The sickly son died young? After the marriage exchange, I will bring prosperity to his entire clan f

The same two people blocked her way at the entrance to the courtyard, and they were talking to her the same people.

"Get out of my way, I'm going to find the madam."

The two tried to stop her, but Du Mingxian kicked them both down with a swift and ruthless kick before leaving with Chun Tao to find Madam Wen.

Without asking any questions, she headed straight for the courtyard she had found the night before.

Sure enough... Madam Wen and Wen Shiyan were together, the mother and daughter chatting and laughing. When Du Mingxian entered, the cheerful atmosphere inside vanished instantly.

"Madam." Du Mingxian didn't even bow when she entered, only calling out softly.

Madam Wen was somewhat displeased to see Du Mingxian arrive, but still asked, "Is there something you're unhappy about, Huan'er? Why are you acting like this?"

"Didn't Madam say she brought us here to relax? What's the meaning of arranging for someone to guard the entrance to my courtyard?"

"I was afraid something might happen to you, so I arranged for someone to guard you. It's safer that way," Madam Wen lied through her teeth.

Du Mingxian gave a forced smile. "Madam won't let me leave the courtyard, and she even sent me a troupe of actors to keep me entertained. I don't want these people. They're all kneeling in my courtyard, unwilling to leave. If this is how I'm supposed to relax, I'll go back to the capital first."

Madam Wen's face immediately fell. "What do you mean by this? Are you dissatisfied with me?"

"I have no complaints, I just don't like this village."

Wen Shiyan couldn't stand Du Mingxian now, but she was very interested in the opera troupe that Du Mingxian had mentioned earlier. "There's an opera troupe? Then let them come to my yard. I'm really bored."

When Madam Wen saw that her daughter wanted to listen, she didn't hesitate at all and immediately instructed her maid, "Go and bring the opera troupe from the eldest young lady's courtyard to the second young lady's courtyard."

"Yes."

The servants withdrew, and Du Mingxian turned and left immediately.

Wen Shiyan was very dissatisfied. "My mother is so ill-mannered. She didn't even say goodbye before leaving. No matter what, you are her elder."

“I am her stepmother, and she is her daughter from the first marriage. Since she is unwilling, no one can force her.”

Wen Shiyan was very unhappy. "What kind of first wife is her mother? If her mother hadn't suddenly appeared back then, none of this would have happened to her. Her mother is the father's first wife."

Madam Wen said with some reminiscence, "Forget it, it's all in the past. What's the point of talking about it? In the end, she won between us."

"Mother, what are you saying? I feel that you have not lost. Although she married Father first, she died young. Mother married later, but you spent the most time with Father. No one can replace you."

After leaving Madam Wen's courtyard, Du Mingxian immediately had a carriage prepared and took Chuntao and Ke'er back to the capital. She had no intention of staying in that dilapidated manor any longer.

On the way back, Chun Tao was worried the whole time, wondering what Du Mingxian was up to, but seeing that she looked unwell, she didn't dare to ask any more questions.

Neither Chun Tao nor Ke'er knew that Du Mingxian was in the carriage, fully prepared and tense, never relaxing.

About ten miles from the village, she suddenly heard the coachman ahead exclaim in surprise, and the string that had been taut in Du Mingxian's mind finally snapped.

Immediately afterward, a fight broke out outside. Du Mingxian peeked through the curtains and saw that the fight was fierce, involving two groups of people. One group was wearing face masks and headscarves, covering their faces so that only their eyes were visible.

A group of people only brought face towels, and they weren't as skilled as those with headscarves when they started fighting.

Du Mingxian could tell at a glance that the people sent by Lord Wen were more capable.

Chun Tao was extremely nervous. With Ke'er present, she dared not say anything directly, and could only ask tactfully, "Miss, is someone trying to kill us?"

"No, we are just members of the Wen family. We haven't offended or provoked anyone. Who is blind enough to want to kill us?"

Du Mingxian had been paying attention to Ke'er while she was speaking, and sure enough, she saw Ke'er quietly lower her head and not look up at all.

The people outside were quickly dealt with, and among those who remained, one stepped forward and said, "Miss, the assassins have been dealt with. We will now escort you back to your residence."

"Thank you."

With an escort, and the other party being overconfident, they sent a group of people, so the second half of the journey went quite smoothly.

By the time Du Mingxian entered the mansion, it was already dark. As soon as she stepped through the gate, Butler Wen approached her with a smile, "Miss, Master requests that you come alone."

"Okay." Du Mingxian waved her hand. "Chuntao, Ke'er, you two go back to the courtyard and settle in first."

"Yes."

Du Mingxian watched the two leave before quietly following Steward Wen to Lord Wen's study.

The study was extremely stuffy; the windows and doors were closed, and the room felt uncomfortably stuffy.

"Don't worry about what happened today. I've already sent people to investigate, and they will definitely find the culprit."

"Thank you, Father. If you hadn't sent people over today, my daughter and Chun Tao might not be alive today."

Lord Wen stared intently at Du Mingxian, his tone extremely serious, "It is only right. You are now a daughter of the Wen family, and the Wen family should protect you. You know my rules: absolute loyalty is required."

Du Mingxian stiffened and began a frantic brainstorming session.

What does "now is now" and "absolute loyalty" mean? Can a father say such things to his daughter?

No, Lord Wen must have found out something, which is why he said those things. He must have discovered that he is not the real Wen Huan.

When asked this question, Du Mingxian, tired of Madam Wen, simply smiled at Lord Wen and said, "I am forced by circumstances. If I didn't do these things, I would probably be dead long ago."

Lord Wen admired Du Mingxian's frankness. "Is there something you're having trouble saying?"

"The antidote is only available on the first of each month."

Lord Wen's pupils contracted slightly.

When talking to intelligent people, you don't need to say too much; just a brief mention is enough for them to understand what you mean.

"Your maid?"

"Even those who understand medicine are watching me." Du Mingxian sighed deeply at this point. "I don't know where I gave myself away?"

Lord Wen's gaze drifted into the distance, as if he were reminiscing. "Although she went to the countryside, I would still set aside a few days each year to rush over and visit her. I have been there every year during the years she lived in the countryside. Although I only visited for a short while, I have deeply memorized her appearance."

“You are a good father,” Du Mingxian said frankly.

A high-ranking official, who is usually very busy, still found time to visit his daughter, which shows how much he loves her.

Lord Wen shook his head. "No, I am not."

Du Mingxian didn't respond. She could sense that Lord Wen wanted to share something, so at this moment, it was best to just be a quiet listener.

“I originally wanted to protect her and find her a good marriage in the capital, but I didn’t expect that something would still happen. I underestimated many people.”