My stepsister tried to steal the prince's hand in marriage, but little did she know I had been

Chapter 146 Cuckold

Ever since Wen Shuyao caused a scene at the Duke of Wen's mansion, Madam Wen's life has been very difficult.

Especially after discovering that Aunt Hua and Wen Zhu had been taken away by the Chu family, she slumped into a chair, a sense of panic rising from the bottom of her heart.

"What were they doing at the Chu family's place?" Madam Wen asked coldly, trying to recall if she had overlooked anything. "Or perhaps they were worried and thought I would definitely kill them?"

To this, Granny Lin lowered her head and remained silent.

These past few days, Lady Wen has been anxiously awaiting Consort Zhang's reply. However, even though Prince Xin has sent a letter, Consort Zhang's reply has been like a drop of water falling into a lake, making no sound at all.

Consort Zhang was very favored, and it was usually easy for her to send messages out. But for some reason, during this period, she was unable to send messages out. When she sent someone to inquire, she was told that the palace was under martial law for the next few days.

But in Lin Mama's opinion, this was probably not about the palace being under martial law... but rather... but rather something had gone wrong with Consort Zhang.

Knowing Madam Wen's anxiety, Lin Mama naturally dared not add fuel to the fire at this moment.

Seeing that Madam Wen had blisters on her lips, Lin Mama poured her a cup of cooling tea and whispered, "Madam, don't worry. As long as Prince Xin replies, our plan will proceed smoothly."

"Getting rid of Wen Shuyao is a very simple matter," Lin Mama reassured. "When Prince Xin makes a move, it's no small matter."

Having worked with Prince Xin for many years, they knew better than anyone how much power he secretly possessed.

Madam Wen closed her eyes and rubbed her temples: "But every time these plans are meticulously planned, they always turn out completely differently when they reach Wen Shuyao. The last plan was no exception..."

"Wen Shuyao was clearly kidnapped, but she came back alive and kicking. Her reputation is ruined, yet Prince Jing still wants her!" Madam Wen said bitterly. "Could it be that Chu Wanqing is protecting her from heaven?"

Before Lin Mama could speak, she sneered again: "No, that's not right. If that woman Chu Wanqing had such ability, she wouldn't have died at my hands back then."

Perhaps because Wen Shuyao had discovered it, she no longer concealed her thoughts when she spoke these words.

Even Granny Lin felt her heart pound with fear upon hearing this, but the one who started it all had a smug expression on her face: "Even Chu Wanqing couldn't beat me back then, let alone her daughter?"

"Wen Shuyao can only show off her power because of Prince Jing. Once Prince Jing falls from power..." Madam Wen said, then laughed out loud, "I want to see what she can do!"

Judging from this, Madam Wen has made a plan.

Lin Mama secretly breathed a sigh of relief. In these scheming and intrigue, Madam Wen indeed possessed a talent that was unmatched by ordinary people.

“However…” Madam Wen’s eyes darkened, “I still want to see my sister!”

Her plan requires the assistance of Consort Zhang.

Meanwhile, in the palace.

Consort Zhang rubbed her temples, and a murderous intent flashed in her almond-shaped eyes, which were very similar to those of Lady Wen.

"It's her again," Consort Zhang said coldly. "This Wen Shuyao is truly a persistent ghost."

When she read Wen Shuyao's name, there was a strong sense of hatred in her voice.

The old woman standing nearby lowered her head and remained silent.

Consort Zhang's deep resentment towards Wen Shuyao likely stemmed not only from Wen Shuyao's failure to fulfill her plans, but also from the fact that Wen Shuyao was... the Princess Consort of Jing.

Consort Zhang was over thirty, but she took great care of herself every day and looked no different from a girl in her early twenties. However, the ruthlessness in her eyes ruined this innocence.

"Your Highness, what about Madam Wen..." the nanny whispered a reminder, "You haven't replied for four days. I'm afraid Madam Wen is getting anxious."

"No need to worry." Consort Zhang slowly placed the letter on the candle flame. Seeing that the flame consumed the letter, she said calmly, "Some things cannot be written in a letter. Send a message to her to come to the palace to see me."

What she was about to do, if leaked, could lead to the execution of the entire Zhang family. These words could not be written in a letter, lest they give others leverage against her, not even her own sister…

The old nanny was gratified to see Consort Zhang being so cautious.

"Your Highness, please be patient for a little longer, and you will surely see the light at the end of the tunnel," the nanny comforted her. "As for the Duke of Wen's mansion..."

"No need to pay too much attention to it." Consort Zhang waved her hand. "Whether it's the Duke of Wen's mansion or anyone else... it doesn't matter. As long as my sister and niece are safe, that's enough."

"As long as my plan succeeds," Consort Zhang smiled contemptuously, "they will naturally enjoy endless wealth and luxury."

The old woman's heart skipped a beat, but Consort Zhang's eyes were too certain, and she swallowed back the words of advice that were on the tip of her tongue.

Whether her master is rich or poor, she will stay by his side.

Consort Zhang's subtle actions naturally did not escape the emperor's notice.

In fact, the emperor had always known about Consort Zhang's correspondence with people outside the palace, as well as the small business dealings she and Lady Wen were involved in.

But in his view, these were all minor squabbles.

Therefore, as soon as the shadow guard brought up the matter, he waved his hand and dismissed the shadow guard.

As long as no one dies and Consort Zhang is directly implicated, he can turn a blind eye.

After all, Consort Zhang was fifteen years younger than him.

However, as soon as the shadow guards left, Xie Jinghan's gaze could not be ignored no matter what.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

The emperor smiled helplessly and said to Xie Jinghan in an annoyed tone.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinghan shook his head. Under the emperor's gaze, he said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I just feel that you have a special fondness for Consort Zhang."

"Does Your Majesty not know that the one that lends the most money at exorbitant interest rates is Baohua Pavilion, owned by Consort Zhang's sister, the Duchess of Wen?" Xie Jinghan's voice was slightly cold. "If it were any other concubine, Your Majesty would probably have already banished her to the Cold Palace."

The emperor said helplessly, "Jinghan, people always have their preferences, and I am no exception."

“She is young and has spent most of her life in the palace. She probably only takes some money from Baohua Pavilion, rather than letting Baohua Pavilion use its position to oppress and exploit the people,” the emperor explained. “I naturally turn a blind eye to this.”

"Besides..." he said irritably, "it's because you're unwilling to take on this case. If you were to take it on and handle it impartially, I would have no objections."

The emperor clearly distinguished between the importance of a favored concubine and his own younger brother whom he had raised since childhood.

However, Xie Jinghan's expression became even more complicated after the emperor said that.

As the emperor's younger brother, Xie Jinghan naturally saw that the emperor still harbored some genuine feelings for Consort Zhang.

If that's the case... then the green hat on the emperor's head is even greener.