“You… what did you say?”
“Did Mother-in-law not hear clearly?” Wen Lingyi repeated obediently, “Just a little medicine. It’s not the first time the Marquis has taken it, so Mother-in-law need not be angry.”
The sensitive word “medicine” sharply pricked Old Madam’s nerves.
Clutching her chest, she trembled as she pointed at Wen Lingyi. “You’re in cahoots, trying to kill my son!”
Qingwu helped the eighteenth concubine to her feet and stood behind her.
The eighteenth concubine watched as the gentle and beautiful young mistress raised her delicate jade-like fingers to adjust the vibrant camellia hairpin at her temple, showing not a trace of panic.
She said, “Indeed, the eighteenth concubine was brought into the household by my decision. Everyone in Jingdu City knows it. If I intended to harm the Marquis, why would I make such a grand and blatant display?”
The eighteenth concubine stared wide-eyed, filled with disbelief.
Before her stood a tall, slender woman, and for a moment, she felt an illusion that this woman was even more imposing than a man.
Was the mistress… not only not distancing herself but openly telling Old Madam that she was her person?
The eighteenth concubine immediately understood the mistress’s intention in bringing Old Madam here.
What had happened in her courtyard today could not be concealed—whether it was her deliberate seduction or the Marquis’s impotence.
No matter how the mistress handled it, it would be inappropriate unless she had her killed.
Otherwise, once Old Madam found out, she would quietly dispose of her to vent her anger.
Thus, the mistress simply chose not to intervene.
But Qu’er had openly sought out the mistress, and given the mistress’s reputation for virtue, ignoring the matter would be too unreasonable.
So, she had boldly passed this hot potato to Old Madam.
With everyone aware of the situation, the mistress’s statement, “the eighteenth concubine was brought in by me,” was a clear message to Old Madam that she was under her protection. By adding, “the entire Jingdu City knows,” she ensured that Old Madam, mindful of face and reputation, could not harm the eighteenth concubine’s life.
Oh, how wonderful the mistress was!
She had never encountered such a kind-hearted and intelligent woman!
Having grown up in a brothel, the eighteenth concubine had always catered to men. This was the first time she felt such a shameful flutter of emotion for a woman…
Wen Lingyi was completely unaware of her thoughts.
Old Madam was well aware of the medicine incident, and Wen Lingyi was openly retaliating, twisting the knife in her heart.
As for the eighteenth concubine, since she had never harmed Wen Lingyi’s interests, wasn’t it only right to protect her life?
Old Madam’s head buzzed with rage. “You—what a silver-tongued Wen Lingyi!”
Wen Lingyi smiled serenely. “Thank you for the praise, Mother-in-law. You should go check on the Marquis first. I’ve also sent for all the doctors in the city who treat male impotence.”
“Wen Lingyi!!!”
This was the countless time Old Madam regretted why she had brought such a scourge into the household.
Since uncovering her daughter-in-law’s true nature, she had poisoned her meals, arranged assassinations when she went out, and even hired killers…
Every method of covert harm had been tried, and none had worked.
Openly killing her was out of the question.
After all, her father was the Prime Minister, deeply trusted by the Emperor.
At this moment, Old Madam was clearer than ever: the Marquisate could no longer rely on the Wen family. They must ensure Chen Wanrou entered the palace as an Imperial Consort, even if it meant offending Consort Jiang!
Who cared if Consort Jiang looked down on the Marquisate, and the Seventh Prince was unreliable?
Rather than clinging to others, it was better to fight to the death.
When that time came…
"Get back to your courtyard! Wen Lingyi, do not spread word of this matter. I shall spare this wretched woman for now."
The Old Madam did not believe Wen Lingyi had truly sent for physicians. Her husband's impotence brought no shame upon her as his wife. She thought Wen Lingyi was merely opposing her, threatening that if she dared touch the eighteenth concubine, she would make the affair known to all.
Thus, when Mama Sun, drenched in sweat, reported that over a dozen physicians had arrived at the estate, the Old Madam fainted straight away from rage.
That night, Wen Lingyi tossed and turned.
Indeed, the thought of Chen Wenli's impotence made her unable to suppress her laughter.
Then she thought of Wei Zheng again—could it be related to him?
Accompanied by faint weeping sounds from outside the courtyard, Wen Lingyi did not fall asleep until the third watch of the night.
By the time she awoke the next day, it was already chenshi.
The Gongyan was set for dusk, leaving her the entire afternoon to prepare.
As she considered sleeping a little longer, Qingwu approached with warm salt water: "Miss, Chen Wanrou has been kneeling outside the door all night. She looks about to faint."
Wen Lingyi was surprised: How impressive—she actually 'condescended' to kneel the whole night. I thought she would leave after two shichen.
It seems she has truly gone all out this time.
Wen Lingyi rinsed her mouth and gave Qingwu a few instructions.
Qingwu stifled a laugh: "Wouldn't Chen Wanrou faint from anger if she heard this?"
Qingwu went outside Shanchun Courtyard, putting on a look of great surprise: "Oh my, why is Miss Chen kneeling here? Chun Tao didn't even inform us—she deserves punishment."
With that, she actually tossed a silver ingot to Chun Tao.
Chun Tao was overjoyed.
She always said there was no better duty than serving the young mistress—only a fool would betray their own side!
A silver ingot… as punishment? Could it be meant to crush Chun Tao to death?
Hua'er cried out in anger: "You people of Shanchun Courtyard are too bullying! The young mistress clearly saw my lady kneeling here last night, yet pretended it was too dark to see! I'm going to tell the Old Madam!"
Thinking of last night, Qingwu couldn't help but laugh.
The young mistress was too mischievous.
Though it had grown dark, one could still make out figures, and besides, Chen Wanrou had been wailing incessantly—how could the young mistress not see or hear her?
But her young mistress was extraordinary.
She even asked, "Whose cat is in heat?"
Qingwu cleared her throat and said, "Go ahead, go ahead. But with the Marquis impotent, the Old Madam is probably quite vexed. You'd better not get beaten."
She spoke of the Marquis's impotence as smoothly as if she were saying he hadn't eaten.
Hua'er's little face flushed bright red.
Chen Wanrou's complexion grew even paler: "What… did you say? Then will Wen Lingyi still attend the palace banquet today? I've knelt all night—has she forgiven me?"
Qingwu covered her mouth in feigned surprise: "Of course she will go. The Old Madam will also take Miss Chen along. Didn't anyone inform you?"
These words were a fatal blow to Chen Wanrou, who had knelt all night.
She, too, successfully fainted from anger.
Even after waking and having the Old Madam specially send someone to dress and make her up, the sickly pallor on her face could not be concealed.
At shenshi, two carriages waited outside the Marquisate.
Wen Lingyi smiled and curtsied to the Old Madam, then walked directly toward the more imposing and luxurious carriage bearing the Prime Minister's Manor insignia.
Noticing the newly moved-in neighbors next door still moving things—mostly items for women's use—she wondered which young lady in Jingdu City had set up her own household, then boarded the carriage.
Chen Wanrou gritted her teeth in hatred, wanting to follow and argue, but the Old Madam pulled her back: "Today, you stay obediently by my side. You are not to go anywhere!"
The lotus-root colored Luo Goddess Rippling Wave Skirt draped lightly over Chen Wanrou's form, the silver-threaded water ripples embroidered along the hem swaying gently with her trembling body, making her look increasingly like the Soaring Cloud Fairy.
Her dark hair was loosely gathered at her temples, a few stray strands clinging to her pale cheeks. Her willow-leaf brows were tightly furrowed, and her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings: "Why did Mother also decide to attend the banquet?"
Her stepmother had clearly said she wouldn't go this time—otherwise, why would she have knelt outside Shanchun Courtyard begging that wretch Wen Lingyi all night long!
Servants came and went in the estate; her stepmother couldn't possibly be unaware, yet she hadn't called for her…
At this thought, Chen Wanrou's breathing grew rapid, and her eyes reddened further.
Old Madam stared at this illegitimate daughter, the corners of her lips suddenly curving into a strange arc.
She reached out and tucked the stray hair behind Chen Wanrou's ear, her voice softer than ever before: "Mother knows you've been wronged. From now on, Mother will stand up for you. We'll settle every score, one by one. How does that sound?"
Chen Wanrou froze, a teardrop sliding down her pale cheek.
She had always yearned for her stepmother's love, striving to please her since childhood. She truly envied her legitimate elder sister…
But now that she seemed to have gained it, why did her heart feel so uneasy, so unsettled?
Old Madam dabbed the tears from her face with a handkerchief. "Don't cry now. We'll be entering the palace soon. Rou'er's days from now on will surely be… smooth and as you wish."