Chapter 28: The Harmless Princess of Beiyang vs. The Fratricidal Prince of Beiyang

Wen Yurou couldn't help but sneer at these words. As expected, all the preceding expressions of concern were merely a prelude to this request. It seemed her father was not the man she had once imagined him to be; in truth, they had not changed at all—they simply wished to exploit her status.

Before leaving the estate, she had asked Xiao Zexuan about the affair between Wen Ruowei and Liu Yangjiang. She knew that Wen Ruowei had already confessed to the Inspection Bureau, claiming she was in the Marquis's study with Liu Yangjiang last night and had no opportunity to commit the crime.

"Father, why haven't you asked if anyone saw her in the Marquis's study that night?"

"What?" Wen Ming’s brow furrowed, and he immediately demanded an explanation, while Madam Wen wore an expression of surprise.

"Father, do none of you believe it?" Seeing their reaction, a bitterness welled up in Wen Yurou’s heart. So, it was truly like this... If she were to speak further, it would likely be in vain.

Xiao Zexuan interjected coldly, "Regardless of whether she killed anyone, the suspicion surrounding her cannot be easily cleared..." Seeing them remain unmoved, he shook his head. According to the coroner’s report, the two had already engaged in illicit relations last night. Was a sobering soup not served far too late? And for a mere bowl of soup, was it truly necessary to climb out of a window to retrieve it?

"Father, I only wish to know—"

"Enough, we have spent all our time talking; the meal will be cold if we do not eat."

After the meal, Wen Ming had matters to discuss with Xiao Zexuan. As Wen Yurou walked through the courtyard, she eventually found herself standing before her own living quarters. The peach tree by the gate was in full bloom, but the yard was unkempt and overgrown with weeds. She brushed her hand against the moss, her thoughts drifting.

"Creak—"

As she pushed open the gate, a young woman emerged. The maid paused, startled, before exclaiming with joy, "Young Miss, you’ve returned! It truly is you..."

"Who are you?"

"Miss, have you forgotten? I was the little maid who served the Third Concubine. After she passed, I was assigned to Miss Ruowei..." the maid hurriedly replied upon noticing Wen Yurou’s confusion.

"You may go about your business. I wish to walk alone."

"Yes, Miss..."

As the maid departed, the courtyard smelled only of grass and flowers, with no other scent lingering. Wen Yurou walked to the door of her bedroom and pushed it open slightly. The room was silent and vacant, as if no one had ever lived there. Yet, she knew that in the time she had been away, no one had bothered to maintain it. She lingered for an unknown amount of time before turning to leave, only to hear footsteps approaching behind her.

"Miss..."

Hearing the footsteps, Wen Yurou did not turn around, merely asking, "Where was the Third Concubine buried?" She continued walking deep into the peach grove, and no one followed. She stopped before a prominent tombstone inscribed with neat, elegant calligraphy—the handwriting of...

"I once promised to protect you well. It is I, the Third Concubine... who broke that promise..."

The Third Concubine had died on the night of a heavy snowfall... and the original owner had witnessed her last breath. A sudden, stifling tightness gripped Wen Yurou's chest, and she raised a hand to press against it.

"You really are here."

A familiar voice sounded. Wen Yurou turned to see Madam Wen. She stood alone, her exquisite makeup looking terrifyingly ghastly, like a vengeful spirit.

"Why have you come?" Wen Yurou watched her vigilantly, surprised by her presence.

Madam Wen curled her lips in a cold sneer. "Ah Rou, do you know how well Ruowei has been living in the time you were away from the Prince's residence?"

"So, you believe Liu Wenyu’s death has something to do with me?"

"Is there no connection?"

"Hmph, what a joke!"

"Ah Rou, can you not think of Ruowei for once?"

"Her? Ha!" Wen Yurou let out a cold laugh. "She committed murder; do you really think I would help her?"

"As long as you are willing to help her this time, she still has a chance to become the Crown Princess."

At these words, Wen Yurou’s expression shifted. She widened her eyes in shock, asking in disbelief, "What did you say? She could be the Crown Princess?"

"That is correct. As long as the Crown Prince favors her, even if she has killed someone, her name can be cleared!"

If that were true, the Wen family would become royalty by marriage; who would dare cross them? At that point, Wen Ruowei’s status would soar, making her a candidate for the next Empress, perhaps even more...

"I know you dislike her, but she is your sister after all. As long as she is safe, you will benefit from it in the future."

"And if I refuse to help?"

"Hmph," Madam Wen’s face darkened. "Do you think you will be the only one to suffer if Ruowei is exposed for murder?"

"You, too, will be implicated..."

Wen Yurou began to laugh, a sound that was chillingly eerie. "Do you truly think you have the power to threaten me?"

Madam Wen’s lips curved slightly. "Yurou, if I were to tell the Prince what you have done in the estate, how do you think he would treat you?"

Wen Yurou’s expression turned incomparably grim. She had not expected Madam Wen to go this far. Yet, the one who had committed those acts from beginning to end was Wen Ruowei; she herself had done nothing. The weather was turning hot; it was time for them to reap what they had sown.

She stared at her with icy eyes. "Are you threatening me?"

"I am not threatening you, but begging for your help! Do you wish for Ruowei to suffer that kind of fate one day?"

"What fate?"

"To be thrown into a snake pit and devoured alive..."

Madam Wen’s words made Wen Yurou’s expression even darker. She glared at her with fierce, ruthless intent. "Wouldn't that be fitting?"

"You..."

"Do you know that if not for her deep-seated schemes and your blind favoritism in twisting black into white, I might have treated her well? Her current state is of her own making."

Although her words were tinged with emotion, Wen Yurou was not someone governed by sentimentality alone. The original owner had treated Wen Ruowei with such kindness at the start, yet look at how Wen Ruowei had repaid her. Expecting her to help now would only lead to further disaster.

Madam Wen had not expected such a response, and for a moment, she was stunned. She had assumed that if Yurou were willing to plead with the Prince on Ruowei’s behalf, the matter might simply vanish. She had not imagined that Wen Yurou had become so ruthless. She had assumed there was at least some sisterly affection remaining...

"You would be better off finding someone else to help. I will do nothing for her..."

"Wait," Madam Wen blocked her path and suddenly said, "Are you not afraid that your affairs with the Crown Prince will reach the ears of the Prince?"

Wen Yurou stopped in her tracks.

"If you do not help me, and the news of you and the Crown Prince reaches the Prince, how do you think he will treat you?"