Unsatisfying Retribution

Ah—, Yu Zhixue let out a silent scream.

Something seemed to be gushing out from her lower body. Her lips pale, she grabbed the man's arm. "The baby, the baby! Hurry and call a doctor."

Yan Xiao's body stirred, then stopped. His gaze fixed on her abdomen as if remembering something terrifying. He even pushed her hand away and retreated a few steps.

Yu Zhixue's face turned ashen. She smelled the scent of blood in the air, her brows furrowing. She urged him repeatedly, "Husband, hurry! What are you waiting for? Save our child."

Yan Xiao shook his head, utterly distraught. "It can't be saved. The child is destined to be lost. Calling a doctor is useless."

Yu Zhixue couldn't believe it. She shrieked, "He's our flesh and blood! A doctor can save him. Bi'er, Bi'er—" Seeing Yan Xiao was unreliable, she quickly summoned her maid.

Yan Xiao covered her mouth, fear evident in his eyes. "It can't be saved. Do you know what happened at the execution ground at noon?"

Yu Zhixue shook her head.

She felt guilty towards the Crown Prince and couldn't bear to witness his execution. She was also angry that Yan Xiao had wronged her. A few days ago, she had moved to a manor a hundred miles outside the capital.

Yan Xiao's hands were ice-cold. He trembled, "Heavenly thunder struck, stopping the Crown Prince's beheading. To prove the Crown Prince's innocence, snow fell in the capital in June." His voice was dry and hoarse. "The Crown Prince personally issued a curse: anyone who harmed him would face divine retribution, their families destroyed, and their lineage extinguished. Men in the clan would become slaves, women prostitutes, for all eternity."

Yu Zhixue's eyes widened abruptly.

Yan Xiao nodded, filled with fear and grief. "Heaven is my witness, the curse has taken effect. You harmed the Crown Prince, and you are destined to have no descendants. Even if you miraculously give birth, they will be slaves or prostitutes. This child..." He closed his eyes. "Not giving birth is the only mercy for him."

Yu Zhixue's whole body turned cold. Helplessly, she shook her head. "It's not true. You're lying to me. What snow in June? What proof from heaven? Why didn't I see any of it?"

Yan Xiao looked at her with sorrow and despair. "I'm not lying to you. It's true."

As soon as the incident at the execution ground spread, the family knew they were in trouble. He was immediately sent out to bring Yu Zhixue back.

It was only after he passed the city gates that he learned the snow had only covered a small area of the capital. Outside the city, not a single flake was seen.

These were all miracles. Heaven itself was righting the wrong done to the Crown Prince, manifesting for him.

Yu Zhixue's eyes were wide open, still disbelieving. She stared intently at Yan Xiao, as if trying to see through his lie.

Just then, more commotion was heard from outside. It sounded like more people had arrived at the manor.

Yu Zhixue involuntarily turned her head to look. Through the still-open main gate, several figures on horseback rushed in.

The one in the lead jumped off his horse in a hurry. Yu Zhixue recognized him as her elder brother.

She opened her mouth. "Brother!"

As if sensing something, Marquis Jingyuan's Heir, Yu Lingyue, looked up. Seeing the situation inside the room, he frowned. His steps didn't falter as he walked towards the house.

Soon, the room door was kicked open. Bi'er followed behind, looking confused. Yu Lingyue strode in.

Yu Zhixue's lips quivered. She reached out, wronged. "Brother, why are you only here now? My stomach hurts so much, and Yan Xiao won't help me call a doctor. Hurry and save me."

The Marquis Jingyuan's Heir shoved Yan Xiao aside. Ignoring his sister's plea, he raised his hand and slapped Yu Zhixue hard, sending her sprawling to the ground. Her eyes widened in stunned disbelief.

"Ah—, Miss!" Bi'er looked at her mistress lying in a pool of blood in panic. She quickly ran over and picked her up. "Heavens, Miss, you're bleeding! What about the young master? Husband, Heir, please save Miss!"

"Shut up," the Marquis Jingyuan's Heir growled. His stern face looked coldly and mercilessly at Yu Zhixue. "Wife of the Heir of Duke Changguo, you are no longer a daughter of the Marquis Jingyuan's Estate, nor are you this Heir's sister. The family has decided to expel you from the clan. All your possessions have been sent to Duke Changguo's Estate. Your dowry from home is also forfeited. From now on, whether you prosper or perish has nothing to do with the Marquis Jingyuan's Estate."

Yan Xiao immediately understood. The Marquis Jingyuan's Estate intended to cut their losses and sever ties with Yu Zhixue to avoid the Crown Prince's retaliation.

"Brother, you all...!" He gritted his teeth. The Marquis Jingyuan's Estate was truly heartless.

The Marquis Jingyuan's Heir slapped him back. His eyes were filled with hatred. "Don't call me brother. You're not worthy. Yu Zhixue's current predicament is all your doing. You are a disaster."

Yan Xiao's lips trembled. He couldn't utter a word of rebuttal.

"I have said all I have to say. You two fend for yourselves." Yu Lingyue dropped the words and turned to leave.

He had made this trip specifically to make things clear to Yu Zhixue.

Yu Zhixue's face was deathly pale. She said hoarsely, "So what Yan Xiao said is true? The Crown Prince isn't dead, he's innocent, and now he's retaliating with a curse against everyone who wronged him, is that it?"

The Marquis Jingyuan's Heir stopped. "It's true. Yu Zhixue, the family has not wronged you. You have been rebellious all along, damaging the family's reputation. The family has treated you with utmost kindness. If you have even a shred of conscience, do not mention the Marquis Jingyuan's Estate again."

With that, he didn't linger and turned to leave.

As sudden as he arrived, he left in a hurry.

Bi'er busied herself helping her mistress up. "Miss, I'll help you to bed. I'll go call a doctor right away. You'll be alright."