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

Chapter 39 I Just Love My Brother-in-Law

But seeing the somewhat weathered face of Old Madam Chu, she swallowed her plan and only mumbled something.

"Grandmother, I will never let you down."

I will definitely find out the truth about my mother's death!

She made a silent vow in her heart.

After seeing the Chu family off, Wen Shuyao returned to the front hall.

Duke Wen was already waiting there. When he saw Wen Shuyao, his eyes lit up, and he asked repeatedly, "When did you meet His Highness Prince Jing?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyao lowered her eyes and feigned shyness: "I ran into you by chance yesterday when I went to Baima Temple with my maternal grandmother to pray for my mother."

Upon hearing this, Duke Wen immediately thought of the rumors circulating today.

His eyes shone, and he kept clenching his fists.

Indeed, even heroes cannot resist the charms of a beautiful woman.

His daughter was so beautiful that even King Jing was captivated by her.

Upon thinking of this, Duke Wen burst into laughter: "Good boy."

He patted Wen Shuyao on the shoulder and said loudly, "Tell me what you need in your courtyard, and I'll have someone arrange it for you."

Wen Shuyao lowered her head and said seriously, "Father, you have worked so hard for me all these years, how can I trouble you again? I will handle these matters myself."

Duke Wen loved to hear her speak.

"I've misjudged people all these years." He held Wen Shuyao's hand and sincerely expressed his apology. "I've made you suffer so many injustices over the years, so naturally I have to make it up to you one by one."

“Your dowry… excluding your mother’s portion.” He was in great pain, but he still had to pretend to be nonchalant. “I will make the decision and add another 100,000 taels of silver to your dowry.”

One hundred thousand taels of silver was the only cash the Duke of Wen's mansion had in its accounts.

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyao's lowered eyes flickered: "Father, you..."

"And that shop," he added, "I'll give it to you too!"

"I will also repay the money I owe you."

When Duke Wen said this, he spoke very quickly.

These promises would cost a fortune, and he simply couldn't bear to part with them.

But the Chu family has already given such a generous dowry, so how could he, as Wen Shuyao's family, be stingy?

Madam Wen, who was eavesdropping outside the door, almost ground her teeth to powder.

If all these things are given to Wen Shuyao, what about her Yitong?

She was about to rush in and confront Duke Wen, but was held back by Granny Lin.

Granny Lin shook her head frantically: "Madam! Now is not the time to argue with the master about these things!"

Madam Wen's eyes were filled with resentment, but she was pulled away from the front hall by Granny Lin.

Seeing that her eyes were bloodshot and her anger was almost tangible, Lin Mama quickly said, "Madam, the Second Miss is still young, so it is reasonable for her to get married a few months later."

"In just a few months, you'll be able to recoup that sum of money," Granny Lin earnestly advised. "Plus, with the Duke's estate and some land, the Second Miss's dowry will be among the best in the entire capital!"

"Good?" Madam Wen laughed angrily. "Do you know how much silver Wen Shuyao's dowry is worth? And what valuable items are in her dowry that money can't buy?"

This was originally meant for her daughter! But it all ended up benefiting Wen Shuyao!

Thinking of this, Madam Wen felt a mouthful of blood choke in her throat.

Seeing that her eyes rolled back and she was about to faint, Lin Mama quickly helped her up.

"Madam! Getting angry will harm your health!" Lin Mama whispered. "Now is the time when Miss needs you the most. You must not fall ill!"

"You know Master's temperament better than anyone," said Granny Lin, extremely uneasy. "If you're gone, who will protect Miss in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wen forced herself to cheer up.

She looked up at Granny Lin and whispered, "But what about Yitong..."

She closed her eyes in pain: "I always felt something was wrong with her. You didn't see her today... she was like a madwoman today... the way she looked at Prince Jing..."

Madam Wen dared not say anything more.

But Lin Mama sensed something amiss. Her expression shifted repeatedly, and she subconsciously said, "Madam, but Miss's marriage... wasn't her insistence..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wen rubbed her furrowed brows, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Wen Yitong's marriage to Prince Jing was arranged by her, and she put a lot of effort into it.

But as the wedding day approached, Wen Yitong seemed to have gone mad and insisted on a marriage exchange no matter what. Such a good marriage ended up falling into Wen Shuyao's lap!

“I think…” Madam Wen was speaking when she saw Wen Yitong sitting in the pavilion, looking lost and dejected.

Upon seeing her like this, Madam Wen felt her temples throbbing.

"What kind of behavior is this?" Madam Wen asked through gritted teeth. "Could it be that you have a crush on your brother-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Yitong's eyes widened in shock.

"Mother!" she said, feeling wronged. "Is that how you see me?"

Lady Wen laughed in anger, and said in a fit of rage, "Then how do you explain that you were so distraught when you saw Prince Jing today?"

She knew that look in her eyes all too well.

"Wen Yitong, it was you who insisted on changing this marriage!"

A look of madness flashed in Wen Yitong's eyes. She raised her head and stared coldly at Madam Wen: "Mother, you don't understand at all! You don't understand..."

"I truly don't know why you suddenly changed your mind." Madam Wen's expression turned cold. "I'll only tell you this: the marriage between Wen Shuyao and Prince Jing is now bestowed by His Majesty himself!"

"If this marriage is ruined because of you... then our entire Wen family will be implicated!" Madam Wen stared intently at her, saying each word clearly, "Wen Yitong, you'd better think things through!"

Wen Yitong kept her head down, her expression unreadable.

Seeing her like this, Madam Wen's face grew even more unpleasant: "Could it be that what I said is true? You really only have eyes for your own brother-in-law?"

"That's just like we're from the same lineage!" Wen Yitong sneered. "Mother! Didn't I learn it from you too?"

Madam Wen clutched her chest, unable to believe that these words had come from her own daughter.

Upon hearing this, Granny Lin's eyes widened in surprise.

No one dared to speak of what Madam Wen did back then, but now Wen Yitong has brought it up directly.

What a mockery this is of Madam Wen!

"You wretched child!" Madam Wen shouted sternly, "How dare you..."

Wen Yitong clearly realized her lapse in composure. She closed her eyes briefly and then said coldly, "Don't worry, I would never do anything to dishonor the Wen family!"

After saying that, she stormed off in a huff.

Madam Wen was left clutching her chest, watching her leave with eyes full of anger.

"I'm doing this all for her own good!"