Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Snow began to fall, fluttering down like goose feathers.

After Yun Sheng took his own life, Yuan Heng was so overcome with grief that he actually fainted.

This was a major incident, and Cheng Wei rushed to the palace to report it.

Meanwhile, I had Yuan Heng carried back to his room and ordered a doctor to be summoned immediately for treatment.

As I left, I looked back one last time.

Yun Sheng’s body lay on the ground, frail and resolute, his blood staining his gray monk’s robes red.

The plate of red bean cake he had made had long since grown cold, sitting lonely upon the table.

Thank you,

I said in my heart.

…

The sky darkened unexpectedly soon, and the lamps were lit in the room.

I sat by the bedside, watching the unconscious Yuan Heng with a look of “concern.”

He was in a terrible state, covered in blood. Even in his coma, tears continued to stream from the corners of his eyes.

Meng Huaiqing was checking his pulse.

“Is the Marquis alright?” I asked softly.

Meng Huaiqing shook his head. “He has suffered a great shock. I think it’s best to let him rest for now; he will likely feel even worse when he wakes.”

I hummed in agreement and turned to Steward Li, who was standing nearby. “How is the Little Master’s body being handled?”

Steward Li lowered his voice. “I did not dare to dispose of Master Minghui’s remains at will, so I have temporarily placed him in the Little Buddha Hall in the North Courtyard. I have already ordered the gates to every courtyard in the manor to be closed and strictly forbidden the servants from wandering or gossiping.”

I nodded. “You have done well.”

Suddenly, the image of Yun Sheng in his thin monk’s robes flashed through my mind. I sighed. “It is freezing outside. Find a good quilt to cover him with.”

At that moment, Cuinong arrived carrying a basin of hot water.

I took the warm towel she had wrung out and gently wiped the bloodstains from Yuan Heng’s face.

Meng Huaiqing quickly whispered, “Madam, let me do it. You are pregnant and must have been frightened as well. Why don’t you go back and rest? I will check your pulse in a moment.”

“No need.”

I waved him off. “I must trouble Mr. Meng to write a prescription to soothe the Marquis’s liver and relieve his depression. After all, that Little Master was his dear friend. To have him pass away so suddenly… he will surely be devastated.”

So, Yuan Heng, now that the person you love most has killed himself right in front of you, will you follow him in death?

I meticulously wiped the blood from Yuan Heng’s hands, casting a sidelong glance at Meng Huaiqing.

He was tidying his things with one hand in an orderly fashion, appearing no different from usual, yet he repeatedly opened and closed his medicine box three times.

It seemed his heart was far from calm as well.

Today’s events had happened too suddenly, catching everyone off guard.

Previously, Yuan Heng wanted to take the skin from my face to give to Yun Sheng.

And three years ago, the murder of Song Yulan and the others was carried out by Yuan Heng for Yun Sheng’s sake.

Therefore, I had believed Yun Sheng was the root of all evil-a restless “vixen,” one of the murderers who targeted me. This judgment had only deepened after I questioned Meng Huaiqing.

But our brief interaction of just one hour today had shaken my resolve.

Yun Sheng… he seemed different from what I had imagined.

If he truly wanted to steal my face, would he have committed suicide?

Furthermore, Meng Huaiqing had said before that he followed Cheng Wei’s orders to poison Yun Sheng.

How did Yun Sheng suddenly end up at the Marquis Manor?

I looked at the sleeping Yuan Heng and suddenly remembered the four words he had used to describe Yun Sheng earlier.

“Deeply devoted and sentimental,” I murmured.

“What did you say?” Meng Huaiqing asked softly.

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

The sound of footsteps came from outside.

Cheng Wei entered quickly, following behind a middle-aged eunuch.

The eunuch’s surname was Gao. He was slightly plump and was the Head Eunuch of the Cining Palace.

Before my marriage, I had gone to the palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and had studied etiquette and rules for a period of time. At that time, this Eunuch Gao had been quite helpful to me.

I stood up hastily. “Eunuch Gao.”

Eunuch Gao gave a hurried smile and cupped his fists toward me.

He walked briskly to the bedside with a solemn expression, lightly touching his hand to Yuan Heng’s forehead. “Oh dear, why is he so hot?” He turned his gaze toward Meng Huaiqing in inquiry.

Meng Huaiqing bowed respectfully. “A rush of fire to the heart. I have already written a prescription and ordered someone to brew the medicine. He will be fine.”

Eunuch Gao let out a sigh of relief. He scanned the room and said with a smile, “As for today’s matter, we shall act as if it never happened. Not a single word must be leaked, lest it damage the Marquis’s reputation.”

Steward Li bowed quickly. “Yes, everything has been settled.”

Eunuch Gao’s gaze fell upon me. “The Empress Dowager has spoken.”

I immediately knelt.

Eunuch Gao’s voice was as gentle as ever, but his words were sharper than a knife. “Her Majesty is very angry. She said that the reason she allowed someone of your background to marry Heng’er was because he liked you. She didn’t expect you to be so useless that you couldn’t even hold onto Heng’er’s heart.”

Even though I felt resentment in my heart, I could only lower my head submissively. “This concubine knows her fault.”

Eunuch Gao smiled and helped me up with both hands. “Madam, please stand. In the future, we must rely on you to take good care of the Marquis. Recently, the Empress Dowager will be going to Wutai Mountain to pray for blessings, and she has specially granted you and the Marquis the honor of accompanying her. The plum blossoms there are quite lovely, making it a fine place to enjoy the scenery and relax.”

I asked softly, “When?”

Eunuch Gao looked back at Yuan Heng with concern. “Tomorrow morning.”

I knew the Empress Dowager doted on Yuan Heng, but I hadn’t expected her to spoil him to this extent.

“Yes,” I nodded. “This concubine will go and prepare at once.”

I looked at Steward Li and called him over. “Prepare a good coffin and find an auspicious burial site so the Little Master may rest in peace.”

Unexpectedly, Eunuch Gao waved his hand. “As for that sorcerer, the Empress Dowager has said to just quietly haul him off to the Crematorium tonight and cremate him. It saves the trouble of…”

Eunuch Gao’s words stopped abruptly, his narrow eyes widening in horror.

I followed his gaze. Yuan Heng, who had been fast asleep, was awake.