Chapter 14: Spicy and Sour Wonton Noodles
Dungeon.
Perhaps anticipating their arrival, the jailers had tidied the place in advance.
As far as the eye could see, there was nothing excessively gruesome or bloody.
Wen Changying’s steps were quick; she only wished to confirm Zhuge Shi’s condition as soon as possible.
Xie Genghe had already made his preparations. Aside from Zhuge Shi’s unmistakably pale complexion, he appeared to be detained without harm.
“I know you have words to say to General Zhuge, Ah Ying. I can grant you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.”
“When we return, how about making me a bowl of wontons again?”
Xie Genghe was adept at giving himself an exit.
Wen Changying couldn’t refuse.
“Then you wait outside.”
Xie Genghe’s brows relaxed; he led his men out.
Bi Gui had already brought tea sets and a writing desk, attending nearby.
Wen Changying looked at the thin figure of Zhuge Shi inside the cell, her nose tingling with emotion.
“I’ve caused you trouble, Uncle Shi.”
Zhuge Shi smiled faintly. “You and Aye grew up under my watch. This punishment is like a mere itch—far less painful than the arrows and blades on the battlefield.”
“Ah Ying, you are now a married woman and the sole heir of the Wen family. You must be strong; you can’t always be crying.”
He spoke in his usual familiar tone, as if they were at home, not in a dungeon.
Wen Changying raised her hand to wipe her eyes. “Uncle Shi, I know you must be hiding something for Aye. Please tell me; don’t let me suffer such punishment in vain.”
“If Aye knew, he wouldn’t agree either.”
Zhuge Shi picked up a blade of grass, bending it back and forth, smiling wryly. “Do you think I’m foolish? If I knew, I would have said so. Those bastards only know how to torture for answers, never bothering to properly investigate Aye’s whereabouts.”
“Ah Ying, the next time you see him, you must drag that rascal here, bearing a bramble on your back to apologize. No mercy!”
Though he cursed in words, Wen Changying knew Uncle Shi only wished for Aye’s safety.
She smiled lightly, saying no more, instead pouring a bowl of water and sitting carelessly before the cell door.
She handed the water to Zhuge Shi. “Once this case is closed, Uncle Shi, you can punish him yourself.”
Zhuge Shi took the bowl, sighing deeply.
“Ah Ying, you must prepare yourself.”
Wen Changying’s eyes instantly reddened.
She leaned close, whispering, “Please tell me, Uncle Shi.”
He lowered his voice in return: “Before the incident, the Wen family troops spotted a special mark in Yao Mountain.”
But before he could issue orders, he was captured.
Though the Ministry of Justice tortured him, they dared not kill him since no clues had been revealed.
Zhuge Shi had originally intended to keep this secret even from Wen Changying.
After all, now that Ah Ying was married to the Crown Prince, whatever she knew wouldn’t remain hidden from him for long.
Moreover, Aye’s chances were grim; at least one Wen family member must be preserved.
It was best that Ah Ying remained ignorant.
Yet seeing her break down the moment she entered, Zhuge Shi’s heart softened.
He could also sense the rift between her and the Crown Prince.
“Ah Ying, I can promise not to tell, but others in the Wen troops might not keep the secret. Perhaps Aye was already caught or is on the run, and the court may even set a trap for him using the Wen troops. What you must do is stay out of it, preserving the last bloodline of the Wen family.”
“Uncle Shi knows you won’t be able to do this, but as your father’s brother, this is all I can say and do.”
Tears slipped down Wen Changying’s cheeks unnoticed.
She wiped them away and said firmly, “Uncle Shi, Aye and I will not fail you.”
She stood and knelt, performing a solemn kowtow.
Zhuge Shi said nothing, drinking the entire bowl of water.
An incense stick’s burn was not long.
When Wen Changying was led out, she saw a prisoner-clad jailer leave Xie Genghe’s side.
She was not naive.
She guessed Xie Genghe had sent someone to eavesdrop on her conversation with Zhuge Shi.
Her heart remained calm. “Why not just listen openly?”
Xie Genghe pocketed the confession slip.
“Ah Ying, you’re overthinking. I was just interrogating other prisoners. What could you have learned from General Zhuge?”
Wen Changying looked up, meeting Xie Genghe’s inscrutable eyes.
She curled her lips into a cold smile, choosing to remain silent.
Xie Genghe acted as if nothing had happened, reaching out to hold her cold fingers.
“Ah Ying, it’s been a long time since I’ve tasted your wontons. I’m quite hungry.”
“Remember to add noodles, so that brat Aye doesn’t…”
Mid-sentence, Xie Genghe realized his mistake.
Wen Changying rarely cooked.
Yet a bowl of wontons with noodles was a favorite shared by Xie Genghe and Wen Zaiye.
They would often fight over the last bit of broth.
Whenever Xie Genghe ate wonton noodles, he couldn’t help but mention Wen Zaiye.
After a pause, he added, “Better not add noodles. I just want the wontons.”
He watched Wen Changying’s reaction carefully.
She seemed not to hear him and walked straight out.
Back at the Eastern Palace, she went directly to the small kitchen.
Xie Genghe felt uneasy.
Only when a bowl of wontons loaded with vinegar and chili arrived did he chuckle.
He neither ate sour nor spicy food.
Ah Ying did not like him trying to rekindle their relationship through the past.
But even if this bowl of sour and spicy wontons gave him stomach aches all night, he would still eat it.
He and Ah Ying were destined to be entangled endlessly.
“Your Highness,” Bi Gui arrived with a memorial, noticing the red chili oil.
His face changed in alarm, about to summon the imperial physician, but was stopped by Xie Genghe.
“Tell me about the situation in Yancheng.”
…
Wen Changying sat alone by the window, her emotions unsettled.
Magpie entered with sweets, unable to resist offering reassurance:
“Your Highness, the young master is under divine protection; nothing will happen to him.”
Wen Changying nodded, sipping lily and yam sweet soup, asking, “How is Mr. Duan?”
“The message has reached the palace. He caught a cold but nothing serious.”
Wen Changying breathed a sigh of relief.
She did not blame Duan Tingbai for fleeing the other day.
In fact, she still needed him to maneuver outside, ensuring neither the Empress Dowager nor Cheng Yu could find any leverage against him.
Composing herself, Wen Changying set down the sweets and began writing a letter.
“Magpie, please deliver this to Mr. Duan.”
Magpie took the letter and left promptly.
Though Wen Changying could not leave the Eastern Palace, she could still invite guests.
When Song Qingyan was nervously led to the palace gates, the guards questioned her briefly before quietly reporting to Xie Genghe.
The man was bent over his desk, head never lifting.
“Let her come,” he said.
There was nothing more to say.
In the Palace of Favor,
Song Qingyan was noticeably more restrained than before, barely daring to glance around.
Wen Changying teased her, “Weren’t you quite bold last time? How come you’re so shy after learning my identity?”
Song Qingyan braced herself, fearing reprimand.
“Last time, I was unaware of the Crown Princess’s identity and caused a scene. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Her solemnity left Wen Changying uncertain how to question her intentions.
After a pause, she said, “Since you admit your mistake, you must be punished. According to palace rules, you should swallow a hundred golden needles, followed by whipping with salted rods…”
“Your Highness, mercy!!”