AWB Chapter 124 A Strange Movement in My Heart
Chapter 124 A Strange Movement in My Heart
Wen Shuyao paused for a moment, then had no choice but to ask, forcing herself to speak, "What urgent matter does Your Highness have to discuss?"
Xie Jinghan frowned, a faint displeasure settling over his handsome face: "You've only been missing for a day, yet rumors are already spreading throughout the capital, and their target is clear: to damage your reputation."
“I suspect it,” he said coldly. “This matter is related to the Duke of Wen’s mansion.”
The situation on the battlefield is constantly changing, requiring meticulous insight.
Therefore, Xie Jinghan is by no means a careless person.
He already knew about the various conflicts between Wen Shuyao and the Duke of Wen's mansion, and he also knew about the ill will that Madam Wen and Wen Yitong had towards Wen Shuyao.
When Wen Shuyao was in danger, Madam Wen and Wen Yitong would definitely be the two who applauded. Their past conflicts with Wen Shuyao were enough to give them the motivation to do such a thing.
"how do you want to do it?"
Xie Jinghan stared at Wen Shuyao and asked her very seriously.
Wen Shuyao was stunned for a moment. She looked up and met Xie Jinghan's gaze. In Xie Jinghan's eyes, she only saw seriousness and care.
A warmth touched her heart, but she shook her head: "This is between me and them, there's no need for Your Highness to intervene."
It's no surprise that the person behind this rumor is Mrs. Wen.
The palace banquet scandal, the fight over the dowry, and the defense of Wenzhu had already torn the skin between her and Madam Wen. Moreover, Madam Wen's hatred for her stemmed from the blood of her mother flowing in her veins.
She and Madam Wen were already irreconcilable enemies.
Madam Wen naturally wanted to seize every opportunity to bring her to the bottom.
The identity of Princess Jing is her shield, and Madam Wen must not slander her reputation so that Xie Jinghan will despise her.
Unfortunately……
Looking at Xie Jinghan's handsome face, she thought to herself—Madam Wen made a mistake; she actually misjudged Xie Jinghan's character.
A man like Xie Jinghan, who keeps his word, would never divorce his wife and remarry based on baseless rumors.
Moreover, her relationship with Xie Jinghan is not as simple as that of husband and wife.
"Alright." Xie Jinghan's attitude was decisive and efficient. "If you need anything, just let me know. Everything in the Jingwang Mansion is at your command."
Wen Shuyao nodded: "Don't worry, I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Her marriage to Xie Jinghan was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and she would naturally not hesitate to use the Jingwang Mansion's influence if needed.
The one thing we need to do right now is to get Xie Jinghan's help.
Thinking of this, Wen Shuyao moved closer to Xie Jinghan.
Xie Jinghan lowered his eyes, and from his angle, he could see the delicate skin on Wen Shuyao's fair face.
All that remained in his eyes was Wen Shuyao's breathtakingly beautiful face.
"What is it?" Xie Jinghan's voice was a little hoarse, but Wen Shuyao didn't notice.
“I think…” Wen Shuyao hesitated for a moment, then chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling as if stars were twinkling, “I want her to pay the price!”
“Did you know? There are two shops on Zhuque Street, each three stories high. They are one of Zhang’s most valuable dowry items, making a fortune every day.” Wen Shuyao’s eyes gleamed with a strange light. “I want those two shops.”
"Buy it back?" Xie Jinghan hesitated for a moment. "From the Prince's account..."
"No, no, no." Wen Shuyao shook her head. "I want her to offer it to me with both hands."
"I've heard that besides the recent imperial examination fraud case, the Dali Temple is also investigating usury." Wen Shuyao curled her lips into a sly smile. "I have a lead that I hope Your Highness can use."
Her breath was so close, Xie Jinghan's Adam's apple bobbed as he stared into her eyes, unable to utter a word of refusal.
"You said."
……
The Duke of Wen's Mansion.
Madam Wen waited and waited, but never received any news from Prince Jing's residence.
Upon hearing that a royal physician had been summoned from the Prince Jing's residence, she immediately sat up straight: "Is it Wen Shuyao..."
As she asked, she couldn't contain her excitement: "But was Wen Shuyao bullied by those people? What did the Imperial Hospital say?"
The person being questioned was one of her trusted assistants whom she kept outside the home.
—Manager Yuan of Baohua Pavilion.
As a woman, Manager Yuan had worked for Madam Wen over the years and had gotten her hands dirty with many unsavory things. However, when she heard Madam Wen's gloating tone, she still felt somewhat displeased.
As a woman herself, no one understands better than her, someone who has struggled among men, how difficult it is for women to survive in this world.
To spread rumors about a woman's reputation and attempt to drive her to suicide is a truly despicable tactic in her eyes.
Unfortunately, the person in front of her was one of the masters she had to obey.
After a moment of silence, she shook her head: "The Imperial Hospital is tight-lipped; we can't get any information out of them."
"However, there's been no movement from Prince Jing's residence. I'm afraid Prince Jing doesn't care about these rumors." She glanced at Madam Wen's face and said in a low voice.
However, Madam Wen's expression changed drastically, and she immediately retorted sharply, "How could I not care? A woman's reputation is the most important thing in this world!"
Otherwise, she wouldn't have come up with this idea, nor would she have supported Wen Yitong in spreading these rumors.
Manager Yuan remained silent.
Seeing her expression, Madam Wen waved her hand dismissively, "Fine, I know you have a grudge about this."
"But you must know," she added, "Wen Shuyao is a cunning woman. She has managed to hide right under my nose for so long. If we don't eliminate her before she gains power, it will be too late to make a move later!"
"Manager Yuan, you don't want her to know that you played a part in her mother's death back then, do you?" Madam Wen said meaningfully. "Now she's like a mad dog, biting anyone she can get her hands on."
Manager Yuan shook his head: "I understand what you're saying, but we can't get our hands on either the Prince Jing's Mansion or the Imperial Hospital."
"As you know, we still need to lie low with our master," she gently reminded him. "Some things can only be done in moderation."
Madam Wen looked impatient, but Manager Yuan said again, "Master's great cause is not yet accomplished. I hope you can be more understanding. If you can avoid conflict with the Prince Jing's Mansion, then you should avoid conflict with the Prince Jing's Mansion."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wen's face flushed red. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Mama rushed in, shouting, "Madam! Something terrible has happened, Madam!"
Madam Wen scolded impatiently, "You've been with me for a long time, how can you not act prudently..."
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Mama said with a pale face, "Our two shops on Zhuque Street have been sealed off by the Imperial Guards."
"What did you say?" Madam Wen stood up abruptly, her face as black as the bottom of a burnt pot. "Why are the Imperial Guards here to seal off the shops for no reason?"
Even more anxious than her was Manager Yuan.
She ran out almost immediately.