Huang Gong and the others, watching from behind, all wanted to laugh but dared not, forcing their lips tight until they looked all the more grave.
Huang Gong had only ever heard rumors, but now he realized the Marshal’s wife was even more clever than rumored. She and the Marshal had exchanged not a single word, yet she understood he could not act openly, and so stepped forward herself to settle the matter neatly. A brilliant move indeed! No wonder the Marshal cherished her so—there was reason enough.
Thus, Huyang Prefecture was taken without shedding a drop of blood. Xing Muzheng, dignified in appearance, led his troops into the royal residence of Huyang and, sure enough, before Huyang Wang’s spirit tablet, earnestly and affectionately acknowledged him as sworn elder brother. The Wangye’s retainers could not stop him; they could only watch as Xing Muzheng put on his display, muttering that if Huyang Wang knew in his coffin, he would surely overturn the coffin lid in rage.
Xing Muzheng played the part of dutiful younger brother well. Learning that a new Huyang Wang had yet to be named, he declared that the legitimate son should be established over the illegitimate, suggesting that the clan support the king’s second son as heir. Under the looming threat of Xing’s blades, all present kept silent. Just earlier, one man had dared to point at Xing Muzheng’s nose and curse—his head had flown, his blood still thick and sticky on the floor, not yet wiped away.
Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard, Qian Jiaoniang met two women: Zhou Cuilian, who had been waiting for them in Huyang, and Madam Le, Huyang Wang’s favored concubine.
Madam Le, Lan’er, was but eighteen, with fine skill in embroidery. To help her family, she often took in work. But for her beauty, a year ago Huyang Wang had spotted her on the street and taken her as a concubine. Originally, Lan’er already had a childhood sweetheart, and the two families had arranged their betrothal. But once the king set eyes on her, it was declared her great fortune; neither family dared complain, and could only bow and submit. Zhou Cuilian, who had come to Huyang to set up a sewing workshop a year ago, had come to know her and knew how Lan’er hated the king. This time, under the guise of sewing clothes for the royal residence, Zhou Cuilian quietly conspired with her.
Lan’er agreed without hesitation. She sought chances to poison the king, while also playing off the king’s lecherous eldest son and greedy second son against each other, sowing strife. Thanks to Lan’er, today’s outcome had been possible.
Qian Jiaoniang accepted from Zhou Cuilian a box of banknotes—one hundred thousand taels, enough for Lan’er to live in comfort for a lifetime. Lan’er accepted the money, but showed no joy, only bowed silently and withdrew.
Qian Jiaoniang arranged for her to be escorted away safely. Watching her retreating back, she sighed: “Another pitiful woman.”
Zhou Cuilian said, “Lan’er is one of true feeling. Now, taken by force by the king, while her childhood sweetheart has been compelled by his family to marry another—she must suffer bitterly inside.”
Qian Jiaoniang said softly, “This world is too unfair to women. If only it could be changed.”
She fell into thought.
Zhou Cuilian wanted to say—how could such matters be changed by common folk? Only if the emperor himself decreed it. But then she suddenly remembered: the woman before her might one day be empress. Her heart grew uneasy. Seeing that Qian Jiaoniang did not speak, she quietly withdrew.
That night, Xing Muzheng returned to his quarters, seizing Qian Jiaoniang and kissing her fiercely. The stern face he had held outside was now split with hearty laughter. He too had long been holding back his laughter.
As a man, no matter how he handled Princess Xianning, it would not have been proper. It was best left to Jiaoniang, who in a few words had made him a sworn brother to a dead man and neatly turned herself into Princess Xianning’s “aunt,” fobbing her off and taking Huyang Prefecture without a single battle.
“Jiaojiao, you truly are my heart and soul.” Xing Muzheng kissed her as he drew her to bed, teasing her ear. “Tonight, let your husband serve you.”
Qian Jiaoniang giggled, clinging to him, whispering in his ear, “Doctor Bai said, just be careful, and it’s fine.”
Xing Muzheng’s eyes lit instantly. “Truly? But… if he said ‘be careful,’ then it’s still not fully healed. Better to wait.”
Qian Jiaoniang gave him a light slap. “I’m not made of glass, not so fragile. The doctor said it’s fine—what are you waiting for?”
Xing Muzheng laughed low, stroking her waist. “So, you’ve been wanting this?”
Her face burned red. She pushed him. “If you don’t want it, then get lost.”
Xing Muzheng laughed loud and hearty, pressing her down and lowering the bed curtain.
Yet in the end, he cherished her body too much to be rough—only touching her lightly. But even lightly, after being starved for so long, his soul was nearly undone. With his beloved, Qian Jiaoniang too was lost in bliss.
But amid their passion, faintly, she heard sounds of fighting outside.
“What’s that sound?”
“Probably assassins coming for us,” Xing Muzheng said with complete calm.
Qian Jiaoniang gave a start, her fancy half-scattered. She quickly pushed him, “Then why aren’t you going out to check?”
Xing Muzheng pressed her down, not letting her move. “Don’t move, it’s just getting comfortable.”
Qian Jiaoniang nearly rolled her eyes. Wasn’t this exactly to die beneath the peony blossom, a ghost is still romantic? “Aren’t you afraid someone might come down from the roof and see us both bare?” That really would be completely exposed.
Xing Muzheng said, “I knew they’d make a move tonight, already arranged hidden guards. If they dare let anyone in, I’ll have their heads first.” Since he dared to stay in the Huyang wang’s manor, he naturally wasn’t afraid of their tricks. After abstaining this long, whoever dared interrupt him, he’d cut down.
Luckily the commotion soon quieted. From outside came two whistle calls—Qian Jiaoniang recognized the code as the all-clear. She squinted, holding Xing Muzheng close, “That’s it? That’s not much at all.” These assassins were too weak.
Xing Muzheng had no patience for such trifles. “You’re holding me, and still daring to think of other men? Behave.” With that, he turned his head and sealed Qian Jiaoniang’s lips.
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