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

In that instant, all the blood rushed to Duke Wen's face, and he clenched his hands tightly to keep his anger from showing too much.

How could there be such a coincidence in this world?

He had no idea that the dowry list had been destroyed, but when he asked for it back today, he was told that it had been destroyed in a fire more than a decade ago.

Duke Wen, enraged, laughed coldly: "Who, then, is your master?"

His actions today have utterly disgraced Wen Shuyao!

The butler hurriedly knelt down, his eyes filled with unease: "But... is this dowry list really..."

Duke Wen's face was ashen, and he no longer showed the same affability towards Madam Wen: "Is this how you've managed the household all these years?"

Lady Wen endured Duke Wen's anger, secretly cursing Wen Shuyao in her heart.

That little slut, she's really a persistent ghost!

If Wen Shuyao hadn't insisted on causing trouble, none of this would have happened today!

A shadow crossed her eyes, but when she faced Duke Wen, she showed a wronged expression: "Since my sister passed away, I ordered that all her dowry be put into this storeroom, and since then, I have never touched anything inside."

"Upon seeing it today... I never imagined it would turn out like this."

Madam Wen feigned grievance, her eyes filled with accusation.

These cheap goods were as if they were part of the dowry left by the Chu family back then.

Duke Wen looked at her in disbelief; it was astonishing that she could utter such words.

"You mean, this is all the dowry the Chu family gave?"

"This..." Madam Wen shook her head, "I'm afraid only my sister knows."

“But my mother has long since passed away, and the dowry list has been burned. There is no one in this world who can know what is in this dowry.” Wen Shuyao said loudly, “Therefore, there is no evidence that you used inferior goods and committed fraud.”

“Shu Yao, how could you make such malicious assumptions about me?” Madam Wen quickly shook her head. “Your mother and I are like sisters…”

"Like sisters? Sisters who slept with her husband?" Wen Shuyao raised an eyebrow. "My mother wouldn't accept that."

When the past scandals were mentioned, the sarcasm in Wen Shuyao's eyes almost materialized.

The Duke of Wen, whose name was mentioned, became extremely stiff at this moment.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Lady Wen's voice was sharp, but in the instant that Duke Wen saw it, it returned to its normal tone.

"Shu Yao, that happened so many years ago. What you think is the truth might not be..."

"Not what?"

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps sounded, and the servants and guards could be vaguely heard trying to dissuade them.

"General, please wait a moment while I inform the messenger..."

"Do I need to announce my arrival when I enter my own daughter's house? If word gets out, won't people laugh at me!"

A powerful voice rang out, causing the expressions of Duke Wen and his wife to change drastically.

Duke Wen was struck dumb, standing there in a daze.

Madam Wen's expression clearly showed unease and guilt; she quickly lowered her head, trying to bluff her way out.

However, the old man's voice was loud and his movements were quick. Just as Madam Wen tried to leave, his tall figure blocked the doorway, his sharp, eagle-like eyes staring intently at her.

"You know the truth of what happened back then better than anyone else," the old man sneered. "You two shameless people still have the nerve to distort the truth? It seems I didn't report you to the Emperor, which made you too smug!"

The visitor was none other than General Chu.

Behind him was a group of well-equipped soldiers.

The soldiers, their eyes cold and sharp, followed behind General Chu, their copper bell-like eyes fixed intently on the Duke of Wen and his wife.

Seeing this, Wen Shuyao breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems the magpie has delivered the message.

"Father-in-law..."

Who is your father-in-law?

General Chu sneered and his gaze fell on Wen Shuyao.

When he saw Wen Shuyao, his eyes immediately filled with affection: "I've come to see Shuyao today."

"I didn't expect to witness such a good show as soon as I arrived." As General Chu spoke, he strode over to Wen Shuyao's side. He was tall and imposing, a full head taller than the Duke of Wen.

He looked down at Duke Wen, his tone icy: "After all these years, you still haven't learned to be obedient and law-abiding?"

"And you..." General Chu's sharp eyes swept over Madam Wen, "If it weren't for the fact that you were pregnant back then, and that it would be against the natural order for two lives to be lost, I would have had you beaten to death long ago!"

Madam Wen's face turned pale; she never doubted the truth of General Chu's words.

General Chu has fought his way through countless battles, so he must have the right to say such things!

Madam Wen lowered her head, wanting to explain, but what threw her into a panic was General Chu's next words.

"It's just a dowry list; our Chu family can afford it!"

After General Chu finished speaking, he looked at Madam Wen with a cold smile: "Today, we will thoroughly examine the dowry and see whether it is good or bad!"

Madam Wen's hands trembled, and her whole body stiffened.

Her mind almost stopped thinking. Wasn't the only remaining dowry list of the Chu family destroyed by General Chu long ago?

This was something Chu Wanqing had told her personally back then—simply because Chu Wanqing had forgiven her for her scandalous affair with the Duke of Wen.

Madam Wen's eyes were bloodshot, and her fists were clenched.

Could it be that Chu Wanqing lied back then?

With just one glance, General Chu saw through Madam Wen's thoughts.

"What?" General Chu said coldly, "People actually take seriously the angry words that parents say to their children?"

Those were the best things he had collected from all over the place, just so that Chu Wanqing could have a grand wedding.

He and his wife claimed they had destroyed the dowry list long ago, but in reality they had carefully hidden it away—from that moment on, they became wary.

A foolish and amorous man like Duke Wen is not a good match.

However, Chu Wanqing threatened suicide, leaving them with no choice but to agree.

As parents, they naturally want to plan more for their daughter!

Since Chu Wanqing passed away, they have regarded this dowry list as very important. It was left by his most beloved daughter and was meant for his granddaughter. He would never allow anyone else to touch it.

Today's scene makes him incredibly grateful for his decision back then.

"I've brought the dowry list today."

General Chu raised his hand, clutching a wooden box tightly in his grasp.

Upon seeing this, Madam Wen felt a wave of dizziness and her heart nearly stopped.

It's still there... What should we do?

Only two thoughts remained in her mind: she had witnessed General Chu's methods, and she knew Duke Wen's character perfectly well.

She and the Chu family had a deep-seated blood feud, and to this day the Chu family still felt that Chu Wanqing's death was related to them. General Chu would never let this opportunity pass.