Chapter 347: 347: Ambushed!

Words : 1460 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 347: Chapter 347: Ambushed! The cold touch immediately roused Zhan Xuerou to full alertness. Her hair was sodden, sticking to her cheeks; both her upper body and the bedding were drenched with cold water. Zhan Xuerou caught sight of the visitor’s face, and her heart skipped a beat. “Bai Lu, have you gone mad?” Zhan Xuerou looked furiously at the woman in gorgeous attire before her. Bai Lu looked down on Zhan Xuerou, her voice icy as she said, “Zhan Xuerou, you’re just a concubine. Sleeping till the sun is high in the sky, do you not know to pay respects to the Family Head’s Madam?” It was as if Zhan Xuerou had been in a dream, and only now had she awakened. She had forgotten that Bai Lu was the true mistress of Prince Wei Mansion. Bai Lu’s two maidservants were holding Qiuyue, Zhan Xuerou’s own maid, disabling her from moving. Bai Lu haughtily looked at Zhan Xuerou, taunting, “Even Prince can’t save you from his lack of pity for the fairer sex. With all those bruises, spotted purple and blue across your fair skin, one would think you had been beaten!” Zhan Xuerou covered her chest with the damp blanket, and said to Bai Lu, “After I freshen up, I’ll go and pay my respects to the Princess.” With a malicious smirk, Bai Lu patted Zhan Xuerou’s cheek and said, “My talented woman, the legitimate daughter of General Mansion... oh no, the foster daughter that nobody wanted, weren’t you arrogant back in the day? At that time, we all indulged you as our leader, tolerating everything from Lady Zhan, never thought you’d see this day, huh!” Bearing the humiliation, Zhan Xuerou looked at Bai Lu and said, “I was wrong regarding the past matters, sister.” Bai Lu said proudly, “I am not one to hold petty grudges, sister. We must get along well in Prince Wei Mansion hereafter!” With those words, she left with a laugh, leading her two maidservants. Zhan Xuerou watched with humiliation and scolded Qiuyue with a glare, “Useless thing!” Qiuyue knelt on the ground and immediately admitted her mistake, “This servant was at fault.” “Mistress, I just saw Meng Ling. She’s in the mansion now!” Zhan Xuerou’s eyes darkened. That wretched slave, she would sort her out sooner or later! After bathing and changing, Zhan Xuerou went to pay her respects to Bai Lu. Leaving her chamber, Zhan Xuerou brooded darkly on how to exact revenge on Bai Lu. Just let her find the right opportunity – she would make Bai Lu beg for life and death alike! Not long after Zhan Xuerou returned to her room, Si Jun finished with the court and returned to the mansion. He tenderly took Zhan Xuerou’s hand and said, “Come, Rou’er, I’ll take you somewhere.” Zhan Xuerou obediently followed Si Jun out. Bai Lu watched the two departing figures and gnashed her teeth in secret. After all, she was the official wife of King Wei. Si Jun had never taken her out, yet he was taking that despicable Zhan Xuerou out! Just wait, she would slowly deal with Zhan Xuerou! Zhan Xuerou sat in the carriage, using a light gauze to shield the scars on her neck. Si Jun looked at her tenderly and said, “Rou’er, from now on, I will not let you suffer any grievances.” Zhan Xuerou smiled faintly, the carriage traveled down the road, and after the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they finally arrived at their destination. Si Jun alighted from the carriage, and Zhan Xuerou followed suit. Si Jun took her up to a pavilion. Only upon ascending Yunyi Pavilion did Zhan Xuerou realize that all those present were men. The gazes from all around made her feel uneasy. Among these men, some looked like scholars, while others appeared to be from the martial world. Upon seeing Si Jun approach, all promptly bowed in salute, “Greetings to King Wei!” Si Jun responded with a kind smile, “Please, take your seats.” Zhan Xuerou sat beside Si Jun, not understanding why he had brought her here. Si Jun introduced her, saying, “Gentlemen, this is Miss Zhan Xuerou, the author of ‘Mountain and River Ode’.” At this announcement, several scholarly-looking individuals turned their gaze upon her, admiration evident in their eyes. Zhan Xuerou nodded and offered a slight smile to everyone present. Everyone’s gaze towards her was a mixture of indifference, appreciation, and ill intent. The men’s looks made her uncomfortable, and Si Jun didn’t introduce her as the concubine of Prince Wei Mansion when he presented her. The crowd was also pleased with Zhan Xuerou’s arrival. “It turns out to be Miss Xuerou, the talented woman from Ding’an City! Have long admired you!” “Miss’s poetry has a broad and magnanimous mind, truly exquisite works!” Surrounded by compliments, Zhan Xuerou felt somewhat elated, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of being the center of attention. Seeing the way the men looked at Zhan Xuerou, Si Jun felt a bit proud, after all, Zhan Xuerou was his woman. Men all love face, who wouldn’t want to win the heart of a talented woman, he intended to use Zhan Xuerou to win over these gifted individuals! Therefore, he did not introduce Zhan Xuerou as his concubine. Moreover, he had married Zhan Xuerou in a very low-key manner, and not many people knew about it. Si Jun looked around and knew from the men’s cunning gazes that Zhan Xuerou’s value was about what he had expected. “Ladies and gentlemen, today as we all gather here to recite poetry and appreciate fine food and wine, the Prince and Miss Xuerou will keep you company for the entire event!” “Thank you, Your Highness!” The voices of the crowd rose and fell in turn. Amidst the clinking of cups, Zhan Xuerou drank too much without realizing, as Si Jun had her accompany the guests in their drinking, she had to drink. Zhan Xuerou was surrounded by a group of men, and sometimes, someone would stealthily touch her, taking advantage of her. She wanted to resist but saw that Si Jun didn’t even look at her. After the men had drunk to their drunkenness, some of the rougher customers from the martial world even began telling lewd jokes, and Zhan Xuerou blushed with embarrassment from the teasing. Si Jun turned a blind eye. Eventually, Zhan Xuerou could no longer hold on and left the banquet. She clutched her chest and retched violently, with Qiuyue patting her back from behind. Tears came to Zhan Xuerou’s eyes, filled with grievance and distress that gradually overwhelmed her heart. On the way home, Si Jun held her tenderly, praising her, “Rou’er, you performed very well today. The Prince knows it’s all for me. You’ve been wronged.” Weakly smiling, Zhan Xuerou played along with Si Jun’s words, “As long as it’s for Your Highness, it’s what Rou’er should do.” Si Jun hugged her waist and laughed, “The Prince loves Rou’er’s understanding nature!” ... When Zhan Lan learned about Zhan Xuerou’s situation, she suddenly thought of her past self. Si Jun was always weighing people’s value, whether men or women, they must be able to bring him value. In the end, the person he loved the most was himself. Zhan Xuerou was not a fool, sooner or later she would realize that Si Jun was using her. If Zhan Xuerou still loved Si Jun, she would soon experience the pain that Zhan Lan had suffered in her past life. Zhan Lan didn’t have time to dwell on their matters, as she still had an issue to resolve. Mu Yan has been busy with state affairs recently, and Zhan Lan felt somewhat sorry for him. After all, Mu Yan was once such a defiant person, but ever since he witnessed the suffering of the common people, since being with her, Mu Yan seemed to have changed a lot. The court of Nanjin was gradually improving under Mu Yan’s management. His decisive actions and execution had deterred some of the troubles left behind by Emperor Xuanwu. Zhan Lan became more convinced that Mu Yan was a born emperor. Mu Yan didn’t want her to be involved in the struggle for being the crown prince, so she was also happy to be a leisurely Princess. Though a leisurely Princess, she was not idle, as there were many affairs within her fiefdom that required her management. On the way back from her fiefdom, the Regent Princess Consort’s carriage was ambushed with several arrows shooting from hidden places along the road sides, the horses panicked and bolted away.

Chapter 347: 347: Ambushed!

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