Chapter 120: The Duke Ignores Cheng Zhao Again

The confrontation between the Dowager Madame and Zhou Yuanshen was something none of the onlookers could quite comprehend.

But one thing was clear: the Dowager Madame cared more about the child in Mu Jiang’s womb.

Zhou Yuanshen, on the other hand, represented the complete opposite—he didn’t care at all.

If he had the slightest regard for it, he would never have snapped the prayer beads and used them as hidden projectiles to strike her knees when Mu Jiang cursed Cheng Zhao.

It was a blatant act.

Beads scattered across the floor, and rumors spread like wildfire—none of it could be contained or hidden.

Mu Jiang was completely dazed.

Cheng Zhao remained silent, letting Zhou Yuanshen’s large hand firmly hold hers.

The grandmother and grandson stared at each other for a long moment before Zhou Yuanshen spoke first: “Since Grandmother has no use for us, we’ll take our leave now.”

He led Cheng Zhao away, carefully stepping around the beads that had rolled all over the floor and left.

Mu Jiang stared blankly.

She was utterly stunned.

Even after such a major scene, the Dowager Madame hadn’t said a single word in her defense.

Mu Jiang’s tears streamed down like the broken beads from before. She wasn’t just in pain; she was lost.

The Dowager Madame swayed slightly, struggling to stay steady.

Huan Qingtang supported her: “Grandmother.”

The Dowager Madame looked defeated—not from mental fatigue, but from physical exhaustion. The fury had drained her, even though it was a restrained anger.

Huan Qingtang’s heart clenched.

She had never realized before that her grandmother was old, far weaker than the young.

Mu Jiang was still crying.

“Someone, help the Secondary Wife back to her bed to rest,” Huan Qingtang ordered.

Turning to Doctor Wang, who looked both horrified and awkward, she said, “Doctor, I’d appreciate it if you could take the Secondary Wife’s pulse again.”

She handled everything calmly.

When they left Lijing Courtyard, Zhou Yuanshen let go of Cheng Zhao’s hand.

He strode ahead.

But the direction was wrong—not toward Nonghua Courtyard, but the opposite way toward Chenhui Courtyard.

Cheng Zhao stood there, momentarily unsure: “Should I follow him?”

Today’s events had caught her off guard too.

Zhou Yuanshen refused to be manipulated by the Dowager Madame or Mu Jiang, even when they used the unborn child as leverage against him.

So he didn’t long for this child?

Were men’s thoughts so different from women’s?

The Dowager Madame, Mu Jiang, and even Cheng Zhao herself had assumed he wanted an heir—the Duke’s estate had few sons, and this pregnancy was the Emperor’s “request,” beneficial to his career and the family.

But judging by his behavior today, he was willing to lose everything. If the Dowager Madame insisted on clashing with him, he’d accept mutual destruction without hesitation.

Cheng Zhao pondered for a moment, then instead of returning to Nonghua Courtyard, she headed for Chengming Hall.

Doctor Wang hadn’t left yet.

Besides, the Dowager Madame had instructed Cheng Zhao to entertain Doctor Wang.

“What’s all the fuss about?” Eldest Madam Song asked when she saw her.

News from Lijing Courtyard had reached her quickly.

“Just a small matter.” Cheng Zhao forced a faint smile. “Aunt, I still have some duties to attend to.”

Her maidservant Suyue was waiting at Lijing Courtyard’s gate. Seeing Nanny Sun escort Doctor Wang out, she rushed to inform Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao went to the main entrance.

“How is the Secondary Wife’s condition?” she asked.

Doctor Wang gave a vague reply.

Cheng Zhao understood: Mu Jiang had been feigning illness earlier. This huge row might have actually upset her pregnancy, and she’d need monitoring for a few more days.

She handed Doctor Wang another red envelope, urging him to keep it confidential.

“... As you know, His Majesty dislikes anyone gossiping about the Zhou family,” she said.

Doctor Wang accepted the envelope with repeated nods: “Rest assured, I dislike idle talk myself. You can ask around about that.”

Cheng Zhao nodded.

She headed back to the inner courtyard.

Passing the entrance of Chenhui Courtyard, she spotted Nanfeng standing at the gate.

He saw her and seemed about to greet her, but Cheng Zhao waved him off and returned to Nonghua Courtyard.

When she finally arrived, she was utterly exhausted. She instructed her maids to help her change clothes and comb her hair. After slipping into her everyday attire and letting her hair down, she leaned against a bolster, finally feeling some relief.

Nanny Li brought her a cup of tea.

“... Someone probably provoked her,” Cheng Zhao said. “The Secondary Wife went mad just to see the Lord Duke.”

It was likely linked to the time at the main gate, when the Lord Duke had told her to “get lost.”

“It’s probably Huan Qingtang,” she continued. “She found my earring and guessed what happened behind the scenes.

Naturally, she wants a fight between the wife and the concubine here so she can reap the benefits. And the Secondary Wife has no brains—a little provocation is all it takes.”

Nanny Li’s face darkened: “How vicious. You should tell the Dowager Madame that Huan Qingtang stirred up the Secondary Wife’s tantrum and see how she handles it.”

“We don’t have proof. And even if we did, what then? The Dowager Madame might just see it as clever scheming. She’s not exactly looking for a kind and righteous granddaughter-in-law,” Cheng Zhao replied.

Nanny Li shuddered: “At this rate, something terrible will happen sooner or later.”

“But nothing terrible has happened so far, and the Zhou family thrives in prosperity. She’s deeply convinced her methods work,” Cheng Zhao said.

Nanny Li shuddered again.

Suyue and Qiubai returned as well.

“The main kitchen has already heard the news. It’ll probably spread through the whole mansion soon,” Suyue said.

“Too many eyes and ears on the scene.” Qiubai added.

Cheng Zhao said nothing.

She sat in deep thought for some time.

“Is there something bothering you?” Nanny Li asked.

Cheng Zhao answered, “I’m thinking about the Lord Duke. If he believes he’s right, he’s stubborn. For instance, with the Secondary Wife’s matter, he hasn’t relented once.”

Back at Chenhui Courtyard, when he had tormented Cheng Zhao, he admitted he was wrong, so he went out of his way to apologize.

But this time, in the carriage, he didn’t think he was at fault at all.

Even though he had publicly stepped in to defend her, once they left Lijing Courtyard, he simply ignored her.

Cheng Zhao felt wronged too.

She barely knew him, and he wasn’t in his usual clothes; her eyes weren’t feeling great, so failing to recognize him—was that such a grave crime?

He had already made a scene in the carriage and gotten his revenge.

Anyway, Cheng Zhao wasn’t about to apologize. She wouldn’t indulge his temper.

“Ah, right!” She suddenly sat up. “Where did I put the perfume powder Yuan Qi gave me last time?”

“In the cosmetics cabinet,” Suyue said.

“Find it,” Cheng Zhao instructed.

Suyue went to look for it.

Cheng Zhao opened it carefully, wary of the powder flying into her eyes like last time.

There was still some dust—its craftsmanship wasn’t great.

But the scent was lovely.

“Smell this. What does it remind you of?” She passed it to them.

Nanny Li and the others all took a whiff.

“A very fresh fragrance.”

“Sweet-smelling,” Qiubai said. “Pleasant.”

“I only recognize this kind of scent from cosmetic powder,” Cheng Zhao noted. “I caught it in the Secondary Wife’s bedroom, but she doesn’t wear it herself.”

“Maybe she bought the same powder and keeps it on her dressing table,” Nanny Li suggested.

Cheng Zhao handed the box to Qiubai: “Go out discreetly and find out exactly what this scent is.”

Then she added, “I need to go to Jiangyun Courtyard. Mother will have heard the news soon. And I must ask Yuan Qi where he bought this powder.”

Seeing that she had thought of everything except how to handle the tension with the Lord Duke, Nanny Li asked, “Should we call the Lord Duke?”

“No need,” Cheng Zhao replied.

Nanny Li: “...”