swelling.
Madam Jiang, deeply worried, cautiously said, “Madam, you were truly bold. Fortunately, the lord has a good temper and didn’t erupt on the spot.”
Madam Xu hissed through her teeth, “If he’s a ghost, why should I act like a human?”
Madam Jiang patiently tried to persuade her, “The lord is a prince, after all. He has authority. If you go head-to-head with him, you will only suffer losses.”
Madam Xu, still impulsive, wanted to storm off and argue with the main branch of the family, but Chen Jiao stopped her.
After considering the situation, Chen Jiao turned to Madam Jiang and said, “Please, go and find out what’s happening over at Jin Yu Courtyard.”
Madam Jiang nodded.
Once she had left, Chen Jiao lowered his voice and said, “If Cui Jue chooses to sit back and do nothing, I will drag him into this mess.”
Madam Xu anxiously said, “This is already a crisis! He’s surely staying out of it!”
Chen Jiao’s expression was cold.
“Mother, be patient. Those who have nothing to lose fear nothing.”
“I will give him two more days. If there is no room for negotiation, I will expose my affair with him and see if he can still hold onto his position as Vice Magistrate.”
Madam Xu’s eyelid twitched wildly.
“Will that really work?”
Chen Jiao replied coldly, “If I die, we all die together.”
Madam Xu fell silent.
The uproar at Lixiang Courtyard quickly spread, but Madam Zheng had no time to gloat—she was too busy searching for her daughter.
Chen Xianle and Zhou Beixiu had fled east of the city yesterday, unaware that someone was tailing them.
Cui Jue had no intention of letting Zhou Beixiu fall into the hands of either the Zheng family or Prince Huai’an.
If they confronted him, his secrets would be exposed.
At this moment, Wang Ni was both the death omen and the lifeline of Chen Xianle and Zhou Beixiu.
There were still several days until the thirteenth of the twelfth lunar month.
The longer they could stall, the better.
The next morning, Prince Huai’an went to Jin Yu Courtyard to discuss the adoption of Chen Jiao with Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng, restless and anxious, responded absentmindedly.
Chen En picked up his tea cup and asked, “Where is Wuniang? Call her here—I have something to say to her.”
Madam Zheng quickly replied, “Wuniang went to the Zhu family yesterday. My lord knows she has been feeling troubled lately. Having Zhu Xiaoniang comfort her might do her some good.”
Chen En paused for a moment, frowning.
“Send someone to bring her back.”
Madam Zheng hesitated but ultimately agreed.
Chen En brought up the matter of adoption, informing Madam Zheng that the bridal escort from Jiaozhou had already entered the city.
He instructed her to handle the marriage arrangements properly and ensure there were no mistakes.
Madam Zheng absentmindedly agreed.
At the time, Chen En did not notice anything unusual about her behavior.
He simply assumed that Chen Xianle was at the Zhu family’s residence.
However, that afternoon, when he sent someone to inquire again, he was told that Chen Xianle had still not returned to the estate.
This irritated Chen En, and he personally ordered a servant to go to the Zhu family and verify the situation.
What they found out was shocking—the Zhu family claimed they had never seen Chen Xianle.
It was only then that Chen En realized something was wrong.
After thinking for a moment, he ordered someone to summon Madam Liu for questioning.
Madam Liu arrived trembling with fear.
Chen En sat kneeling behind his desk, his expression dark as he asked, “Where did Wuniang go?”
Madam Liu lowered her head and remained silent.
Suddenly, Chen En slammed his palm onto the desk, startling her into falling to the ground in fright.
“Guards! Take her away and interrogate her!”
Upon hearing that punishment was imminent, Madam Liu turned deathly pale with terror, repeatedly pleading, “My lord, have mercy! Please, have mercy!”
Chen En pointed at her and asked, enunciating each word clearly, “Where is Wuniang?”
Madam Liu was on the verge of tears, opening and closing her mouth hesitantly, fear gripping her heart.
Chen En lost patience.
“Take her away!”
“Young mistress… has already… already run away!”
Madam Liu wailed, looking as though disaster had struck.
Gao Zhan, standing to the side, showed a look of surprise.
Even though Chen En had already suspected it, hearing it confirmed still left him utterly shocked.
“When did she escape? And with whom?”
Madam Liu dared not answer.
Chen En’s voice turned harsh, “Take her away and beat her to death!”
Madam Liu was so frightened she nearly wet herself.
She hurriedly confessed everything, which sent Chen En into a furious rage.
Unable to sit still any longer, he immediately stormed toward Jin Yu Courtyard to demand an explanation.
When Madam Zheng heard he was coming, she knew there was no way to keep it hidden any longer.
Fear and panic consumed her.
Chen En, unable to suppress his fury, burst into the room and roared, “Zheng Yuezhi! Are you and your daughter trying to rebel?!”
Madam Zheng was stunned by his terrifying expression.
Knowing she was in the wrong, she knelt down with grievance and wept, “My lord, please spare Wuniang this time… She knows she was wrong…”
Chen En seethed with hatred. “Running away with another man—who gave her such reckless courage?!”
Then, pointing at Madam Zheng, he scolded, “This is the fine daughter you raised? I provided for her for eighteen years, and this is how she repays me?!”
Realizing that catastrophe had struck, Madam Zheng crawled forward, sobbing, and begged for his forgiveness.
However, he kicked her away in fury, scolding bitterly, “She brought this on herself! And I was foolish enough to care for her!”
Madam Zheng, clutching her face in pain, continued to weep.
Chen En’s rage could not be quelled.
He immediately ordered Gao Zhan to summon the officials from the governor’s office and instructed them to retrieve the runaway daughter before the wedding date.
By nightfall, almost the entire county of Zhangling was mobilized.
Xu Zhao caught wind of the situation and arranged a private meeting with Cui Jue.
Cui Jue seemed to be suffering from a cold and had taken leave for the past two days.
He had a slight cough.
Lying in bed with little energy, his complexion was deathly pale.
The room was thick with the scent of medicine.
Xu Zhao opened the window slightly to let the stale air out.
“Many people in the city have come down with colds lately. It seems to be an epidemic. Wen Yun, your health is weak—you must take extra care.”
Cui Jue replied indifferently, “It’s an old ailment. Nothing serious.”
Xu Zhao walked to the bedside, sat down on a stool, and after holding back for a long time, hesitantly asked, “Do you know what’s happening at the prince’s estate?”
Cui Jue did not answer but instead asked in return, “Know what?”
Xu Zhao lowered his voice.
“The bridal escort from Jiaozhou is waiting to receive the bride, but Chen Wuniang has run away.”
Cui Jue’s eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing.
Xu Zhao pressed on, “Did you have a hand in this behind the scenes?”
Cui Jue remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “She will return on the tenth of the twelfth lunar month. The envoy from Jiaozhou will not have made the trip in vain.”
Xu Zhao studied him for a while before hesitantly asking, “Wen Yun, tell me the truth. Going to such great lengths…”
Cui Jue interrupted him, “If Chen Jiao ruins her own reputation and tells Prince Huai’an that she and I had an affair, how should I respond?”
Xu Zhao fell silent.
Cui Jue let out a light cough and reached for the water on the low table.
Xu Zhao handed it to him.
“If Chen Jiao gains leverage over Wen Yun, it will only make things more difficult for you in the future.”
Cui Jue took a sip of the warm water and showed a hint of disdain.
“She’s just an immature little girl—not nearly clever enough.”
He had a personal rule: never let a problem persist more than three times.
If Chen Jiao truly became a threat to him, there was only one solution—eliminate her.
The dead were always the most obedient.
As Cui Jue had predicted, on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Chen Xianle was found by Prince Huai’an’s men in Han Family Village.
She and Zhou Beixiu had fled in a panic and had been separated in the chaos.
Zhou Beixiu’s whereabouts were unknown.
Prince Huai’an immediately ordered his men to capture Zhou Beixiu and have him executed by a thousand cuts.
However, what he did not know was that Wang Ni had gotten to him first—silencing him forever by throwing him into the river.
When Zhou Beixiu regained consciousness, he found his mouth gagged and his body bound to a massive stone.
Realizing the danger, he struggled and let out muffled cries.
Wang Ni suddenly appeared before him, his cunning fox-like eyes making alarms go off in Zhou Beixiu’s mind.
The cold-faced man grinned, revealing a set of eerily white teeth.
Zhou Beixiu’s eyes widened in terror as he desperately tried to make a sound to call for help.
Ignoring his desperate struggle, Wang Ni exerted force and pushed the heavy stone into the river.
With a dull “thud,” the murky green water surged as the stone sank.
The icy river water filled Zhou Beixiu’s mouth, nose, and chest as he was dragged into the abyss of death.
The turbulent water quickly settled.
Wang Ni carefully erased any traces of the act and left without a sound.
Over time, the silt at the bottom of the river settled once more, restoring its usual calm.
As if nothing had ever happened.
With only three days left until the wedding, Chen Xianle was escorted back to Prince Huai’an’s residence overnight.
When Madam Zheng heard that she had been captured, she felt as if the sky had collapsed.
Qinfang Pavillion was placed under strict lockdown, with outsiders strictly forbidden from entering or leaving.
The level of surveillance was exceptionally tight.
Chen En, burning with anger, stormed over to confront Chen Xianle.
However, just as he reached the door, he saw Gao Zhan hurrying toward him in a rush.
Chen En frowned and asked, “Why are you in such a hurry?”
Gao Zhan saluted and reported, “Bad news, my lord! We just received word from the magistrate’s office—two members of the Jiaozhou bridal escort have suddenly died!”
Hearing this, Chen En froze in shock. “How could they suddenly die?”
Gao Zhan, visibly anxious, explained, “I heard it was due to an outbreak of an epidemic. There was unrest in Minzhou recently, and the epidemic had already surfaced there.
As people fled in all directions, many surrounding areas were affected. The envoy from Jiaozhou must have contracted the illness on the way, and no medicine could cure it.”
Chen En felt his head throbbing.
He had originally come to interrogate his wayward daughter, but Gao Zhan quickly advised him against it.
“My lord, since the young mistress just returned from outside, you must not come into contact with her—you might catch the disease!”
Chen En was startled by this and instinctively took two steps back.
For now, he turned his attention to the crisis with the Jiaozhou envoy.
The real disaster struck that very night—Chen Xianle developed a high fever, showing the initial symptoms of the epidemic.
Madam Zheng, overwhelmed with concern for her daughter, immediately summoned a doctor for treatment.
By the next day, news of Chen Xianle contracting the epidemic spread like wildfire, throwing the entire prince’s estate into chaos.
Because this illness wasn’t just contagious—it was deadly.
Panic quickly swept through the household.
Over in Lixiang Courtyard, Chen Jiao was more anxious than anyone.
She had already learned that Prince Huai’an had decided to marry off Chen Xianle.
Now, with the wedding just around the corner, if Chen Xianle succumbed to the disease, then the one sent to Jiaozhou in her place would undoubtedly be her.
Chen Jiao felt her entire body go numb.