WBSGVS Chapter 16

After the original owner, Ji Qingli, was abandoned and sent to a nunnery, she fell into despair. Even when assassins came for her, she didn’t call for help. After her death, she should have known nothing of what came next.

However, Qingli’s newfound memories revealed the developments that followed. She realized she was in a fictional world, where the female lead was Su Tingxue, an orphan. After saving the eldest son of the Zheng family, Zheng Yihan, he lost his memory. While hiding from enemies, they pretended to be husband and wife, sharing the same room.

This daily closeness created a subtle romance between the two young people. However, just as their feelings were about to be revealed, Zheng Yihan went to gather herbs, encountered a wild beast, and, during his escape, fell again. This time, by chance, not only was he unharmed, but his memory returned.

Upon regaining his memory, Zheng Yihan realized he was already married. Immediately, he distanced himself from Su Tingxue and contacted the authorities to arrange his return to the capital.

Unaware of the situation, the villagers assumed Su Tingxue had been abandoned and spoke harshly about her, which Zheng Yihan overheard. Unable to leave her behind, he wrestled with his feelings and eventually asked Su Tingxue if she would be willing to become his concubine.

Su Tingxue agreed and followed him to the capital. On the way, Zheng Yihan confessed that his wife was a good person. But when they arrived, his wife, Madam Ji, greeted him with an extravagant appearance that shattered Zheng Yihan’s expectations.

Though he later received an explanation, the emotional distance between them lingered. Su Tingxue looked down on this sickly, frail woman, especially knowing she wanted to remarry only six months after her husband’s death.

However, since Su Tingxue wanted to marry Zheng Yihan, she needed Madam Ji’s approval and treated her with utmost respect. Yet, Madam Ji did not reciprocate, refusing the idea of taking a concubine. Zheng Yihan, caught between opposing forces, could not pursue the matter further but also couldn’t bear to let Su Tingxue’s reputation be ruined, leading to a stalemate.

Of course, this was a novel, so despite their mutual feelings, the story could not have the protagonists’ love built on the ruin of another. Heartbroken, Su Tingxue decided to end the relationship by retreating to a temple, seeking closure through prayer.

However, Madam Ji refused to let her go. While Su Tingxue was praying, Madam Ji sent assassins after her. Fortunately, she was saved by the prince’s heir, Yu Wang Shizi.

As an orphan with no one to rely on and with Madam Ji still scheming against her, Su Tingxue, feeling vulnerable, accepted Yu Wang Shizi’s protection and became his maidservant.

Upon returning to the capital with Yu Wang Shizi, she met Yu Wang himself. Strikingly resembling his late mother, Su Tingxue’s true identity as Yu Wang’s daughter was revealed.

Although her status as the prince’s daughter didn’t grant her a noble title, it was enough to elevate her above most women in the kingdom. Yu Wang wanted to arrange a good marriage for her, but Su Tingxue still harbored feelings for Zheng Yihan and hadn’t let go. Yu Wang investigated and discovered that it was Madam Ji who had sent assassins to kill his daughter, so he captured the culprits and presented them to the emperor.

With undeniable evidence, Madam Ji was quickly brought to trial. She denied everything, but the assassins confessed to her orders, and with witnesses present, she couldn’t defend herself. Yu Wang pressed the issue so hard that even the emperor couldn’t protect her, resulting in a forced divorce.

After the divorce, Madam Ji refused to return home and instead headed to the nunnery, intending to live out her days there. But on the night of Zheng Yihan and Su Tingxue’s wedding, she was killed on her way to the nunnery.

When General Ji Heng, stationed at the border, heard of his daughter’s death, he became distracted during battle, leading to a tragic yet costly victory. Many lives in the Ji family were lost, and the remaining family members returned to investigate Ji Qingli’s death, directing their anger towards Yu Wang, leading to a bitter feud.

While the Ji family fought Yu Wang, Zheng Yihan and Su Tingxue enjoyed their married life, with Su Tingxue being especially cherished as the daughter of Yu Wang’s beloved. Frequent visits followed. But with the Ji family occupying Yu Wang’s attention, he failed to notice trouble brewing in his household. By the time he realized it, Zheng Yihan had gathered evidence of his rebellion.

The credit for this discovery went to the Third Prince, who presented the evidence. With Yu Wang, his greatest threat, out of the way, the emperor was overjoyed. The Third Prince, already highly favored, solidified his position, while the other princes began to make foolish mistakes. Eventually, the Third Prince ascended the throne as emperor.

Around this time, cracks appeared in Zheng Yihan and Su Tingxue’s marriage. While Su Tingxue was spared from the fallout due to her status as a married woman, she felt that Zheng Yihan only married her to gather evidence of Yu Wang’s treason. Heartbroken, she left with her unborn child to live as a humble physician in a distant town.

Zheng Yihan, filled with regret, reflected on his actions. The truth became clear: his initial intention to make Su Tingxue his concubine stemmed from guilt over her ruined reputation.

However, when his wife vehemently opposed the idea, he gave up. But the Third Prince encouraged him to persist because he had already discovered Su Tingxue’s identity. Wanting to win Su Tingxue’s heart, he devised a plan, leaving it to his wife, Princess Song, to pacify Madam Ji.

Unfortunately, Madam Ji, blinded by her emotions, refused to cooperate. No matter how Princess Song tried to appease her, she pushed back, leading to the current deadlock.

Zheng Yihan, though deeply saddened, was tormented by his wife’s irrational behavior and lack of trust in him, making it impossible for him to proceed with his plans for a concubine.

In this situation, no one expected Su Tingxue would head to the temple. As they grappled with the complications, Madam Ji, fearing further repercussions, decided to act decisively.

The Third Prince added fuel to the fire by having Yu Wang Shizi discover Madam Ji, leading to her being presented before Yu Wang. At this point, Madam Ji was considered a pawn.

Zheng Yihan was thoroughly disappointed in her. The once proud and radiant wife had become a scheming woman of the household, and his affection had vanished. If not for the emperor’s protection, the Third Prince would have had her secretly die of illness.

Madam Ji had to be removed to clear the way for Su Tingxue; otherwise, Yu Wang would not have approved of their union. Although Madam Ji’s dismissal did free up the position, the Ji family’s defensiveness remained a significant issue.

To prevent the Ji family from suspecting his involvement, the Third Prince had Madam Ji killed, creating a false impression that Yu Wang had eradicated the threat.

The Ji family, consumed by anger over their daughter’s death, failed to see the deception and blamed Yu Wang, leading to a bitter conflict.

In the chaos, Zheng Yihan, with Su Tingxue’s help, successfully infiltrated Yu Wang’s study and obtained evidence of Yu Wang’s treason, which was presented to the Third Prince as a significant achievement.

Though Zheng Yihan had achieved notable success, the death of his original wife cast a shadow over his triumph, though Su Tingxue helped alleviate his distress.

Now, with Su Tingxue having left, Zheng Yihan realized his feelings for her were no longer just initial attraction or practical considerations, but deep and genuine. To seek her forgiveness, he gave up his official position and followed her.

The Third Prince, now Emperor, did not forget Zheng Yihan’s contribution and appointed him as the governor of Su Tingxue’s residence. The couple settled there for many years.

Villagers who had once thought they were a couple marveled at their enduring affection, noting how their love remained strong over the years.

The story concludes here.

Qingli only received this part of the narrative now because not every part of the story was clear during her transmigration. At the time she arrived, she was caught in Zhang Shi’s trap and missed this segment of the plot. If not for Qingli’s deduction and re-triggering of the events, this part of the story might never have surfaced.

But whether it appeared or not was irrelevant, as Qingli had already guessed the general outline of events, though not in such detail.

It seems the ones who will face retribution are not only Zheng Yihan and Zhang Shi but also the Third Prince. If he desires the throne, he’ll have to face the consequences of his ambition.

The carriage stopped, and Qingli, supported by Wanyue, entered the Zheng residence. Her mind was still a bit dazed from the recent revelations, causing her to walk slowly.

As soon as she entered the inner courtyard, she encountered a woman draped in a red shawl and wearing a rabbit fur scarf.

“Young Madam, it’s Miss Su!” Wanyue whispered, frowning with visible distaste.

It was quite a coincidence.

Due to Qingli’s influence, the maidservants in the courtyard particularly disliked Su Tingxue, blaming her for the current discord between the eldest son and his wife.

Su Tingxue, seemingly unaware of this animosity, greeted her with a bright smile that no longer had the previous demure charm: “Hello, Sister. I just sent a handkerchief to your courtyard, but since you weren’t there, I had a maid deliver it. My embroidery skills are average, so I hope you don’t mind.”

Qingli raised an eyebrow, her expression cold. “Don’t call me Sister. My mother had only one daughter—me. I do have two older brothers and several cousins, but none of them are named Su.”

Su Tingxue’s face turned pale, and her ears flushed red. She knew her actions might be disliked by Ji Qingli, but she was unwilling to give up on Zheng Yihan or return to her old village. She pressed on despite the hostility.

But Ji Qingli was different, being the daughter of a general and Zheng Yihan’s legitimate wife. The clear hostility she displayed made Su Tingxue’s situation even more difficult.

With tears in her eyes, Su Tingxue said, “Young Madam, I understand that you’re angry and don’t want me to marry Zheng Yihan. But given the situation, please don’t continue to reject me. We will be a family after all, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want Zheng Yihan to be caught in between us.”

Qingli smiled coldly. “How do you know he will be troubled rather than fully supportive of me?”

Su Tingxue bit her lip, dissatisfied. She believed that despite Zheng Yihan’s initial reluctance, he still cared for her, or he wouldn’t have been so firm after learning of her attempted suicide. His retreat was likely due to the opposition from the person before her.

But as Zheng Yihan’s concubine, she was of lower status and could only retreat. “You’re right, Young Madam. However, the discord in the household ultimately affects Zheng Yihan. As someone of lesser status, I can only seek a place to stay. And… if I may say, after so many years without issue, are you truly willing to watch Zheng Yihan’s lineage end?”

Qingli’s gaze turned even colder, her smile growing more frosty. “Oh? So you’re willing to be just a breeding tool for Zheng Yihan’s lineage?”

Su Tingxue’s face reddened instantly, her once gentle eyes now glaring. The remark was humiliating! She was only trying to ensure Zheng Yihan’s descendants, but in Qingli’s eyes, it was reduced to mere…

Her breath quickened with anger. “Young Madam’s words are too harsh. I am Zheng Yihan’s rightful concubine, and having children is normal!”

Her last words were delivered with emphasis, seemingly submissive but provocatively challenging, touching on the original owner’s difficulty in bearing children.

Qingli, initially indifferent, found Su Tingxue’s approach too insistent. She stepped closer, her long lashes lowering, her smile turning colder. “Do you know what being a concubine means?”

Su Tingxue, slightly panicked, took a step back. “What do you mean, Young Madam?”

Qingli raised her hand and slapped Su Tingxue without hesitation. The sharp sound echoed as it struck Su Tingxue’s tender face, causing her head to jerk to the side.

Su Tingxue’s face burned with pain, her eyes stinging as if they were filled with chili oil. Tears burst forth, and she was momentarily dazed, realizing only after several moments that she had been struck!

She was hit by Ji Qingli!

Unable to believe it, she tasted a hint of iron in her mouth, struggling to speak as her cheek ached too much to move. She couldn’t speak immediately.

Qingli sneered, “This is to remind you, as a concubine, not to hold your head high in front of the main wife. Remember, you are a concubine and not entitled to equal conversation with the main wife. This time, I’ll let it go. But next time you see me, if you don’t avoid me, you should address me as ‘Madam’. As for having children, we’ll see about that when it happens.”