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

"How's the situation over there?"

Madam Wen waited for a long time but received no report from her informant, which made her anxious.

Upon hearing this, Granny Lin whispered, "It must be soon; that person hasn't been gone for long."

As they were talking, Madam Wen's right eyelid twitched violently, her heart felt like it was being squeezed, and her breath caught in her throat for a moment.

Then she saw someone rush in through the side gate.

The person's hair was disheveled, making it almost impossible to see their face, but Madam Wen could still recognize them as Aunt Hua.

Aunt Hua's hair was disheveled, and her eyes were red: "Please, Madam, spare my daughter and my life!"

Aunt Hua's voice was so shrill that everyone present turned their heads to look.

"What's going on? Who is this person?"

"Aunt Hua! Get up quickly!"

The moment Lin Mama saw Aunt Hua, the hairs on her body stood on end. She immediately ran forward and tried to take Aunt Hua away.

But just as she bumped into Aunt Hua, a thin figure rushed out from behind Aunt Hua.

"I beg you, Madam, to spare me and my concubine!"

The person who came was Wen Zhu.

Her eyes were red and swollen, like two walnuts hanging on her face. Her face was extremely thin, and her bones were clearly visible, as if she could be crushed with a pinch.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Madam Wen felt the gazes coming from all directions, and her face turned bright red.

She was a smart woman and naturally knew who was behind the sudden appearance of this mother and daughter.

"Madam! Please spare Zhu'er!" Aunt Hua cried out, her words dripping with anguish. "Zhu'er is only sixteen! How can you bear to marry her off to a man over fifty as his second wife?"

"shut up!"

Madam Wen reacted quickly, but Aunt Hua spoke even faster.

With tears in her eyes, she revealed Madam Wen's plans to everyone in one go.

After these words were spoken, the room fell silent.

The Wen family was a prominent clan, and even a concubine's daughter was more noble than a legitimate daughter from an ordinary family.

Why would someone marry their illegitimate daughter to a man older than the Duke of Wen as his second wife?

Given the Wen family's social standing, Wen Zhu could easily have married a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, so how could this be...?

Could it be that Madam Wen made some kind of deal with that person?

They probably received a lot of benefits.

How could the matriarch of the Duke's mansion do such a thing?

One can only imagine what kind of scene unfolded inside the Duke Wen's mansion.

Once such a thought arises, it is impossible to suppress it.

The scrutinizing, speculative, or disdainful glances from the crowd made Madam Wen feel extremely uncomfortable.

She immediately rebuked Aunt Hua: "Are you crazy? When did I ever say I wanted to marry Zhu'er off to a family like that?"

She thought that saying this would stop the timid Aunt Hua from going any further, but to her surprise, Aunt Hua glared with bloodshot eyes and shouted, "Since you're not going to marry Zhu'er off to such a family, then what kind of family have you chosen for Zhu'er, Madam?"

"I heard it clearly that day! You were the old man from Jiangnan who came to propose marriage to Zhu'er!" For her daughter's sake, Aunt Hua had already overcome her fear of Madam Wen and shouted hoarsely, "You can't fool me!"

The gazes from all directions made Madam Wen realize that if she didn't handle this matter properly, her reputation would be ruined.

So, in a moment of inspiration, she said loudly, "The ones I chose for Zhu'er are all scholars who have already achieved official rank."

"With so many ladies present, would I lie?" Madam Wen said calmly. "Zhu'er's marriage is not what you think."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Madam Wen would naturally not lie.

After what Aunt Hua has done today, in order to protect her reputation, she will never marry Wenzhu off to that wealthy merchant from Jiangnan again.

But this doesn't mean she'll let Aunt Hua control her. There's a world of difference between even the most accomplished scholars.

Madam Wen felt a chill in her heart as she looked at Aunt Hua.

What trouble can a mere concubine cause?

Although Wen Shuyao is the Princess Consort of Jing, this is a private matter of the Wen family, and she, as a married woman, has no right to interfere.

Just when Madam Wen thought the matter was over, Aunt Hua suddenly said loudly, "In that case, I hope all the ladies will be my witnesses!"

Her eyes held a do-or-die determination, and upon seeing this, Madam Wen inwardly knew something was wrong.

Before Madam Wen and Granny Lin could react, Aunt Hua quickly said, "From now on, if there is any problem with my Zhu'er's marriage... it will all be Madam Wen's doing!"

Aunt Hua spoke resolutely; after standing up for her daughter today, she no longer intended to stay in the Duke of Wen's mansion.

Although Duke Wen dotes on her, her actions today have not only damaged Madam Wen's reputation but also disgraced the Duke Wen's mansion.

Duke Wen, a man who values ​​his reputation, would never favor her again. He might even sell her off after today.

But she has no regrets!

Throughout her life, she felt ashamed before both the young lady and the young mistress.

She couldn't possibly let down her own daughter!

Aunt Hua's voice was shrill and her appearance was disheveled.

Those present were all women; if they had no vested interests, they would inevitably feel compassion upon seeing this scene.

The first to speak was Madam Li, the wife of the Minister of Rites.

She looked reluctant and said, "Don't worry, so many of us here heard and saw it. We will never let you and your daughter fall into such a terrible situation."

"Moreover..." she said meaningfully, "Madam Wen is usually kind and generous. Even the beggars in the city praise her for her compassion. She wouldn't be so vicious as to send her own daughter away to exchange for money."

With just a few words, Aunt Hua was able to deduce Madam Wen's intentions.

Lady Li was not only the wife of the Minister of Rites, but also the eldest daughter of the Li family.

As soon as she spoke, many people echoed her sentiments.

Thus, Madam Wen was put in a difficult position. She clenched her hands tightly and said calmly, "Of course, I never intended to marry Zhu'er off to any wealthy merchant."

"Don't worry, I will definitely choose a good husband for her." Madam Wen controlled her anger and lowered her tone.

Aunt Hua still looked wary, and Wen Zhu also looked frightened and apprehensive.

The mother and daughter's posture clearly showed their unease to anyone.

Thus, my impression of Mrs. Wen changed drastically.

Just then, a person strode quickly into the hanging flower gate.

It was Wen Shuyao, who had just left her seat.

She strode over to Wenzhu's side and gently helped her up.

"Pearl, don't worry, your big sister will keep an eye on things for you."

After saying this, Wen Shuyao looked at Madam Wen, whose expression had changed drastically.

“Madam, as the eldest sister, I naturally cannot stand idly by regarding Zhu’er’s marriage.”

"If Madam wishes to arrange a marriage for Zhu'er in the future, she will probably have to send a message to Prince Jing's residence."