Liang Yuzhou's figure was hidden in the darkness beyond the reach of the candlelight, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
After a long while, he instructed Zhou Ding, "Take good care of him. Make sure no one knows he's back in the capital, especially the minions of the Princess Dowager."
Zhou Ding obeyed, "Don't worry, Second Master. Doctor Jiang will be safe here."
"Also, send more men to protect his family in Changzhou."
"I've already made arrangements when I brought Doctor Jiang to the capital. His family will be safe."
Their conversation wasn't quiet, and it took place right at the door.
Although Jiang Xiumin was disabled and couldn't speak, his hearing was intact.
A complex look flashed across his eyes.
...
At night, Yu Huiyan suddenly received a message from the Princess Dowager, asking her to go to the Princess Dowager's Mansion.
She had thought that since her aunt had taken the blame and Liang Yuzhou hadn't questioned her immediately, the matter would fade away.
However, the Princess Dowager's late - night summons made Yu Huiyan feel uneasy.
Even more panicked than Yu Huiyan was Caidie.
As night fell, Caidie dared not close her eyes. Once she did, the bloated body of Cuizhu and her unclosed eyes would keep flashing before her eyes.
She had killed someone, forced by Yu Huiyan.
Suddenly, the cawing of a crow broke the silence of the night sky. It flapped its wings and landed on the moving carriage.
The dark shadow seemed like an omen of bad luck.
Caidie let out a scream in fright, covering her head and shrinking into a corner of the carriage, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Stay away! There's a ghost! There's a ghost!"
"What are you afraid of? It's just a crow!" Yu Huiyan snapped. "There are no ghosts in this world!"
"Miss, I'm scared. Cuizhu is coming to take my life!"
"Shut up! Cuizhu's death has nothing to do with us!"
Caidie's body continued to tremble, her teeth chattering. This annoyed Yu Huiyan even more.
With a "pop", she slapped Caidie.
Caidie stopped crying and moving. She stared blankly at Yu Huiyan, as if her soul had been taken away.
"Caidie, Cuizhu deserved to die. She was just too greedy," Yu Huiyan said gently. She pulled Caidie to sit beside her and tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear, looking like a considerate elder sister.
"Everything you've done is for me to marry my cousin smoothly. Once I become the mistress of the Duke's Mansion, I'll make you my cousin's concubine. You'll be a hundred times more prestigious than you are now."
Hearing her solemn promise, Caidie seemed to regain some vitality. She swallowed hard and whispered, "Is what you said true, Miss?"
To her, Liang Yuzhou was like the bright moon in the sky and the gentle breeze in the mountains. If she could really become Liang Yuzhou's concubine, killing Cuizhu would be worth it!
Yu Huiyan's smile was warm, but there was a hint of cruelty in her eyes.
"Of course it's true. You've done so much for me. I'll reward you well."
Caidie grinned.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped. The coachman's voice was panicked.
"Miss, get off the carriage quickly. The Crown Prince's sedan is ahead!"
Yu Huiyan's heart tightened. Why would she meet the Crown Prince on her way to the Princess Dowager's Mansion?
Supported by Caidie, she hurriedly got off the carriage and knelt down to pay her respects.
Two rows of guards held torches, their expressions serious. The firelight danced on their faces, making them look like demons from hell.
The Crown Prince's sedan stood still in front of them like a mountain. On the bright yellow curtain, the five - clawed dragon seemed to be lunging at them menacingly.
"Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The curtain of the sedan was lifted slightly. In the bright firelight, the Crown Prince's eyes were as sharp and cold as swords.
Despite the hot summer night, Yu Huiyan and Caidie couldn't help shivering.
"Beat them!"
The Crown Prince said only one resolute word, his deep voice booming.
Four female officials standing beside the sedan walked steadily towards Yu Huiyan and Caidie.
Two of them held the mistress and the maid from behind, while the other two wielded bamboo boards and slapped Yu Huiyan and Caidie's faces.
The bamboo boards were hard. They hurt much more than a slap. After just a dozen hits, Yu Huiyan was in so much pain that tears streamed down her face, and her mouth was filled with the strong taste of blood.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, why are you beating me?"
"Does the Prince need a reason to beat you?"
The cold and heartless voice came through the curtain.
He was so lofty, like a god. The invisible pressure was like a heavy mountain, making Yu Huiyan feel suffocated.
These words silenced all of Yu Huiyan's attempts to defend herself.
Yes, he was the Crown Prince, holding the power of life and death. In front of him, she was just a humble ant.
Yu Huiyan remembered that at the birthday banquet, the Crown Prince had even fallen out with the Princess Dowager to protect Song Wanchu.
The continuous tearing pain on her face made her eyes red with anger.
She knew that the Crown Prince was avenging Song Wanchu!
Song Wanchu, what did she deserve?
Liang Yuzhou protected her, and even the future master of the world, the Crown Prince, would defend her!
All her misfortunes today were caused by that bitch Song Wanchu!
The pain on her face was intensifying, and her hatred was beyond measure!
The two female officials beat them a full hundred times before stopping at the Crown Prince's signal.
Yu Huiyan and Caidie's faces were horribly swollen. Blood kept dripping from their mouths, staining a large part of their chests.
They were in so much pain that they couldn't even cry.
The Crown Prince looked at Yu Huiyan coldly, showing no pity at all.
Just when Yu Huiyan thought the Crown Prince's punishment was over—
"Someone, throw them into Qingshui Bay. Let them soak in the water for four hours before letting them out!"
A bone - chilling coldness shot up from Yu Huiyan's feet to the top of her head. Her whole body was ice - cold, and her heart was filled with panic.
The Crown Prince was not only punishing her for framing Song Wanchu today but also settling the score for the last time when she slandered Song Wanchu for pushing her into the water!
Qingshui Bay was the moat on the outskirts of the capital, backed by mountains. Even in the hot summer, the river water was freezing cold.
If she was really thrown in and soaked for four hours, she might not freeze to death, but the cold would damage her health fundamentally.
Was the Crown Prince trying to make her infertile?
A woman who couldn't bear children would be threatened by concubines even if she became the mistress of the Duke's Mansion...
Yu Huiyan was seized by great panic. Forgetting all about her dignity, she crawled and grabbed the Crown Prince's sedan.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please spare my life. I'll never dare to do it again! Please be merciful. I can't soak in the ice - cold water!"
"Wanchu is so afraid of water, but she still jumped in to prove her innocence. Why can't you? Are you more noble than her, or do you think you can hurt her without paying the price?"
Yu Huiyan gasped for breath, her eyes bulging with fear.
"What are you waiting for? Do it!" the Crown Prince ordered sharply, his voice tinged with impatience.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, wait!"