Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Stop Right There, Who Said You Could Leave? She now utterly despised the person she had become—deceived by others without even realizing it, needing someone else to point out just how foolish and presumptuous she had been. Endless anguish swirled in her heart, and she didn't even have the right to cry. When Pei Wuliang saw her remain silent, it only confirmed her guilt in his eyes. How could he have ever anticipated that the woman who had been so obedient to him in her past life would now, in this one, constantly provoke his anger and defy him at every turn? He knew why she had become this way, but he would not allow it! Seeing her about to leave, Pei Wuliang immediately stepped forward to block her path. "Stop right there. Who said you could leave?" Jia Qingcheng only felt a suffocating tightness in her chest, wishing Pei Wuliang would vanish from her sight that very instant. "Move aside!" Her words stunned him. Looking at the hatred in her eyes, Pei Wuliang felt as though something in his chest had been violently wrenched into a knot. What was going on? Jiaojiao was the victim here—why did she look so wronged? "Stop making a scene. Come with me!" With that, Pei Wuliang reached out to grab her arm. "Come apologize to Jiaojiao!" Apologize? Impossible! "Let go of me!" Jia Qingcheng violently shook off Pei Wuliang, the force of it staggering him back several steps... "Have you lost your mind? You dare push me? Qingcheng, have you forgotten that you're about to marry Prince Chu and become a widow? How dare you treat me like this? Jia Qingcheng, you've truly crossed the line this time!" With that, Pei Wuliang shot her a cold glare. "I'm going to check on Jiaojiao's injuries first. You come over and apologize to her afterward. If you don't—Qingcheng, you know the consequences!" Having thrown down those words, Pei Wuliang strode away. Once he was gone, Jia Qingcheng could only feel how absurd and pitiful it all was... The blood on the back of her hand was still dripping down one drop at a time, yet Pei Wuliang, that worthless husband of hers, showed not the slightest concern for her. In her past life, he hadn't been like this... She remembered one time when she had been sewing clothes for him and accidentally pricked her finger, blood dripping down. When Pei Wuliang learned of it, he had been beside himself with worry, using his own mouth to suck the blood from her wound, then bandaging it with medicine. Back then, he had cared for her so deeply, cherished her so dearly... And now, in the blink of an eye, Pei Wuliang had become cold and heartless. Reborn into this new life, he had given all the kindness and favor he once showed her to Song Jiaojiao. She had been nothing more than a woman used from start to finish. Ironic? Perhaps a little. "Miss, please don't be upset. Your wound is still bleeding—let me go find some medicine to bandage it." "No need. I have medicine on me." Chunyan's heart ached for her mistress. Now that Song Jiaojiao was injured, her mistress would surely be scolded by the madam! And sure enough, speak of the devil and he shall appear. The news of Song Jiaojiao's disfigurement spread, and her stepmother came rushing over with her people... "Someone, seize the eldest miss and take her into custody!" Her stepmother gave the order to arrest her, but Jia Qingcheng remained calm and unhurried. She straightened her back and looked toward the courtyard, showing not a trace of fear toward her stepmother. "What does concubine-mother mean by this?" "Jia Qingcheng, you have some nerve! How dare you bully your own sister? Aren't you afraid your father will wake up and scold you? Truly, ugly on the outside and petty on the inside. Take her away and lock her in the woodshed to reflect on her wrongdoings." The steward quickly stepped forward with his men and bowed. "Eldest miss, our apologies." Jia Qingcheng was about to speak when, all of a sudden, a stern shout rang out from outside... "Stop! Whoever dares to lay a hand on the eldest miss is an enemy of Chu Wangfu!" Suddenly, a group of Chu Wangfu guards appeared from outside, and at their head was none other than the steward of Chu Wangfu. "Madam Jia, you have quite the nerve trying to arrest our future Princess Consort. Have you asked for our prince's permission?" Madam Jia never dreamed that people from Chu Wangfu would suddenly show up to back Jia Qingcheng. She immediately stepped forward and bowed. "It's a misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding!" "The eldest miss is our future Princess Consort. Anyone who bullies her should know full well what the consequences will be!" With that said, the steward respectfully walked over to Jia Qingcheng's side. "Eldest miss." "Steward, you honor me. Why have you come?" The steward cleared his throat. "You are about to become the Princess Consort of Prince Chu. Naturally, Chu Wangfu must look after you. If anyone dares to bully you, please inform us truthfully—Chu Wangfu will not let it rest!" "Oh dear, steward, you misunderstand!" Madam Jia hurried forward to greet the steward. "Steward, you've got it wrong. I was just joking with my daughter just now, isn't that right, Qingcheng?" Jia Qingcheng merely cast her a cold glance. "So may I leave now, concubine-mother?" Madam Jia: "..." "Of course, of course. This is your home—you may go wherever you please." "Steward, let's talk outside." "Yes, eldest miss." After the steward of Chu Wangfu led the guards away, Madam Jia immediately wore a face of resentment. "How strange. When did that ugly girl gain the protection of Chu Wangfu?" "Madam, those people from Chu Wangfu are fierce—we can't afford to offend them." "Hmph, they're just stray dogs barking at the end of their rope. Once Prince Chu dies, I'll deal with those servants one by one." "You're right, Madam. Prince Chu should be arriving within the next couple of days." "Chunxue, how do you know this?" Chunxue quickly whispered, "If I may speak, Madam, I have an aunt who serves at Chu Wangfu. I heard that Prince Chu was in emergency treatment last night. Perhaps before the eldest young lady even marries into the family, Prince Chu might pass away." "Emergency treatment?" Madam Jia's face darkened. "No, we must find a way to move the wedding date up." Move it up? Everyone was astonished. "Madam, this wedding date was set by Chu Wangfu itself—it cannot be moved up!" "If it cannot be moved up, and Prince Chu dies now, would Chu Wangfu still acknowledge that ugly thing when she marries over?" If they didn't acknowledge it, wouldn't the Pei family's efforts to curry favor with the Chu clan all be in vain? ... Outside the courtyard, Jia Qingcheng kept the steward behind alone. The steward quickly bowed to her. "Eldest Young Lady, are you alright?" "Thank you for coming to my aid, Steward. I'm fine." "Eldest Young Lady, the Prince woke up once last night and drank a small bowl of millet porridge. This is all thanks to you." What? The Prince woke up? "That's wonderful! Steward, please take good care of the Prince. The wedding is only a few days away, so I may not be able to come again. But don't worry—I've already prepared all the Prince's medicine. Please take it back with you and give it to him." "The Eldest Young Lady is so kind to the Prince. If I may ask, did you know the Prince before this?" Jia Qingcheng shook her head. She hadn't known Prince Chu in her previous life either, but she had always admired him in her heart as a great hero. He had devoted his entire life to the court. He was a god of war in the hearts of the people. Naturally, he was also a great hero in hers. "Steward, I don't know the Prince, but in the future, he will be my husband—the one I can rely on for the rest of my life." The steward suddenly understood. "This old servant understands now. Please take care of yourself. If anyone in the Jia household bullies you, you may send someone to Chu Wangfu at any time. Chu Wangfu will surely stand behind you."