Chapter 29: More Important Than Me

She spoke calmly, explaining to everyone present: "The report of his death was merely a misunderstanding. It is a pity that His Highness the Crown Prince made the trip for nothing; it turns out my husband had simply been in danger for many years and was rescued by a Miss Liu while away."

"We have already met Miss Liu, and her account is true. The Marquis's manor has already taken her in."

She could not allow him to find an excuse to have Shen Yishu killed. Otherwise, not only would Shen Yuheng be forced to observe a mourning period, but he would also likely be burdened with the stigma of being tainted by ghosts and spirits.

She had to thwart Xiao Ze's intentions immediately.

It was just that... Xiao Ze’s back looked quite displeased.

"Hmph."

Xiao Ze let out a soft sneer. The elders took it as a sign of disappointment, but when Dou Hongyan heard it, her heart fluttered with unease.

The two engaged in a silent war of words. Xiao Ze coolly raised his eyelids, scanned the Marquis's manor, and remarked, "So, it was a village woman who picked him up."

"Village women are coarse and of humble status. Giving her some silver would have sufficed. Why invite her into the Marquis's manor? Tainting the atmosphere of the manor with such a crude person is beneath its dignity."

He looked down upon Liu Xin'er, mocking her thoroughly in front of the elders.

After speaking, he left in disappointment. Before departing, he gave Dou Hongyan an inscrutable hint: "My lady is of peerless beauty; wasting your time guarding this manor is a pity. Why not go to the garden tonight? Only then would you truly do justice to such fine scenery."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I shall consider it."

***

No one sensed the clash hidden within their words.

When the news reached Liu Xin'er, she was incensed to hear that the Crown Prince had not even met her yet held her in such contempt, even suggesting she was unworthy of staying in the Marquis's manor!

Having already endured a day of grievances, she clutched her chest, unable to catch her breath.

She fainted from sheer rage.

After a flurry of activity in Tingyu Garden, she eventually awoke. Seeing her son, Shun'er, busying himself by her side, she couldn't help but hold him and weep. "My dear Shun'er... you are Mother’s only reliance now!"

"You must rise above others in the future and make those who looked down on your mother today open their eyes!"

After a long bout of weeping, she finally felt the tightness in her chest ease.

With red eyes, she recalled the words the maid had relayed.

She was both furious that she had failed to obtain the status of a co-wife and offended that even the Crown Prince, whom she had never met, despised her.

She wondered to herself why the Crown Prince had visited so suddenly, and at such an opportune moment.

Could it be...

"No, that cannot be. How could Dou Hongyan, that shortsighted, profit-seeking merchant woman, catch the eye of the Crown Prince?"

"The illicit lover must be someone else. Dou Hongyan will show her true colors sooner or later!"

Meanwhile, following the hint Xiao Ze had dropped during the day, Dou Hongyan made her way along the garden path and secretly slipped into a private residence owned by Xiao Ze.

The moment she pushed open the door, she was forcefully pressed against the door panel by a pair of large hands. Her clothing was roughly torn at the shoulder. He kissed her fiercely, as if drinking blood, almost breaking her delicate skin while leaving marks upon her shoulder.

"Hiss..."

In pain, she frowned and pushed Xiao Ze away, tears welling in her eyes.

Seeing that her gaze remained fixed only on him, Xiao Ze’s oppressive aura softened slightly. He threatened her with a cold face: "Remember who it is you truly ought to protect. Is Shen Yuheng more important than me?"

During the day, if she had not spoken up to interrupt, Shen Yishu would be a dead man by now.

"Is that why Your Highness called me here?"

Dou Hongyan did not yield, her own expression turning cold: "You know my bottom line. It was you who first disregarded the safety of the children."

As she finished speaking, a dangerous aura instantly locked her in. Xiao Ze’s shadow carried a chill; he narrowed his eyes, looking down at Dou Hongyan, his expression growing increasingly cold and stern.