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

“Over the years, I have been in charge of the general affairs of the Prince Jing’s mansion. I am old and can’t be in two places at once, so it is inevitable that I will make mistakes. By the time I realize something is wrong, it is too late.” “These estate managers are in cahoots and share resources. Even if I kill a few of them, it will be of no use.”

"This time, Your Highness will accompany you on your journey out of the mountains..."

Granny Qi wanted to explain something more, but Wen Shuyao spoke up at that moment.

"Granny, I understand."

Wen Shuyao's soft words gradually eased Granny Qi's tense mood.

Especially when she met Wen Shuyao's gentle eyes, she knew even more clearly that Wen Shuyao did not take this matter to heart.

“If the water is too clear, there will be no fish.” Wen Shuyao said softly, “Over the years, although they have lined their own pockets, the harvest of the estate has been getting better and better year by year.”

"As long as it's not a serious crime, why get hung up on a few coins?"

"Since the amount of silver only increases every year, we can just turn a blind eye to these things."

Upon hearing this, Granny Qi beamed with joy: "What the Princess says is absolutely right, but from now on, with you in charge of the household, they will naturally not dare to act recklessly."

Wen Shuyao is a shrewd woman. She speaks softly, but she can get people to do things her way without them even realizing it.

These problems in the village had existed for a long time. Wen Shuyao's move solved the previous problems decisively and set new rules, which convinced everyone.

Places like Quanshui Village are convinced of this, let alone smaller villages.

Thinking it over, Granny Qi quickened her pace.

"This old servant will go back now and prepare your things for going up the mountain."

On the other side, Wen Yitong, who had been waiting for Wen Shuyao for a long time, stood on the mountain. She did not see any movement from Quanshui Manor, and her expression gradually became impatient.

"Miss, let's go back." Ruyi wanted to cheer her up, so she continued, "The Prince is so busy with state affairs, how could he possibly accompany Miss to play in the mountains?"

As expected, Wen Yitong's expression improved.

Seeing this, Ruyi pressed her advantage: "The young master's imperial examination is just around the corner, you should pay more attention to his studies."

Wen Yitong nodded and was about to walk down when she saw many people coming up from the mountain.

The people in the lead were none other than Granny Qi and Si Qing.

"These areas need to be thoroughly cleaned. Autumn is the season when wild beasts roam. Although people are sent to clean the back mountain every year, it's hard to guarantee that no one escapes. The prince and princess will be going up the mountain tomorrow, so these areas must be cleaned thoroughly without any oversights."

Granny Qi was a cautious person, so she naturally had to be extremely prepared for the things she suggested.

Si Qing stood to the side, nodding repeatedly, his expression very serious.

It was a time of great turmoil, and he knew many things that Granny Qi did not. He was aware that his master was in a dangerous situation and that in order to eliminate unstable factors, the entire back mountain had to be thoroughly cleared.

Wen Yitong, standing above, heard the entire conversation between the two.

Ruyi's face was pale. All the words she had just spoken had become meaningless in the conversation between Granny Qi and Si Qing. Especially after seeing Wen Yitong's ugly face, her heart sank even further.

Oops……

"Who is ahead?"

Si Qing was the first to notice their presence, and before he could finish speaking, a sharp sword was already at Ruyi's neck.

Ruyi was so frightened that she couldn't utter a single word.

He saw Ruyi's familiar face, and then looked further back at Wen Yitong's extremely gloomy face.

"So it's Madam Chen." Si Qing sheathed her sword, making no attempt to hide her suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

In just a few words, many thoughts flashed through Wen Yitong's mind.

Under Si Qing's gaze, her expression gradually returned to normal, and she said lightly, "I'm just here to enjoy the mountain. The Chen family also has a villa at the foot of the mountain."

Upon hearing this, Si Qing looked suspicious.

Granny Qi had a good memory; she nodded at him to prove that what Wen Yitong said was true.

Si Qing then lowered his guard and reminded her, "It's getting late, Madam Chen should go back and rest early."

Wen Yitong nodded indifferently and left with Ruyi.

Seeing the backs of the master and servant, Si Qing felt something was off.

He glanced at the two of them again and whispered, "Granny, are you really alright?"

Although he was careless, it was clear that Wen Yitong and Wen Shuyao did not get along.

How could it be such a coincidence?

He was standing where Wen Yitong had just been, and he could see the gate of Quanshui Manor perfectly.

This made him even more suspicious.

When he shared his suspicions with Granny Qi, even the previously composed Granny Qi frowned.

"That does seem a bit strange."

After a moment of silence, she said, "We should send more people to keep an eye on her. What if she goes crazy and hurts the princess?"

Si Qing glanced at Granny Qi, unsure of where to begin.

As Xie Jinghan's confidant, he knew some of the inside information.

For example, the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on the emperor, which they are currently investigating, is very likely the lover of Wen Yitong's good mother.

It's hard to guarantee that Wen Yitong won't contact him and endanger the prince's safety.

But seeing that Granny Qi only had eyes for Wen Shuyao, he nodded after a moment of silence: "I'll have someone keep an eye on her."

Granny Qi nodded: "She only has a few people around her, so she shouldn't be able to cause any trouble."

As she spoke, little did anyone know that the first thing Wen Yitong did after leaving their sight was to instruct Ruyi.

“Sprinkle this stuff on the mountain tonight.”

Wen Yitong handed a medicine packet to Ruyi.

Ruyi looked uneasy: "Tomorrow the Prince will..."

She had barely uttered a word when she met Wen Yitong's cold, stern gaze.

After a moment, she swallowed the rest of her words and whispered, "This servant understands."

Wen Yitong then withdrew her gaze with satisfaction: "Didn't Mother place you by my side just for this moment?"

Ruyi is highly skilled in martial arts, so it's most convenient to leave these tasks to her.

Although she didn't know where Madam Wen had brought Ruyi back from, she only needed an obedient and useful person by her side.

“I did this because that’s what Mother wanted,” Wen Yitong reminded her. “Mother would never want to see Wen Shuyao’s relationship with Prince Jing become increasingly intimate.”

"Ruyi, you know in your heart whether this is something that should be done or not." Wen Yitong's meaningful words completely shook Ruyi's resolve.

"This servant understands." Ruyi lowered her head. "This servant will go up the mountain tonight."

Having received a satisfactory answer, Wen Yitong chuckled softly.

There was a fanaticism and madness in her eyes.

"If I can't have it, no one else can!"

Ruyi looked at her in horror. At this moment, Wen Yitong seemed like a paranoid madwoman.