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

Especially now that the eldest daughter has become the Princess Consort of Prince Jing, who in the capital doesn't know about Prince Jing's special treatment of Wen Shuyao?

Aunt Hua was trembling with fear in front of Wen Shuyao, secretly observing Wen Shuyao's every move out of the corner of her eye.

When she noticed Wen Shuyao's furrowed brows, her heart sank even further.

Before Wen Shuyao could speak, she hurriedly explained, "This is all information that I have inquired about. However, after Miss passed away, most of the people who served her disappeared without a trace."

"Especially... the household is extremely taboo about this matter, and this is the only person I could find out about it."

"I see."

Wen Shuyao put away the note; she had already memorized the name and address on it.

Aunt Hua was still somewhat uneasy, and she glanced at Wen Shuyao several times.

Wen Shuyao's expression remained unchanged, and she gave a brief instruction: "You've worked hard these past few days, Aunt. From now on, unless I give you instructions, you must not act rashly."

“She’s not someone to be trifled with,” Wen Shuyao warned. “You must remember, you absolutely cannot reveal to her that you’re investigating this matter.”

The man behind Madam Wen is a mystery. Even Xie Jinghan has not been able to find out his background. All he knows about him now are his few businesses in the capital.

Moreover, this lover is also involved in the assassination.

Anyone who dares to assassinate the emperor must have considerable backing.

Aunt Hua was, after all, her mother's maid who had accompanied her during her dowry years ago, and she had taken good care of her over the years. She couldn't possibly push Aunt Hua into a pit of fire.

Meeting Wen Shuyao's worried gaze, Aunt Hua felt a warmth in her heart.

"Miss, if there is anything you need me to do, please just give the order."

Looking at Wen Shuyao, she felt as if she were seeing the young lady from back then.

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyao simply shook her head: "Take care of yourself first, life in the manor won't be easy from now on."

As she spoke, Wen Shuyao handed the silver notes she had prepared to Aunt Hua.

"Please take this money, Auntie."

This banknote was worth several thousand taels of silver. Aunt Hua held it in her hand and felt somewhat panicked.

"Miss, you are..."

With such a large sum of money, she only did some insignificant little things; how could she possibly deserve it...?

Before Aunt Hua could finish speaking, Wen Shuyao pushed her out of the courtyard.

"I am grateful for Aunt Hua's care over the years. This money is just my way of thanking her."

Aunt Hua's eyes reddened: "This...how can this be done?"

The money in her hands was heavy; over the years, she had only shown Wen Shuyao a little kindness.

Wen Shuyao is, after all, the young lady's daughter, and her young lady... was harmed by that adulterous couple!

Aunt Hua clenched her hands tightly in resentment.

Wen Shuyao said softly, "Zhu'er is my sister. I can't bear to see her wearing old clothes every day and being ridiculed by her peers. I was in the same situation as Zhu'er back then. I can't let her suffer like I did for so many years."

Aunt Hua was deeply moved by these words.

At the same time, she grew increasingly resentful of Madam Wen.

"Young Miss, you are a good person." Aunt Hua clutched her purse, choking back tears. "What happened back then, I truly didn't do it!"

She was referring to the incident where she climbed into the bed of the Duke of Wen while drunk.

Wen Shuyao gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice tender: "Auntie, I believe you."

With a vicious woman like Madam Wen by Duke Wen's side, Aunt Hua was at least a first-class maidservant by her mother's side back then. Isn't that better than being a concubine who can be sold off at will?

Aunt Hua nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with tears.

Before Aunt Hua left, Wen Shuyao gave her a word of advice: "Zhu'er is almost of marriageable age, so please keep a close eye on her."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Hua tensed up as if facing a formidable enemy.

She had also heard about Wen Shuyao's marriage.

Chen Che was a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, and in the eyes of ordinary people, he was naturally a good husband.

The Duke of Wen's family was a prominent and powerful clan. A mere Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) was as numerous as a carp crossing a river in such a large and influential family.

Wen Shuyao, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Wen, was reduced to marrying a mere scholar.

What about her pearl?

Wen Shuyao reminded her again: "You know about Zhang's methods."

Panic flashed in Aunt Hua's eyes. She lowered her head, pondering the meaning behind Wen Shuyao's words.

Having survived under Madam Wen's rule for so many years, Aunt Hua was certainly no fool.

"What does Miss mean...?" Aunt Hua asked tentatively, "What does this servant need to do?"

"I'm just reminding you," Wen Shuyao patted the petals that had fallen from her shoulder and said softly, "I can help you for a while, but not forever."

"If you want to protect Zhu'er, you need to become stronger yourself," Wen Shuyao reminded her. "In this mansion, what women rely on is the favor of that man, isn't it?"

Aunt Hua's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at Wen Shuyao.

"This servant has nothing of value, but if Miss is willing, this servant may..."

Wen Shuyao gently shook her head, "It's not that I want you to make any deal with me. I've said before, Zhu'er is also my sister."

When she was married to Chen Che, Zhu'er was casually married off by Madam Wen to a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan.

The wealthy merchant was over sixty years old, and naturally, he was willing but unable to perform sexually.

His infamous reputation in Jiangnan had spread far and wide. Apart from those families who did not treat their daughters like human beings, no one was willing to let their daughters into his home. Even the dancers of Jiangnan avoided him like the plague.

Yet, even in such a perilous situation, Madam Wen pushed Pearl into it without hesitation.

Zhu'er was married off to Jiangnan in the first year of her marriage. Even though she wanted to help Zhu'er, she was powerless to do so.

Aunt Hua angered Madam Wen, and was beaten until she was paralyzed on one side and died on a rainy night.

Even though Pearl later gained control of the wealthy family's assets, the torment and pain she had endured remained.

In this mansion, Zhu'er was one of the few people who treated her well.

She naturally kept this kindness in her heart.

Now that she has been given a second chance at life, she wants to raise Zhu'er well so that she can marry a good husband.

Instead of being traded away as a commodity by Madam Wen, she suffered the pain of losing her mother at a young age.

Aunt Hua was momentarily dazed; she couldn't believe Wen Shuyao would be so kind.

However, seeing the fleeting tenderness in Wen Shuyao's eyes, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Wen Shuyao and Zhu'er have always had a good relationship, so it's only natural that she would help Zhu'er.

Aunt Hua's expression was solemn, her eyes shifting several times before finally becoming resolute: "This servant understands."

It's just a matter of winning over Duke Wen's heart; what's so difficult about that?

Over the years, she has been able to survive in the mansion thanks to the favor of Duke Wen.

Seeing Aunt Hua leave in a hurry, Wen Shuyao then lifted her foot and slowly walked into the bedroom.