Ning Wanwan nodded, finding Si Zhan’s analysis reasonable. “If we follow this inquiry, we can find out who she is. If she was truly the Empress Dowager’s trusted maidservant, she would know many secrets about the Empress Dowager, and we could use her as a witness to restrain the Empress Dowager.”
Si Zhan smiled warmly. “You’ve only guessed part of it. I’m not keeping her to restrain the Empress Dowager.”
He suddenly looked outside, his dark phoenix eyes deep and incomprehensible.
“To avoid being controlled, one must find a way to clip their wings.”
He turned to Yuan Bi and instructed, “Tell Pure Consort that after bringing the person out, immediately spread rumors near Baoci Palace, claiming the person was taken away by Si Xuo, and release false claims that Si Xuo is not Ling Ziru’s biological child. As for the rest… we just need to wait and see.”
Ning Wanwan was shocked, suddenly understanding Si Zhan’s true intentions.
He was not planning to restrain the Empress Dowager with evidence, but to use information to create a rift between her and Si Xuo.
Regardless of who the person in the Cold Palace was or the truth of her words, once Si Zhan released this information, it would cause a storm in the palace. If Si Xuo was indeed not Ling Ziru’s biological child, her character would not allow her to remain passive, prompting her to take action, which would prove the rumors true.
Moreover, once the rumors reached Si Xuo, he would doubt his identity, planting a wedge in his heart. Ning Wanwan never expected Si Zhan to understand human nature so thoroughly.
She observed Si Zhan, whose gentle demeanor and slightly sickly complexion belied his cunning intelligence. He was far more powerful than she had imagined, and she need not worry about his future, as he had countless paths to pursue depending on his choices.
Years later, Ning Wanwan would realize Qian Nan was never Si Zhan’s hiding place; he was destined to shine brilliantly and gain the respect of all.
After Yuan Bi and Zhou Shu left, Si Zhan sat on the armrest and embraced Ning Wanwan. “Now that official business is done, isn’t it time we discuss our own matters?”
Ning Wanwan blinked, surprised. “Our… matters?”
“You really do have a poor memory.” Si Zhan shook his head, then stood up and swept her into a horizontal embrace.
Startled, she clung to him. “Brother Zhan, what are you doing?”
Si Zhan smiled mischievously. “Since you’ve forgotten again, let me remind you.”
As he carried her toward the bed, she quickly grasped his sleeve. “Brother Zhan, I remember now.”
“Oh?” he replied, looking down at her. “Remember what?”
Ning Wanwan, instinctively evasive, said, “How we first met.”
Si Zhan nodded. “And?”
“And… what?” she struggled to recall more.
He stopped beside the bed, gazing at her with burning eyes. “Didn’t you say that when I wake up, you would submit to my punishment?”
Feeling she had shot herself in the foot, she touched her forehead. “I did say… but not this kind of punishment…” Her protest was silenced by Si Zhan’s hot kiss.
After a while, Si Zhan finally let her go, his breath heavy. “How to punish you is up to me.”
He laid Ning Wanwan flat on the bed, his gaze burning as he slowly undressed her.
Ning Wanwan hurriedly grabbed his hands, stopping him, “Brother Zhan, please spare me. In broad daylight, can we change the punishment method?”
Si Zhan paused, slightly furrowing his brow in thought. Just as she thought he was considering an alternative punishment, he looked up, uncertainly blurting out, “…You want to be on top?”
Ning Wanwan was stunned, not immediately understanding. When she caught the mischievous smile in his eyes, she realized what he meant, her face turning hot as she covered it and said, “Brother Zhan!”
Si Zhan laughed heartily, and she became even more embarrassed, pulling the blanket over her head.
He lay down, gently pulling away the blanket, caressing her small hand. “I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry. I’ve been lying down for seven days, and my body has recovered well.”
“But…” Ning Wanwan felt that Si Zhan seemed too eager about intimacy, almost to the point of obsession.
But she knew that Si Zhan was not someone who indulged in carnal desires.
Si Zhan suddenly said seriously, “Wanwan, shall we have a child?”
Ning Wanwan’s eyes widened, shocked. A child… She had never thought about it, or rather, had never dared to. She knew Si Zhan was physically weak and might find it difficult to have offspring, and given his difficult circumstances, she wasn’t sure if a child would be a blessing or a curse.
Yet when Si Zhan expressed his desire for a child, her heart fluttered, a softness blooming within her. After a moment, she lowered her eyelashes and shyly nodded, “…Okay.”
Si Zhan was exceptionally gentle this time, careful to avoid touching her wound. They embraced each other afterwards. Ning Wanwan looked at Si Zhan’s sleeping profile, memories of her childhood companion surfacing.
“Little sister, are you awake?” Little Ning Wanwan opened her eyes to see little Si Zhan’s wet face enlarged before her.
“Where is this?” She found herself leaning against a wet, cold stone, with a stream and mountain walls around her.
“This seems to be a valley shallow beach. We were washed downstream and stranded here,” he said.
Little Ning Wanwan was startled, her voice hoarse, “How do we get back?”
Little Si Zhan shook his head apologetically. “We can’t. I hear rumbling nearby; following the water flow should lead to a waterfall.” He glanced around. “These mountains are steep. We’re trapped.”
Little Ning Wanwan didn’t believe this. She stood up, her head spinning, feeling a dull pain on her forehead. “Hiss—”
Little Si Zhan pressed her down. “Don’t move. Your forehead hit a hidden reef; the blood just clotted.”
Annoyed, Ning Wanwan pushed away his hand and glared at him. “I’m not afraid of pain. I’m going to find an exit.”
Looking around, she saw they were on a shallow beach; the river curved, and the terrain rose. Rumbling sounds came from downstream, indicating a waterfall. The water upstream was rapid, and the walls were slippery and steep, making it difficult to climb.
They were indeed trapped, surrounded by steep walls with jagged rocks covered in moss and grass.
Leaning against the mountain wall, Little Si Zhan watched her leisurely, showing no signs of frustration or panic.
Ning Wanwan circled the area, suddenly noticing thin vines hanging from a crevice. Her eyes brightened as she quickly pulled out the vines, trying to climb the wall.
Little Si Zhan, curious about her clumsy movements, asked, “What are you doing?”
“There are tree vines here. We can climb up using them,” Little Ning Wanwan replied as she climbed.
Little Si Zhan watched her struggling to stay in the same spot and shook his head, “These thin vines will break before you can climb up, and you’ll fall.”
As soon as he finished speaking, “Bang!” The vine broke, and Little Ning Wanwan fell on her bottom.
Startled, Little Si Zhan was about to help her, but she jumped up, patting her bottom and asking frustratedly, “What should we do now?”
“No choice. We can only wait to die,” he shrugged.
She refused to accept that. “As long as we don’t give up, we will definitely find a way out.” Then she continued trying to climb.
Vine after vine broke, and Little Ning Wanwan fell repeatedly. Little Si Zhan finally walked forward and caught her when she fell again.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Ning Wanwan,” she blinked, lying in his arms.
He put her down, furrowing his brow, “Who is the old madam of the Ning Guo Gong Mansion?”
“She is my grandmother,” she replied.
“Are you Princess Yunxiang?” he asked, slightly surprised.
“At least you have some discernment,” Xiao Ning Wanwan said.
“
