Wen Lingyi’s room was spacious, yet it suddenly felt completely occupied when Wei Zheng arrived.
It seemed as if his presence filled every corner.
After he left, the vivid aura he brought lingered in the room for a long time.
She stared blankly at the window frame, an inexplicable pang of sorrow welling up in her heart.
If… she hadn’t drunk that cup of wine, she would now be joyfully and openly celebrating with him, making plans together.
Taihou, Jiang Zhen, Consort Jiang, and everyone from the Dingyuan Marquisate—they truly deserved to die.
Wen Lingyi carefully put away the water cup on her dressing table, clutched the camellia jade hairpin, and lay down on the couch, unable to fall asleep for a long time…
In recent days, Jingdu City had been unusually lively.
First, the young General from Zhenguo Duke's Mansion returned to the capital after a victorious battle. Everyone knew he was the youngest son of the old Duke, but no one knew which concubine had given birth to him.
There had never been any news about this young General before.
Some had long claimed that he was extremely ugly—so hideous it could shock heaven and earth—which was why he had been hidden away by Zhen Guo Gong.
It wasn’t until the day of his triumphant return that the common people realized the rumors were unfounded.
Not only was the young General not ugly, but he was also handsome and dignified.
It was said that on the battlefield, he was resourceful and brilliant in military strategy. Even before his return, tales of his exploits had spread far and wide.
The gossip-loving crowd grew even more curious about the identity of the young General’s birth mother.
Logically, such matters should have become even more exaggerated and mythical after the young General’s return, as if the star of a general naturally radiated brilliance.
But on the day the young General returned to the capital, the focus of Jingdu City’s gossip… unexpectedly shifted!
It shifted to the second daughter of the far-from-conspicuous Yuanying Marquisate.
It was said that this Second Miss Chen was a celestial maiden descended to earth, and her beauty was merely the least remarkable of her virtues.
She was gentle, virtuous, and her heart was as compassionate as that of a bodhisattva.
A beggar who made a living by begging on the streets—something ordinary people would ignore—was rescued by Second Miss Chen.
She cared equally for every life.
Moreover, she was not one to boast, or else the reputation of such a Noble Lady would have long been widely known.
And so, the young General who had repelled the barbarians was completely overshadowed.
Whenever someone mentioned him, the conversation would inevitably turn to Second Miss Chen.
In just a few days, she was portrayed as a celestial maiden descended to earth to deliver all living beings from suffering.
When this news finally reached Chen Wanrou’s ears, she was selecting clothes and jewelry for the palace banquet.
She even punished two maidservants because of it.
Hua'er recounted the matter to Chen Wanrou, and both master and servant were astonished.
“Hua'er, that day… it was the old beggar who bumped into me first. I was justified in hitting him, right? His own legs were unsteady, and it wasn’t my fault he got tangled under the horse’s hooves, right?”
Hua'er nodded repeatedly. “Miss, you didn’t even break his filthy hand. That alone shows your kindness. No wonder the rumors outside say Miss has a heart of a bodhisattva. My lady truly is kind-hearted!”
Chen Wanrou felt somewhat dazed. “Tell me again what they’re saying outside.”
Hua'er grew excited, gesturing animatedly as she recounted it once more, leaving Chen Wanrou questioning her own memory.
How could she remember it as a filthy old beggar, and that he hadn’t bumped into the young General’s horse…
As she listened, Chen Wanrou became lost in thought.
These words were simply too pleasing to hear. In the past, no matter how hard she tried, she lacked a powerful father to pave the way for her, always ending up as Wen Lingyi’s foil.
Now, could she finally surpass Wen Lingyi?
On the day Wen Lingyi was caught in the act, Chen Wanrou had deliberately brought a crowd to witness it. Afterward, she had wanted to spread the news but was stopped by her legal mother.
Chen Wanrou thought it over and realized it made sense.
What was ruined was not only Wen Lingyi's reputation, but also the reputation of the Yuanying Marquisate.
She didn't care about the Marquisate, but marriage was the sole foundation of her future life.
Chen Wanrou was still hoping to escape the Marquisate.
So, she took a step back.
At that time, Chen Wanrou was just one step away from completely destroying Wen Lingyi.
Who would have thought that on the day Wen Lingyi married into the family, she would actually lay hands on her? Chen Wanrou hated her to the core!
If her own marriage prospects were jeopardized, she might as well perish together with her.
Now…
Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, Chen Wanrou touched her cheek with her hand. "Am I really that beautiful?"
Hua'er nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! Miss, you usually dress too plainly. On the day the young General returned victorious, with just a little makeup, you looked as beautiful as a fairy descending from heaven!"
Chen Wanrou's pretty face flushed with shyness, then turned somewhat downcast. "What a pity that with such stunning beauty, I fell into the hands of a harsh stepmother who mistreats her stepdaughters… Even the clothes and jewelry from that day were picked from what Wen Lingyi didn’t want. And look at these—they’re so inferior. When others see me, they’ll surely be disappointed."
Hua'er blinked her eyes. "Why doesn’t Miss go to the young madam’s place and pick out a better set? She is your sister-in-law, after all. Tomorrow, you’ll be entering the palace with the young madam. If Miss dresses shabbily, the young madam will also lose face."
Chen Wanrou’s eyes lit up, and she patted Hua'er’s hand. "You clever girl. Let’s go!"
She stood up and hurried toward Shanchun Courtyard, but unexpectedly ran into Mama Sun, who served by the Old Madam’s side.
Mama Sun was the Old Madam’s personal maid from her dowry and had even married the steward of the Marquisate. She looked down on everyone, wearing a sour expression toward all except the Old Madam and the eldest young master.
She was especially harsh toward Chen Wanrou.
Yet now, this Mama Sun greeted her with a beaming smile. "Oh, Second Miss, where are you heading? I’ve been looking everywhere for you."
Chen Wanrou felt her scalp tingle at Mama Sun’s smile. "Mother, is there something?"
"It’s good news. Second Miss, please come quickly."
Chen Wanrou furrowed her willow-leaf brows and glanced at the sky, which was growing late. She reasonably suspected that her stepmother didn’t want her to accompany Wen Lingyi into the palace.
Hua'er slipped a piece of broken silver into Mama Sun’s hand and asked respectfully, "Mama Sun, do you know why the Old Madam is looking for my young lady? Tomorrow, she must enter the palace, so she needs to rest early tonight."
Mama Sun weighed the broken silver in her hand and couldn’t help but curl her lip.
So stingy, truly unrefined. But the young madam had a point—Chen Wanrou was likely about to have a stroke of great luck.
Mama Sun casually reminded her, "The Old Madam is concerned that your clothes and jewelry are insufficient and has asked Second Miss to personally go to Linglong Courtyard to make a selection."
Linglong Courtyard?
Chen Wanrou’s mouth fell open in surprise.
The Marquisate originally had a legitimate daughter, but she had drowned a few years ago, and the Old Madam had nearly followed her to the grave.
Because of this, two stepdaughters of the Marquisate were also beaten to death.
Although the legitimate daughter was no longer here, the Old Madam missed her deeply and would add the latest fashionable clothes and jewelry for her every season. Picking out a set suitable for a palace banquet would be effortless.
But Chen Wanrou felt a pang of unease and followed Mama Sun in unusual silence.
When she arrived at Linglong Courtyard, she immediately spotted Wen Lingyi sitting and drinking tea with the Old Madam.
Chen Wanrou’s heart pounded like a drum. "Why are you here too?"
Just a few days ago, this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair had been quarreling so fiercely that cups and bowls were smashed…
The Old Madam slammed her teacup down with a clatter. "No manners. How dare you speak to your sister-in-law like that?"
Chen Wanrou silently cursed herself for her impulsiveness.
This time, the Gongyan was determined to have Wen Lingyi represent the Marquisate. If Chen Wanrou wanted to attend, she could only follow Wen Lingyi.
Chen Wanrou knew when to yield and when to press forward, so she quickly curtsied in apology.
Wen Lingyi smiled gently. "No need. Mother-in-law originally intended for you to choose from my collection, but as a married woman, my attire naturally differs from that of a young lady. Out of kindness, Mother-in-law suggested you select from the young mistress's wardrobe instead."
Wen Lingyi gazed at Chen Wanrou with a bright smile, yet despite doing nothing overt, Chen Wanrou felt a chill run down her spine.
She didn’t even dare to look at her stepmother’s expression.
"Thank you, Mother, and thank you, Sister-in-law," Chen Wanrou said, eager to shift the focus. She shared her recent triumph: "Mother, a few days ago, I rescued a beggar on Vermilion Bird Street, and a passing storyteller happened to witness it. He praised me highly. Now, my reputation among the common people is excellent, no less than Sister-in-law's."
She shot a challenging glance at Wen Lingyi.