Chapter 39

Chapter 39

As Lian Cheng and Lu Suian stepped into the building, they found the small embroidery studio, though compact, to be fully equipped. Every furnishing was in place, even flowers and incense, lending an air of refined elegance.

At the room's far end, by the window, a soft couch was arranged. Beyond the window stretched a vast lake view, while on the couch, a small table held an assortment of fruits, pastries, and two pots of chilled wine. One pot lay toppled on the couch, already empty, the other clutched in someone's arms.

Wine cups, bowls, and plates lay scattered.

At either end of the small table, two women, faces flushed crimson, slumped in a drunken stupor. One poured wine from the pot into her mouth, while the other rubbed her face, muttering, "I want the most handsome one—"

Hearing Zhang Wan’s words, Lian Cheng’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.

Shen Anning, oblivious, continued to egg her on. Tilting her head back for a drink, she waved a hand and slurred, "One isn’t enough—I’ll give you two, four, eight—"

As she spoke, she tried to count with her fingers but kept fumbling. Meanwhile, the wine pot in her other hand tilted, spilling its contents all over her face. The wine trickled down her neck and into her collar, drenching a large section of her clothes.

The wine soaked the front of her gown and the corners of her collar. The stream of wine from her mouth, combined with her drunken, seductive expression, made her utterly captivating and provocative.

Now it was Lu Suian’s turn to turn completely furious.

In one swift motion, he shed his official robe and, before even reaching her, tossed it over Shen Anning’s head. The robe landed squarely, covering her completely. Shen Anning cried out, startled, "It’s dark, it’s dark—Wanwan, it's gotten dark—"

She thrashed about, struggling frantically.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wan stood up to look for more wine, intending to toast with Shen Anning. When she lifted her head and saw the two dark-faced figures who had entered, she was instantly terrified. Shrinking back in fear, she stammered, "Wanwan, that damned Crown Prince… that damned Crown Prince is here…"

Hearing this, Shen Anning immediately sprang up, emerging from under the robe. She looked up and saw two large, dark faces hovering before her, with gaping mouths and fangs as long as chopsticks. One of them lunged toward her. Her expression changed, and she made as if to protect Zhang Wan, yelling, "Wanwan, I’ll protect you—"

But before she could even stand, she tripped over the large, heavy robe and sprawled clumsily on the ground.

Before she could get up, the wine pot in her hand was snatched away.

Shen Anning immediately tried to grab it back, but she staggered unsteadily, nearly tumbling off the couch. However, the expected pain never came. Instead, someone grabbed her firmly by the armpits, and a pair of eyes, larger than a cow’s and glowing with a greenish light, stared intently at her.

Veins bulged at Lu Suian’s temples.

He had never seen a woman so unruly when drunk.

He picked up the fallen robe and wrapped it tightly around her, bundling her up like a cocoon.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wan was also grabbed by the large, dark-faced monster. Shaking with fear, she whimpered, "Ning Er, the big dark monster is here… I’m scared—"

Shen Anning immediately bared her teeth and urged, "Bite him."

Zhang Wan sobbed, "Wuwu, I don’t know how…"

Shen Anning let out a proud snort. "Watch this—"

She raised her hand and opened her mouth to bite, but her hands were trapped under the robe, rendering her immobile. Still, it didn’t matter—she had no hands, but she had a mouth. The big dark monster had a long nose, so she opened her mouth and chomped at it.

Taken by surprise, Lu Suian tilted his head to avoid the bite. Though his nose was spared, his chin was bitten firmly.

Zhang Wan burst out laughing and tried to imitate the action, but Lian Cheng swiftly threw her over his shoulder. It took all his strength to subdue the little drunkard. Then, his frosty glare swept toward the woman in Lu Suian’s arms.

If looks could kill, she would have been riddled with holes.

Noticing this, Lu Suian pulled her closer into his arms, blocking the cold, arrow-like glare. He said with a sidelong glance, "Crown Prince Lian, why bother arguing with someone who’s drunk?"

Lian Cheng responded with a cold, mocking smile. "I hope Lord Lu can remain just as calm and composed the next time someone tries to drive a wedge between you so maliciously!"

Lu Suian replied nonchalantly, "Don’t worry, I’m not Crown Prince Lian. I don’t have that kind of fortune."

"Hmph!"

Lian Cheng grimly wrapped his cloak around Zhang Wan, hoisted her over his shoulder, and strode away.

With the departure of the Lian couple, the disorderly room finally fell silent. Shen Anning, still bundled up and unable to move, continued to make a nuisance with her mouth, biting and gnawing at anything while shouting, "Another cup, Wanwan, another cup!"

She then suddenly looked up at Lu Suian and babbled, "Big dark monster, prepare to die—"

She opened her mouth to bite again.

Lu Suian: "…"

His usually quiet and composed wife had become unbearably annoying when drunk.

Even Lu Suian was nearly at his wit’s end.

In the end, Lu Suian ripped a piece from his undershirt and stuffed it into Shen Anning’s mouth. With only muffled noises left, the world finally fell silent.

He grabbed a thin quilt from the couch, wrapped it around Shen Anning, tucked her under his arm, and strode toward the main courtyard.

…

By the time the commotion settled, the sun had begun to set.

When the servants of Chuanze Residence saw the Crown Prince striding into the courtyard with a large cocoon tucked under his arm, they were all dumbfounded, completely forgetting how to react.

The large cocoon wriggled and squirmed as if trying to break free.

Chun Qi, sharp-eyed, recognized the thin quilt as one from the lakeside loft and quickly snapped back to reality. She immediately dismissed all unrelated personnel from the courtyard.

Lu Suian carried the cocoon straight into the main room and ordered water to be brought in. He then tossed the cocoon, quilt and all, into the bathtub.

Shen Anning choked on the water and flailed desperately, crying, "Help, help…"

Bai Tao, realizing what was happening, rushed in to assist but was ordered out by Lu Suian.

Lu Suian seemed intent on watching her drown, but when she slipped underwater again, he quickly pulled her out.

Suppressing his anger, he spent a full half-hour cleaning her up and getting her into bed.

Finally, the drunken Shen Anning fell into a deep sleep.

Beneath the quilt, she was completely naked. In her sleep, she rolled over, hugging the quilt and revealing her graceful figure.

Lu Suian watched coldly.

A suppressed anger simmered within him as he looked at the scene, feeling inexplicably irritated.

He felt almost too lazy to move, content to watch coldly and let her freeze.

He had always been disciplined and methodical in everything he did, never even allowing himself to get drunk.

The most he had ever drunk was on his wedding day.

But he never expected that his wife would be even more reckless and uninhibited than him!

It was one thing for her to act recklessly, and another to stir up trouble, but the saying goes, "Better to destroy a temple than break up a marriage." He never imagined she could be so rebellious, actually encouraging others to break up someone else’s union.

If he hadn’t been present today, she'd have been lucky to get off with just a beating.

However—

The key was that one phrase… divorce!

It had pierced his ears.

Even now, his ears were still ringing.

He even felt the urge to shake this unfeeling woman awake and question her personally—were those drunken words meant to advise Madam Lian, or were they her own innermost thoughts?

Thinking this, Lu Suian suddenly bent over, pulled the quilt down to cover her completely, tucked it securely around her, let down the bed curtains, and then slowly, sharply scanned the room.

He had lived in this room for over a decade, but now it felt completely foreign.

The room's layout had been completely altered.

Why had it been changed?

Lu Suian walked around the screen, passed the Eight Treasures table, and arrived at the desk. There, he saw many notebooks scattered somewhat haphazardly, as if hastily put down and not yet organized, while others were neatly arranged to the side, clearly carefully sorted.

Lu Suian casually opened one of the notebooks and was surprised to find clear, detailed records of a series of numbers. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a ledger.

The ledger recorded the money collected—over twenty thousand taels of silver.

Then, it listed several major expenses, lacking specifics, showing that sixteen thousand taels had already been spent.

What did sixteen thousand taels signify?

When the Lu family had sent the betrothal gifts to the Shen family, aside from the betrothal presents, they had also given a betrothal sum of six thousand taels of silver.

It was important to note that this amount was the maximum customary standard in the entire capital.

As for Shen Anning’s dowry, although Lu Suian did not know the exact amount and had never asked, he estimated that even with the most generous dowry and rewards from the palace, the total cash she could have had at most would be around that sum.

So, she had taken out all her silver, including her dowry—for what? What required so much money?

Recalling the clues provided by Uncle Sun during the day—buying a tavern, shops, a residence—even a fool could guess.

She was paving the way for her future.

What way?

She wanted a divorce!

She actually wanted to divorce him!

It wasn’t just talk, nor was it advice to others. Those sincere words were all meant for herself.

She wanted to divorce him?

Hah.

The moment this thought emerged in his mind, Lu Suian found it both ridiculous and infuriating.

This was an imperially decreed marriage—even the Lu family couldn’t refuse it. How could Shen Anning think she could simply decide to leave?

While scoffing, a wave of uncontrollable anger surged in his heart.

This marriage had been thrust upon him in the first place, and he had never particularly liked it.

But even though he hadn’t rejected her, she was now turning around and asking for a divorce.

How dare she!

If anyone were to initiate a divorce, it should be him.

This discovery left Lu Suian feeling stifled and furious!

He didn’t even realize how grim and stern his expression had become.

…………

…………

Meanwhile, unlike Shen Anning’s drunken antics, when Lian Cheng carried the previously rowdy Zhang Wan and deposited her into the carriage, he found that she had already passed out and fallen into a deep sleep.

In her sleep, Zhang Wan was uncommonly docile, neither noisy nor restless, curled up like a kitten beside Lian Cheng’s leg.

Her face was flushed, yet she looked serene and gentle, with one hand still tightly clutching the hem of Lian Cheng’s robe.

Seeing his wife’s peaceful sleeping face, Lian Cheng’s anger dissipated like a punch hitting cotton, leaving him with nowhere to vent, and he could only bottle it up inside.

After a long while, he raised his hand to rub his temples.

A moment later, he glanced at the person beside him again, his brows knitting tightly.

He had left for the northern campaign shortly after marrying Zhang Wan, and in the half year since their marriage, they had spent only two months together. As the younger sister of Empress Zhang, he had expected her to be arrogant and domineering, but she turned out to be unexpectedly gentle and quiet.

He couldn’t say whether he liked her or not—Lian Cheng’s focus had always been on the northern frontier, and his spare time was entirely devoted to the military camp. His expectations for his wife were not high: she only needed to manage the household affairs, take care of the family, and continue the Lian family line.

Zhang Wan had performed admirably in these aspects, beyond reproach.

As for Miss Yan, she was an unforeseen circumstance. Yan Ming was his trusted deputy who had died for him, so taking care of his family was a duty Lian Cheng could not shirk. Initially, he had no intention of taking Yan Ming’s younger sister as a concubine, but the Yan family had no other relatives left—only a widowed mother and her daughter. The mother suffered from eye disease, and Miss Yan was chronically ill. Left with no choice, he had to bring them both into his household.

It was difficult to settle the widowed mother and daughter properly. Lian Cheng’s mother, out of pity, tentatively suggested that he take Miss Yan as a concubine. That day, he did not immediately agree, and Zhang Wan, who was present, didn't object.

In the following days, she continued to diligently manage the household, appearing tolerant, understanding, and magnanimous. Yet, unexpectedly, it was all an act—in the blink of an eye, she went to the Lu family to complain tearfully and resentfully, as if he and the entire Lian family were some kind of oppressive den of monsters.

On one hand, there was the impression of a reasonable, big-picture-minded wife; on the other, the recently hysterical, weeping Zhang Wan; and now, the well-behaved, docile version before him. Lian Cheng was momentarily confused—which one was the real her?

Regardless of which was the real her, the drunken madwoman from earlier could never be his wife, Lian Cheng’s wife.

Just then, the person beside him clung to his robe, pressing her fair cheek tightly against his thigh. Her delicate face still held a hint of childish chubbiness, distorting her cheeks and lips slightly, yet she remained unaware. Warm breath brushed against him in gentle, rhythmic waves.

Looking at his elegant, well-behaved wife—

Lian Cheng’s heart softened. He was about to reach out and smooth the stray hairs at her temple when, in the next moment, the woman resting on his lap suddenly furrowed her brows, appearing extremely uncomfortable. Gritting his teeth, Lian Cheng lifted her to check on her, but without any warning, Zhang Wan suddenly propped herself up on his shoulders and vomited—all over Lian Cheng.

Filth spilled onto Lian Cheng’s neck, chest, and thighs, with some even splattering onto his face.

Lian Cheng: "……"

Lian Cheng felt like throwing the bundle in his arms right out of the carriage. After a long, long while, he squeezed his eyes shut in frustration.

……

As the saying goes, hangovers are the worst.

"Water..."

Shen Anning was extremely thirsty. She dreamed she was escaping through a desert, where black tentacles reached up from the endless sand, trying to drag her down into the earth. Terrified, she ran wildly, not watching where she was going.

She had been fleeing for days and nights in the desert, all the moisture in her body had baked away by the scorching sun, to the point where she felt like cutting her own skin to drink her blood.

Just as she was on the verge of losing consciousness from thirst, a stream of cool water reached her lips.

She was desperately thirsty, gulping it down thirstily, like an animal.

When she finally woke up completely, she heard what sounded like a loud "bang," as if a door in the distance had been slammed shut with great force. Shen Anning’s head throbbed with pain, and for a moment, she had no idea where she was.

It wasn’t until the brocade quilt slipped from her shoulders, revealing her completely naked body, that she was stunned.

So this was Chuanze Residence. What time was it?

Shen Anning’s mind was foggy for a moment; she felt exhausted and dizzy. As she lifted the quilt and saw her bare body, she became even more confused.

She had always been accustomed to sleeping in her clothes—where had her garments gone?

Just then—

"Madam, you’re finally awake?"

Bai Tao and Hong Li came hurrying into the room together.

"Does your head still hurt? Drink some ginseng soup to soothe your hangover. Why did you suddenly start drinking, and to such an extent?"

Bai Tao went on chattering while Hong Li promptly brought over both tea and ginseng soup. Shen Anning gently rubbed her temples and, amid Bai Tao’s nagging, gradually remembered: oh, she had been drinking. Sister Wan from the Zhang family had visited.

Scenes from the previous day flashed through her mind.

Sister Wan’s plight had resonated deeply with her. Not knowing how to console her, Shen Anning had brought out wine, and the two had drunk together to let out their feelings.

Later, she couldn’t really remember what happened after that.

Although she had drunk in her previous life to numb pain, she had never been drunk before. She hadn’t known alcohol could hit so hard. One moment, she and Sister Wan were drinking freely; the next, her mind went completely blank, as if that part of her memory had been erased.

"How did I get back yesterday? Where is Sister Wan? Did she stay overnight in the residence or—"

While asking urgently for answers, Shen Anning desperately tried to recall the events of the previous night.

Bai Tao and Hong Li exchanged looks, hesitating to speak. "Madam, do you really not remember anything?"

Seeing Shen Anning’s dazed expression, Bai Tao immediately told her everything in detail about the previous day’s events, vividly describing: "Madam, you have no idea—you were wrapped up like a giant silkworm cocoon. When the young master carried you into the courtyard, he startled all of us. For a moment, we had no idea what had happened—"

"As for Lady Zhang, she was carried away by Crown Prince Lian—"

"The commotion in the residence even prompted Her Ladyship to send someone to inquire last night."

Bai Tao told the story vividly.

Shen Anning stood there in shock.

Lu Suian had carried her back? Even Crown Prince Lian had come?

She had no memory at all.

And then—

"After that, the young master personally attended to you—he bathed you, helped sober you up, and even fed you half a bowl of ginseng soup in the latter half of the night."

Hong Li, as if anticipating Shen Anning’s next question, quickly added the subsequent events, her expression bright with a mix of relief and delight.

She was relieved by the young master’s attentiveness the previous night and pleased by the harmony between the young master and his wife.

After all, the last time the madam had fallen ill, the young master hadn’t so much as looked her way. But now, he had personally tended to her—clear evidence of their growing closeness.

Bathing? Sobering her up? Feeding her ginseng soup?

Lu Suian had personally attended to her?

How was that possible?

In her previous life, she had always been the one serving him tirelessly—when had he ever spared her a second glance?

Serving her?

And for an entire night?

Shen Anning was both skeptical and completely bewildered. It was a scene she couldn’t even begin to imagine.

Just as Shen Anning was trying to make sense of it all, Bai Tao continued her nagging: "Madam, you shouldn't drink like this again in the future. At the very least, you should tell me so I can watch over you. The lake is deep—what if you had accidentally fallen in? Don’t you remember what happened to Zhao Er from our Ling Shui Village? He drowned just like that."

Bai Tao scolded her relentlessly. Seeing Shen Anning still dazed and slow to respond, she quickly brought over the tea and asked gently, "You’ve been drinking—are you thirsty?"

Those with a hangover are always parched. Bai Tao’s father was a heavy drinker, so she was experienced at handling drunks.

Coming back to herself, Shen Anning slowly shook her head. "I’m not thirsty."

Bai Tao replied, "The young master must have already given you water?"

Shen Anning was stunned again. "Was the young master here just now?" After a pause, she added, "Did he stay here last night too?"

Bai Tao looked surprised. "Yes, the young master looked after you all night. He just left—didn’t you see him?"

Bai Tao was astonished; the young master had stepped out just moments before they entered.

Hearing this, Shen Anning’s hand under the quilt brushed over her bare body. Her neck and chest were still a little damp. So, it hadn’t been a dream—Lu Suian had indeed given her water.

Suddenly, she remembered someone wiping her down—her chin, her neck, and even—

Shen Anning closed her eyes tightly and bit her lip. The images that followed were ones she didn’t want to dwell on.

She would rather have suffered Zhao Er's fate, drunk and drowned in the lake, than relive the scenes from last night and the present moment.

After an unknown length of time, she suppressed the turmoil in her heart and glanced out the window, only to see the sky the color of a blue crab's shell, still pale and gray—clearly still very early.

But remembering that today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, she dared not delay too long. Summoning her strength, she ordered water to be brought and thoroughly washed herself.

As she was thinking about the day's schedule for the Mid-Autumn Festival and had just stepped out of the bath, a sharp, piercing young voice suddenly rang out outside the room:

"Move aside, don't stop me! Shen Anning, come out here!"

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Author's note:

Thank you all for your support - I'll keep doing my best!