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

Both of them were exceptionally good-looking; standing there, they were like a painting, unforgettable.

"Miss Wen usually keeps a low profile, but I never expected that she would quietly hook up with Prince Jing."

Upon hearing this, some snickers arose.

Wen Shuyao rarely goes out, and if it weren't for the last palace banquet, they would hardly know what she looks like.

In the vast Duke Wen's mansion, everyone only knew the Second Miss Wen, Wen Yitong.

Wen Shuyao didn't take these people's sour remarks to heart.

In her past life, she went to great lengths to maintain a reputation for virtue and gentleness, and ended up with a host of health problems at a young age.

When she was bedridden with illness, she realized that all these so-called reputations were just empty names. The most important thing in life is real and tangible benefits.

The noble ladies who were talking were filled with jealousy, all because of the man beside her.

Despite his bad reputation for impotence, Prince Jing's status meant that countless noble ladies pursued him like moths to a flame.

Before the shopkeeper of Cuiweifang could even open his mouth, Si Qing, who had been following Xie Jinghan, stepped forward aggressively and whispered a few words in the shopkeeper's ear.

Without the slightest hesitation, the shopkeeper nodded and said, "Since His Highness has spoken, these people will never be allowed to set foot in Cuiwei Fang again!"

After saying that, she followed Si Qing's instructions and had the noble ladies "invited" out.

"I belong to the Cai family..."

"The entire Cuiwei Lane belongs to the Jing Prince's Mansion," the manager said neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Those who speak ill of the Jing Prince's Consort will not be received."

"If the ladies are unwilling..." the shopkeeper sighed.

Behind her, several tall, strong, and fierce-looking female thugs stepped out. The moment they stood there, the noble ladies were rendered speechless.

Their faces were pale as they suddenly realized that Wen Shuyao was no longer the unknown eldest daughter of the Wen State Duke's Mansion; her current identity was the future Princess Consort of Jing.

With such a status, even their parents must treat them with utmost respect.

Let alone them?

Xie Jinghan and Wen Shuyao stood there like a perfect couple. Wen Shuyao's face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, while Xie Jinghan beside her had a cold and handsome face, and his indifferent peach blossom eyes swept over them.

The anger and impatience in their eyes turned their faces pale, and they could no longer utter a word in rebuttal.

And so, the gossiping ladies slunk away.

The room fell silent. The ladies and noblewomen who had been gossiping all looked away, no longer daring to make any further remarks.

Wen Shuyao blinked in surprise. She was stunned for a moment before raising her head and saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

She really didn't expect that Xie Jinghan would be willing to stand up for her.

Xie Jinghan maintained his indifferent expression: "You are the mistress of the Jingwang Mansion. Their criticism of you shows that they don't respect the Jingwang Mansion."

His voice was deep, but loud enough for those around him to hear.

This completely announced his attitude towards Wen Shuyao to everyone.

From this day forward, Wen Shuyao will be the mistress of the Jing Prince's Mansion.

Above, Wen Yitong gripped the railing tightly.

Her eyes were filled with confusion.

How could such words come from Xie Jinghan's mouth?

How can it be?

She stared blankly down below, her eyes flashing with a mix of emotions.

Finally, Chen Che, who was standing beside him, spoke up: "Besides these pieces of jewelry, what else do you want?"

Upon hearing this, she seemed to wake from a dream.

"enough."

When she opened her mouth, Wen Yitong realized that her voice was extremely hoarse.

She was startled and instinctively looked at Chen Che.

She didn't want Chen Che to notice her earlier lapse in composure.

Chen Che remained as gentle and refined as she remembered, showing no signs of anything amiss.

"You only have this much jewelry." His handsome brows furrowed slightly. "Isn't that too much of a hardship for you?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Yitong's pent-up resentment was instantly satisfied.

A smile spread across her eyes: "That's enough. My mother has already left me a lot of jewelry as part of my dowry."

“These jewels…” She took Chen Che’s arm and said coquettishly, “As long as it is your wish, even if it is just a wooden hairpin, I will be satisfied.”

What we see today is nothing but Xie Jinghan's disguise.

Xie Jinghan could fool others, but he couldn't fool his wife, who had once spent every day with him!

Suppressing her complex emotions, Wen Yitong walked out of the private room, still the gentle and virtuous second young lady of the Wen family.

However, when she saw the jewelry beside Wen Shuyao, her expression still couldn't help but become distorted.

Although the Chen family was a prominent family, they lived in poverty.

Therefore, in order to show her virtuousness and magnanimity, she chose ordinary jewelry, or even jewelry that she would have looked down on in the past.

But the jewelry around Wen Shuyao...

Those pieces, one by one, even looked better in condition and of superior material than her most cherished ones.

Meanwhile, the arrogant manager of Cuiweifang was speaking cautiously beside Wen Shuyao.

All of this is because of Wen Shuyao's identity.

Princess Jing...

For some inexplicable reason, this thought popped into Wen Yitong's mind.

"This should have been her place."

But in an instant, she came to her senses.

What does temporary glory matter? What she wants is lasting wealth and status.

So what about Princess Jing?

He's nothing more than a future prisoner!

Wen Yitong's gaze was so intense that Wen Shuyao naturally noticed it.

However, for Wen Shuyao, the most important thing right now is something else.

These pieces of jewelry, which would make many noble ladies envious, were casually tossed aside by her, as if they were something insignificant.

“Your Highness,” she said slowly, “today when my grandmother and I went out, we happened to run into my stepmother disguised and going to the Treasure Pavilion.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinghan looked up at her.

Wen Shuyao continued, "If Your Highness sends someone to the Treasure Pavilion now, they might find something."

"The Pavilion of Rare Treasures?" Xie Jinghan narrowed his peach blossom eyes slightly.

The Treasure Pavilion is very famous in the capital, and its various rare treasures are something that even the palace has never seen.

But in his memory, the Treasure Pavilion was a property of the Wang family.

The Wang family is the maternal family of the current emperor. How could they be involved with assassins?

However, since Wen Shuyao said so, whether it was true or not, he had to have someone investigate.

"Si Qing," Xie Jinghan instructed, "investigate the Treasure Pavilion."

Si Qing didn't ask any further questions and immediately agreed.

Wen Shuyao returned home with a full load after her trip to Cuiweifang.

Looking at the jewelry she had bought, Old Madam Chu was quite pleased: "Prince Jing is indeed generous; these things are not cheap."

Whether it was genuine or not, at least it let people know Xie Jinghan's attitude towards this marriage.

Those who maliciously slander Wen Shuyao in the shadows should think twice before speaking in the future.

This time, Old Madam Chu was truly extremely satisfied.