Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Yun Sheng?

“Oh, the woman he truly loves.”

I gritted my teeth in anger. “To treat his wedded wife so cruelly for her sake… Did Song Yulan discover their affair?”

Meng Huaiqing raised an eyebrow. “Yes. Madam Song was beyond furious. She wanted to kill Yun Sheng, take the matter to His Majesty, and demand a divorce.”

I sighed, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. “I suppose since I don’t have Miss Song’s prominent background, I don’t have her pride either. When he sought women outside, I was powerless to resist; I could only turn a blind eye. But I still don’t understand-if he loves her that much, why not marry her? Why marry me instead, only to flay the skin from my face for that woman!”

“Because…”

Meng Huaiqing leaned closer to me and whispered, “Yun Sheng is a man.”

I froze instantly.

Truly, my mind went blank for a moment.

How could this be?!

Meng Huaiqing continued slowly, “Madam Song was just as shocked as you back then. She was enraged, yet she had to swallow her pride to cover up the scandal. Finally, she reached her breaking point. On her birthday, the Marquis was on a pleasure boat with Yun Sheng… doing that sort of thing. Madam Song charged in with a sword and accidentally slashed Yun Sheng’s face. So, the Marquis…”

Silenced her.

I used to mock Yuan Heng for not loving that “woman,” thinking he would rather marry the daughter of a low-ranking official’s concubine like me than her.

Now, I understood everything.

I understood why he married me.

It was because of my lowly birth; even if something happened to me, no one would seek justice on my behalf.

More importantly, it was because my face was beautiful, and I was a woman.

If Yun Sheng took my face and became me, he could be with Yuan Heng openly, for all of time.

It wasn’t that Yuan Heng didn’t love his partner; he loved him to his very core.

Seeing me dazed, Meng Huaiqing gave me a gentle nudge and coaxed softly, “Don’t let such filth grieve you. The most important thing right now is to escape.”

I stood up and took a few steps forward. “You’ve stayed in this room too long. Go back now.”

Meng Huaiqing said anxiously, “But…”

“I told you to leave!” I snapped irritably.

Meng Huaiqing sighed. “Fine. I will wait for your word.”

With that, he packed his medical chest and headed for the door.

“Wait!” I called out to him.

Meng Huaiqing turned around. “What is it? Have you made up your mind?”

I looked at him. “Go to Yankang Ward and burn that painting.”

Meng Huaiqing’s face flushed red instantly as he tried to stammer an excuse. “W-what are you talking about? What painting?”

“I sneaked into your room once.”

I glanced at him, my voice a warning. “Put away your so-called pining. I don’t like it, and I don’t want you causing me trouble.”

Meng Huaiqing lowered his head in embarrassment, his left fist clenching tightly.

I walked to the west window and used a handkerchief to lightly wipe the leaves of the potted cymbidium. With my back to him, I asked, “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Meng Huaiqing remained silent for a moment before his voice trembled, “I’m sorry.”