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

Behind the Duchess of Li was Old Madam Chu.

The two women had identical cold and stern expressions, and their cold glances at Madam Wen made her feel as if she were facing a formidable enemy.

Why are those two old hags here at this time? Who let them in?

As Madam Wen was pondering this, she heard Old Madam Chu coldly say, "Is this the place you should be sitting in?"

As soon as Madam Chu finished speaking, several burly female servants walked in. They were aggressive and pushed all the servants who tried to block their way to the ground.

"What is the old lady doing?" Duke Wen was shocked. Although he feared the old lady of Chu, he cared more about his reputation and hurriedly exclaimed, "Today is Shu Yao's wedding day! What are you doing..."

"Since it is Shu Yao's joyous day..." Old Madam Chu changed the subject, coldly glancing at Duke Wen, "naturally, it should be my daughter sitting in the high hall, receiving this bow from her daughter!"

"As for this woman..." Old Madam Chu sneered, "I don't want to see her appear before my eyes."

Madam Wen was both shocked and furious: "Are you crazy? I am her in name only..."

"Quickly shut her up!" Old Madam Chu said coldly. "I don't tolerate anything dirty in my eyes!"

The servants were extremely obedient. As soon as Madam Chu spoke, they twisted Madam Wen's hands behind her back and even took out a rag and stuffed it into Madam Wen's mouth.

The moment the rag entered her mouth, the unpleasant smell caused Madam Wen to gag.

Her eyes widened, but her body was restrained, and she could not speak. The anger expressed in her eyes did not harm Old Madam Chu in the slightest.

After the old lady of Chu said those words, Duke Wen fell silent.

He has always felt guilty about what happened back then, and there is also a sense of inexplicable unease about it.

At this moment, the Duchess of Liguo also spoke up quietly: "Logically speaking, Wanqing should indeed be sitting in this position."

“We have already discussed this with Yaoyao.” As she spoke, the old woman behind her solemnly stepped forward carrying a memorial tablet. “This tablet will be used to receive Yaoyao’s bow on behalf of Wanqing.”

Duke Wen's eyelids twitched. When he saw the name "Chu Wanqing," his heart almost stopped.

But his mind raced. He gripped the armrest tightly and asked in a low voice, "But the person who will marry Shu Yao... is, after all, Prince Jing. Will Prince Jing be willing to do this?"

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Chu glanced at him.

That one glance sent a chill down the spine of Duke Wen.

At this moment, Old Madam Chu said calmly, "Of course, I have discussed it with the Prince. The Prince is a filial son and readily agreed to it."

"I care more about my granddaughter's marriage than anyone else," said Old Madam Chu, her face grim. "Naturally, I won't let an unclean person sit in this position and receive her bow."

"As for you..." Old Madam Chu made no attempt to hide her disdain for Duke Wen. Under Duke Wen's timid gaze, she reluctantly said, "You are, after all, her biological father, so I'll let you sit here for now."

That being said, several burly maids behind Madam Chu were staring at Duke Wen.

Even though Duke Wen still had something to say, he had to swallow it back.

Seeing Madam Wen being led away like a madwoman, he only dared to cautiously inquire, "Madam, what about Zhang Shi...?"

"Don't worry," said Madam Chu calmly. "I certainly won't let her lose face in front of the guests."

However, Madam Wen was not so happy.

These maids must have grown up eating something incredible; each of them possessed extraordinary strength. Two of them gripped her shoulders tightly, and she felt as if her shoulders were being held by iron claws, experiencing excruciating pain.

The wrists of the hands, which were pinned behind the back, were worn raw.

What made her even more ashamed was being led out of the front hall in this way.

Today is Wen Shuyao's wedding day, but she, as Wen Shuyao's nominal stepmother, is unable to attend.

Women in the capital are the most well-informed and love to inquire about these private matters within the inner quarters.

Once today's wedding banquet is over, she will inevitably become the subject of ridicule!

And the terrible relationship between Wen Shuyao and her will also be known to everyone.

Madam Wen trembled all over; she never expected the Chu family to be so audacious.

She is, after all, the Duchess of Wen! Her sister is a Noble Consort! How dare they?

"Quickly throw the person in."

The servant woman said in a harsh voice.

These women were all elders of the Chu family, and had practically watched Chu Wanqing grow up. Naturally, they didn't have a kind look towards the culprit who killed Chu Wanqing.

Madam Wen's wrists were loosened, and she had just spat out the rag from her mouth when several maids threw her into the main courtyard.

They were all members of the Chu family and had no fear of Madam Wen.

The servants in the main courtyard were different. When they suddenly saw a human-shaped object being thrown in through the door, they were startled at first, but after seeing clearly the clothes the person was wearing, they were all horrified.

"Madam! Madam, what's wrong?"

These worried voices rang in her ears, and Madam Wen's face flushed red, but she couldn't reveal the truth.

She doesn't dare to go against Old Madam Chu now, that crazy woman! Who knows what else she might do?

"Prepare water!" she said through gritted teeth. "I need to wash up!"

……

In the front hall, after the old lady of Chu and the lady of the Duke of Li left, only the Duke of Wen and the memorial tablet beside him remained.

The front yard was bustling with activity. Old Madam Chu had specially invited many military officers to block the gate, as well as several scholars from the Hanlin Academy invited by Duke Wen. Although Duke Wen didn't have much sincerity, on such a joyous day, and with Xie Jinghan getting married, these scholars he had invited were all putting in their best effort.

However, Madam Chu was unwilling to let Wen Shuyao's wedding be so hasty.

Even when time is tight, she is determined to do things perfectly.

Lady Li, the Duchess of Li, stood behind Wen Shuyao, her gaze gentle, as she combed Wen Shuyao's hair.

"One comb to the head, no worries about wealth and honor... Four combs to the tail, a harmonious marriage... Ten combs to the tail, perfect happiness in every way."

Her kind gaze remained fixed on Wen Shuyao. Through Wen Shuyao, she seemed to see Chu Wanqing eighteen years ago, full of joy and anticipation for her marriage.

“Yaoyao,” she said gently, “I was the one who watched your mother get married back then. You are smarter than her, and you chose a good husband.”

"If your mother were alive, she would surely be pleased."

She murmured softly, her eyes filled with affection for Wen Shuyao.

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyao's nose tingled, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed them.

"Don't worry." She turned around, grasped the hand of the Duchess of Li, and looked at the Old Madam Chu behind the Duke of Li, saying each word clearly, "I will definitely not let these expectations down."

Not allowing Mrs. Wen to attend was just a small act of revenge.

She's going to have a lot more to suffer in the future!