WBSGVS Chapter 12

After returning from the pavilion, nothing else happened; the flower-viewing banquet concluded smoothly, and everyone went home.

The only difference was that Zheng Yihan came to the Li family’s gate to pick up Qingli!

Seeing his wife and Su Tingxue come out together, he didn’t even spare a glance, simply greeted them briefly, and helped Qingli into the carriage. His every movement seemed to echo the deep affection they once shared.

However, Zheng Yihan still did not stay overnight— the shadows of Qingli’s earlier troubles lingered.

Qingli herself was indifferent, but Wanyue was quite smitten by the recent turn of events. While assisting her with washing up, she couldn’t help but comment on Zheng Yihan’s behavior over the past few days, her voice full of delight: “Madam, it seems Master has truly had a change of heart. Miss Su must be heartbroken; Master hasn’t even spared her a glance!”

Qingli laughed lightly: “Have you forgotten how miserable it was before? Is this small improvement enough to win you over and make you speak for him?”

Wanyue blushed a little, smiling awkwardly: “Madam, you’re teasing me again. It’s not that I’m bought off, but Master did make mistakes before. It’s better to mend a marriage rather than destroy it. Since he hasn’t taken a concubine and is now turning back towards you, it’s better than before. I hope for harmony between you two, so I naturally have to speak well of him.”

“And what if I don’t want to?” Qingli asked casually.

Wanyue was startled. Seeing Qingli’s calm demeanor, she realized it was probably just a joke. She hurriedly said: “Madam, please don’t joke like that. It would be a pity if a good marriage fell apart. Master was just momentarily misguided; things have improved now, hasn’t it?”

Qingli, lying with her eyes closed while being massaged by her maid, appeared to ignore this conversation and did not respond.

The notion that a prodigal son returning home is priceless is something people take as a guiding principle, passed down through generations.

So, when a man returns to the right path after sowing his wild oats, a woman should forget his past actions and words to maintain a ‘happy’ marriage.

But why should this all come at the cost of another person’s sacrifice?

And is such a marriage truly as wonderful as it was before?

With a thorn in her heart, Qingli knew it might not be possible.

Qingli was determined not to be like the original owner, who could not let go. She would rather pack up and leave immediately if the time was right.

However, Wanyue was simple-minded, and Qingli did not want to reveal her plans to avoid early exposure.

Of course, she stayed behind for a reason— she wanted to find out who killed the original owner.

In the storyline, even if the original owner did find someone to kill Su Tingxue, it would not explain why she was later discarded and sent to a nunnery, and then why someone came to kill her.

The first suspect would be the Prince of Yu, who had conflicts with her.

But she was not truly helpless; the Ji family was still around!

She would be discarded because she had given up, preventing the Ji family from intervening. But if she died, things would be different.

Once Ji Qingli’s father returned, he would create a stir in the capital, and no one involved would have peace.

Initially, Qingli also thought the Prince of Yu was behind it, wanting to clear any obstacles between his daughter and Zheng Yihan.

But considering the Prince of Yu was already under the emperor’s scrutiny, why would he create another enemy like the Ji family?

As long as the Prince of Yu wasn’t too foolish, he wouldn’t kill the original owner just over a small matter and invite the Ji family’s hatred.

The Ji family’s reputation for protecting its own was well-known!

Another night passed peacefully.

Qingli woke up feeling refreshed.

Despite the long day at the flower viewing banquet, her body, which used to tire easily, had surprisingly recovered well after a month of consistent exercise. She felt fine and was in good spirits.

When she went to pay her respects to Zhang Shi, Zhang Shi didn’t show any sign of displeasure. Her mood seemed to be good, and even the daughter-in-law she usually disliked was treated with much more kindness: “You don’t need to rush to pay respects before you’re fully recovered. In the future, just come once every five days if nothing special happens.”

No need to come and disturb her otherwise.

With a new concubine soon to bear children for her son, Zhang Shi only wanted to hold her grandchild and watch the Ji family fall out of favor, despised by her son.

“Understood, Mother-in-law,” Qingli said happily, turning to Su Tingxue with a smile: “Miss Su, this bracelet is quite unique. It suits you.”

Su Tingxue smiled with a hint of awkwardness. She had come early to pay respects and report on the previous day’s achievements, and Zhang Shi had rewarded her. It was said to be a gift in advance for family members, which delighted her: “Sister Ji, you flatter me. How can it compare to the jade hairpin on your head?”

Qingli touched her hairpin without modesty: “Indeed. This hairpin was custom-made by my father for my mother. She gave it to me as a dowry, hoping I would find a good husband like she did.”

Su Tingxue’s smile froze, and she averted her gaze uncomfortably.

No amount of excuses could cover up the fact.

She had damaged this person’s marriage.

She felt confident in front of Zhang Shi but always felt inferior and guilty in front of Qingli.

Fortunately, Qingli didn’t say much, finishing breakfast and leaving, giving her a moment to relax and nervously wait for the results after today’s court session.

Zhang Shi and Su Tingxue were both eagerly anticipating and, not wanting to deal with the other daughters-in-law, quickly sent them away as soon as Qingli left.

Only Su Tingxue stayed behind with her to wait.

And of course, she didn’t forget to send a servant to check on the situation at the Ji family and see when the emperor would reprimand them.

But waiting and waiting, no report came from the servant.

Instead, Granny Cui hurried over, saying, “Madam, something’s wrong! The Hanlin Academy has sent word that His Majesty has removed the eldest son’s position!”

Zhang Shi and Su Tingxue were stunned.

They were confused about what had happened.

Wasn’t it supposed to be the Ji family’s misfortune?

Why was it their son, Zheng Yihan?

Zhang Shi’s heart raced. She turned to Su Tingxue sharply: “What did you do yesterday? Tell me exactly what happened!”

Su Tingxue was taken aback and turned pale, recounting the events. Although she had already explained before, this time it was even more detailed.

Zhang Shi was still bewildered and aggrieved: “But this seems fine?”

If Miss Yu wasn’t foolish, she would have reported this matter to make the Ji family suffer, but why was Zheng Yihan the one who faced the consequences?

Su Tingxue swallowed hard, her limbs feeling as though they were submerged in icy water. Everything had been according to plan—why were the results different?

If Zheng Yihan knew she was responsible, he would surely despise her!

Guessing what would happen today, Qingli didn’t go anywhere after paying her respects. She stayed home to wait.

Around the time the court ended, Zheng Yihan arrived.

This time, Zheng Yihan came with determination. When he saw Qingli, who was taking a walk and had just a light sweat on her brow, her face slightly flushed and her once thin figure now having some pleasant curves, he was very angry.

As he approached, he didn’t address her tenderly as before but directly dismissed the maid. Once they were alone in the courtyard, he immediately questioned: “Did you tell the Yu family about Su Tingxue?”

Qingli looked at him in confusion: “What are you talking about?”

Zheng Yihan’s brow furrowed deeply as he looked at her intently: “Don’t you know? Today, the Yu family’s senior official said that I shouldn’t have harmed a young woman’s reputation and yet didn’t marry her, but instead placed her in the Zheng family. His Majesty directly removed my position!”

Qingli was taken aback and replied in surprise: “Why would I talk to anyone about this? You know I don’t want you to take a concubine!” She tensed and asked seriously: “This matter isn’t just known by the two of us, right?”

Zheng Yihan’s anger was somewhat quelled by her question. Realizing that it couldn’t have been his wife who leaked it, he awkwardly shook his head: “Aside from you, no one else knows!”

Qingli didn’t react but asked again: “Really no one else knows?”

Zheng Yihan hesitated, then speculated: “Are you talking about Su Tingxue?”

As soon as he returned home, Qingli reminded him not to let others know. At that time, he was so angry with his wife that he wouldn’t dare speak about it. So besides Qingli, only the two parties involved knew.

Qingli had not done anything, and he had not. The only other possibility was Su Tingxue.

“Yes,” Qingli nodded. Then, remembering something, she clasped her hands and smiled: “Yesterday, my mother asked me to take her to the flower viewing banquet at the Prime Minister’s residence. The Yu family’s eldest daughter was also there.”

“Impossible!” Zheng Yihan shook his head decisively without hesitation. “It wouldn’t make sense for her to harm herself for no reason!”

“Is that so?” Qingli smiled enigmatically and said casually, “I haven’t said anything, and you haven’t said anything. Who else could know?” Seeing his disbelief, Qingli directly suggested, “Why don’t you just investigate?”

Zheng Yihan’s frown deepened. In his mind, Su Tingxue was a very pure and kind-hearted girl who, upon seeing him covered in blood, did not give up but took him back home and cared for him with dedication.

She had sacrificed her reputation to protect him and had willingly taken on the role of his wife.

Later, he also couldn’t stand the villagers’ harsh words and took the initiative to bring Su Tingxue over.

It wasn’t that Su Tingxue wanted to become a concubine.

Had he not brought her here, she might have continued living quietly, enduring others’ slander in silence. How could such a gentle and kind girl willingly discuss this matter with the eldest daughter of the Yu family?

Qingli said softly, “Zheng Yihan, don’t you see that she likes you? I don’t want you to take her as a concubine, and she isn’t willing to let me introduce her to someone suitable. Isn’t she just waiting for you to propose?”

Zheng Yihan stiffened, unable to meet her gaze in his panic.