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

"It's not a big deal." Madam Chu didn't mince words and directly expressed her suspicions. "Zhang is a restless person. In the dowry we gave Wanqing, there was a full 400,000 taels of silver in cash. In just over ten years, it has disappeared without a trace."

"I think the Zhang family is probably also involved in this usury."

Madam Chu's words made Li fall into deep thought.

Beside him, General Chu added in a low voice, "Ever since Consort Zhang gave birth to the Eighth Prince, the Zhang family's life has visibly improved. However... His Majesty's private treasury is not very full, and the rewards given to the Zhang family on a daily basis are all traceable."

"Where did the Zhang family get so much money to buy land and property?" General Chu pondered. "Do you think it might be related to usury?"

Madam Chu's face grew increasingly grim. She sneered, "If it is true that Zhang embezzled Wanqing's dowry to lend money at exorbitant interest rates to support her family... then I will have to go and have a good talk with His Majesty!"

Li's expression also became extremely serious.

The Zhang family was at the height of its power, and once this matter involved the Zhang family, it was hard not to associate it with the power struggle among those princes.

This matter must not only be investigated, but investigated thoroughly and clearly!

"Don't worry." Madam Li curtsied to Old Madam Chu. "I will write to my father now and ask him to help me inquire about it."

If Zhang was lending money at exorbitant interest rates, there must be some trace of such a large sum of money involved.

The Li family are imperial merchants, dealing with money all day long, so they certainly have many methods at their disposal to investigate this matter.

"I'm so sorry to trouble you, my dear in-laws." Old Madam Chu sighed. "It's my fault for not disciplining her properly, which has led to such a huge mess."

Madam Li quickly waved her hand: "Mother, what are you saying? No one would have imagined that my sister-in-law could be so bold."

Normally, Madam Chen is the epitome of a noble lady, acting with poise and elegance, and being meticulous in everything she does. Who would have thought she would do something that one would normally look down upon?

When this matter was mentioned, Old Madam Chu let out another cold snort.

After Li left, she glanced at General Chu and said, "It's all your fault for insisting on going to the border. Look how much Shu Yao has suffered because of this."

General Chu knew he was ashamed, so he lowered his head and remained silent.

Wen Shuyao, who was being held in the arms of Old Madam Chu, struggled for a moment and softly defended her maternal grandfather: "Grandfather was also doing it for the people on the border."

"If anyone's to blame, it's Zhang Shi." Wen Shuyao's pretty face hardened. "We absolutely cannot let her get away with this!"

"As expected of my granddaughter!" Upon hearing this, General Chu clapped his hands in praise. "This is the kind of boldness that the Chu family should have!"

"Shu Yao, don't worry, once your second aunt's family has investigated this matter thoroughly..." A fierce glint flashed across General Chu's dignified old face, "I will definitely go to the palace and beg His Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter! So that she can never bully you again!"

Wen Shuyao nodded repeatedly, her beautiful phoenix eyes gazing admiringly at General Chu.

Her gaze made General Chu even more smug.

"Alright." Old Madam Chu interrupted the two of them impatiently. She stroked Wen Shuyao's thin face with pity and said in a loving voice, "Shuyao, is there anything you like to eat? I'll tell the kitchen to make it right away."

Wen Shuyao looks tall and slender, but the moment she touched Wen Shuyao's wrist, she knew how much suffering Wen Shuyao had endured in the Duke of Wen's mansion.

That's why she flew into a rage.

If it weren't for Chen's selfishness, Shu Yao would have grown up in luxury and privilege.

"And then there's your marriage proposal," Old Madam Chu frowned. "Tomorrow I'll write to your father and ask him to cancel the marriage."

"You are the eldest daughter of the Duke of Wen, how could you marry a poor scholar?" Old Madam Chu gritted her teeth as she mentioned this matter. "I thought it was just a joke, but I never thought it was all true!"

"No!" Wen Shuyao quickly grabbed Old Madam Chu's sleeve.

Her anxious appearance made Old Madam Chu's vision blur and a bad premonition rise in her heart: "Shu Yao, you wouldn't happen to have taken a fancy to that scholar..."

“Grandmother, you’ve misunderstood.” Wen Shuyao waved her hand. “I switched the engagement with Wen Yitong.”

"Wen Yitong?" Old Madam Chu pondered the name, her brow furrowing slightly. "Exchange marriage with her? But isn't she already engaged to Prince Jing?"

The marriage agreement between the Wen family and Prince Jing caused quite a stir.

Wen Shuyao winked playfully at Old Madam Chu: "It is the marriage with Prince Jing."

Old Madam Chu was utterly astonished: "She traded your marriage to Prince Jing for that poor scholar?"

How can this be?

This thought was the first thing that popped into Madam Chu's mind.

But Wen Shuyao's eyes sparkled, and her smile was obvious, not feigned.

After a moment of silence, Old Madam Chu asked incredulously, "Has she gone mad?"

Although Prince Jing's reputation was not good, his power was so great that even some of the princes could not compare to him, not to mention that he was the emperor's most trusted person.

Why would Wen Yitong reject such a powerful and handsome man? Instead, she took a fancy to that poor scholar?

Old Madam Chu remained silent for a moment, unsure of what to say next.

Wen Shuyao smiled and said, "I was quite surprised when I first learned that she wanted to arrange a marriage exchange."

“But I think that even if Prince Jing has a thousand faults, he is of good character and a hero who protects the country,” Wen Shuyao explained softly. “He is much better than that arrogant Chen Che.”

"So I agreed on the spot."

In front of her elders, Wen Shuyao naturally restrained herself considerably and would never utter any wild words, such as saying she was impotent.

General Chu was also very shocked: "What does Chen Che look like?"

Could it be that he is a celestial being descended to earth, leaving an unforgettable impression on Wen Yitong?

Wen Shuyao pondered for a moment, then quickly shook her head: "He is not as good as Prince Jing."

"Exceptional talent and knowledge?" General Chu had barely asked when he answered to himself, "If someone were truly exceptionally talented and knowledgeable, they wouldn't just be a mere scholar."

Clearly, before trying to persuade Wen Shuyao, the couple had already thoroughly investigated Chen Che's family background.

“But King Jing…” General Chu frowned, “is not a good son-in-law either.”

He greatly admired this younger man, but if he were to regard him as his grandson-in-law, he would be extremely critical.

"You're always engrossed in military affairs and rarely home. What if you fall ill from exhaustion while managing such a large Prince Jing's mansion?"

The more General Chu spoke, the more dissatisfied he became with his grandson-in-law.

Old Madam Chu also frowned, glancing at the delicate and frail Wen Shuyao.

She was thinking about something else entirely—Prince Jing was tall and imposing, and looked like a rough man who wouldn't care for others. Shu Yao was young and delicate; if the two of them were together…

“Shu Yao, if you are unwilling, I…”

"I am willing."