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

"Who said I disagree?"

Wen Shuyao raised her eyes and glanced at Madam Wen indifferently.

"You're not me, why are you rushing to make decisions for me?"

After saying that, Wen Shuyao stood in front of Duke Wen, her eyes full of filial piety: "I remember all the good things my father has done for me."

“Over the years, Father has worked hard for the country and for the Wen State Duke’s Mansion. How can I disregard Father’s reputation for a small grudge?”

As Wen Shuyao spoke, Duke Wen stroked his beard, his heart filled with approval.

As expected, Wen Shuyao still cared about her father in the end.

However, Madam Wen, standing to the side, felt much heavier in her heart.

Looking at Wen Shuyao, she felt that she was completely different from the Wen Shuyao she had seen a few days ago, as if she had become a different person.

How could that fool who only knew how to nod or shake his head when he saw strangers have changed so much in just one day, becoming more and more similar to the person in her memory?

Thinking of this, Madam Wen's expression grew even more unpleasant.

Although she didn't know what Wen Shuyao was up to, she knew that in Wen Shuyao's eyes, she had always been the culprit who killed Chu Wanqing.

What good intentions could Wen Shuyao possibly have towards the person who killed her mother?

Just as she was on guard, Wen Shuyao said, "If there are difficulties at home, I should indeed lend a helping hand, but Father should also be understanding of me."

“My mother died when I was young, and I have suffered countless scorn and bullying over the years,” Wen Shuyao said in a low voice. “Now, I am going to marry into the Prince Jing’s mansion in place of my second sister.”

"The title of Princess Consort of Jing is something that every noblewoman in the capital desires. If I don't have a decent dowry, not only me, but the entire Duke Wen's mansion will be ridiculed."

Duke Wen's expression also became solemn. Coming from a prestigious family, he naturally knew what kind of people these powerful clans were. They were all adept at flattering the powerful and currying favor with the weak, which was one of the reasons why he readily agreed to return the dowry to Wen Shuyao.

“That makes sense.” Duke Wen’s heart sank, but he made a boastful promise: “Don’t worry, I will repay you double the amount of silver you lent me! Consider the extra as a dowry for you!”

"Master!" Madam Wen exclaimed, trying to dissuade him. "According to the standards of Princess Jing, the dowry left by my sister is more than enough."

"Thank you father!"

With such a benefit right in front of her, how could Wen Shuyao refuse?

Under Madam Wen's angry gaze, she grabbed Duke Wen's arm and said crisply, "I knew it! Father treats me the best! He's nothing like what those old women said, that he only loves my second sister and not me."

For a moment, Duke Wen looked embarrassed; what these old women said wasn't entirely untrue.

In front of his sweet-talking and clever second daughter, his dull and timid eldest daughter was always the one he ignored.

Wen Shuyao seemed oblivious to his embarrassed expression, and simply said softly, "Therefore, if Father needs my help, I will certainly do my utmost."

Duke Wen was deeply moved upon hearing this.

She was deeply moved by the father-daughter bond and patted Wen Shuyao's shoulder with emotion: "Shuyao, don't worry, your father won't take your things for nothing."

"When you get married, you can't just have your mother's dowry. As your father, I have to add something for you," Duke Wen said in a low voice. "Although there is no cash in the manor, there are all sorts of rare and precious items left by our ancestors. Just go to the storeroom and choose what you like!"

"Don't even mention ten items, even twenty! Thirty items, I'll give them all to you!"

The Duke of Wen was moved, and naturally felt a fatherly affection for Wen Shuyao as he looked at his daughter.

Moreover, these rare treasures in the mansion are priceless and unsellable; they're just lifeless objects if left at home. It would be better to give them to Wen Shuyao as part of her dowry. This would not only fulfill the bond between father and daughter but also allow his deep love for his daughter to be publicized throughout the capital.

His Majesty values ​​character above all else, aside from talent.

Madam Wen nearly vomited blood. Her face was contorted, and she wished she could interrupt Duke Wen immediately. But Duke Wen continued to ramble on and on, still holding onto Wen Shuyao.

Before anyone could see it, the Duke of Wen had promised away two more estates.

"My lord!" Madam Wen forced a stiff smile as she looked at Duke Wen, "Why don't we let Shu Yao go to the storeroom to make her selections first?"

If she continued talking, most of the dowry she had saved for her daughter would be taken away by Wen Shuyao.

Wen Shuyao smiled and replied, "Thank you, Madam. However, the most important thing right now is to take out the silver and give it to Father." "Where is the key to the storeroom containing Mother's dowry?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wen's expression froze for a moment.

Wen Shuyao continued, "Just now, Father and the Prince set the wedding date. The matchmaker will be coming to propose marriage soon. After going through all the formalities, there must be a dowry list."

"That makes sense." Duke Wen nodded repeatedly, then gave Madam Wen a reproachful look. "As the mistress of the household, you should be handling these matters yourself. Why do you have to make arrangements for your daughter?"

Madam Wen's smile was almost impossible to maintain. If Chu Wanqing's dowry were neatly piled up in the storeroom, it wouldn't be so bad, but...

Her mind was in turmoil, and before she could come up with a solution, she heard Wen Shuyao suggest, "Father, why don't you come with me to the storeroom and count the cash?"

"Whatever the household lacks, the daughter will make up for it for her father."

Duke Wen was deeply moved by these words.

Madam Wen exclaimed, "No!"

Her voice was shrill, and she was almost screaming herself hoarse.

This sight made Duke Wen, who had just readily agreed, feel a pang of unease.

Having shared a bed with Madam Wen for over a decade, he naturally sensed her guilty conscience.

Wen Shuyao retorted with dissatisfaction, "What does my mother's dowry have to do with you?"

"Father!" She tugged at Duke Wen's sleeve and shook it playfully, "Let's go to the storeroom first! I also want to see what's in my dowry."

Madam Wen forced a smile: "Why don't you wait for the servants to tidy it up, and then go and see it in a few days?"

At this moment, she hated Wen Shuyao to the core.

Only Wen Shuyao could come up with such a terrible idea.

If the Duke of Wen discovers the tricks she has played all these years, then everything she has worked so hard for in the Duke of Wen's mansion will probably be in vain!

Madam Wen's expression was almost distorted; all that remained in her mind were the words Wen Shuyao had just spoken.

She turned her pleading gaze to Duke Wen, hoping to gain his help.

But Duke Wen looked away at that moment.

The Duke of Wen's attitude gave her a bad feeling.

The next moment, Duke Wen said, "Of course I should go and take a look at the storeroom."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wen felt a wave of dizziness.