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

Madam Wen wished she could shut Wen Shuyao up. She had a good reputation for virtue, because everyone thought she was generous and kind, and treated her stepdaughter, illegitimate son and daughter, as her own.

However, Wen Shuyao's words raise suspicions that she mistreated her stepdaughter and misappropriated her stepdaughter's dowry.

She even saw Madam Zhang, with whom she had never gotten along, looking mocking and whispering to the person next to her.

It's all because of that troublemaker, Wen Shuyao.

She gritted her teeth and swallowed her resentment: "Don't worry, I've saved up all that dowry for you."

It doesn't matter. Wen Shuyao's audacity today is simply because she thinks that the position of Princess Jing is already a sure thing.

Once her dreams are shattered, how arrogant will she still be?

Wen Shuyao blinked innocently, "Thank you, Mother."

She saw through Madam Wen's thoughts at a glance. Whether in her past life or this life, Madam Wen's methods remained unchanged.

There are only a few ways to tamper with things at a palace banquet.

Wen Shuyao's gaze fell on the wine glass in front of her, her eyes flashing slightly.

If I remember correctly, today's palace banquet was organized by Consort Zhang, Lady Wen's cousin.

Meanwhile, a palace maid beside her had already poured her a full cup of wine.

Wen Shuyao's clear, bright eyes looked over, and the palace maid gave a slight curtsy, standing calmly and composed to the side.

Just then, a eunuch's loud announcement came from outside the palace: "His Majesty has arrived!"

In an instant, everyone in the hall knelt down.

After a chorus of "Welcome Your Majesty," Emperor Chengqian slightly raised his hand and said, "Rise, all of you."

"You were supposed to enter the palace at Shenshi (3-5 PM), why did you only arrive at Youshi (5-7 PM)? This was a celebration banquet specially prepared for you."

As everyone took their seats, most people's eyes fell on the man to Emperor Chengqian's left.

The man was tall and imposing, with a handsome face, long eyebrows that reached his temples, half-closed peach blossom eyes, and thin lips that moved slightly beneath his high, straight nose: "I was delayed on the road, so I will punish myself with a cup of wine."

"Never mind." Emperor Chengqian waved his hand helplessly. "If the Empress Dowager finds out, she will punish me again."

The only person who could be so favored by the emperor was the renowned Prince Jing, Xie Jinghan.

As soon as the emperor spoke, Xie Jinghan readily put down his wine cup.

Seeing this, the emperor shook his head helplessly, but still indulged Xie Jinghan.

Seeing Xie Jinghan's unchanging cold face, he said irritably, "Don't always have such a cold face. The young girl is almost scared to tears when she sees you."

He was referring to Wen Shuyao, who was staring at Xie Jinghan.

Although Wen Shuyao concealed it well, the person sitting above could clearly see her every move.

"Perhaps she's grown up, she's become much prettier than before, and she's a better match for you than ever," the emperor said jokingly, in high spirits.

Xie Jinghan slightly raised his eyes and glanced indifferently at the emperor.

The emperor sensed something else and glanced at Wen Shuyao again.

Madam Wen was still the same Madam Wen, but the girl beside her seemed to be a different person.

"I……"

"Your Majesty should worry more about the rumors circulating in the capital these past few days," Pei Jinghan interrupted him. "I've heard that someone is selling the exam questions for this year's imperial examination. Scholars from all over the country are gathering in the capital for the triennial examination. If this is true..."

Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and fell silent.

With peace and quiet finally around him, Xie Jinghan lowered his eyes and immediately spotted the bright and dazzling figure below.

She was indeed born with a beautiful appearance, but it was hard to associate such a stunningly beautiful face with the bold remarks made under the artificial hill.

Ever since Xie Jinghan walked in, Wen Shuyao had been glancing at him constantly. His wasp waist, broad back, and high nose bridge were striking. It was such a pity that he was impotent.

Madam Wen glanced at her frequently, but she seemed oblivious, taking a sip of the wine in her glass.

Looking again, the wine in the glass was empty.

A smug look flashed across Madam Wen's eyes for a moment.

At the same time, a fat figure staggered to his feet and walked out.

It was none other than the Duke of Su.

The Duke of Su was obese and nearly fell, but fortunately, the palace servants beside him caught him in time.

He reeked of alcohol, and anyone would assume that his unsteady gait was due to intoxication.

However, Xie Jinghan keenly noticed the abnormal flush on the Duke of Su's face from above.

Xie Jinghan didn't hesitate for long before raising one hand.

"His existence is of utmost importance; there must be no mishaps," Xie Jinghan said in a deep voice to Si Qing, who had just arrived.

Si Qing quickly lowered his head: "Your subordinate understands."

A moment later, Wen Shuyao held her head.

She blinked, and groggily waved to the magpie: "I'm a little drunk, help me outside for some fresh air."

The magpie, her heart pounding, subconsciously glanced towards Madam Wen.

Having read many storybooks, she naturally made some connections to certain things.

However, Madam Wen was talking to the lady beside her and seemed completely unaware of the commotion.

Just then, her sleeve was tugged. She was shocked, but then she saw Wen Shuyao, who was supposed to be drunk, wink at her.

The moment the wine entered her mouth, Wen Shuyao sensed something was amiss.

Having been schemed against by Madam Wen many times in her previous life, she was well-prepared and took the opportunity of raising her glass to vomit all the wine.

This time, she wanted to see what tricks Madam Wen was up to.

Lady Wen's understanding of this imperial city was far inferior to hers!

Magpie gritted her teeth and helped Wen Shuyao up to walk outside.

Madam Wen glanced to her side, and the palace maid who had been serving Wen Shuyao also left.

Almost simultaneously, Xie Jinghan also walked out of Wanchun Palace.

Wen Shuyao seemed completely drunk, and the magpie could barely support her.

A pair of hands helped Wen Shuyao up at that moment, and the voice was gentle: "Taihe Hall is not far away, why don't you let Miss Wen go there to rest?"

The magpie looked up and realized it was the palace maid who had just served Wen Shuyao.

She knew nothing about the palace, but she knew one thing for sure: no one in the palace could be trusted.

“No need.” Magpie quickly hugged Wen Shuyao. “Miss said she wants to sit near Taiye Pond and enjoy the breeze.”

She waited a long time but received no reply from the palace maid.

She nervously raised her head, only to be met with a cold and sinister face.

"It's not up to you."

The palace maid seemed to have become a different person; a dagger appeared in her hand at some point, and she swung it directly at the magpie.

The magpie instinctively pulled Wen Shuyao into its arms, but the expected pain did not occur.

A slender, fair hand, holding a brick that appeared out of nowhere, smashed it hard onto the palace maid's head.

The palace maid's eyes widened.

Why did Wen Shuyao, who should have fallen into a coma after taking traditional Chinese medicine, wake up?

She swayed twice, and before her questions could be answered, she fainted.

"Miss," Magpie breathed a sigh of relief, then said angrily, "Someone in the palace wants to harm you!"

Wen Shuyao calmly responded, looked around, and then walked towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

She wanted to see what Madam Wen was really up to.