Chapter 190 (1/2)

Chapter 190: Schadenfreude

”Oh?” Qi Chen smiled. ”Do tell.”

”It's nothing too interesting,” said Xiaoyun. ”I heard someone said that the princess and gentleman Feng are close. Closer than a strategist and his master's wife should be. It's difficult to believe that there's nothing between them. People also said that the father to the princess's child is actually… gentleman Feng.”

”Nonsense!” Qi Chen shot up to his feet, pus.h.i.+ng Xiaoyun away. Xiaoyun staggered and barely kept herself upright by holding onto the desk. She looked at Qi Chen with a frown.

What was done was done. She had nothing to lose now. She took a deep breath and said, ”I know it seems unlikely, but it's not completely without basis. If the princess and gentleman Feng are innocent, why would so many people say that they are having an affair? Your Highness has a good number of concubines in this manor, why is the princess the only one who got pregnant? And she got pregnant right after entering this manor. Has Your Highness not suspected anything?”

Qi Chen didn't know how to respond. Xiaoyun's questions rang in his head. As a member of the royal family, he was born to be mistrusting. He didn't want to doubt Jun Huang, but the signs were there. He couldn't ignore them.

Besides, Nan Guyue had such a pleasant conversation with Jun Huang earlier. Jun Huang even complimented her. Everything pointed to a reality he didn't want to believe in.

His silence was a clear indication of his doubt. Xiaoyun smiled and leaned into Qi Chen. ”I'm just speculating,” she murmured. ”Your Highness can have someone conduct an investigation. It's getting late. May I serve you tonight?”

She reached out to untie Qi Chen's waistband. Qi Chen threw her a cold glare. He didn't' want to stay here with this heavy weight on his chest. He pushed her hand away and stormed out of the room, leaving Xiaoyun pondering what his reaction meant.

Qi Chen didn't want to believe in the rumor, but the seed of doubt had been planted. In the end, he ordered one of his men to look into it in secret. The investigation happened without Jun Huang noticing.

A few days later, the man returned with some news. Nan Guyue had secretly met with Jun Huang twice, and the meeting lasted for longer than they should! Qi Chen trusted Jun Huang, but what he found told him otherwise. He could not stand the possibility that Jun Huang was having an affair with his wife.

No man could tolerate the fact that his wife was pregnant with another man's child. Qi Chen definitely could not stomach such betrayal. Coming from Jun Huang, especially, the betrayal hit him even harder. He ordered his men to arrest Jun Huang and keep her in the water prison.

Jun Huang thought that Qi Chen had realized she was a spy. Panic broke the calm mask she usually wore. Her cold sweat seeped into her clothes.

She was held in place at the center of the water prison by iron chains. The valve was shut when the freezing water reached her waist. The guards had not given her a chance to brace for the cold. She tightened her jaw as the chill seeped into her body and reached her bones.

When Qi Chen entered, Jun Huang's face was pale, and her clothes drenched. Her untied hair plastered over her back. There were droplets of water all over her face. She looked pitiful.

Qi Chen had thought that his anger would allow no room for sentimental thoughts, and yet he felt pity for Jun Huang. He s.h.i.+fted his focus to the affair between Jun Huang and Nan Guyue and let his anger burn even hotter.

”I trusted you, Feng Baiyu,” Qi Chen said through clenched teeth, his eyes bloodshot. ”This is how you repay that trust? Have you no shame?”

Jun Huang ground her teeth together and looked at Qi Chen defiantly. She knew that she must not give Qi Chen any information, especially not about Qi Yun. She must help Qi Yun become the emperor. She would not talk even if Qi Chen threatened her with death.

Her silence destroyed the last of Qi Chen's patience. Did she not feel guilty at all?! He huffed and pulled the lever on the wall. More water rushed into the cell, drowning her from head to toe.

Jun Huang was caught off guard and a mouthful of cold water rushed into her mouth. She hurriedly hold her breath and tried her best to maintain her consciousness. Her face was horrifyingly pale.

After about the time for a pot of tea to brew, the water drained out of the cell. Jun Huang was finally able to breathe again. Qi Chen leveled her with a cold stare. ”Do you admit your guilt?”