Chapter 30 Reckoning “Or what? I got hurt for you—won’t you take responsibility?…”

Chapter 30: Settling Accounts

"Otherwise? I got hurt because of you. Don't you think you should be responsible...?"

Zhen Xi had learned that Vice Minister Cai would arrive today to present the betrothal gifts. She dreaded seeing his aged face and feared her presence might stir up trouble, so she chose to avoid the scene. Yet, she remained restless, unable to settle down. Even while drinking tea to calm her nerves, she accidentally knocked the cup over. Just as she took out a handkerchief to wipe it, the door was violently kicked open. She jumped in fright, and before she could even discern who it was, two burly men seized her. Despite her cries and struggles, they dragged her all the way to Cloud-Cutting Hall.

Now, as her eyes focused, she saw no one else—only Shen Jichen, cold as ice, seated on the elevated platform. Her legs went weak, and she stumbled through the doorway, collapsing to the ground. Her face flushed and paled alternately, and she scrambled to her feet, intent on fleeing.

Shen Jichen’s expression hardened. With a faint, dismissive glance, the guards immediately blocked the door, crossing their sabers to bar the way.

Zhen Xi, frantic and furious, shrieked, "What are you going to do?!"

He Minxuan, once again intrigued, turned to Young Master Luo with surprise. "Isn’t this the girl who was with you recently, Zhongping? I heard you even brought her to that small banquet on the night of the twenty-fifth?"

As if struck by lightning, Zhen Xi felt her vision darken, her legs giving way as she collapsed.

Exclamations of shock rippled through the hall. Aside from a few who were in the know, the rest stared at Zhen Xi in utter disbelief.

Yue Rongrong, seeing Zhen Xi’s pale face, felt a pang of pity and instinctively tried to rise. But Shen Jichen pressed her hand onto her knee, stopping her. She looked at him, and his gaze softened as it met hers. Yet, when he turned away, all warmth vanished, replaced by icy coldness. He said, "Hold her up. Let Vice Minister Cai and Young Master Luo get a good look."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Xi thrashed wildly, kicking and flailing her arms at the guards trying to lift her. "Let me go! Let me go!"

Though Zhong Yu was angry at Zhen Xi for sacrificing Rong Rong, she couldn’t bear to see her in such a state. She wanted to step forward but knew not what to say. Seeing Marquis Shen’s resolute demeanor today, it was clear he had already investigated everything and was determined to resolve this thoroughly for Rong Rong.

Vice Minister Cai looked at Zhen Xi, who was dragged before him. Her hair was disheveled, her hairpin askew, and her face utterly devoid of color. Far from attractive, she looked almost grotesque. He recalled that night when Zhen Xi had been sweet and charming, but now, he couldn’t hide the disdain in his eyes. Still, he forced himself to look at Young Master Luo and asked, "Was she the one you brought that night?"

Young Master Luo wished he could strangle Vice Minister Cai, but he knew he couldn’t escape involvement. He simply said, "It was this Miss Zhen. At the time, the minister was too eager and didn’t give me a chance to explain."

Vice Minister Cai shot him a furious glare but turned to Shen Jichen with a bow and an ingratiating smile. "Thanks to the Marquis’s wisdom."

Shen Jichen spread his hands and smiled meaningfully. "Now the truth is clear."

He Minxuan immediately stood and gave Vice Minister Cai a deep bow. "Congratulations, Vice Minister Cai! You’ve found your destined one! Not only have you avoided wronging an innocent, but you’ve also won a beauty! Vice Minister Cai, a blessing in disguise!"

Vice Minister Cai’s heart skipped a beat, and his forced smile twitched. "A blessing in disguise?"

He Minxuan said, "Indeed. The crime of an imperial official forcibly seizing a common woman is no small matter."

Vice Minister Cai stiffened, struggling to look at Shen Jichen. His smile had vanished, leaving only icy coldness. Vice Minister Cai quickly bowed again and exclaimed, "The Marquis speaks wisely!"

Even in her fear and confusion, Zhen Xi understood the gravity of the situation. She struggled with all her might. "What are you going to do?! I am the future wife of the newly appointed top scholar! The top scholar is a disciple of the Son of Heaven! How dare you humiliate me like this?! I don’t know Vice Minister Cai! I never spent a night with him! It was Rong Rong!"

Yue Rongrong stared in dismay at the frantic Zhen Xi, heartbroken that even now Zhen Xi would still try to frame her, sacrificing her without a second thought for her own happiness.

Shen Jichen, seeing the tears welling in Yue Rongrong’s eyes as she looked at Zhen Xi with disappointment, grew even colder, his expression freezing over with a hint of killing intent.

He Minxuan sneered, "Right, you still have your top scholar fiancé. Why not invite him here to discuss this matter?"

No sooner had he spoken than someone in the crowd exclaimed, "Young Master Li!"

Li Suian had arrived at some point. He strode into the hall, his expression cold and stern.

Zhen Xi trembled, her vision blurring as she looked over and saw the familiar figure standing ahead, bowing respectfully to Shen Jichen and the other officials.

Shen Jichen asked coldly, "Top Scholar Li, is this person your fiancée? Have the betrothal formalities been completed?"

Li Suian stood straight. Earlier this morning, Marquis Shen had sent someone to invite him without explaining why, only bringing him outside Cloud-Cutting Hall. From outside, he had heard everything clearly. His heart was now ashes. Slowly, he turned to look at Zhen Xi, his eyes red from restraint. He said solemnly, "Though the betrothal formalities are not yet complete, I have pledged my life to Zhen Xi."

Zhen Xi stared at Li Suian, trembling.

Han, He, and Zheng were slightly surprised. At a time like this, this man still wanted to marry Zhen Xi. Was he too foolish, too cunning, or just overly righteous?

Shen Jichen said leisurely, "Since the betrothal formalities are incomplete, an oral promise holds no weight. Now that Zhen Xi belongs to Vice Minister Cai, how can she marry another?"

Li Suian’s handsome face turned deathly pale.

Seeing this, Vice Minister Cai quickly said, "Indeed, that night, Zhen Xi did… shed blood. Since she is already mine, I will take her into my residence and make her my concubine."

Zhen Xi broke down, crying, "No! It wasn’t me! Sui’an, I love you! I love you!" She struggled free, ran over, and threw herself at Li Suian’s feet, clutching his hand as if it were her last lifeline.

Young Master Luo, now understanding Shen Jichen’s intent, snorted coldly. "Zhen Xi, your love is truly cheap. Not long ago, you said you loved me desperately."

Zhen Xi whipped her head around, her red eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Young Master Luo. "You’re lying!" she shrieked before turning back to Li Suian, clutching his hand and pleading, "I didn’t, Sui’an. Believe me."

Li Suian closed his eyes, about to bend down and help her up, when Young Master Luo said, "Lying? Everyone here can testify. Which of the embroiderers who spent day and night with you doesn’t know how intimate we were during that time?"

Li Suian’s bending motion froze. He looked at her heartbroken, a mist covering his eyes. This was the girl he had loved for ten years—his Zhen Xi. The disappointment in his eyes felt like countless ice needles piercing Zhen Xi, leaving her bleeding and ashamed.

Young Master Luo chuckled. "Right, I’m lying. You didn’t love me—you loved wealth and status. Otherwise, why would you spend the night with Vice Minister Cai?"

"You drugged me!" Zhen Xi screamed, completely breaking down. Her words made everything clear to everyone. Belatedly, she realized what she had said and froze, her pale face streaming with tears as she lost all spirit and slumped to the ground.

"Drugged? Don’t play the innocent. If you weren’t willing, why would you attend the banquet with me?" Young Master Luo sneered coldly, naturally refusing to admit to drugging her.

Han Zixian smiled faintly. "Settled."

Shen Jichen found even looking at Zhen Xi repulsive. He said coldly, "Vice Minister Cai, why aren’t you helping your new concubine to rest?"

Vice Minister Cai, as if granted a new lease on life, hurried to help Zhen Xi up. By now, Zhen Xi had lost all will to struggle.

Zhong Yu, heartbroken, hurried after them.

He Minxuan looked at the barely composed Li Suian and patted his shoulder, saying coolly, "My condolences."

Li Suian bowed silently and turned to leave.

The crowd remained stunned by the upheaval, unable to recover for a long time. The day’s events had left them dizzy, but the most shocking was Marquis Shen’s attitude toward Miss Yue.

Young Master Luo stepped forward and bowed to Miss Yue. "Miss Yue, I apologize for my earlier offense. I don’t know how Vice Minister Cai became so bewitched."

Miss Yue was about to stand, but Shen Jichen pressed her shoulder down. The warmth of his palm seeped from her shoulder straight to her heart. His voice, neither loud nor soft, reached everyone’s ears: "You will accept it."

Han, He, and Zheng were unsurprised.

Young Master Luo added, "Yes, Miss Yue, please accept it. Another day, I will bring generous gifts to apologize again."

The shopkeeper, seeing this, also stepped forward and bowed repeatedly. "Today, thanks to the Marquis’s wisdom, Rong Rong was saved from unjust accusations. Thank you, Marquis. Thank you."

Shen Jichen said coldly, "Rong Rong’s affairs are not for you to thank me for."

The shopkeeper quickly forced a smile. Ren Hanzhen clenched her handkerchief, her face taut and bloodless.

"However, there is one thing I don’t understand," Shen Jichen said, shifting the topic. Everyone’s hearts tightened again. "Taking a concubine is a trivial matter. How did it spread so quickly?"

Everyone from Jinxiu Tower stiffened, lowering their heads in silence.

Shen Jichen lightly tapped the table. "My patience is limited."

The people from Jinxiu Tower panicked, all looking toward Master Zhou. Master Zhou, as if facing doom, dropped to his knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly. "Marquis, please calm your anger! Marquis, please calm your anger!" The shopkeeper struggled to explain, "Marquis, Master Zhou means no harm—he just talks too much..."

Shen Jichen frowned impatiently, and the shopkeeper immediately stopped talking. Shen Jichen said coldly, "Since you love to talk so much, give yourself fifty slaps. Wen Song, you carry out the punishment."

Master Zhou was now afraid, all his former arrogance gone: "Marquis, I dare not do it again! Please spare me!"

But Shen Jichen had already stood up: "Everyone, disperse. Wen Song, stay and carry out the punishment."

After speaking, he took Yue Rongrong's hand and left, ignoring everyone around them.

Han, He, and Zheng also stood up: "Then we'll take our leave as well. Wen Song, you stay. Today, Piao Yao has you carrying out a slapping punishment—what a waste of talent." After saying this, they also left.

Wen Song leisurely relaxed his wrists, sighed lightly, and said, "Master Zhou, is it? Why did you have to provoke Miss Yue? Will you gossip about her again in the future?"

"I won't dare..."

Before the words even finished, a crisp, loud slap rang out, startling everyone in Brocade Tower.

Du Yan's eyes nearly filled with blood from hatred. She gritted her teeth and whispered to Ren Hanzhen, "That seductress Yue Rongrong! That wretched bitch!"

Ren Hanzhen tore at the handkerchief in her hand, rubbing it against the webbing between her thumb and index finger until it was already stained with blood.

＊＊

Vice Minister Cai dragged Zhen Xi along quickly. Zhen Xi, already distraught and unsteady on her feet, stumbled and fell to the ground. Vice Minister Cai let go of her hand, looked down at her from above without any tenderness, spat in disgust, and said, "Bad luck!"

Zhong Yu caught up just in time to see this. Furious, she rushed forward to protect Zhen Xi and said sternly, "Vice Minister Cai, you've gone too far!"

Vice Minister Cai didn't want to complicate things further. He coldly tossed out, "Be properly prepared, I'll come for you tomorrow!" Then he turned and left.

Zhen Xi seemed not to hear. Zhong Yu couldn't bear to be angry with her anymore and gently patted her back, saying quickly, "Zhen Xi, let's ask Rong Rong for help. Have her plead with the Marquis for you..."

Suddenly, Zhen Xi pushed Zhong Yu away forcefully and shrieked, "Don't mention her to me!" She trembled with emotion, her eyes filled with utmost hatred. "How could Yue Rongrong humiliate me like this?! She did it on purpose! She wants revenge, to make me trampled by everyone! I won't let her off! I won't..."

*Slap!* Zhong Yu's palm grazed Zhen Xi's cheek. Zhen Xi was struck so hard she turned and fell to the ground, stunned.

"Even now you refuse to repent! It was you who were obsessed with status first, betraying Li Suian's true devotion. Now you even slander Rong Rong! If you hadn't been deluded back then and cherished what you had, how could you have ended up like this?!" Zhong Yu was so angry she felt heartache.

Suddenly, Zhen Xi laughed—a hoarse, eerie laugh, her body trembling. She slowly stood up, tears welling in her eyes, her laughter soaked in eerie stillness: "You side with Rong Rong, all of you side with Rong Rong... even the Marquis loves her..." She turned to leave. Zhong Yu, panicked, called out to stop her.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your business!" Zhen Xi spat out hatefully and strode away without looking back.

＊＊

Shen Jichen held Yue Rongrong's hand as they walked out of Cloud-Cutting Hall. He turned to ask her, "Where is your room?"

Yue Rongrong, preoccupied and distracted, asked blankly, "What?"

Shen Jichen was very patient. He stepped closer, looked down at her, and said, "I asked where your room is."

Yue Rongrong's heart suddenly raced. She took a step back, lowering her head to hide the panic in her eyes: "It's... it's in Cloud Brocade Courtyard."

As soon as she finished, Shen Jichen took her hand and said, "Take me to see it."

They left just like that, not noticing Cheng Qian standing at the end of the corridor, coldly watching them.

Yue Rongrong didn't know what he wanted to see. She stood at the door, watching Shen Jichen enter the room. His brow furrowed slightly, clearly very dissatisfied. She couldn't bring herself to speculate what he was thinking. She followed him inside, walked to the table, poured a cup of tea, and cradled it quietly in her hands as she drank.

"Angry?"

Shen Jichen's low voice came from beside her. Yue Rongrong frowned, put down the teacup, looked up, and said solemnly, "Why did you do this? You know Vice Minister Cai isn't a good man. Why make Zhen Xi his concubine? The misunderstanding could have been cleared up—was it necessary to ruin her happiness?"

"Happiness?" Shen Jichen sneered, gazing calmly at her. "She wasn't worthy of it, because she insulted you."

Yue Rongrong's heart trembled: "How could you be so cruel?"

Shen Jichen looked at her steadily. The faint smile in his eyes faded, gradually turning dark and heavy. He said in a low voice, "I'm cruel? Yue Rongrong, you're angry with me over a woman who wished you ill?" He let out a low laugh, full of mockery, as if struggling to hold back but finally losing control. He shouted angrily, "I'm just that pathetic. I didn't care that I'd just recovered from a major illness—I came specifically to get you out of that situation, and yet you're angry with me over a woman who bullied and slandered you! You can even defend that kind of woman, so why do you—!"

He suddenly stiffened, too angry, and turned away.

Yue Rongrong panicked: "You were sick?"

"I won't die," Shen Jichen said coldly.

Yue Rongrong knew she had misspoken and regretted it deeply. She hadn't meant to speak up for Zhen Xi; she hated Zhen Xi too—hated her for being so selfish and ruthless, showing no regard for their sisterly bond. But seeing Zhen Xi sitting there collapsed, so desperate, she couldn't help but pity her.

But now, seeing Shen Jichen with his back to her, refusing to look at her at all, she lowered her eyes, nibbled her lip, and gathered her courage to walk up to him. She took a deep breath, kept her head down, and mumbled, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that to you." There was a hint of unconscious coyness in her tone, like in the old days.

Shen Jichen looked at her round head and cloud-like dark tresses. She was slightly bowed, and he could see her soft, fair neck. Even without her looking up, he knew exactly how pitiful and wronged she looked right now. His heart softened.

"Sincerity," he said in a deep, mellow voice, relenting.

Yue Rongrong looked up in confusion. Sure enough, there was a glistening moisture in her eyes, making her extremely beautiful: "What sincerity?"

He said, "An apology should come with sincerity." He raised his right hand, wrapped in bandages.

She had actually wanted to ask earlier in Cloud-Cutting Hall: "How did you get injured?"

Seeing that her concern didn't seem feigned, he felt a bit better and replied evenly, "I heard you were going to be some old man's concubine. It made me angry."

Yue Rongrong's cheeks colored, and she said with a hint of pleading, "Can we not talk about that?" As she spoke, she turned to her bedside, took out a medical kit, turned back holding it in her arms, hesitating uncertainly, "Do you want me to help you change the bandages?"

Shen Jichen said firmly, "Otherwise? I got injured because of you. Shouldn't you take responsibility?"

Yue Rongrong hurried over, put down the medical kit, still muttering, "Can't you say it nicely?"

She and Shen Jichen sat at the round table. She held his hand and carefully unwrapped the gauze, not looking up as she asked, "What illness did you have?"

What illness? That day he took a fall down the steps and then fell seriously ill, running a high fever that terrified the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress, and his mother.

"A chill," he said lightly.

Yue Rongrong nodded and didn't press further. The gauze came off, revealing three black scabs on his palm, with a little blood still seeping out. She pursed her lips. Her mind suddenly flashed to Shen Jichen's fury when he heard she was going to be someone else's concubine, but he had still come to save her today. She shook some medicinal powder on cotton and, while applying it, asked him, "Shen Jichen, do you believe me?"

Shen Jichen frowned for a moment. Earlier in Cloud-Cutting Hall, she hadn't called him that. This ungrateful little wretch.

"Back then, when I asked you to be my concubine..." He met Yue Rongrong's gaze and paused. "Even though it was a temporary arrangement, you weren't willing. How could you possibly be interested in that decrepit old man?" His tone was sarcastic, though it was unclear who he was angry with.

Yue Rongrong, hearing him bring up the concubine matter from years ago, also got angry. She looked up and asked, "What if it were true?"

The room fell silent. The atmosphere around Shen Jichen gradually turned icy. He slowly moved closer, his face a mask, his voice extremely cold: "I would make sure he vanishes forever."

Yue Rongrong shivered involuntarily. To lighten the mood, she said loudly, "I don't have any high-quality wound medicine here. You're of noble status, Marquis. You should have the imperial physician treat it again later."

Shen Jichen looked around and frowned: "This place is indeed quite shabby."

Yue Rongrong was tying the bandage knot for him. Hearing this, she deliberately poked right at his wound. He gasped in pain and glared at Yue Rongrong, who pretended not to notice.

"Didn't you say you were looking at houses? How's it going?" Shen Jichen suddenly brightened.

Caught off guard by the question, Yue Rongrong was momentarily stunned before recalling her earlier lie about buying a house in the capital as an excuse to save money. Now that he brought it up, she could only deflect vaguely: "Still looking."

Shen Jichen stated impassively, "I’ve already found one for you, on Suzaku Street."

Yue Rongrong quickly seized on the excuse to refuse: "Suzaku Street? I can’t afford that." His marquis estate was located on the main road of Suzaku Street, one of the wealthiest and most prosperous streets after Wangjingmen.

Shen Jichen watched her climb onto the bed to put away the medicine box and said matter-of-factly, "You won't need to spend any silver."

Yue Rongrong paused as she placed the medicine box back, turned her head, and said with a playful grin: "A house that doesn’t cost me any silver? I wouldn’t dare live there."

Shen Jichen’s expression darkened slightly: "Stop pretending you don’t understand."

Yue Rongrong just smiled and didn't take the bait.

Shen Jichen stared at her intently, a frosty sternness appearing between his brows. His voice was suppressed to the extreme: "So, when you were humiliated and slandered, you’d rather involve Wei Hui and have him testify for you than come to me and ask for my help."

She deliberately kept her distance from him, intentionally avoiding him. The thought that she excluded him while that damned Wei Hui was considered, even refusing to accept a small house, made his tightly pressed lips grow even colder and sterner.

Yue Rongrong didn’t know how to respond, but her silence struck Shen Jichen as acquiescence. His gaze gradually filled with disappointment, and he turned away angrily. But as he turned, he bumped into the brocade box at the head of Yue Rongrong’s bed. An object caught his eye glaringly. His figure froze abruptly, and before Yue Rongrong could turn around, he scooped up the object into his hand and strode away.

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Author's note: Wen Song: It’s been a while since I’ve slapped someone. Though it felt pretty satisfying, my hand is still kind of sore.

Note: An important new character will appear in the next chapter.