After Yang Lan finished crying and her emotions had stabilized somewhat, Wen Ling said, “I will keep you by my side. If you trust me, there may come a time in the future when I can help clear your entire clan’s name—just not now.”
Yang Lan knelt down once more, kowtowing and bowing her head. “This servant believes in you, Madam! I believe in you! Regardless of whether you help clear my clan’s name in the future, just taking me in is an immense kindness! Such a great favor is beyond repayment. This servant is willing to serve you like an ox or a horse, pledging loyalty to you alone in this lifetime!”
Wen Ling helped her up again, speaking honestly, “There’s no need for that. I also have special reasons for needing to accumulate Karmic Merit. If I can help reverse the unjust verdict for your Yang clan’s hundreds of members, it would be a significant act of merit for me as well.”
Yang Lan was still deeply moved. “Regardless, this is genuine help for this servant!”
“From now on, you’ll stay by my side, still called Xiaofa,” Wen Ling clarified, handing Yang Lan—now Xiaofa—a handkerchief.
Xiaofa showed no disdain for her new name or identity.
With her family fallen from grace, even if she had once been a well-educated young lady from a respectable family, what use was pride now?
She only wanted to live, to see the day when her entire family’s name could be cleared.
Ting Yin, listening nearby, was greatly astonished.
She now had a new understanding of her mistress’s capabilities.
Ting Yin couldn’t help but remark, “Madam, you haven’t even left the prince’s estate yet, and you’ve already taken care of matters for both Gao Yueyuan and Yang Lan. This servant dares not imagine how busy you’ll be in the future!”
Wen Ling spoke with profound solemnity, “There’s no choice. Who made me someone who hates evil as if it were an enemy? I simply cannot stand to see injustice happen right before my eyes.”
Ting Yin: “…”
No, that’s not what you said earlier. You clearly stated you were doing it to accumulate Karmic Merit and enhance your Cultivation Base!
The Yin Energy and malevolent aura within the prince’s estate had been mostly dispelled by Wen Ling.
Apart from its desolate appearance, the entire estate no longer felt as lifeless as before.
With renovations underway and flowers and plants being cultivated, in time, it would once again become a beautiful, grand residence.
The maids and elderly servants each carried out their duties within the estate, quickly filling it with vitality and the warmth of ordinary human life.
With Wen Ling present, these maids and servants would no longer fall ill or die abruptly one after another.
Wen Ling took a hot bath, enjoyed a warm dinner prepared by the newly hired elderly servant, and slept soundly, feeling content and satisfied.
The next morning, she rose early to dress and prepare—today was the important day of her return home.
Gao Zhi, who had spent a day and night inside the chamber pot wooden plaque, was already missing the Wen family dearly!
As Wen Ling approached the courtyard gate, she noticed Gu Chenran waiting there.
Outside stood a carriage bearing the character “Chen,” signifying it belonged to Prince Chen’s estate.
“Are you accompanying me back today?” Wen Ling asked Gu Chenran, who waited at the gate.
He wore a black robe trimmed with gold, fastened at the waist with a luminous jade belt. He appeared gentle and refined, his delicate features complemented by a healthy complexion.
Gu Chenran nodded. “Today is the newlywed’s return home. As your husband, it is only proper that I accompany you.”
Lü Jian, noticing the pleasant atmosphere, excitedly chimed in from the side, “Madam, you have no idea how long it’s been since our Prince Chen’s carriage last went out! For today’s outing, His Highness had people wash the carriage overnight yesterday, and all the interior decorations are brand new!”
“His Highness put in quite some effort to ensure you both make a dignified return visit!”
After all, given Gu Chenran’s previous condition, it was impossible for him to go out. If he suddenly went mad outside, it would completely disgrace the royal family.
Gu Chenran turned and shot Lü Jian a sharp glare, and the chattering Lü Jian immediately fell silent, looking embarrassed.
His Highness truly doesn’t understand a woman’s heart—whatever you do, you have to say it out loud for others to know!
Wen Ling thanked Gu Chenran, “Thank you, that was thoughtful of you!”
“It’s only proper. Compared to you saving my life twice in a row, this is nothing,” Gu Chenran said nonchalantly.
Though the slight upward curve of his lips was rather noticeable.
The journey passed in silence, and they arrived at the Wen residence in just a short while.
From a distance, they could see a crowd gathered at the entrance of the Wen residence.
Wen Ling’s father, Wen Tingyun, and her stepmother, Madam Liu, stood side by side at the door, both dressed in their finest attire.
Beside the couple stood a young man and woman.
The lively young woman in a soft pink dress was Wen Ling’s half-sister, Wen Yao.
The man wore a blue robe, with a fine jade pendant hanging from his waist and a folding fan in his hand—he was her stepmother’s eldest son, Wen Haitian.
It was rather ironic, really. Wen Ling’s stepmother, Madam Liu, was her father’s childhood sweetheart. When she was remarried as the First Madam, the son she had with Wen Ling’s father was three years older than Wen Ling.
The family of four stood at the entrance, eagerly looking ahead, surrounded by maids, elderly servants, and guards.
The scene looked quite grand, as if they were waiting to welcome someone of great importance.
Could they be waiting for her and Gu Chenran’s return visit?
That shouldn’t be the case. Given what they had done, they probably never expected her to return at all!
Sure enough, when Wen Ling’s carriage stopped at the entrance of the Wen residence and she stepped down, the expressions on the Wen family’s faces were quite a sight to behold.
Wen Ling, however, flashed them a carefree, sweet smile and greeted them first, “Well, everyone’s here! Did you all know I was returning today and came out to wait for me?”
Seeing Wen Ling speak so articulately, the expressions on the Wen family’s faces grew even more colorful, each harboring their own little thoughts—a veritable kaleidoscope of emotions.
Wen Tingyun, somewhat surprised, was the first to ask, “Wen Ling, you’re not foolish anymore?”
Wen Tingyun had always despised his naturally foolish daughter, seeing her as a disgrace to his humble origins and his achievement as a Double-list Jinshi.
Since childhood, he had always called her by her full name.
Wen Ling nodded matter-of-factly, then calmly said something that left everyone unsettled.
“Yes, I suppose I’m not foolish anymore. On my wedding day, I was poisoned, passed out, and when I woke up, I was no longer foolish.”
“You were poisoned on your wedding day?” Wen Tingyun couldn’t help raising his voice. “What happened?”
It wasn’t that he was worried about his daughter Wen Ling, but rather that her marriage to Gu Chenran was, after all, arranged by the Emperor himself.
If something had gone wrong that day, and if his political enemies in the court decided to investigate thoroughly, he would inevitably face the consequences!
Before Wen Ling could respond, Madam Liu beside her hastily spoke up first: “Master, we have important matters today. Let’s not be delayed by trivial, unimportant things and miss out on today’s proper business!”
“Exactly,” Wen Haitian, the eldest son of the Wen family, chimed in.
He shot Wen Ling an extremely disdainful glare: “Besides, it might all be fabricated. If she was truly poisoned, wouldn’t Prince Chen’s residence have reported it directly to the authorities? Why wait until coming home to speak of it? Is our home a court of law? I think she’s just deliberately causing trouble!”