May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

Lu Chengyuan stopped beside Wen Yuanshu, his gaze falling on Pei Zeyu: "Attempting to commit violence in the palace, does the Marquis know what crime that is?"

Pei Zeyu quickly said, "Please, Commander, understand! Zhicheng is just a child, and besides, he... he hasn't affected any outsiders..."

Lu Chengyuan's gaze turned cold, and he barely managed to suppress the murderous intent surging within him.

What a convenient excuse that it didn't affect outsiders! Does he really think Wen Yuanshu's life is so worthless?!

Wen Yuanshu pursed her lips, took Chunhua's hand, and turned to leave.

Pei Zeyu realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly chased after her: "Yuan Shu, that's not what I meant..."

Lu Chengyuan's gaze lingered on Wen Yuanshu, and he didn't look away for a long time.

Xie Qianjiao mustered her courage and glanced at Lu Chengyuan, then followed his gaze.

A moment later, a look of surprise flashed in Xie Qianjiao's eyes.

That night, Pei Zeyu and Wen Yuanshu returned home early. Along the way, Pei Zeyu coaxed her gently, showing his tenderness.

The old lady and Xie Qianjiao stayed in the palace until very late before they were able to take Pei Zhicheng back.

Those people in the palace didn't care that Pei Zhicheng was just a child, nor did they heed the pleas of the old lady and Xie Qianjiao. They forced him to lie by the lake for two or three hours before finally releasing him after Lu Chengyuan gave the order.

Pei Zhicheng fainted from fright and had to be carried out when he returned.

The old lady and Xie Qianjiao were heartbroken, but after all, Pei Zhicheng had made the mistake first, and the person who hit him was from the palace, so even though they were heartbroken, they could only endure it.

After returning home, Xie Qianjiao personally invited a doctor from Xinglintang to confirm that Pei Zhicheng was only frightened and was otherwise unharmed before she felt relieved.

At Matsuju-in, the doctor wasn't sent away until late at night.

Wen Yuanshu wasn't idle either.

Upon hearing that Wen Yuanshu had fallen into the water in the palace, Pei Xi, who should have been asleep, rushed over without caring about being exposed. After repeatedly asking to confirm that Wen Yuanshu was alright, he stayed with her and talked until the medicinal bath was ready before leaving.

This warming medicinal bath takes about half an hour to allow the medicinal effects to be fully absorbed.

Chunhua prepared the cotton cloth and clean clothes, then sat down by the bathtub and sighed, "Madam, you knew all along that he was going to harm you, didn't you?"

Wen Yuanshu nodded gently.

"But why!" Chunhua asked, puzzled. "Since you knew all along, why didn't you avoid it? Why did you have to suffer like this..."

"Why did Pei Zhicheng have to choose the palace to make his move? This is a good thing."

Just looking at the present, the General's Mansion will definitely not let this go easily. And as long as the Marquis's Mansion still relies on the General's Mansion, then no matter how unwilling the Old Madam and Xie Qianjiao are, the position of heir will definitely not be Pei Zhicheng's.

Since Consort Wan, there has been no good news in the inner quarters. Now that Pei Zeyu has gone back to Baitong... it seems the Marquis's mansion will end without an heir.

Thinking of this, Wen Yuanshu couldn't help but smile.

Chunhua thought for a moment, then finally sighed: "You can't do this again. You're really playing with your health! If it weren't for Young Master Lu's timely intervention today, things would have been much worse!"

Wen Yuanshu nodded: "Prepare a gift for him and send it to him tomorrow."

"You're even giving gifts? Will Young Master Lu accept them?"

The gift I sent last time was returned.

Wen Yuanshu blinked: "But they saved my life, so I can't just leave them without doing anything in return."

"Whether he accepts it or not is his business, but whether we give it to him or not is our business. We'll give it to him."

Chunhua nodded.

Seeing that it was time, Chunhua quickly helped Wen Yuanshu up and went back to her bedroom to rest.

-

The next morning, a maidservant rushed in, looking as if she had seen a ghost.

“Madam, that…that man has arrived,” the maid said in a panic. “He knelt down in the courtyard as soon as he arrived, saying he came to beg for forgiveness.”

"That one?" Wen Yuanshu frowned. "Pei Zhicheng?"