She feared it was merely a fleeting moment, a ploy by Yun Shu to extort fifty thousand taels of silver from their family, only to allow her this brief glimpse.
Yun Shu glanced at Madam Li, who was judging her with a petty mind. "As long as you don't cry easily, it should be fine for at least ten years."
Madam Li finally felt at ease. "That's good, that's good." As long as the fifty thousand taels weren't wasted.
Yun Shu stood up. "If Madam Li has nothing else, I'll be going back to rest."
"Ah, yes, come, send off the Night Princess Consort." Madam Li's mood had brightened considerably. While she still disliked Yun Shu, she could manage a more pleasant demeanor.
Yun Shu left.
Shortly after, Madam Li sighed, "The Night Princess Consort's medical skills are truly remarkable. Heavens, how did the Night Princess Consort's medical skills become so potent! It's a pity, fifty thousand taels gone just like that."
"Since you can see, rest well." Li De stood up, his expression as cold as ever. Even without overtly showing it, his eyes conveyed a hint of dissatisfaction and disgust towards Madam Li. If not for her unreasonable tantrum last night, why would they have these troubles today? And it cost the General's Mansion fifty thousand taels! Thinking of this, Li De's face grew even more somber.
"My lord, are you blaming me? I... I never thought I'd suddenly lose my sight. And it's not my fault. It's those rumors from outside. I am your wife, and I've managed everything in the General's Mansion all these years. I momentarily lost my reason and believed the rumors. Shouldn't you show me some understanding, my lord?" Madam Li saw that Li De wasn't worried about her condition at all. Instead of staying to accompany her now that she could see, he was leaving with a cold face. Her heart ached intensely. How could her husband be so indifferent and heartless towards her?
"Moreover, I never expected the Night Princess Consort to be so exorbitant. While she charges a lot for treatments, it's never been this outrageous. She must be dissatisfied with you, my lord. After all, I am the General's wife. If I were to become blind, it would bring you no good; it would even invite ridicule from all quarters. Your indifference towards me now truly breaks my heart." As Madam Li spoke, she felt a flood of grievances, her eyes stinging. Just as she was about to shed tears of self-pity, she remembered the Night Princess Consort's words. She couldn't cry! So, she could only contort her face. Madam Li believed her current appearance was pitiful enough to elicit Li De's sympathy.
However, Li De hadn't rested properly for days and had just been outmaneuvered by a woman. He was filled with anger and nowhere to vent it. He had no leisure to pamper women. With a grim face, he looked at Madam Li. "Enough!"
Madam Li was genuinely startled. "My lord?" She had never seen her husband speak to her so harshly! It seemed the rumors were true; he must have taken a woman outside! Even if not Yun Yueyin, he must have many concubines! He was tired of her, finding her old and unattractive!
Li De couldn't bear to see Madam Li's heartbroken expression. He flicked his sleeve and strode away. Madam Li sat stiffly on the bed, her face flushing and paling. Just then, her three daughters-in-law came to see her and, by chance, witnessed Li De giving Madam Li the cold shoulder. Madam Li felt her old face had been utterly disgraced! Her face turned green again.
The three daughters-in-law stood at the door, unsure whether to enter or retreat. They stood awkwardly, looking at Madam Li, at a loss. The eldest daughter-in-law hesitantly spoke first, "Mother, are your eyes feeling any better?"
Madam Li gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "I can see now. You can all come in. I have some matters to instruct you on." Even with all her grievances, she had to endure them. She vowed that one day she would find out who the vixen was seducing her husband outside! She would see who dared to be so bold!
...
Pingyang Royal Manor.
Princess Ningde pressed her temples forcefully. Her head had been throbbing as if it would explode for the past two days. The Killer Palace had mysteriously lost quite a few assassins again. She was now certain that Zhan Tianye and his group were acting in the shadows. This was their revenge.
"Princess, someone from the palace is here. His Majesty wishes to see you," a servant reported from outside the door. Princess Ningde knew why the Emperor wanted to see her. She could only suppress her headache and stand up, preparing to enter the palace.
Soon, Princess Ningde arrived at the palace and entered the imperial study. The Emperor's desk was covered with memorials, yet he didn't seem to have annotated a single one. Princess Ningde thought she was looking haggard, but upon seeing the Emperor's expression, she realized she was mistaken. The Emperor's face was pale, a sight she rarely witnessed. So much had happened these past few days, she hadn't slept. The Emperor and his court must have been the same.
"Sit down first," the Emperor said, looking up at Princess Ningde as she entered. His voice was slightly lacking in energy. Princess Ningde had never seen the Emperor in such a gloomy and sickly state. He looked like someone afflicted with a chronic illness. Unlike her brother, who, despite being tormented by his illness, remained gentle and held onto goodness, appearing warm and refined, the Emperor's demeanor was different. His complexion was unhealthy, and his entire spirit exuded sickness. At a glance, it was somewhat intimidating, even fear-inducing.
"Have you seen Prince Jin these past few days?" the Emperor asked sternly.
Princess Ningde shook her head and replied truthfully, "No, I have not."
"Did the people you sent to watch him notice anything unusual?" the Emperor asked again.
"His Highness Prince Jin has been at the General's Mansion. Apart from the day he entered the palace with General Li, he hasn't left the General's Mansion. There's been nothing unusual," Princess Ningde replied, feeling somewhat bewildered by the questions. She knew that among those secretly watching Zhan Tianye at the General's Mansion, there were also the Emperor's men. The Emperor must be displeased with Zhan Tianye's recent actions. Furthermore, she knew that the Emperor, who always appeared to be in excellent health, had underlying issues. He needed to remain calm and avoid anger, as it could trigger old ailments and shorten his lifespan. Given the events of these past few days, even someone with immense willpower would struggle to remain calm. Therefore, the Emperor's suspicion and paranoia were understandable. They were all waiting. Waiting for Dongning Kingdom to block Zhan Tianye's path, leaving him no choice but to remain Prince Jin.
These past few days, the widespread rumors in West Xia Kingdom were a clear warning to Zhan Tianye. Anyone with a modicum of sense knew that once the truth spread from Dongning Kingdom, it would mean not only losing his escape route but also having to humble himself and admit his mistakes to the Emperor. What Princess Ningde could deduce, the Emperor naturally could. His eyes were dark. "In three days at most, he will kneel before me and beg."