NOVEL NEXT Chapter 146 - 146: What Is Alone Worth?
Chapter 146: Chapter 146: What Is Alone Worth?
Ye Yiheng sneered coldly, “At least he knows his place.”
Hearing the sneer, the Hidden Guard anxiously said, “The Crown Princess Consort is very sad and then she cried.”
“What?” Ye Yiheng slammed the table, his fists clenched.
She had actually cried for Lai Yuyue.
Where did that leave him, her betrothed?
“The subordinate saw from afar, Heir Lai pinched the Crown Princess Consort’s hair but still did not take the boots.”
Ye Yiheng pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation and then waved his hand, the Hidden Guard understanding and quietly retreated.
—
Imperial College.
Inside the classroom, a group of students gazed at Leng Yu Yan’s empty seat, speculating, “Could it be that with Heir Lai not here, she doesn’t dare to come to class?”
“I reckon that’s the case, she’s usually so eager to attend classes, but today is different.”
Just then, the Sacrificial Officer entered the classroom and announced loudly, “Starting today, Leng Yu Yan will be the calligraphy master for our Imperial College.”
At this announcement, everyone was astounded.
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“How did she become our teacher?”
“The Sacrificial Officer went through great lengths to invite her, show some respect!” the Sacrificial Officer huffed, smiling towards the door, “Leng Yu Yan, please come in.”
Leng Yu Yan walked in with measured steps, glanced over the students below and spoke indifferently, “During my class, without my permission, there will be no clamor.”
Her demeanor was quite serious.
Atop the podium, she was as usual dressed in men’s clothing, her face without makeup, yet her beauty was unabashedly striking.
For a moment, except for Zheng Likuo who had a mocking look on his face, the rest of those present toned down their smiles.
The Sacrificial Officer continued, “Leng Yu Yan will not only be the calligraphy master of your class but of the entire Imperial College as well.”
“Although those who study here at the Imperial College are already proficient in calligraphy, you have all seen her accomplishments in calligraphy at the Xinya Academy. With that said, if anyone has any dissatisfaction, please come to the Sacrificial Officer’s study to discuss it in detail!”
Hearing this, everyone nodded their heads.
When it came to calligraphy, in her presence, they were indeed all disciples.
After class, Leng Yu Yan did not head straight back to the Eastern Palace.
Instead, she disguised herself and visited Wu’s Pharmacy.
Upon entering the pharmacy, Leng Yu Yan opened her folding fan and asked in a low voice, “Is there a medicine that causes symptoms resembling deep sorrow, yet in reality, it’s draining life away bit by bit?”
The pharmacist behind the counter glanced at her and remained silent.
Seeing his reluctance to speak, Leng Yu Yan took out one silver ingot and placed it softly on the counter.
A nearby apprentice looked towards the silver, swallowing hard with avaricious eyes, and whispered, “Young master, the medicine you’re asking about exists, but we don’t have it here.”
“Where can it be obtained?”
The apprentice lowered his voice, “That medicine is concocted by our boss himself, never sold to outsiders, but I can tell you, it does exist.”
Leng Yu Yan closed her folding fan and pushed the silver towards him.
The man, excited to receive the silver ingot, showed it to the pharmacist, who immediately became anxious and signaled him to put it away.
Leng Yu Yan watched them with a faint gaze, her eyebrows slightly moving, then left the pharmacy.
Outside, she looked up at the signboard, “Wu’s Pharmacy.”
She could almost be sure her mother had indeed been murdered, and the poison was right here in Wu’s Pharmacy.
Wu’s father and son practice medicine, and every doctor the Leng Family called upon was from Wu’s father and son.
Which member of the Leng Family had harmed her mother was still a matter for in-depth investigation.
Mrs. Feng and Aunt Hu, both had the opportunity to become the next official wife back then. Could it be one of them?
Or might they have joined forces?
—
At that moment, Wu’s father and son were at the Leng Family’s residence, examining Lai Manting’s face.
After looking for a long time, both agreed that Lai Manting’s appearance could not be restored.
Mrs. Feng asked anxiously, “Can’t the best scar removal ointment be used?”
Mr. Wu shook his head, “Lady, if the Divine Doctor from Linqing Pavilion were here, your daughter’s face could be treated. But our father and son have done everything we can, we are truly helpless.”
His son spoke up, “Lady, my father and I can only lighten the scars on your daughter’s face somewhat, but the sunken flesh is indeed beyond our abilities.”
Upon hearing this, Lai Manting cried into her pillow.
After Mr. Wu and his son left, Madam Lai and Leng Zongfa consulted with Mrs. Feng. If Manting’s face did not heal after treatment for some time, Prince Liang would definitely not want her, and by then it would be too late to think of a strategy.
The only plan now was to have Prince Liang marry Lai Manting as soon as possible.
Madam Lai and Leng Zongfa skipped dinner and rushed straight to Prince Liang Mansion.
Upon reaching Prince Liang Mansion, Madam Lai pleaded, “Prince, Manting has long been yours. Don’t you think you should marry Manting into Prince Mansion sooner?”
Ye Zhenyu declined without a second thought, “Old Madam, the matter of marriage must be carefully considered.”
Leng Zongfa urged desperately, “Even if she’s not the official wife, please give our Manting the status of a concubine.”
“Marquis, you speak out of turn. Manting and I have a deep relationship. With that alone, she cannot be wronged. At the moment, the most important thing for her is to think about how to heal her face. If her face cannot be healed…” He paused, then his voice grew heavy, “I am not blind.”
The meaning of his words was clear—he did not want a woman who was disfigured.
Leng Zongfa was furious but could say no more.
They had intended to use Manting to bind themselves to Prince Liang, a significant figure, but now everything was upside-down.
Manting had lost her honor and could not marry someone else; she could only wait for when Prince Liang might be in a good mood to take her in.
Madam Lai and Leng Zongfa left Prince Liang Mansion looking dejected and shamed.
“It’s all because of that wretched girl Leng Yu Yan, causing Manting to end up like this!”
Madam Lai cursed while scheming how to ensure Leng Yu Yan remained down without revealing the true cause of Mrs. Zhang’s death.
If possible, it would be best to kill that wretched girl!
To quench the hatred in her heart!
—
When Leng Yu Yan returned to the Eastern Palace, it was already dusk.
As soon as she stepped into Tingfeng Garden, she saw a tall figure standing in the courtyard.
She approached and gave a respectful greeting, “Your Highness, what brings you here?”
Ye Yiheng looked coldly at the package Miao Zhu was holding and asked Leng Yu Yan, “Couldn’t it be sent?”
“Yes.” Leng Yu Yan pressed her lips together in a sigh, pondering how to explain it to the Ninth Princess.
Seeing her troubled expression, Ye Yiheng furrowed his brow; was the inability to send a package really worth such distress?
With a flick of his sleeve, Ye Yiheng turned and left.
Leng Yu Yan was baffled.
Not wanting to guess at his thoughts, she changed her clothes, had a simple dinner, and went directly to the Imperial Palace.
The news that Leng Yu Yan had gone to the Imperial Palace was immediately reported to Ye Yiheng.
Ye Yiheng was dining in the hall when he heard she had entered the palace, and his hand tightened on the chopsticks.
Song Guo asked softly, “Your Highness, there was no summons for the Crown Princess Consort from the palace today; what business does the Crown Princess Consort have going to the palace?”
Ye Yiheng put down his chopsticks.
Could it be that she was going to request the Father Emperor to allow her to move out of the Eastern Palace?
Was the departure of Li Yuyue such a blow to her that she had the audacity to leave him?
At this thought, Ye Yiheng stood up and uttered two words in a low voice, “Enter palace.”
When he arrived at the Imperial Palace and inquired, he learned that Leng Yu Yan was currently at Xingning Palace.
With an impassive face, Ye Yiheng entered Xingning Palace.
“Come back to the Eastern Palace with me.”
This sudden voice startled both Ye Jiu and Leng Yu Yan.
Ye Yiheng stepped forward, seizing Leng Yu Yan’s wrist, pulled her up from the chair, and asked in a volume only the two of them could hear, “What am I to you in your heart?”