My stepsister tried to steal the prince's hand in marriage, but little did she know I had been

In her dream, she was completely satisfied with her husband, Xie Jinghan.

Which woman in the capital hadn't dreamed of marrying the powerful, young, and handsome Prince Jing? Such a wonderful marriage falling into her lap was like a pie falling from the sky.

Despite the rumors and gossip, she remained completely unconcerned.

However, her married life was a huge disappointment.

She had always seen a cold and stern face; she had never seen any warmth or tenderness on Xie Jinghan's face.

Both were weddings, but because of a single letter, her husband was able to abandon her on their wedding night, leaving her to return to her parents' home alone.

In contrast, Wen Shuyao, though lacking a grand procession on her return home, was accompanied by her devoted husband.

She immediately noticed the blush on Wen Shuyao's face when she was talking to Chen Che.

From as far back as she could remember, she knew that her older sister was an incompetent person who was good for nothing except for her beauty.

In terms of both talent and temperament, she far surpasses Wen Shuyao.

That is why she was chosen as Princess Consort of Chengjing.

however……

However, the homecoming banquet that day became a thorn in her heart.

The husband she wanted was someone considerate and gentle.

Unlike King Jing, who was cold-hearted and treated his wife like a subordinate.

Wen Yitong raised her head, and the indifferent face from her dream gradually overlapped with the person in front of her.

Xie Jinghan...

The name she never wanted to mention again.

Under everyone's gaze, Xie Jinghan walked to Wen Shuyao's side.

His tall and imposing figure shielded Wen Shuyao firmly behind him.

“I can testify,” he repeated coldly, “that I saw Shu Yao by the Taiye Pond.”

He addressed her as "Shuyao" repeatedly, and anyone could sense the intimacy in that nickname.

Is this still King Jing?

Not only Wen Yitong, but also Duke Wen and others had the same question in their hearts.

Who doesn't know Prince Jing's temper? He's the kind of person who doesn't even give the emperor face!

Duke Wen reacted quickly, immediately saying, "Since Your Highness has testified, I naturally believe you!"

"Someone come here!" he shouted, raising his hand. "Quickly prepare tea!"

A figure like King Jing is not someone that everyone can curry favor with.

Even though he was engaged to the Duke of Wen's family, the Duke of Wen had not been able to gain any benefit from the marriage over the years—simply because Prince Jing was not interested in women and did not treat his second daughter well.

He thought he would never be able to profit from this marriage again, but unexpectedly, a new opportunity arose.

King Jing, a man of such stature, was actually willing to come to the door in person to testify for the sake of his eldest daughter!

This behavior clearly demonstrates Wen Shuyao's importance to him.

Thinking of this, Duke Wen's smile almost disappeared.

His expression and demeanor were like a heavy slap across Wen Yitong's face.

How could this be?

Wen Yitong's face was extremely ugly. She clenched her hands tightly, unable to control her anger and disbelief, and stared blankly at Xie Jinghan.

Her gaze had already caught Xie Jinghan's eye.

Xie Jinghan glanced at it lightly, his eyes filled with indifference.

That look was all too familiar to Wen Yitong; she had seen it countless times in her dreams.

But the next moment, Xie Jinghan took half a step back to the right, letting Wen Shuyao stand on his left.

Both of them are exceptionally good-looking, and standing together like a perfect couple, they look like a golden couple.

This scene made Wen Yitong's vision go black.

"Miss!" Du Ruo, the maid beside her, whispered a reminder.

Du Ruo was a maid who had just been sent to Wen Yitong's side. She had only heard about Wen Yitong's behavior before. She only knew that the second young lady was a gentle and virtuous lady from a prominent family.

But today, seeing the Second Miss like this...

Du Ruo shuddered and, before her thoughts could be discovered, immediately helped Wen Yitong up.

Duke Wen had already personally escorted Xie Jinghan to the front hall, with Wen Shuyao, as Xie Jinghan's destined princess, naturally accompanying him.

However, as she left, she glanced at Wen Yitong out of the corner of her eye, seemingly casually.

Wen Yitong stared absently at Xie Jinghan's retreating figure, seemingly shocked... and perhaps resentful...

The corners of her lips curled up.

Regardless of Wen Yitong's reasons for giving up the marriage, the Princess Consort of Jing is now hers.

To uncover the truth behind her mother's death, and for the sake of her future life, she must seize this opportunity.

With the departure of Duke Wen and Xie Jinghan, very few people remained in the ancestral hall.

Du Ruo was supporting Wen Yitong when suddenly, a sharp gust of wind from a palm strike lifted her hair.

The next moment, she saw Madam Wen's slap land heavily on Wen Yitong's face.

"How could I have such a disgraceful daughter like you?"

Madam Wen gritted her teeth and said hatefully.

She had been keeping an eye on Wen Yitong's movements, and felt a sense of unease when she saw the way Wen Yitong looked at Xie Jinghan.

This isn't about not wanting to marry Prince Jing; it's clearly about harboring delusions about him!

No woman in this world would ever look at her brother-in-law with such eyes!

What angered Madam Wen even more was something else: "This glory should have been yours! This should have been your husband! I planned everything for you step by step, but you..."

Thinking of this, Madam Wen's chest heaved violently, clearly indicating that she was quite angry.

Wen Yitong covered her face blankly, not paying any attention to Madam Wen's scolding.

At that moment, only one thought occupied her mind.

—It shouldn't be like this.

she thinks.

Xie Jinghan shouldn't look like this.

How could Xie Jinghan be so considerate to a woman?

She had never seen Xie Jinghan like this in the more than ten years of their marriage.

But today... Xie Jinghan would stand up for Wen Shuyao?

How ridiculous!

Could it be... simply because of Wen Shuyao's face?

At this moment, Wen Yitong's heart felt like it was being burned by a raging fire. She unconsciously bit her lower lip, about to say something, when she looked up and met Madam Wen's eyes, which were filled with barely concealed anger.

"Wen Yitong!" Madam Wen shouted sternly, "Don't forget your current status!"

Madam Wen gritted her teeth and said, word by word, "Your marriage to Chen Che is in a month! Don't forget! You fought for this yourself!"

He thought a few words would wake Wen Yitong up, but to his surprise, Wen Yitong laughed instead of getting angry.

Wen Yitong's eyes shone brightly as she murmured, "Yes, I'm going to marry Chen Che."

She's about to marry the highly praised third-ranked scholar!

She was about to possess the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, a title even her own mother had never had!

Everyone laughs at her now, but they don't know that Chen Che's future wife will be the one who is truly honorable.

As for Princess Jing...

He's just a prisoner!

Seeing her like this, Madam Wen could not hide her disappointment and turned away.