AWB Chapter 286: Sitting up in shock while dying of illness
Chapter 286: Sitting up in shock while dying of illness
Although the Duke of Wen's mansion was showing signs of decline, such big news that spread throughout the capital was still brought to the attention of someone who came specifically to spread the word.
Especially since such a huge commotion was caused by Madam Wen.
The butler stood outside the bedroom with a worried look on his face.
Wen Guogong was feigning illness, but several concubines were attentively serving him wine by his bedside.
When the steward knocked on the door, Duke Wen was lying on the bed, surrounded by beautiful women, enjoying himself immensely.
Seeing the Duke of Wen in such a state, the steward sighed inwardly.
"Master, something terrible has happened."
The steward lowered his voice and whispered something in Duke Wen's ear.
Upon hearing this, Duke Wen frowned: "What's wrong again? What could be so serious now?"
"It was Madam..." The steward began, but then hesitated, finding the words too absurd to utter. "It was Madam who went to Yingtian Prefecture."
The Duke of Wen was drunk and didn't react much to the steward's words. He waved his hand and said, "What is she going to Yingtian Prefecture for? Does she intend to go there to overturn the case for her family?"
At this point, Duke Wen let out a cold laugh.
However, when he looked up, he found the butler looking at him with pity.
The next moment, a sense of unease and fear rose in the Duke of Wen's heart. He sat up abruptly as if he were dying, panting heavily, his voice hoarse: "What is it? Tell me everything!"
"Madam went to beat the petition drum, and she said... that you murdered the late Madam fifteen years ago." The butler's voice was weak and trembling as he uttered these words.
Upon hearing this, Duke Wen felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and all the blood rushed to his head. He clenched his hands tightly, wanting to say something, but in his extreme anger and fear, he could only utter unintelligible syllables.
"Master!" the butler sighed, "You'd better make preparations as soon as possible!"
At the very least... at the very least, we should go to Prince Jing's residence to plead for mercy.
The steward had spent most of his life in the Duke of Wen's mansion and saw things clearly—the death of the late Madam was inextricably linked to the Duke of Wen.
But now that Lady Wen has sounded the petition drum, according to the rules, this is meant to reach the ears of the emperor. As a result, Duke Wen has no other way out but to seek help from Wen Shuyao.
Duke Wen's mind was buzzing. It took him a long time to come to his senses. He muttered, "This is impossible! This is impossible! How dare she treat me like this? Isn't she afraid of me...?"
Suddenly, the words were on the tip of his tongue, but Duke Wen dared not continue.
Lady Wen was naturally not afraid; how could he dare to make Lady Wen's relationship with Prince Xin public?
In that case, wouldn't he have become part of Prince Xin's faction?
If they become remnants of traitors, the entire Duke Wen's mansion will be implicated.
If it were just this case, he would at most lose his own life. With Wen Shuyao around, at least it wouldn't implicate the other members of the Wen family.
In an instant, Duke Wen felt his hands and feet turn ice cold. He clenched his teeth and stared hatefully ahead.
Zhang Rongrong!
He gritted his teeth and muttered Madam Wen's name in his heart, wishing he could skin her alive.
Seeing this, the steward suggested, "If you go to Prince Jing's residence now, you might still have a chance."
Upon hearing this, Duke Wen reacted quickly. He hurriedly dressed and ordered, "Prepare the carriage! Prepare the carriage! I need to go to Prince Jing's residence!"
Now, only Wen Shuyao can save him.
As for whether Wen Shuyao is willing to save him...
Duke Wen was extremely confident. He was Wen Shuyao's biological father, and Wen Shuyao had always treated him with great respect. How could she just stand by and watch him be framed by Madam Wen?
The person Wen Shuyao hates most is definitely Madam Wen.
Duke Wen never doubted this point.
Inside the Prince Jing's Mansion.
Wen Shuyao sat in the front hall, listening to Si Qing recount what she had seen and heard in Yingtian Prefecture that day.
Her beautiful face showed little emotion; even when she heard Madam Wen strike the Dengwen Drum, she merely raised an eyebrow.
“She truly kept her promise.” Wen Shuyao scoffed lightly. “I just don’t know if the evidence she has will be enough to bring down the Duke of Wen.”
When the Duke of Wen was mentioned, Wen Shuyao made no attempt to hide her disgust.
She hated Duke Wen more than Lady Wen.
Lady Wen is morally flawed and seduced Duke Wen. But if Duke Wen had been able to keep himself pure, how could Lady Wen have taken advantage of him?
Moreover... Mother has always been vigilant. If it weren't for Duke Wen personally feeding her, Mother would never have drunk that bowl of poisoned porridge.
No matter how you look at it, the real culprit is still the Duke of Wen.
It was Duke Wen who poisoned his wife for the sake of his future, and it was Duke Wen who had an affair with Lady Wen.
Wen Shuyao lowered her eyes, and the murderous intent in her eyes was gradually revealed.
Seeing Wen Shuyao's appearance, Si Qing secretly shivered.
This gentle and graceful demeanor is becoming increasingly similar to Xie Jinghan's.
He paused, then his gaze fell on Xie Jinghan, who was not far away.
Xie Jinghan was fully aware of everything Wen Shuyao had done.
Xie Jinghan was well aware of Wen Shuyao's promise to Madam Wen to keep the fact that Wen Yitong was the daughter of Prince Xin a secret.
The only surviving member of the traitorous faction...
Thinking of this, Si Qing couldn't help but shudder.
The prince's doting on his princess is a crime of deceiving the emperor.
"You have a problem with that?" Granny Qi gave him a cold look, and Si Qing immediately looked away.
"How could I dare?" Si Qing said in a low voice. "I'm just a little worried that one day the truth will come out..."
Upon hearing this, Granny Qi snorted coldly: "The prince is sensible in his actions, you don't need to worry about him."
"You should keep a close watch on the situation in Yingtian Prefecture for the Princess Consort," Granny Qi instructed. "At such a crucial time, we can't afford any mistakes."
"Of course," Si Qing said solemnly. "I made all the arrangements well in advance."
“Our people are everywhere outside Yingtian Prefecture. No one will be able to stop the Princess.”
After Si Qing said that, Granny Qi was relieved.
"Not bad." Granny Qi nodded. "After this matter is resolved, I will have the Prince record a merit for you."
As the two were talking, a guard quickly walked in and whispered a few words in Xie Jinghan's ear.
Xie Jinghan's eyes turned extremely cold at this moment, and his gaze turned to Wen Shuyao.
Noticing Xie Jinghan's unusual behavior, Wen Shuyao raised her eyes and glanced at him.
The two seemed to be of one mind, and when they looked at each other, they realized each other's intentions.
"The Duke of Wen has arrived."
Xie Jinghan said in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyao let out a cold laugh.
She had long anticipated Duke Wen's shamelessness, but upon hearing these words, she still couldn't help but feel a sense of scorn.
Sure enough, the Duke of Wen came to see her.
Perhaps they wanted her to remember her father-daughter relationship, or perhaps they thought that since she didn't remember things, she could simply forget the past.
Thinking of this, Wen Shuyao couldn't help but say, "They really have no shame."