Chapter 13
Zhao Heng rubbed her nose, pushing back the tears. She then shifted her lotus foot lightly, trying to create some distance from Li Wenjian. But the tingling sensation from her feet spread to her calves, making it impossible to take even a step, needing to lean on him to avoid falling. Nervously clutching Li Wenjian's robe, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"My... My foot is numb," Zhaoheng said softly, frowning.
"Wait for me."
Suddenly, urgent footsteps approached from outside the garden, accompanied by a coquettish voice, "Don't follow me."
Zhao Heng's face instantly revealed panic and fear.
"Do you know her?" Li Wenjian lowered his head, looking at the helpless Zhao Heng.
Zhao Heng lowered her gaze and could only respond with a weak "She is a maid from the laundry department."
Her voice was unique, not tenderly alluring or melodious, but soft, enough to make one's ears melt. Now intentionally lowering it, it exuded a more gentle and pleasing softness.
Li Wenjian felt like rubbing his ears.
After speaking, she forced herself to calm down, looking around for a hiding place.
She could not let Fu Ling see her with the crown prince.
Things were already complicated enough, and she did not want to add more trouble. She looked around but was not familiar with this place, rarely venturing out. It was her first time coming to the Fangchun Garden, and she was unfamiliar with it.
Luckily, they were standing under a cluster of winter jasmine flowers, hidden by the tall and dense foliage. If one did not approach closely to look, their figures would be hard to discern.
Stumbling towards the shade of the trees, she looked up at Li Wenjian with pleading eyes. She did not want Fu Ling to see her with a strange man in a secluded corner of the garden, even if their relationship was purely innocent, even if he was the crown prince... So she silently begged Li Wenjian not to betray her when he left, to pretend there was no one around.
But the next moment, Li Wenjian also took a step into the thicket.
Instinctively, Zhao Heng stepped back until her back was pressed against the hedge. Panicking, she looked around, and Li Wenjian standing before her, his towering figure feeling like an invisible wall pressing down on her, causing her hair to stand on end.
"Your Highness?" Zhaoheng looked at him in astonishment.
Li Wenjian only glanced at her, raising his hand to gesture for her to stay silent. Feeling scared of making a sound and being discovered by Fu Ling, Zhaoheng dared not move. Sandwiched between Li Wenjian and the hedge, she deliberately slowed her breathing down.
The two of them quickly hid in the shadows of the trees, but Fu Ling ran over and stood not far from them, angrily scolding the maid who followed her, "I told you not to follow me, why are you still following?"
The maid had a hint of a smile on her face, "It's getting dark, Momo is worried about handling affairs, so she specially asked me to follow you."
Fu Ling snorted coldly, her expression a little unpleasant, slightly biting her lip as she said, "Is she really being so kind?"
The maid smiled and said, "Momo is the aunt in charge of affairs, how could she not be on your side? She may not see clearly, but we outsiders can see clearly, Momo cares about you the most."
"She doesn't care about me." Fu Ling cried out in frustration, "Zhao Heng is practically riding on top of me, and she never does anything about it."
The maid was surprised, "Zhao Heng has always been honest and obedient, always following orders from Momo, how could she have any disrespectful thoughts?"
Zhao Heng was taken aback, she had never interacted with Fu Ling before, why would she hold a grudge against her? Her heart tightened, wondering if Fu Ling had found out about the incident where she quietly painted bamboo leaves in front of her door.
Little did she know that this statement hit Fu Ling's sore spot. In the eyes of others, Zhao Heng was gentle and understanding, always showing utmost respect towards Fu Ling.
Others either tried to please her or openly disliked her.
But Zhao Heng never truly respected her from the bottom of her heart; behind her seemingly humble and respectful demeanor, there was disdain.
Disdain for talking to her, disdain for dealing with her, so she just obediently and politely sent her away.
Yes, she sent her away.
The maid tried to comfort her, "Don't be angry with Momo, if you get angry over such small matters, it will hurt her heart."
"It's she who hurts my heart, she knows how much I dislike Zhao Heng, but I only scolded her a few times, and she scolded me with a black face. When has she ever been wronged?" Fu Ling felt more and more aggrieved, "Just because of Zhao Heng..."
"Zhao Heng has been with Momo for almost ten years, Momo can't help but speak up for her, but she still relies on you. Look, you became the head of affairs after only half a year in the palace, while Zhao Heng has been without any official position for ten years, what does she have to compare with you?"
The maid held her hand, gently patting and comforting her, "Didn't Concubine Meifei praise you for being clever last time? You have a bright future ahead of you, why bother comparing yourself to Zhao Heng?"
These words woke up many dormant memories in Fu Ling.
It was on New Year's Eve of her first year in the palace, she was serving her aunt wine in the room, her aunt was a bit drunk, looking at the waning moon, she held her hand and regretfully said, "Ah Heng, if Jiang Jin hadn't died, with your cleverness and courage, you would have been his most favored concubine, we would have risen to the top long ago."
At that time, she had just entered the palace and didn't know who Jiang Jin was. She asked her aunt who Jiang Jin was.
Aunt suddenly woke up from her drunken stupor, harshly scolding her and even making her swear never to mention this matter again, and never to mention Jiang Jin.
Later, she learned about Jiang Jin, but gradually forgot about this incident.
Now, remembering it, she harbored resentment in her heart, completely disregarding her aunt's instructions, and angrily said, "She acts all high and mighty, ignoring everyone in the laundry, but back in Jiang Jin's residence, she was bending over backward to please that twisted eunuch."
The maid was puzzled, clearly not knowing what was going on.
"Hmph." Fu Ling made sure to elongate her tone so the maid could hear clearly, "Don't you know? Zhao Heng used to serve Jiang Jinâ"
"The head of affairs." The maid was shocked, "It's one thing to be angry, but you shouldn't spread rumors like that."
"I'm not making it up, my aunt told me herself when she was drunk." Fu Ling thought of her aunt's praise for her, her voice full of bitterness, "Jiang Jin is cruel and cunning, women who slept with him all innocently died, it seems she truly has some skill, serving Jiang Jin so competently, and now she's fooled my aunt completely."
As a chill spread through her veins, Zhao Heng felt a coldness creeping up her back, quickly seeping into every fiber of her being.
Li Wenjian furrowed his brow slightly, turning his head to look at Zhao Heng.
In the faint daylight, he saw her face as pale as paper, her head hanging low as usual, revealing a long stretch of snow-white curved neck.
Zhao Heng knew Fuling had a bad temper. She had been sheltered by her parents since childhood, but after her father's accident, her mother had no choice but to send her to the palace for protection. Aunt Chen also truly loved her, which led to her somewhat spoiled nature.
She had always been uncompromising in the laundry room. Zhao Heng had tried to avoid confrontations with her, thinking she had treated her with respect. Little did she know she had still drawn her ire.
At the mention of Jiang Jin's name, she clenched her fists tightly, her neatly trimmed nails digging deep into her flesh.
While Fu Ling continued to sulk, the maid patiently tried to calm her down. Zhao Heng didn't pay attention to their conversation. Eventually, the maid managed to lead Fu Ling away.
Li Wenjian was not in the habit of comforting others, nor did he know how. Watching Zhao Heng standing quietly in the shadow of the trees, her face expressionless, head slightly bowed, maintaining her usual gentle and submissive demeanor, he began, "You..."
"Your Highness," Zhao Heng calmly interjected, cutting off Li Wenjian's words.
What had happened, had happened. She knew she could never silence the endless chatter of others.
As long as she remained true to herself, she should not be troubled by any slander or gossip from the world.
But a lingering bitterness remained in her eyes, and her voice carried a faint tremor.
She had no choice in all of this, so why should she bear the brunt of criticism?
Meanwhile, the truly wicked roamed free and carefree.
In a world where fairness was never guaranteed.
Weakness and tears would change nothing.
Zhao Heng lifted a finger to dab at the corner of her eye, forcing back the weight of unshed tears.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her head slightly, gazing at the distant, dim palace lanterns, and calmly said, "It's getting late. I should go back."
Li Wenjian observed her expression, noting her facade of indifference as if nothing had transpired.
Without saying another word, he stepped aside, giving her a way out.
Zhao Heng bowed to him in respect, turned, and walked out from under the heavy shadows.
Just as she took a step forward, her wrist was suddenly grabbed and Li Wenjian exerted a little force to pull her back.
Zhao Heng's steps came to a sudden halt, she turned her head in astonishment to see Li Wenjian holding her delicate hand, confused: "Your Highness?"
Li Wenjian's eyes scanned Zhao Heng's face, faintly tugging at the corner of his lips, then suddenly released her hand, pushing her back unexpectedly.
Zhao Heng, caught off guard, fell back onto the grass.
The shock and pain made her cry out suddenly, she stared at Li Wenjian in a daze, unable to hold back the tears that suddenly fell.
Perhaps she was frightened, or perhaps it was too painful.
Zhao Heng's gaze was vacant as she looked up at Li Wenjian, tears falling silently, one after another. She didn't say a word, just silently cried tears that fell without a sound.
At first, she managed to hold back, but after crying for a long time, the long-standing grievances buried deep in her heart finally burst out. Burying her head deep in her arms, the silent weeping gradually turned into quiet sobs.
Li Wenjian stood silently by the side, as quiet as if there was no one there.
After crying for a long time, Zhao Heng slowly stopped crying, wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, lifted her head, and looked at Li Wenjian in the moonlight.
"Have you cried enough?" Li Wenjian spoke up.
Zhao Heng didn't understand his intention, tremblingly looked at him, and nodded.
"Feeling better now?" Li Wenjian asked again.
Zhao Heng took a deep breath, nodded again.
"If you're feeling better, then stand up." Li Wenjian said.
Zhao Heng didn't speak, nor did she immediately stand up.
Li Wenjian looked into her eyes, they were moist and bright from crying, like top-quality gems. He said, "When your life is threatened, others have no right to criticize your choices."
Zhao Heng was taken aback for a moment, considering the meaning of his words, her eyes stung fiercely. But this time, she didn't let the tears fall, just quietly locked eyes with Li Wenjian.
She blinked slowly, her voice filled with grievances, but also determination: "I understand, Your Highness."
Li Wenjian nodded slightly, then pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her before walking away.
Zhao Heng turned to watch Li Wenjian walk away, watching him pass through the hedges and disappear into the thick night. She slowly got up from the ground, walked to the palace lamp, and unfolded the paper he had given her, only to discover that it was her title deed certificate.
With the deed certificate, she was now a free woman.
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Author's note:
Female Goose: He seems a bit naughty, yet also a bit kind.
Baozi's, that's a wrap~~ Thank you!! (ï¿£â½ï¿£)ï¼