The experiences and fates of her children in the dream were vivid in her mind.
Wen Qianyue pulled out the hairpin but didn't rush to get up. Instead, she pressed it against the pulsating vein on her neck and slowly tightened it. Her tone, however, grew even gentler. "I wonder if you still have the life for your mother to raise you."
"Don't! I... I was wrong. I really know I was wrong. Spare me..."
Li Nankang's pupils constricted sharply. Realizing that the woman was truly intent on killing him, his whole body stiffened and trembled uncontrollably. The robe beneath him suddenly darkened in a patch that gradually spread.
The warm liquid evaporated in the cold air.
Everyone could tell what had happened. They couldn't help but cast glances at his lower body. Some of them frowned and sighed, embarrassed by the sight, while others showed obvious disgust.
Xie Yunxiao also realized what was going on. He quickly pulled Wen Qianyue behind him, his disgust even deeper.
"Let's go. Stay away from these filthy things. Don't soil yourself."
Seeing Wen Qianyue and the others leave, the short - statured man trembled as he crawled to Li Nankang's side. Just as he reached out to pull him up, suddenly, a sharp whistling sound pierced through the air. Without any warning, it grazed his neck and plunged straight into the pillar behind him.
"Presumptuous!" The King of Ling arrived upon hearing the sound and saw this scene.
The King of Ling had long been dissatisfied with this nephew. Seeing him turn the banquet into such a mess, his anger flared up. "Xie Yunxiao, do you think this is..."
His voice suddenly stopped. His eyes fell on the woman beside Xie Yunxiao. When he saw those eyes, his pupils contracted violently.
Time seemed to stand still. Everyone was waiting to see Xie Yunxiao's embarrassment.
Who didn't want to take a good look at a fallen noble?
Although the man's words were harsh just now, there was some truth to them.
Xie Yunxiao had no one to rely on. Anyone could step on him. He was even worse off than ordinary officials.
"... These two were just joking with you. You're all of the same age. How could you use force?" The King of Ling coughed twice and then looked at Xie Yunxiao unhappily.
Xie Yunxiao didn't say a word. He just lowered his head and pulled Wen Qianyue behind him, trying his best to shield her. Clearly, he was in a protective stance.
The violent emotions that had welled up in Wen Qianyue gradually dissipated.
The King of Ling had long been dissatisfied with his nephew's actions. Now, he finally found an excuse to vent his anger. "Your parents passed away early. You've had no one to discipline you since childhood. As your uncle, I should discipline your behavior. Otherwise, how can I be worthy of your late mother?"
"Guards!"
"What kind of discipline does Your Highness the King want to impose?" The woman's voice carried a faint chill. It wasn't too loud or too soft, but it was extremely penetrating.
"Before using your status as an elder, Your Highness the King might as well find out the whole situation before giving orders."
If the woman's actions had sent chills down everyone's spines just now, they now admired her courage even more.
The two who had been so scared by Wen Qianyue that they couldn't stand up also got up with the support of the servants. They were eager to see what would happen to Wen Qianyue and Xie Yunxiao.
Everyone knew that in the entire Lingzhou, no one could disobey the King of Ling.
Everyone was eager to see Xie Yunxiao and the woman make a fool of themselves.
After a while, there was no movement. Some brave people craned their necks to look. To their surprise, the King of Ling, who had been furious just now, was now standing still, staring at the woman below. His features seemed to be rearranged, as if he had seen a ghost.
Wen Qianyue stared at the person in front with a smile on her lips, enjoying the vivid expression on his face.
The King of Ling immediately turned pale. Without saying a word, he turned around and rushed inside with his entourage.
No, it should be said that he ran.
Everyone was confused as to why the King of Ling didn't punish Xie Yunxiao. But after seeing the miserable state of the two people in front, they all gave up the idea.
It was really too scary!
The banquet began. The guests congratulated the King of Ling with smiles. The King of Ling seemed to have forgotten what had happened before. He smiled and toasted, accepting all the toasts. Clearly, he was extremely fond of his newly - born son.
It should be said that the King of Ling had quite a few offspring. For example, there were quite a few who had reached adulthood.
Looking at the room full of nephews and nieces, Wen Qianyue felt that her elder brother must have a lot of cuckold rumors.
Her gaze fell on Xie Yunxiao sitting beside her. She nodded in satisfaction.
She never had to worry about whether the children were her own.
"Why are there two people sitting beside the King of Ling? Which one is the Princess of Ling?" Some people who were new to the Ling Prince's Mansion and were not familiar with the people and things couldn't help but ask the people around them.
Coincidentally, the person being asked was a gossip lover. When he met someone who knew nothing, he excitedly started chatting with them.
"Oh, you don't even know this?"
"The one sitting on the left, farther away from the King of Ling, is the proper Princess of Ling. She was bestowed in marriage by the late emperor back then and traveled a long way with the King of Ling to his fief."
"What about the one on the right? How can she sit beside the King of Ling? Isn't it only the principal wife who can sit beside the prince?"
"That one is Concubine Li, the aunt of the young master who just wet his pants. Most importantly, she is deeply favored by the King of Ling. Even the princess doesn't dare to provoke her."
"Ah?" The listener was a little surprised.
"Although the King of Ling has a bit of a fiery temper, he doesn't have many concubines in the mansion. There are only three. Among the King of Ling's five children, except for the heir and the fourth young lady, who were born to the princess and another concubine, the rest were all born to this concubine."
"I see."
"The King of Ling can have another son at his age. No wonder he is celebrating so grandly. If it were me, I would definitely invite guests and have a good celebration."
"Who says it isn't?"
The voices of their conversation gradually faded away. Wen Qianyue heard most of it. At this moment, her eyes were no longer cold. Instead, they were filled with a strong desire for gossip.
Presumably because she couldn't bear to see her husband being so affectionate with Concubine Li all the time, the Princess of Ling only sat at the table for a while before she excused herself, saying that she was not feeling well.
Wen Qianyue raised her eyebrows playfully as she noticed that the heir, Wen, was more intimate with the concubine than he was with the princess just now.
The banquet in the hall was in full swing. The guests were chatting and drinking merrily. Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. The servants of the mansion rushed in panic.
"Your Highness! Something's wrong! The princess has fainted!"
The King of Ling frowned unhappily. His mood was spoiled. "If she faints, just call a doctor. It's not a big deal. Why do you have to bother me?"
On the contrary, Concubine Li said gently, "Sister has always been in poor health. Hurry up and call a doctor."
"Today is the hundred - day banquet of our child. It's such an important day. The servants will take care of the princess. My love, just relax." The King of Ling said indifferently and gently patted her hand.
Concubine Li smiled.
Everyone could see that the King of Ling favored this concubine more.
A young man stood up, bowed, and said, "Your son can't hold his liquor. I'm afraid I'll disturb Father, so I'll leave first."
He had a tall and straight figure, wearing a black tight - fitting suit. A few strands of hair were messily hanging on his forehead. His browbones were as sharp as if carved by a knife. Every gesture carried a cold and unruly air.
This was the second son of the King of Ling - Wen Chengsi.
The King of Ling waved his hand casually. "Go."
Wen Chengsi turned around and left directly, as if he had something very important to do.