Chapter 23

The moment the visitors identified themselves as coming from the Prince of Jin’s household, Xiao Wanling’s thoughts turned rapidly. She stood and asked, “May I ask what this is regarding?”

Shen Qing threw the cloth in his hand onto the table and came to stand beside her.

The servant replied, “I wouldn’t know. You’re to pack up and come with us immediately.”

Shen Qing’s face darkened. “If she doesn’t want to go, no one can force her!” He strode forward and stood in front of the servant.

The Prince of Jin’s servant sneered, “Who dares defy the prince’s orders?”

“A prince summoning a mere village woman like me—who would believe it?” Xiao Wanling had already guessed that these people were sent by Madam Ji, using the prince’s name as a front.

The servant was caught off guard by her words. “This is a command from Madam Ji. Her orders are not to be refused either. Please come with us.”

Xiao Wanling responded calmly, “If I were to leave with you without explanation, any rumors that spread could ruin my life. Forgive me, but I cannot comply unless your identities are properly verified. If Madam Ji wishes to taste some fresh delicacies, I’ll need time to prepare.”

Everything she said was measured and irrefutable. The taller, stockier servant turned to his companion. “Go fetch the person in charge of your village!”

Xiao Wanling looked at Shen Qing and said, “Go get the village head.”

Shen Qing didn’t feel at ease, so he hurried off, glancing back frequently to check that Xiao Wanling was still safe.

The village head had been overwhelmed lately. When he heard someone was troubling Xiao Wanling, he wobbled to his feet and leaned on his cane.

Shen Qing carried him on his back, startling the villagers. One older man watched thoughtfully, while a woman tried to follow and eavesdrop but was stopped.

No one knew what the prince’s men wanted with a woman, but if Xiao Wanling found out they were spreading rumors, that would only make things worse.

The village head scrutinized the servants’ clothing. “That does seem to be the Prince of Jin’s servants. No one would dare impersonate them—unless they had a death wish.”

The taller servant sneered. “Anything else you want to say?”

Xiao Wanling replied, “I need to make arrangements, and the ingredients aren’t prepared. Give me until tomorrow morning.” She wanted to speak to Shen Qing.

The two servants exchanged a look and agreed. They stayed at the village head’s house.

Xiao Wanling and Shen Qing returned home in silence. She began steaming batch after batch of rice cakes, then taught Shen Qing how to pan-fry tea leaves, how to brew tea, and how to make syrup.

She split their earnings, giving him half. They sat opposite each other, unable to speak a word.

Suddenly Shen Qing said, “Let’s run away.”

Xiao Wanling shook her head. “It hasn’t come to that yet.”

“They want to take you,” he argued. “They’re always trying to take you from me!”

Xiao Wanling took out the jade pendant and hairpin and handed them to him. “These are for you. I’ll keep the recipe book.”

His gaze was filled with sorrow and reluctance. “Why? We could start over somewhere else.”

Xiao Wanling felt the weight of royal pressure. “This land belongs to others. Where could we possibly escape to?”

Shen Qing grabbed her hand. “You said you had something to tell me this morning.”

He had hoped that they would finally speak openly and that they’d truly be together.

Xiao Wanling took a deep breath. “I’m not the real Xiao Wanling. Your betrothed… died.”

“You’re lying!” Shen Qing stood, towering over her. “I thought you understood my feelings. I’m willing to be with you through anything, even death. How could you lie just to cut ties with me?”

It was like a knife to the heart. His eyes glistened.

Xiao Wanling was stunned, then frustrated and remorseful. “I’m telling the truth. I didn’t know the prince’s people would show up today!”

He didn’t believe her. The timing was too coincidental. He clenched his fists and looked helplessly outside.

Just then, a woman’s voice came from the courtyard. “Is Madam Xiao home?”

Xiao Wanling stood up, but Shen Qing beat her to it. “I’ll get the door.”

He brought the woman in, went to the kitchen, poured two bowls of tea, and wrapped up a few rice cakes to bring out.

The woman bowed to Xiao Wanling. “I’m so sorry. My husband spoke out of turn. The prince’s people didn’t make things hard for you, did they?”

Hearing that, Shen Qing’s grip on the bowl tightened, tea sloshing out. The woman noticed and quickly stood. “I only came to borrow some salt. Forgive me!” She fled in a panic.

Shen Qing grabbed the rice cakes. “I’ll take them to her.”

Xiao Wanling wanted to say something but stopped. She sighed. “Be quick.”

Shen Qing poured the tea into a bamboo flask, picked up the cakes, and closed the door behind him.

He suddenly appeared at the back mountain, startling the group gathered there.

The messy-haired man sneered, “So Madam Xiao caught the prince’s eye? What, you came to thank us? Hahaha!”

Shen Qing handed the wrapped pastries and tea to the woman and her child, then rolled up his sleeves. “You. Come with me.”

The man scoffed, thinking: What can one guy do to me with so many of us here?

He followed Shen Qing a few steps. Suddenly, everything spun, and he was slammed to the ground, pain shooting through his back. “Ow! What’s with the sneak attack?!”

Shen Qing pinned him down with a knee and unleashed a barrage of punches.

The others were terrified. The older man rushed over. “It was just a slip of the tongue! Calm down!”

But Shen Qing didn’t stop until the man begged for mercy. Then he warned coldly, “If I ever catch you looking at her like that again, you’ll lose your eyes.”

The man instinctively shielded his face. “I got it! I won’t, I swear!”

Shen Qing rose, looked at the older man, and then, without a word, raised his fist again. Minutes later, several men lay sprawled on the ground, groaning. The women and children knelt and wept, begging for mercy.

The messy-haired man stared daggers at Shen Qing’s retreating back, his face smeared with blood.

Shen Qing rolled down his sleeves and descended the mountain, heading straight for Chen Gui’s old dirt house. He kicked in the door, dragged Chen Gui out of bed, grabbed his collar, and punched him.

Chen Gui’s first reaction was rage, then fear. Seeing Shen Qing’s face, he knew better. “It wasn’t me! It was those newcomers—blabbering fools! Let me go!”

But Shen Qing didn’t believe him. Chen Gui had always caused trouble for Wanling. These people wanted to hurt her—none of them would be spared.

His fists landed over and over. Blood and tears flowed freely as Chen Gui crawled toward the door, clutching the threshold. “Help! Murder!”

Neighbors rushed over, seeing him being dragged back into the house.

Xue Cui and Jiang Ting clung to each other in fear.

“I think that’s Shen Qing!” Jiang Ting’s teeth chattered.

Soon, a crowd gathered at the Chen household. When the noise inside stopped, Shen Qing emerged.

Old Lady Liu turned ghostly pale. She hunched over, clutching her stomach. “Aiyo!” Xue Cui hurriedly helped her toward the latrine.

Someone checked on Chen Gui—he was still breathing—and went to fetch the village head and a traveling doctor.

Shen Qing swept his gaze over the crowd coldly, then headed toward the Xue family.

Xue Cui and Jiang Ting, supporting Old Lady Liu, suddenly felt a chill. They turned to see Shen Qing behind them.

Jiang Ting panicked and bolted. But Shen Qing was faster. He blocked her path.

Terrified, Jiang Ting shouted, “It was Xue Cui! She told me to drug it!”

Old Lady Liu clutched her stomach tighter. “What drug?!” She stared at Xue Cui in disbelief. “You poisoned me?!”

Xue Cui collapsed, scrambling backward. “No! I didn’t mean to hurt you! Shen Qing—I only drugged you because I love you!”

Old Lady Liu looked to the heavens in despair. She drugged Shen Qing… and confessed to his face. How could I have raised such a fool?

Shen Qing grabbed Jiang Ting’s neck, his gaze wild like a bloodthirsty wolf. “Who spread those filthy rumors?!”

She had no doubt he’d kill her on the spot. “It wasn’t me! I didn’t say anything!”

He let go. She fell to the ground gasping and crawled away.

Shen Qing turned to Old Lady Liu and Xue Cui. “It was you two spreading rumors about Wanling, wasn’t it?”

Before today, he hadn’t realized how deeply those rumors hurt Xiao Wanling. She always acted like it didn’t matter. He thought it really didn’t.

Xue Cui burst into tears. “Why do you like her? She’s not half as devoted as I am!”

Old Lady Liu rolled her eyes. Is this really the time?!

She quickly added, “Shen Qing, my sickness was caused by Madam Xiao’s poison! That vicious woman isn’t worth your love. One day she’ll kill you in your sleep!”

Xue Cui nodded eagerly.

Shen Qing sneered. “So you admit to the rumors?”

Seeing that he wasn’t backing down, Old Lady Liu panicked. “She’s a vixen! A poisonous woman!”

Shen Qing raised his hand but dropped it. “Just wait.”

Xue Cui misread his silence. Tears of joy streamed down her face. “You do love me, don’t you? You’re just in denial!”

Just then, her husband, Hou Youcai, limped up. His face was thunderous. “You disgraceful woman!”

Xue Cui turned pale and was dragged away by Hou Youcai.

Old Lady Liu, seeing more people arrive, threw herself to the ground and wailed, “Madam Xiao poisoned me! I’ve been sick for days! And Shen Qing is covering for her! Someone do something!”

Shen Qing stood there, expressionless. “I poisoned you.”

Everyone gasped.

Old Lady Liu was stunned. She scrambled into the crowd, but the villagers instinctively stepped aside.

“Report him! Report to the authorities!” she screamed.

Shen Qing didn’t move. “Go ahead. Where did you buy the poison? It should be easy to trace.”

More gasps from the onlookers. So it was Old Lady Liu who tried to poison someone and got a taste of her own medicine.

“She tried to hurt others and paid the price. No wonder Shen Qing lost his temper!” Aunt Wu shouted. “Am I wrong?”

Everyone murmured their agreement.

Finally, the village head arrived, panting and leaning heavily on his cane. “You lot are going to kill me one of these days! Shen Qing—what the hell is going on?!”