A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 103
by Little PandaOn the Road Back to the Capital
“Don’t Make a Sound”
After taking the initiative to kiss her, Jiang Chenyu broke out in a cold sweat—she was still carrying poison on her body.
Had she kissed lower just now? Panicking, she couldn’t remember.
“What’s wrong? Why so nervous?” Seeing her odd expression, Shen Hetang asked in confusion.
“I’ve smeared a poison that seals the throat on contact with blood here—did you touch it just now?” Jiang Chenyu’s voice trembled with anxiety as she pointed at the area on her chest.
“Smeared poison? So they sent you to assassinate someone?” Shen Hetang felt dissatisfied with Ye Huaiqing and her jiejie. If Jiang Chenyu had been discovered, she didn’t dare imagine the consequences.
“Since it’s a deadly poison, will smearing it on yourself cause any harm? I don’t think I touched it just now.” She asked seriously.
“Even though I took the antidote, there are still side effects.” Jiang Chenyu’s expression grew a bit strange.
“What kind of side effects?” Shen Hetang’s face turned serious.
“It’s excessively cooling in nature. It’ll make bearing children difficult afterward—you can’t despise me for it.” She forced back a smile and said this in utmost earnestness.
“It’s fine, I won’t despise you.” They spoke as though they could actually have children together.
Shen Hetang wasn’t as lighthearted as she was. She simply held her close and continued hurrying forward, toward the next rendezvous point.
Cool enough to render one unable to bear children—how could that be fine? A woman’s body should never run cold. The days ahead would surely be difficult.
The pursuers were likely Xiao Qiye’s people. They stumbled and bumbled without ever catching up, yet made quite a show of it.
Shen Yunshu’s group abandoned their carriages. Those capable scattered in all directions—over a hundred people splitting into a dozen different routes.
She brought Concubine Sheng, ten hidden guards, and four martial arts experts to rendezvous with Shen Hetang. Jiang Chenyu knew the location.
There were carriages waiting at the border, but from the Liao State imperial palace to the border still required several days’ travel.
Shen Hetang brought Jiang Chenyu to a shop and used the gold and silver she carried to exchange for clothing and dry rations.
“Ma’am, do you have any water? We’d like to fill up our waterskins.” Through a combination of words and gestures, she finally spotted the water vat.
She then led Jiang Chenyu to a secluded spot, carrying a basin of water.
“Unfasten your clothes.”
“Huh?” Jiang Chenyu glanced at the crude thatched shelter, her face flushing red. She then lowered her long lashes and said nothing.
“What are you thinking?” Seeing her looking rather pretty like this, Shen Hetang’s eyes curved into a smile.
She reached over and removed Jiang Chenyu’s outer robe, dampened a cloth, and began wiping down the front of her body.
Jiang Chenyu gave a soft “Oh.”
“This won’t do, you need a proper wash. Lean forward a bit.” Wiping alone wasn’t reassuring enough.
“But I’m still wearing clothes.” She meant the chest wrap underneath.
“Take it off.” There were no facilities for a proper bath, but she couldn’t keep carrying poison on her body.
“Oh, alright.” She slowly loosened the chest wrap, leaning forward and shielding herself gently with one hand. She… she… was a bit out of practice, and rather embarrassed.
Shen Hetang ignored her awkwardness, scooped clean water, and began rinsing her from the neck down.
“Let me wash myself.” She wasn’t a child, and her face was burning.
“You can’t see properly, so I can do it faster. I even borrowed some scented soap—let’s be quick about it.” Jiang Chenyu’s figure had undergone noticeable changes compared to before. Could it be a second growth spurt?
“Alright.” Something about those words sounded odd, but she couldn’t pinpoint the problem.
“Where else did you apply it?”
“Everywhere.” Jiang Chenyu guiltily gestured at her chest with her hand.
The moment Shen Hetang thought about what she’d applied that poison for, her face darkened.
“If it meant rescuing you, let alone this—even if I truly had to go sleep with that barbarian, I would have gone.” Seeing her expression turn ugly, Jiang Chenyu looked at her with stubborn eyes, on the verge of tears.
“I’m not blaming you. I’m just worried you’d get hurt.” She dressed her in fresh clothes and pulled her into her arms, patting her back.
“Mm-hm!” Jiang Chenyu clung tightly around her waist, blinking back the tears she’d squeezed out.
Shen Hetang looked at her wronged-looking wife and regretted it. She shouldn’t have let that bastard die so cheaply. She’d nearly lost her wife in the bargain.
After washing her hands again, she purchased the used wooden basin, cloth, and scented soap—all of it. She dared not leave anything behind for anyone to find.
The two of them, dressed in Liao State attire, continued on their journey without further tension. Shen Hetang decided to trust Xiao Qiye this once—as long as he kept his word, they would be safe.
Several days later, they finally crossed the border and reached the agreed-upon location. The others were already waiting there.
“Cough, cough—!” At the sight of the relay carriages, her taut nerves finally relaxed completely.
“Ah Tang, what’s wrong?” Seeing blood at the corner of her mouth, Jiang Chenyu was terrified.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Some rest will fix it. You’ll probably need to spend some silver though.” She raised a hand to wipe her mouth with the back of it and discovered traces of blood.
Though the iron cage had been tampered with beforehand, shattering it was no easy feat. Her already damaged body had needed full force to break through the cage, and combined with days of exhaustion, she finally reached her limit upon seeing her rescuers.
Dizzy and swaying with drowsiness, she slumped weakly on the horse.
“Eldest Sister, Ah Tang fainted!” Jiang Chenyu called out loudly to Shen Yunshu.
Shen Yunshu hurried over with Concubine Sheng, and several people helped Shen Hetang into the carriage.
“Ah Tang, how are you?” Shen Yunshu asked, brow furrowed with concern.
“I’m fine, just exhausted. I want to sleep.” Seeing her jiejie there, she lay motionless on the bedding like a child.
“Have a look at her,” Shen Yunshu said, turning to Concubine Sheng.
“Mm.”
Concubine Sheng knew some basic medicine and felt for Shen Hetang’s pulse.
The pulse was weak and slow, but with an underlying force. It didn’t look serious.
“She’s just tired. A couple days’ sleep and she’ll be fine,” Shen Hetang said languidly from where she lay.
“Is she really alright? She coughed up blood just now.” Jiang Chenyu’s pretty face was scrunched up with worry.
Shen Hetang reached out and played with her fingers, comforting her: “I want porridge. I don’t want dry rations.”
“Alright, I’ll cook some for you soon.” Seeing her so listless, Jiang Chenyu felt a pang of sorrow. She didn’t know how she’d endured these past two days—her body was unwell, yet she hadn’t let herself notice.
“I don’t understand the finer details, but from the current pulse, though it’s somewhat weak, her core foundation is intact. She does need proper rest and nourishment. Ginseng and lingzhi1 mushrooms for restoration should be provided generously.” Concubine Sheng’s eyes widened and narrowed as she continued feeling the pulse, glancing uncertainly at Shen Yunshu.
“Thank you, Concubine Sheng. You’ve saved my life many times over, and I have no way to repay you. Perhaps the Heir’s Wife can repay the debt on my behalf.” This familiar scene reminded her of events before her memory loss—back then, when she’d been cornered, the ones who’d burst out to rescue her were Concubine Sheng and her friend.
She’d been barely conscious at the time, catching only a hazy glimpse. Afterward, she had no idea where they’d gone or what they’d been up to, and they’d left her behind. Still, they had saved her life. She’d let Shen Yunshu settle this debt, since they were already acquainted.
“Oh? Has the General remembered something? It was merely a convenience—nothing worth mentioning. Though you could certainly ask the Heir’s Wife to repay the favor.” Concubine Sheng smiled and glanced at the person behind her.
“What? Have you two met before?” Shen Yunshu looked between them with mild confusion.
“There is indeed some history between us. I’ll explain in detail later.” At this moment, she found General Shen’s pulse rather surprising.
Shen Yunshu had never spoken of the General’s identity, and this revelation shocked her considerably.
Hearing that she was indeed fine, Jiang Chenyu’s expression improved.
Shen Yunshu took Concubine Sheng to another carriage. They had six or seven carriages in total—the remaining guards and martial artists squeezed in together, and the group headed back toward the capital.
Those who didn’t wish to travel together were free to leave on their own.
Jiang Ning took her men and genuinely became merchants to restock goods. Since they’d likely slow everyone down, Shen Yunshu had sent them back before entering the palace.
As for the hired martial arts experts, most needed no one’s concern—they’d long since vanished. Only a dozen or so remained to escort Concubine Sheng back to the capital.
And so, through a twist of fate, Shen Hetang was brought back. Meanwhile, Xiao Qiye was playing his part with great dedication—still “investigating the case” in the palace, tending to his bedridden father the king, far too busy to extricate himself.
As for the gift Shen Hetang had handed him, he decided to repay it with peace between their two nations. Unlike the First Prince, he wasn’t a warmonger. If not for the blood feud he bore against the First Prince’s faction, he might not have pursued them to extinction.
But who would complain about power being too hot to handle? Now, even if they disapproved of his bloodline, Liao State had no suitable heir in the short term. The succession question quickly overshadowed the First Prince’s death, becoming Liao State’s most pressing matter.
On a winding country road, the carriage trundled slowly along.
Shen Hetang had changed into a clean white inner robe and was nestled in the bedding with her hair loose—being fed and dressed without lifting a finger. Someone wiped her face, someone combed her hair. It was pure comfort.
Jiang Chenyu was more than willing to serve her, though seeing her looking so pale made her heart ache.
“Are you going straight back to the capital?” She was afraid Ah Tang might return to the border instead.
“Mm, going back first. Didn’t my wife just have a baby? I hear it doesn’t even have a name yet.” Shen Hetang propped herself against the carriage wall under the covers, deliberately teasing her.
“Th—then… bearing a child is my skill. If I can’t have any later, it’ll be because you’re not up to it.” Provoked by her teasing, Jiang Chenyu retorted, her bright eyes tilting her chin up in defiance.
Shen Hetang gave a sudden tug and pulled her over, pressing her on top of herself. Her fingers slipped along the hem of her robe to the small of her back, the silky skin impossible to leave alone.
Her eyes were dark and meaningful as she gazed at her.
“You glaring at me won’t work. Right now you’re nothing but a paper tiger.” Seeing her weak and powerless, Jiang Chenyu wasn’t afraid of her in the least.
She even traced her features with a finger, examining her from different angles.
“There are still people outside right now. Do you want to save this talk for tonight?”
“So what if it’s tonight? Same difference.” A dead duck with a stiff beak2, Jiang Chenyu refused to concede on the surface.
“Fine, mm, very fine.” A year apart and she was already turning the world upside down. Her pale pink lips curved slightly, her eyes holding a helpless smile.
“Hmph!” Jiang Chenyu puffed out her cheeks and huffed delicately as she climbed out of the carriage.
Shen Hetang lay back down under the covers. Early on, with the matter of Li Qingmei and JCY’s mother, she’d understood how important children were to a woman. Given her own instability, even without adopting Anhe, she would have found a child for Jiang Chenyu as security.
This child shared her bloodline—it couldn’t be better.
She lay there, staring at the half-open carriage window. Thoughts of the court, of the traitor, of the throne—her mind slowly drifted far away.
Before nightfall, they finally found a humble inn. But as long as they could eat something hot and wash up, it was heaven to all of them.
Everyone retired for the night. Jiang Chenyu blew out the oil lamp and climbed onto the narrow bed in her inner robe. Ah Tang lay there obediently, looking far too well-behaved.
Seeing her looking so delicate as to evoke pity3, Jiang Chenyu felt a stirring and wanted to tease her.
After lying down beside her, she reached behind her back and directly untied the fastening of the little undergarment she rarely removed.
She kissed along her jade-white neck, delicate as a kitten.
As her nimble little hands grew bold and restless, Shen Hetang saw through it—she was taking advantage of her illness. But her advantages weren’t so easily taken.
She’d let her have her way for now.
A while later, Jiang Chenyu was once again pinned in her arms by the “sick cat.” Looking at her wife who was all bark and loved to play—well, now it was her turn.
Ever since taking the medicine Concubine Sheng had given her, not only had Jiang Chenyu’s figure changed, but her sensitivity had become overwhelming. Apparently it would take three to five years to fully recover.
Right now, it was nearly unbearable. She wanted to make sounds, but the inn’s walls were practically paper-thin—she could already hear a man snoring in the next room.
“Ah… mmm…!” she murmured softly, her whole body going weak and tender, a pair of exquisite peach-blossom eyes blazing with glamorous light.
The white sleeping robe and the light pink embroidered belly band4 lay haphazardly piled in the corner of the bed, the posture wanton and intimate, seductive and alluring.
“Don’t make a sound.” A slender hand shifted from her pale, full bosom and pressed over her slightly moist lips.
After that, only the faintest whimpers remained, along with the relentless assault from behind. She bit down on her fingers in torment, yet couldn’t bring herself to use force—sucking, or perhaps licking.
Long lashes trembling, the faint dampness pressed fine hair against her forehead, swaying like pear blossoms bathed in rain5—seductive and enchanting.
In the moonlight, taking in the sight of the beauty unable to contain herself—she would occasionally make a sound, causing Jiang Chenyu’s fingers gripping her wrist to tighten.
Skin smoother than silk, impossible to let go of, wanting only to press close and never release.
“Madam, I believe that if we work diligently, we’ll have children sooner or later—isn’t that right?” She leaned over Jiang Chenyu from behind, grazing her teeth lightly along her pale, round earlobe, her tone like a big bad wolf coaxing a little white rabbit.
Hearing her spouting nonsense, Jiang Chenyu bit her finger in anger, her misty, glistening eyes shooting her a resentful glare.
Shen Hetang chuckled low, her voice seemingly carrying an electric current that sent shivers through Jiang Chenyu’s body.
The night was like water, churning everything into a glistening, slippery warmth.
Footnotes
- 'Lingzhi' is the reishi mushroom, prized in traditional Chinese medicine for its restorative and immune-boosting properties.
- A Chinese colloquialism for someone who refuses to admit defeat or vulnerability despite being obviously wrong or outmatched—like a dead duck whose beak remains stiff.
- A classical Chinese expression describing someone so delicate and beautiful that they inspire tenderness and pity in the beholder.
- A 'dudou' is a traditional Chinese undergarment covering the chest and abdomen, typically made of silk and often embroidered.
- A poetic Chinese metaphor describing a tearful, delicate woman looking beautifully poignant, likened to pear blossoms glistening with raindrops.
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