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

Did Consort Zhang leave early?

Once the thought crossed her mind, Wen Shuyao couldn't help but recall the magpie's words from the previous night.

The person was calling out "Your Majesty".

Her eyelids twitched, and she subconsciously connected the two.

The Empress, still smiling, tried to smooth things over: "Yaoyao, come forward."

When Wen Shuyao met the Empress's concerned gaze, she immediately suppressed her emotions and slowly walked up to the Empress.

Consort Zhang frowned as she made arrangements for Wen Shuyao.

She was always confident in her beauty; if it weren't for this unique beauty, she wouldn't have been promoted directly from a lowly concubine to a Noble Consort.

Over the years, there have been new women in the palace, but compared to her, their looks are still inferior.

Therefore, she never worried about her position in the palace.

Only now can she truly see Wen Shuyao's face clearly.

Such a face, as radiant as the autumn moon, is dazzling.

Consort Zhang's eyes revealed an uncontrollable jealousy and hatred; her gaze was sharp as she stared at Wen Shuyao.

The Empress noticed something amiss at that moment. She turned to look at Consort Zhang and, upon seeing the jealousy in the latter's eyes, was secretly alarmed. She coughed lightly, bringing Consort Zhang back to her senses.

"You are indeed handsome. No wonder Prince Jing is so infatuated with you that he has even neglected military matters."

The sourness in Consort Zhang's words was obvious to everyone.

Unfortunately, she was deeply favored by the emperor, and even the empress had to avoid her.

Moreover, she hasn't done anything yet, she's only said a few words.

She is an elder, and Wen Shuyao is a junior. If she were to nitpick over a few words from an elder, it would be wrong of Wen Shuyao.

Such people are the most difficult to deal with, but I just happened to run into her!

Wen Shuyao sneered inwardly. Her relationship with the Zhang family was irreconcilable, so there was no need to maintain a facade.

"Your Highness is mistaken."

Wen Shuyao smiled, meeting Consort Zhang's cold gaze without fear, and softly blurted out the rest of her words.

"His Majesty's decree clearly states the departure time of the army. What is wrong with the Prince getting married and holding a ceremony before that? If the Imperial Concubine's words were to spread, it would damage the Prince's reputation."

"As the Princess Consort of Prince Jing, I cannot bear to see anyone slander the Prince's reputation."

Her words were firm and clear, enough for everyone present to hear them clearly.

"you!"

Consort Zhang had been in the palace for many years, and no one had ever dared to speak to her like that.

She raised her hand, about to strike Wen Shuyao.

"Consort Zhang!"

The Empress's stern shout left Consort Zhang's hand suspended in mid-air, hesitant to lower it.

Although she was favored, she dared not disobey the Empress.

The Empress had sharp eyes. When she saw Consort Zhang stop, she gave a wink to the nanny beside her.

Several maids immediately stepped forward and helped Consort Zhang to her seat, and then stood guard beside her.

"Consort Zhang, what Princess Jing said makes sense." The Empress rebuked coldly, "Prince Jing led his troops into battle for the country and its people. Your casual remark could ruin his reputation."

"Do you know you were wrong?"

Consort Zhang was filled with remorse; she shouldn't have touched the Empress's sore spot.

The Empress had only one son, the Seventh Prince, and she raised Xie Jinghan before giving birth to him.

She doted on Xie Jinghan to the core and naturally didn't want his reputation to be damaged.

"Your concubine knows her mistake." Consort Zhang was always good at reading people's expressions in these matters.

She usually takes advantage of the Empress's favor and dares to speak rudely to her, because she knows that the Empress is magnanimous and will not hold such a grudge.

But since it involved Xie Jinghan, she couldn't afford to be arrogant.

The Empress's expression darkened slightly, but she nodded gently, and the matter was considered closed.

Wen Shuyao feigned a wronged and angry expression, and her eyes reddened at just the right moment.

"Don't worry." The Empress gently patted the back of her hand, soothing her softly, "Jing Han's contributions cannot be erased with just a few words."

Wen Shuyao nodded, her voice slightly choked: "That may be true, but I feel terrible."

Seeing this, the Empress offered several more words of comfort.

Consort Zhang watched from below, growing increasingly dissatisfied with Wen Shuyao.

Today is the first day of Wen Shuyao and Xie Jinghan's marriage. According to custom, they should meet with the royal family members in the Kunning Palace.

With the Empress protecting Wen Shuyao, and given Xie Jinghan's actions yesterday, no one with any sense dared to show Wen Shuyao any disrespect. Instead, they all treated her with kindness and offered her gifts.

When members of the royal family make a move, it's naturally generous.

Wen Shuyao smiled and accepted one brocade box after another.

Finally, the emperor arrived late, accompanied by several princes.

As soon as the emperor entered, he strode toward the empress.

The beautiful Consort Zhang never even received a glance from him.

Consort Zhang clenched her hands tightly, the veins on the back of her hands bulging, yet she still pretended to be nonchalant.

Wen Shuyao, who had witnessed all of this, was secretly alarmed and became even more certain of her guess.

—On the surface, Consort Zhang received the emperor's utmost favor, but the emperor's first reaction upon entering the palace was to search for the empress.

How could Consort Zhang not understand a fact that even an outsider could see?

In the long, dark nights of the palace, Consort Zhang's heart must have been filled with unbearable loneliness.

If a man appears who is considerate in every way and cares about her, how could she not be moved?

only……

Who was the man she was having an affair with?

As Wen Shuyao pondered this, she heard several princes walking towards her.

The eldest prince spoke first: "Greetings, Imperial Aunt. This is a piece of South China Sea coral that I specially searched for for you and Imperial Uncle."

As he spoke, several guards behind him lifted the red cloth.

Everyone looked closely and exclaimed in amazement.

The rarity of these South China Sea corals lies in the fact that although they are not heavily decorated, they somehow resemble the image of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, who bestows children.

"The eldest son has sent a fine gift," the emperor said, stroking his beard.

Having received the emperor's approval, the eldest prince was overjoyed and stepped aside.

The adult princes behind him did not look too good.

Although their gifts were precious, they lacked such ingenuity, and thus blended into the crowd of other valuable gifts.

"He's just a show-off."

The second prince muttered to himself.

However, he still presented his congratulatory gift with a smile.

"Wishing the Imperial Uncle and Imperial Sister-in-law a speedy birth of a son."

At this moment, Wen Shuyao keenly sensed that the magpie behind her was breathing rapidly.

The unspoken understanding between the master and servant was enough for Wen Shuyao to understand that the Second Prince was the man the magpie had seen last night.

The magpie recognized him by his voice!

Instantly, Wen Shuyao gripped the scroll tightly in her hand.

This is a masterpiece by a famous artist, presented by the Second Prince. It is a painting depicting a hundred sons bringing blessings.

"Is Your Majesty dissatisfied?" The Second Prince couldn't help but feel uneasy when he saw that she hadn't spoken for a long time.

Wen Shuyao suppressed her excitement and gave a kind smile.

"I am very satisfied, thank you, Your Highness."