Chapter 338: Calling for Help

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Seeing Jiang Peihuan’s face change constantly, Xiao Nanye immediately reached out to protect the person beside him.

With a gentle pat on Jiang Peihuan’s back, Xiao Nanye whispered, “Huan Er, it’s all because of me that you face so many intrigues.”

There was a hint of guilt in his voice.

Hearing this, Jiang Peihuan found solace, leaning into his embrace. She softly replied, “Xiao Nanye, from the moment 1 agreed to marry you, we became one.”

“Mmm, I know.”

After a long silence, Jiang Peihuan heard his voice again.

For a while, neither spoke. The carriage proceeded in the direction of the General’s Mansion.

As they approached the General’s Mansion, Jiang Peihuan suddenly recalled what Emperor Qi Ming had said. She whispered to the man beside her, “Shall we return to the Cheng’s Mansion tomorrow?”

Upon hearing her words, Xiao Nanye paused for a moment.

After a few seconds, he smiled and replied, “Let’s discuss it later. I’d like to stay at the General’s Mansion a bit longer.”

Just as Jiang Peihuan was about to reply, a crying voice reached her ears.

The cry was piercing, yet somewhat familiar.

“Who is that?”

Pulling aside the curtain, Jiang Peihuan saw a maid crying out for help at the entrance of the General’s Mansion.

Seeing this scene, she frowned.

Because many passersby were now staring at them.

“My Queen, that’s the maid of Miss Cousin.”

It took Jiang Peihuan a while to realize that the “Miss Cousin” referred to by the gatekeeper was Xue Ru.

At that moment, Xue Ru’s maid spotted Jiang Peihuan stepping down from the carriage.

The maid rushed over, trying to grab Jiang Peihuan’s sleeve, but was stopped by Xiao Nanye.

“Why aren’t you serving your mistress at the Prince Qing Mansion? Why are you here?” Jiang Peihuan asked in a low voice.

“Miss Jiang, please save my young mistress. She…”

“What happened to your mistress?”

Before the maid could finish, Jiang Peihuan interrupted her.

Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s inquiry, the maid hastily replied, “The people in the mansion say the princess consort miscarried due to poison given by my mistress. They found poison in her room. The prince wants to punish her severely.”

“Miss asked me to beg you for help. Please save her.”

From the maid’s account, Jiang Peihuan understood the situation.

However, Jiang Peihuan remained silent, then turned towards the gatekeeper, calmly saying, “Inform mother about this.”

“Yes.”

Although Jiang Peihuan didn’t want to involve herself with Xue Ru’s matters, she still felt obligated as Xue Ru was part of the Xue family. Thus, she sent someone to notify Xue Yan.

Xue Yan arrived swiftly. But upon seeing the kneeling maid, she simply stated, “Go back and tell your mistress that her matters have nothing to do with the Xue family or me anymore. Whether she lives or dies, it’s her concern.”

“Madam, she’s still your niece. How can you be so heartless?”

“Shut up!”

Hearing a mere maid accusing her mother, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes flashed with cold anger.

Yet, Xue Yan seemed completely unfazed.

Without even glancing at the maid, Xue Yan looked towards Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye with a smile, “Huan Er, you’re now pregnant. Don’t stand at the door for too long. Come in with King Cheng.”

“Yes.”

Hearing Xue Yan’s words, Jiang Peihuan nodded.

Xiao Nanye took Jiang Peihuan’s hand directly and the two walked in. However, as they passed by the maid, Xiao Nanye looked straight at Han Feng, “Send this maid to the Prince Qing’s mansion and relay the response from Madam Xue to Xiao Junhao.”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, Han Feng immediately grabbed the maid.

At the Prince Qing’s mansion:

Xue Ru was pinned to a wooden stool by servants, her body beaten and bruised.

Xiao Junhao sat nearby, watching indifferently.

Lin Mengyao sat beside Xiao Junhao. Witnessing the scene, her eyes revealed complex emotions.

At that moment, footsteps echoed.

Hearing the sound, Xue Ru, who had shown no reaction thus far, looked up with hope.

Seeing Han Feng leading her maid in, Xue Ru’s eyes filled with surprise, but the words of Han Feng caused her delight to vanish instantly.

“Prince Qing, my master instructed me to relay that from now on, any matters concerning Secondary Consort Xue have nothing to do with the Xue family or the General’s mansion.”

Having said this, Han Feng left without giving Xiao Junhao a second glance.

Xiao Junhao watched Han Feng’s retreating figure with a dark expression.

Xue Ru, lying on the stool, glared with hatred in her eyes.

“You heard it. The General Mansion doesn’t care about your life or death at all.”

Only then did Xiao Junhao look at Xue Ru.

Upon hearing Xiao Junhao, Xue Ru quickly spoke, “Your Highness, this matter has nothing to do with me. The child in the princess’s womb wasn’t harmed by me. It wasn’t…”

“Do it!”

Before Xue Ru could finish her words, Xiao Junhao interrupted.

At the fall of Xiao Junhao’s command, a soldier nearby raised his hand, ready to strike.

Seeing this, Xue Ru shivered with fear.

She pleaded continuously, “Your Highness, please spare me…”

Regardless of her cries, Xiao Junhao remained emotionless.

He had initially been with Xue Ru due to the connection between the Xue and Jiang families. He hadn’t expected the Xue family to be indifferent to her fate.

His gaze upon Xue Ru was not only devoid of warmth but also held a trace of hatred, as if he were looking at garbage.

Xue Ru wanted to speak again but couldn’t utter a word upon seeing Xiao Junhao’s cold eyes.

She regretted marrying this man.

But her regrets were in vain.

Realizing this, she laughed, though tears streamed from her eyes.

Hearing her laughter, both Xiao Junhao and Lin Mengyao appeared puzzled, but neither spoke.

But as Xue Ru closed her eyes, a soft voice called out, “Stop!”

It was Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan approached with the maid and greeted Xiao Junhao, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Greetings, Princess Consort.”

Seeing Jiang Yan, Lin Mengyao also stood and greeted her.

“Why are you here?”

Xiao Junhao asked indifferently.

Seemingly oblivious to his coldness, Jiang Yan spoke, “Your Highness, please spare Secondary Consort Xue.”

Before anyone else could speak, Jiang Yan continued, “After all, Secondary Consort Xue is a daughter of the Xue family. Even if they don’t acknowledge her, killing her would be frowned upon. If the emperor hears of this, it might not reflect well on you..”