Volume One, Chapter 20: Has She Strayed?

"Xuan’er, I will never fail you. The title of Lady of the Heir Apparent will definitely be yours; it’s only a matter of time. As long as that debt is repaid, father and grandmother will no longer blame you. You have always been understanding, the one who sympathizes with me the most, unwilling to make things difficult for me, right?" Su Ziwen soothed her with utmost tenderness.

Ling Xuan concealed the deep disappointment in her eyes. When she raised her head, her enchanting eyes were filled with glistening tears, as if poised to fall yet holding on, looking both delicate and pitiful.

“Husband, it’s not that I’m impatient. You know, even an outstanding daughter born out of wedlock rarely has the chance to rise above her status. Xuan’er doesn’t want Xin Yue to grow up and become a concubine for others. If Henglin is made a son by a concubine, it will be difficult for him to pursue a brilliant future or marry a suitable wife. Husband, I can endure some grievances, but I don’t want our two children to experience the harshness of the world at such a tender age.” Ling Xuan’s tears silently slipped down her cheeks.

Su Ziwen’s heart felt as though it had been pierced sharply. Indeed, he had already wronged Ling Xuan, and now he was about to wrong their children as well?

“Xuan’er, give me a few more days. I will try my best to persuade grandmother quickly.” Su Ziwen hated to see her cry.

“Husband, I will go home tomorrow to ask my mother for some precious jewelry to give to grandmother. Right now, my situation in the mansion is even worse than the maids by her side! Originally, I shouldn’t have to worry about my own status or that of our children, so how did it come to this?” Ling Xuan choked up repeatedly, her shoulders trembling.

“These servants have become increasingly insolent. If anyone dares to offend you again, I’ll sell off a few of them as an example, and the rest will behave.” Su Ziwen spoke harshly, intending to make an example out of them.

He felt guilty toward Ling Xuan.

She was the legitimate daughter of the Ling family, born to an official’s household, beautiful and gentle, with a match perfectly suited to her status.

But his disgraceful behavior while drunk had destroyed her bright future.

Though he tried his best to make amends, he still felt it was not enough. How dare those blind servants bully her? Who gave them the courage?

He could not defy his grandmother, yet he could still punish a few servants, right?

“As long as my husband loves me, Xuan’er will find life sweet.” Ling Xuan smiled, tears still wet on her lashes.

Su Ziwen held her tightly, his heart swelling with even more tenderness for her.

At the same time, he secretly resented Yun Jinhua. If she had half of Xuan’er’s consideration and gentleness, they wouldn’t have reached such a point of estrangement, and Xuan’er wouldn’t have suffered so much.

Ling Xuan rested her face against his chest, frowning slightly.

She could not wait any longer. Who knew what changes might occur in a year?

If she couldn’t rely on this man, then she would find someone else to help.

Early the next morning, Ling Xuan returned to the Ling family with Yan Hong.

At the hour of the serpent, she entered the Drunken Flower Shade tavern alone and went straight to the innermost private room on the second floor.

The waiter brought her a pot of hot tea and some fruit and pastries, then left quietly.

After about half an hour, the door was silently pushed open, and a man slipped in.

He wore a dark blue long robe and a wide-brimmed hat that nearly concealed his entire face.

Ling Xuan lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with natural joy and admiration.

The man boldly pulled out the chair beside her and sat down with a commanding air.

“I’ve run into trouble,” Ling Xuan pouted her scarlet lips.

The man ignored her words, reaching out to pull her into his lap. His long, fair hand deftly slipped beneath her clothing.

He was not gentle—in fact, he was somewhat rough and wantonly teasing her.

Watching Ling Xuan slide off the chair with a look of satisfaction, her legs weak beneath her, the man casually adjusted his clothes and asked lazily, “So, what do you want me to do now?”

“That old witch from the Su family doesn’t even want to give me the status of a secondary wife. She treats me cruelly because she looks down on the Ling family’s low rank. You figure out a way to make me the true lady of the Pingyang Marquisate,” Ling Xuan collapsed weakly back into the chair.

Her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes sparkling brightly, clearly well satisfied.

“You’ve been with him for three years, and now you want a title and my help? That’s pathetic,” the man mocked with a smile.

Ling Xuan was not offended but replied softly, “I’ve been useless for a long time. I’m the legitimate daughter of the Ling family, yet even staying by your side is a foolish dream. Tell me, am I ridiculous or pitiable?”

“Enough. I won’t treat you unfairly. There just so happens to be a vacancy at the Ministry of Personnel. Let your father fill the position of Right Assistant Minister!” The man patted her shoulder.

Ling Xuan clung to the man’s neck, pressing her soft lips against his.

She originally intended to continue supporting Su Ziwen, but because of Yun Jinhua, the emperor seemed displeased with the Pingyang Marquisate. Su Ziwen’s promotion was almost certainly impossible.

Moreover, the Su family’s attitude had left her disheartened.

Only a powerful maternal family could be her true backing and support.

“Go!” The man tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth and pushed her away.

Ling Xuan’s eyes were as alluring as silk. After a brief moment of intimacy, she composed herself neatly and left the tavern.

She headed westward, while Yun Jinhua, accompanied by two maids, approached from the east.

“Miss, isn’t that that wretched Ling Xuan? How dare she show her face? What bad luck to run into that disgusting thing while shopping,” Qing Dai, sharp-eyed, recognized Ling Xuan immediately.

Yun Jinhua sneered in disdain at Ling Xuan’s character and frowned in disgust. She was about to look away when she noticed a man emerging, his face mostly hidden.

Ling Xuan climbed into a carriage but parted the curtain with one hand, revealing half her face. She smiled toward the man’s direction, and the carriage slowly moved off.

The man lowered his head and quickened his pace, walking away from her direction.

Yun Jinhua’s gaze darkened. These two were acting suspiciously; surely they were up to something underhanded?

She no longer had any ties to the Pingyang Marquisate. Even if Ling Xuan cheated on her husband, it was none of her concern.

But Ling Xuan had stolen her dowry, and in the end, the Su family had made up the loss.

Such a large sum of silver—Ling Xuan certainly hadn’t spent it all on the Su family.

Ling Xuan was using her dowry to curry favor with more than just the Pingyang Marquisate?

Ling Xuan’s mind shifted. She whispered a few words to Bai Zhi and Qing Dai, then quietly followed the man.

At the end of an alley stood a coffin shop, cold and deserted without a single customer. The man glanced back and quickly entered.

After a short while, a man in a purple long robe came out.

He appeared to be around thirty, tall and imposing, with a dignified appearance.

His sword-like eyebrows, fierce eyes, hooked nose, and square jaw gave him a commanding presence.

Especially his eyes, bright and spirited.

His stature and gait were strikingly similar to that of the mysterious man.

Yun Jinhua’s eyes narrowed, a name flashing through her mind:

Prince Qi, Xiao Changshan!

Strange—how could he be involved with Ling Xuan?