Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 395: Dog Bites Dog, A Mouthful of Fur!

Chapter 395: Chapter 395: Dog Bites Dog, A Mouthful of Fur! fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

The torrential rain of the night finally stopped, and the morning sunlight spilled across Ding’an City.

The Crown Prince left early because Wang Qingchen had sent him a letter as soon as the rain started last night, advising him to check on the citizens who might have suffered from the disaster.

Early the next morning, he eagerly freshened up, dressed himself, and boarded a carriage to set out, but discovered there were no affected citizens.

He had been confined for three days as punishment and wanted to make amends for his previous mistakes today. Yet, unexpectedly, there was no opportunity to prove himself.

Without court meetings today, he quietly went to Wang Qingchen’s residence.

Wang Qingchen was reading at home. When he saw the Crown Prince arrive, he closed his book and respectfully saluted, "What brings Your Highness here?"

"Sir mentioned visiting disaster-stricken citizens today, but it seems there aren’t any!"

Wang Qingchen looked at the Crown Prince and said, "We were a step too late. Before the heavy rain last night, the Regent King had already made arrangements. Not a single person was injured due to houses collapsing, nor was anyone left without shelter because of leaking roofs. The Wangjiang Building was packed last night with those who lost their homes!"

The Crown Prince immediately felt a shiver run through his body. No matter how hard he tried, he seemed unable to catch up to Mu Yan’s pace.

Was this idea Zhan Lan’s doing? The couple was too frightening!

They had monopolized all the good deeds, earned all the praise—what purpose did the Crown Prince serve anymore?

Wang Qingchen offered words of reassurance, "Your Highness shouldn’t be so discouraged. The fact that you have the heart to act is already rare. Keep at it, and eventually, things will turn out well."

"You are right, sir."

After leaving Wang Qingchen’s residence, the reverence in Wang Qingchen’s gaze gradually faded.

...

After the torrential rain, the citizens of Ding’an City were brimming with praises for Mu Yan and Zhan Lan.

Si Jun and Zhan Xuerou sat in a teahouse, listening to scholars and commoners drinking tea and discussing the matter.

"Did you hear? Last night, the owner of Wangjiang Building took in all the displaced people!"

"Who’s the owner of Wangjiang Building?"

"The Regent Princess Consort, of course. Wangjiang Building was a gift from the Prince to the Princess. The two are truly Bodhisattvas, caring deeply about the people’s suffering."

"Ever since the Regent King married the Brave General, his concern for the common folk has grown. Recently, with the Crown Prince making mistakes, the Regent King has single-handedly managed court affairs and even captured several corrupt officials, gradually restoring integrity within the government!"

"Indeed. You may not know, but last night, as soon as the rain started, the Regent King had hot porridge prepared at the gates of various temples, distributing it to those caught in the rain!"

One person leaned in and added, "Oh, oh, oh! A relative of mine from the outer city said a few houses there collapsed, and the Regent King’s people are currently helping repair them!"

The scholar shook his head and recited fervently, "A Bodhisattva’s compassion, a thunderous presence, and commanding law and order—the Regent King is truly a divine figure!"

Zhan Xuerou looked at Si Jun’s face, which was darker than a stormcloud, and fear crept into her heart. She had been especially frightened of Si Jun recently—he seemed perpetually unhappy and always wore a sullen expression.

Si Jun coldly said, "You may return now. I have business to attend to."

"Yes." Zhan Xuerou replied compliantly, lowering her head.

After Si Jun left, Zhan Xuerou also departed. She went to a store she frequented for purchasing Xuan paper, but just as she reached the door, she overheard two scholar-looking men whispering, "Have you heard? The Crown Prince and King Wei are constantly at odds now. With the Emperor gravely ill, if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, King Wei will be finished!"

"What do you mean by that? Are you suggesting..."

"Throughout history, emperors have always come to power by stepping over their brothers’ heads. In addition, the Crown Prince and King Wei have always been at odds. Do you think the people of Prince Wei’s Mansion—when the time comes..."

One of them suddenly lowered their voice, saying, "Keep it down. Be careful not to let anyone overhear us."

Zhan Xuerou’s heart skipped a beat. How had she not considered that if the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the first person he’d eliminate would undoubtedly be Si Jun? As Si Jun’s side concubine, she would be marked for death as well!

Worry, fear, and dread simultaneously engulfed Zhan Xuerou’s mind.

Her body trembled, her legs weakened, and her thoughts raced: someday, Si Jun might meet his end. Moreover, Si Jun had been in a foul mood every day—it seemed his schemes were not bearing fruit.

Zhan Xuerou boarded her carriage and left.

The two scholar-looking men subsequently left the store as well. They walked to a nearby carriage and said to the person inside, "Master, she overheard everything."

Inside the carriage, Zhan Lan’s lips curled into a smirk. "Good."

Si Jun, Zhan Xuerou, and Bai Lu living in the same courtyard—dogs fighting dogs, fur flying everywhere—it’s bound to be entertaining!

...

After returning to Prince Wei’s Mansion, Zhan Xuerou prepared a nourishing soup for Si Jun.

When she cautiously brought it to his study, Si Jun refused outright, "I won’t drink it!"

Zhan Xuerou’s hands trembled while holding the soup bowl, spilling hot liquid onto her fingers.

Si Jun glanced at her and ordered her to put the soup bowl down. Impatiently, he said, "At a time like this, stop creating trouble for me."

Zhan Xuerou nodded softly and coughed lightly. "Yes, Your Highness."

Si Jun cast her a sidelong glance and frowned, asking, "What’s wrong with you?"

Zhan Xuerou suddenly knelt on the ground, tears brimming in her eyes, "I cannot bear children, Your Highness. You should issue me a divorce!"

In Nanjin, a married woman could be divorced for seven reasons: failure to honor her parents-in-law, barrenness, adultery, jealousy, severe illness, meddling in affairs, or theft. Violating any of these conditions allowed the husband to issue a divorce paper and send his wife back to her family.

Zhan Xuerou believed that amidst the turbulent succession struggle, it was safer to return to the Zhan Family’s courtyard rather than risk losing her life while tied to Si Jun.

Even if she had to live humbly, at least she could survive!

Si Jun suddenly stood and barked toward the door, "Hei Yu! Go summon the physician to examine the side consort!"

If Zhan Xuerou dared to lie, there would be consequences!

Zhan Xuerou remained kneeling. When the physician arrived and finished examining her pulse, he spoke frankly, "Your Highness, the side consort’s body has suffered severe trauma, coupled with her already frail constitution; it’s unlikely she will ever bear children."

Si Jun coldly responded, "Leave!"

After the physician departed, Si Jun grabbed Zhan Xuerou’s chin. "You want me to write you a divorce paper and send you away!"

Zhan Xuerou tearfully replied, "Among the three grave failings, failing to produce offspring is the greatest. If I cannot provide Your Highness with heirs, then I..."

Her voice faltered, choking with emotion. Si Jun sneered, "Why not say this earlier? You think you can manipulate me into letting you go? Do you think I’m easily deceived? Stop pretending to cry!"

Zhan Xuerou froze, her body rigid. Si Jun, already frustrated with his recent setbacks, seemed to grow increasingly cruel.

Si Jun’s eyes turned icy as he stared at Zhan Xuerou. "I’ll spare you this time for standing by me during my hardships in the past. However, if I catch you trying to distance yourself from me again, I have plenty of ways to make you suffer!"

Zhan Xuerou trembled, looking at Si Jun.

Suddenly, Hei Yu’s voice came from outside, "Your Highness, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry is here."