Chapter 36: The Treatment of a Cast-off Wife

After a long moment, Yan Ziyu finally regained her senses. She gripped Ziyi’s shoulders tightly, roaring at her, "What happened to Rui'er? What on earth happened to Rui'er?"

If something had truly happened to Rui'er, what meaning would there be in living in this strange time and space? Rui'er was her mental pillar, the source of her drive. Without him, what was the point of all her efforts?

Ziyi sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, "Today, while I was playing with the young master in the estate, the Prince sent someone to fetch him to the front hall, saying the General had come to visit and wished to see him. I had no choice but to take the young master there. Who would have thought that the moment the General saw him, he became so fond of him that he refused to let go? He even begged the Prince to let the young master stay at the General’s estate for a few days, and the Prince actually agreed. I followed along under the guise of caring for him, but as soon as we entered, they locked the young master away. The General told me to inform you that if you want to see him, you must come and get him yourself, otherwise, he will stay at the General’s estate forever..."

"General’s estate, Long Xiaoyan..." She gritted these words out through clenched teeth. A fierce light flashed in her eyes; she hated their relentless bullying to her very bones.

Very well. Since you are pushing me this far, do not blame me for being ruthless!

"Ziyi, go and find Qiuhe, Lvliu, and the others. I have important instructions!" Since she intended to teach them a lesson, she would play a big game—one that would make them remember this bloody lesson forever.

Yan Ziyu narrowed her eyes, a bloodthirsty madness surfacing within them.

"But Princess, what about the young master..." Ziyi was still worried about Rui'er, left all alone in the General’s estate.

Yan Ziyu’s gaze was icy, her face wearing a gravity Ziyi had never seen before. "Don't worry. Before I arrive, Rui'er will not be in danger!" *If even one hair on his head is harmed, I will make you pay with blood.*

You had better pray that Rui'er is unharmed, otherwise...

She truly did not mind going completely insane once. If it meant dragging enough people from this world to the grave with her, she would die content!

About an hour later, Ziyi and the others returned with the items she had requested. Yan Ziyu chased them all out and locked herself in her room, tinkering for a long time. By the following noon, just as the others were on the verge of panic, she finally emerged, dragging her exhausted body.

"Princess..."

"Princess, you’re finally out! Let’s hurry and bring the young master home!"

"Yes, we are so worried they might bully the young master..."

Looking at the anxious faces of Ziyi and the others, Yan Ziyu felt a sense of comfort. At the very least, she still had this group of loyal, sincere sisters by her side.

"Thank you all! Rest assured, I will bring Rui'er back." Having not slept all night, Yan Ziyu was severely fatigued; her legs gave way, and she nearly collapsed.

"Princess, are you alright? You haven't slept all night, you must be exhausted. Quickly, go inside and rest." Lvliu was quick to support her, but as they entered the room, they were hit by a pungent odor that was unbearable.

"Cough, cough... Princess, what is that smell in here?" Ziyi asked, coughing as she backed out.

Yan Ziyu rubbed her dizzy head, her pale face showing a hint of apology. "My apologies. Lvliu, help me to the room next door to lie down for a while. I have to go to the General’s estate to fetch Rui'er later, and I won't have the energy to deal with those old foxes if I don't get some rest."

"Yes, I will help you over to rest, Princess." Lvliu carefully supported her, not forgetting to tell the others, "Sister Qiuhe, go and prepare some food for the Princess. She hasn't eaten all day; she must be starving."

"Alright, I'm going right now." Qiuhe hurried off to the kitchen.

By the time everything was settled, it was already afternoon. Before leaving, Yan Ziyu went to Li Ju to find Long Xiaoyan. As expected, she was denied an audience. She said nothing, merely handing a palm-sized box to the steward, instructing him to open it and give it to the Prince during dinner. She then calmly boarded a carriage at the estate gate and headed for the General’s estate.

"Sister Qiuhe, do you think the Princess will be alright going alone? I'm so worried." Ziyi asked, her face full of concern. The Princess had gone alone, leaving the four of them behind; they were truly anxious.

"Don't worry, the Princess will bring us good news." Qiuhe said this as much for herself as for the others. They stood at the gate, watching the carriage disappear from sight.

Upon arriving at the General’s estate, she was greeted by Uncle He, who had served as the steward for decades. In her memory, Uncle He had been kind to her, unlike the others; he had never bullied her and often helped her out. She still felt a measure of gratitude toward him.

"Third Miss, the Master and Mistress have gone out to visit relatives today, and the Eldest Miss is not here either. They should be back tomorrow. Why don't you stay the night, and we can discuss whatever matters you have when the Master returns tomorrow? Does that sound alright?" Uncle He genuinely felt for this child. She had been a sensible, well-behaved girl, and her mother, Concubine Shui, had been a kind woman. Both were good people, but their fates were too harsh.

"Then I shall trouble you, Uncle He!" After thanking him, Yan Ziyu probed for information regarding General Yan, but seeing Uncle He’s confused expression, she gave up on the idea of learning anything from him.

"Good, good. It's a relief you're willing to stay. Your old courtyard is still there! The Master even had it thoroughly cleaned just a short while ago. He still cares for you, Third Miss; it's just that he’s busy with matters of state and hasn't been able to show it..." Uncle He was happy, as she hadn't returned in five years. As he led her to her former courtyard, he chatted on and on.

*He’s likely just waiting for an opportunity to take my life,* Yan Ziyu thought. Outwardly, she merely nodded and smiled, remaining silent and lost in thought.

It seemed General Yan was certain she would return; otherwise, he wouldn't have had her courtyard cleaned. It appeared that even without the intervention of Noble Consort Rou, she would have been forced back to the General’s estate.

That night, Yan Ziyu stayed at the General’s estate. She wasn't worried about any accidents; even if she wanted something to happen, the General wouldn't allow it. She was perfectly safe.

The night passed in silence.

The next morning, before dawn had broken, Yan Ziyu—having exhausted her mind the previous day—overslept. She was startled awake by a loud crash.

*Bang!* A copper basin was slammed onto the table with a jarring noise, followed by more banging and clattering.

The moment she opened her eyes, Yan Ziyu’s gaze was filled with intense fury. She squinted at the maid who was cleaning the room with a towel, making loud, deliberate noises.

"There is no need to clean the room this early. Everyone out!" Suppressing the anger in her heart, she spoke with a cold, detached tone.

If not for Rui'er, why would she endure this humiliation?

She would add this debt to the accounts of General Yan and Noble Consort Rou; sooner or later, she would collect.

"Oh, just because someone calls you a Princess, you really think you're a master? Open your eyes and look clearly—this is the General’s estate! Don't put on your high-and-mighty Princess act. Who do you think you are, giving orders here? Bah!" The maid threw the cloth onto the table, stood with her hands on her hips, and spat out her words with utter disdain.

Another maid, petite and delicate, hurried over to pull the rude one away. "Sister Chun'er, say less. Princess, the Second Miss is pregnant and has returned today to share the good news with the Master and Mistress. The Master specifically ordered me to serve you so you could join them. Please get up and wash; I will help you dress."

"What does this have to do with you? Meizi, don't say I didn't warn you—I am from the Eldest Miss's quarters. Do you want to offend her for the sake of this titular Princess?" Chun'er tilted her chin up, looking smug.

Hearing the words "Eldest Miss," the maid named Meizi trembled. She glanced at Yan Ziyu on the bed and backed away, her eyes filled with pity.

It had been a surprise when the Third Miss married Prince Xiao, and even more so that he didn't favor her. It was said that the Concubine handled everything in the Prince's estate, and the Third Miss was treated like a common servant. She hadn't returned to her maiden home in five years, and now that she was back, the staff whispered that she had been cast aside by the Prince. No wonder Chun'er looked down on her.

"Do you see? The favorite in this estate is the Eldest Miss. You are just a discarded woman about to be divorced, what are you acting so proud for? If the Eldest Miss hadn't disdained being a mere Princess, it would never have been your turn. Don't think of yourself as someone important. In the eyes of the Eldest Miss, crushing you would be as easy as crushing a bug..."

As Chun'er continued her gloating, Yan Ziyu felt as if a swarm of flies were buzzing in her ears, making her already aching head throb. She couldn't help but frown.

"Shut up. I will ignore you this once, as if I were listening to a dog bark. If there is a next time, you will be beaten to death." Yan Ziyu looked at Chun'er coldly, her voice devoid of emotion, but the sharp aura she exuded caused Chun'er to nearly choke on her breath.

"You... you're just a cast-off wife, what is there to be so arrogant about?" Chun'er was shaken by Yan Ziyu’s presence, but she forced her chin up, feigning defiance.