Her hand itched, but she feared even hitting her would smear that cheap rouge.
Wen Lingyi looked at Chen Wanrou’s ignorant face.
She had never been clever, but Wen Lingyi had once mistaken it for youthful naivety and innocence.
In the circle of noble ladies in Jingdu, where everyone seemed to have eight hundred schemes up their sleeves, Wen Lingyi had genuinely believed Chen Wanrou was straightforward and endearing.
Looking back now, she realized she had been even more foolish.
All the wicked schemes others had devised paled in comparison to Chen Wanrou’s sudden “inspiration,” which had sent Wen Lingyi tumbling into an abyss—and yet Chen Wanrou still felt wronged.
“Fine.”
Chen Wanrou hadn’t expected Wen Lingyi to agree so readily.
Her mouth hung slightly open, unable to form words for a long moment.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Wen Lingyi wasn’t that kind-hearted. Could it be that the young general she’d seen was missing limbs, disfigured, or hideously ugly?
While Chen Wanrou hesitated, Wen Lingyi had already walked away.
She hurried after her. “Are you leaving the mansion? Even if I hadn’t come looking for you, would you have gone to join the excitement?”
Wen Lingyi gave Qingwu a look, and Qingwu, who hadn’t dared utter a word all morning, immediately stepped forward with a cold expression to block Chen Wanrou.
Chen Wanrou stomped her foot in frustration. “Why are you going back on your word? Didn’t you promise to help me size him up?”
“My lady is returning to the Prime Minister’s Manor. Please do as you wish, Miss Chen.”
At the mention of the Prime Minister’s Manor, Chen Wanrou instantly deflated.
She watched Wen Lingyi’s retreating figure with eyes reddened by jealousy.
She didn’t want to admit it.
But she truly envied Wen Lingyi for having such a good father…
Jingdu City was exceptionally lively today.
The broad Suzaku Street was packed with eager citizens, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks, all gazing toward the city gates.
Wen Lingyi’s carriage stopped at a corner of the street.
Only when she heard the deafening cheers erupt from the crowd did she lift the curtain.
The sound of hoofbeats echoed on the bluestone road, growing closer and closer.
Suddenly, the Young General reined in his horse at the far end of the long street. His black armor gleamed under the blazing sun, shimmering like molten gold.
A few stray strands of hair fluttered in the wind, and his taut, resolute face broke into a brilliant smile.
No one knew why the exceptionally handsome Young General was smiling so dazzlingly.
The boisterous atmosphere paused for a moment.
Then, the crowd erupted into even more fervent cheers.
Young maidens who had been too intimidated by the Young General’s stern expression to throw flowers now tossed the blossoms in their hands. A shower of petals rained down, landing on every soldier, each holding a long spear, their morale soaring even higher.
This was the Black Armor Army personally trained by Wei Zheng—truly extraordinary.
Wen Lingyi’s eyes curved into crescents, sparkling with tiny glints of light.
He had always been this radiant. Now, seen by all the people, he was bright enough to illuminate the entire city, even all of Da Zhou.
Wen Lingyi lowered the curtain, and the carriage headed toward the other end.
The Young General’s wide, gleaming smile vanished instantly, but then, after a moment’s thought, it returned, even more dazzling than before.
Sweet enough to intoxicate.
In the crowd, Chen Wanrou covered her flushed little face, her heart pounding like a drum.
She would marry him.
She—would—marry—him!
What a dashing, gallant, and handsome young general he was, and he even looked familiar.
Had she seen him somewhere before?
Perhaps… this was fate?
The Zhenguo Duke’s Mansion had few members—only the Duchess and two unmarried daughters. Handling them would be far too easy…
Prime Minister’s Manor
As soon as Wen Lingyi’s carriage came to a stop, the Prime Minister’s cold snort echoed: “I knew it, I knew it! You must have gone to see that brat! So what if he repelled the barbarians and beheaded their king? He’s so full of himself he doesn’t know how to show off! And he even said he’d be my live-in son-in-law…”
"Hmph, I'll have someone gather evidence of his military overreach and domineering ways soon, and submit a thorough impeachment!"
Muttering to himself, the Prime Minister nonetheless honestly helped his precious daughter down from the carriage with his own hands.
"Father, look what Zhaozhao has brought you?"
Wen Lingyi held up a wine jar decorated with painted designs.
The colors had long since faded, only the red silk wrapping it looked new.
Wen Bai felt another pang of sorrow.
This was the nu'er hong he and his wife had personally buried when their daughter was born, meant to be opened and enjoyed with his wife on their daughter's wedding day.
But his wife had passed, and he hadn't been able to protect their daughter well either.
On Zhaozhao's wedding day, he had been too consumed with weeping at his wife's grave, forgetting about this jar of nu'er hong.
It turned out Chen Wenli wasn't worthy after all.
Wen Bai curled his fingers and lightly tapped his daughter's head. "When did you dig this up? I didn't even know."
Wen Lingyi's eyes curved into smiles as she tightly linked arms with her father.
Wen Bai stiffened.
His Zhaozhao hadn't been this close with him for a long time…
The Prime Minister grew a bit flustered: "Did you cause trouble? Did you kill that old witch or…" murder your husband?
He didn't dare say it.
But he had to cover for his daughter.
"Don't panic, your father has a pile of evidence here of the Yuánning Marquisate's wrongdoing. Let me plan this out."
"Father, since when is your daughter so ruthless?"
You are.
Wen Bai cleared his throat lightly: "As long as you didn't kill anyone or set fires, it's fine." He lowered his voice: "Even if you need to kill, it must be done gradually and with careful planning."
"Your father will cover for you."
Wen Lingyi tightened her arm around her father's, warmth flooding her heart.
This was why she would rather marry into the Dingyuan Marquisate than let her father defy the imperial decree.
Her father was the best in all the world.
"Father, how about sharing a few drinks with your daughter?"
Wen Bai tilted his head and looked down. A lifelike camellia jade hairpin shimmered under the sunlight, transforming into fantastically beautiful, shifting colors.
Wen Bai wanted to ask something, his lips moved slightly, but he only smiled and agreed.
The gates of the Prime Minister's Manor were imposing, vermilion lacquered doors inlaid with gilded copper nails, each the size of a child's fist. Above the lintel hung a plaque bestowed by The Old Emperor, the characters bold and vigorous, their golden edges gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
Wen Lingyi felt a pang of melancholy; the more her father was favored, the more she feared.
Not to mention the carved railings and jade inlays, the resplendent gold and jade within the manor.
In the past, Wen Lingyi hadn't understood. Her father was a smart man, so why did he knowingly do what shouldn't be done?
Her father had only sighed: "I must be greedy, and the greediest at that, greedy enough for those corrupt officials to look up to me."
The Old Emperor needed such a great Treacherous Official by his side to control the crooked winds and evil influences.
And a Lone Minister at that.
But her father… even the shoes on his feet were ones his mother had personally made for him while she was alive, long worn through.
Wen Lingyi's nose tingled with emotion as she filled her father's cup with wine: "Father, how is His Majesty's health?"
Wen Bai downed a cup in one gulp, the orange-red liquid dripping down his goatee.
He shook his head, not answering directly: "Zhaozhao, did you come about the selection of consorts? Don't trouble yourself over it. The imperial will is decided; it's not something a child like you can influence."
His daughter was just too kind-hearted. Those old scoundrels' daughters weren't any good either.
If they enter the palace, they enter; if they're to be buried alive, so be it. Who told them to secretly mock his Zhaozhao back then!
"Father, he hasn't brought it up in court yet. What do you think he's waiting for?"
Wen Bai's hand trembled, nearly spilling the freshly filled wine cup.
He was, after all, the foremost pure minister throughout history at discerning the imperial mind and understanding His Majesty's intentions—how could he not grasp what His Majesty is thinking?
However, he was also doing his best to navigate the situation.
The matter of selecting concubines could not be initiated by him, Wen Bai. Otherwise, the favorable reputation his daughter had painstakingly rebuilt for him would be ruined once again.
The court officials would resent him.
The common people would curse him.
Ah, being a loyal minister was truly difficult for him.
But then again, he, Wen Bai, had the talent to father a daughter with a heart as intricate as a seven-aperture gem!
"Zhaozhao, have a drink too."
Wen Bai further shed his dignified fatherly demeanor, refilling Wen Lingyi's wine cup as he gazed at her with starry eyes.
Wen Lingyi couldn't help but chuckle. "Indeed, your daughter has a plan."