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

Chapter 38 Jealousy

This is definitely not something Xie Jinghan would do. He has always avoided women, let alone treated Wen Shuyao, whom he has only met a few times, with such care.

Wen Shuyao had only met him a handful of times!

Wen Yitong screamed in her heart, trying her best to control herself and prevent herself from doing anything inappropriate.

Something must have gone wrong, she told herself.

Xie Jinghan would never be someone who is bewitched by beauty. In his eyes, Wen Shuyao's appearance was no different from that of an ordinary person.

in this way……

What exactly did Wen Shuyao do to make Xie Jinghan look at her differently?

Once this thought surfaced, Wen Yitong could no longer control her wandering thoughts.

Suddenly, her arm was gripped tightly.

She turned her head in surprise, only to see Madam Wen staring at her with a blank expression and a gloomy look in her eyes.

"Are you crazy?"

Madam Wen lowered her voice, suppressing her anger.

The marriage exchange was something Wen Yitong insisted on, but now it's Wen Yitong who's keeping a close eye on Xie Jinghan!

If word gets out about this behavior, Wen Yitong will become the laughingstock of the entire capital!

Wen Yitong sensed something was wrong from Madam Wen's gaze, and she quickly lowered her head, no longer daring to look up.

She tried her best to convince herself that it was just a simple act of helping someone up, and it didn't prove anything.

But a nagging feeling lingered in her heart—things were probably different now.

Xie Jinghan helped Wen Shuyao up. His behavior was quite different from his usual cold and indifferent image, and many people were secretly observing him.

Wen Shuyao bowed to him gracefully, a grateful smile in her eyes.

Regardless of the rumors, Xie Jinghan's timely intervention when she fell, rather than standing idly by, was enough for her to be grateful for—it represented Xie Jinghan's attitude towards her.

From now on, she can rely on her status as Princess Jing to do more things.

Both Madam Chu and General Chu showed satisfied expressions in their eyes.

Xie Jinghan is of noble status and a talented young man. If it weren't for that incurable disease... he would be satisfactory in every way.

But nobody's perfect, so be it.

After that, try to find more medicine and more doctors; there might be hope for a cure.

"The matchmaker will come tomorrow," Xie Jinghan said indifferently. "The betrothal gifts will be sent at the same time."

"As for the wedding," he said, "the Ministry of Rites will handle the arrangements."

His words were a warning to the Duke of Wen's family not to interfere without authorization.

Both Duke Wen and his wife, who understood the implication, were secretly alarmed.

Unexpectedly, Wen Shuyao is already so favored by Prince Jing even before becoming his consort. If this continues...

The Duke of Wen's eyes gleamed with ambition, but Lady Wen's heart had turned completely cold.

She was unwilling to let Wen Shuyao marry Prince Jing because Wen Shuyao was beautiful. Most men are attracted to beauty, and it's not surprising that Prince Jing would like Wen Shuyao, who was so beautiful.

The fact that someone as high-ranking as Prince Jing would meticulously consider Wen Shuyao's feelings made her think deeply about the implications.

"Of course," Duke Wen said respectfully. "Having the officials of the Ministry of Rites handle the wedding is something many people would love to do. Everyone in our Duke Wen's mansion will follow the arrangements of the Ministry of Rites."

Although Duke Wen holds the title of Duke, compared to Xie Jinghan, he is worlds apart.

Whenever he faced Xie Jinghan, he would involuntarily reveal a desire to please him.

Seeing this, Madam Wen frowned secretly.

Xie Jinghan didn't even give Duke Wen a second glance. After nodding slightly to Old Madam Chu and General Chu, he strode away.

He came quickly and left quickly, but he left behind many people.

One of them, Madam Wen had met.

—She was Granny Fang, who served the Empress.

Even Granny Fang has been sent here! It seems that both Xie Jinghan and the Empress are very satisfied with this marriage.

Recalling Xie Jinghan's grand entrance and the two imperial edicts, even with her excellent composure, Madam Wen couldn't help but clench her hands tightly.

If Wen Yitong hadn't insisted on a marriage exchange, all this pomp and honor should have belonged to her!

Thinking of this, she felt a pang of pain in her heart.

"Yaoyao." Old Madam Chu patted Wen Shuyao's shoulder, "You just stay here and behave yourself."

"I'll have those five hundred guards come and learn about the place tomorrow," said Old Madam Chu, then turned her gaze to Duke Wen. "Such a large Duke Wen's mansion, surely it can't afford to support five hundred people?"

"Of course we can afford to raise them," Duke Wen quickly replied sincerely. "I will have someone prepare the courtyard so that they have enough room to stay."

Old Madam Chu nodded reluctantly: "You're quite sensible."

"Yaoyao." She took Wen Shuyao's hand and whispered, "We're both in the capital. If someone bullies us..."

She glanced coldly at Madam Wen and Wen Yitong, her voice rising and growing colder, "Just send someone to the General's Mansion! I may not have many other skills... but I can certainly manage to cry in front of the Empress!"

Upon hearing this, Duke Wen felt a chill in his heart and immediately gave Lady Wen a warning look.

Madam Wen was also extremely frightened and quickly lowered her head.

She was well aware of the Chu family's capabilities, which is why she had been deliberately trying to sow discord between the Chu family and Wen Shuyao all these years.

But she never expected that she would ultimately be outmaneuvered, and that at the most crucial moment, her weakness would be exploited, causing her to lose a large sum of money and lowering her standing in the eyes of the Duke of Wen.

Madam Wen remained silent, but she gritted her teeth, plotting how she could turn the tables.

Wen Shuyao gently shook her head and said innocently, "Father treats me very well, so please don't worry."

Duke Wen echoed from the side, "In my heart, the most important thing is Yaoyao's marriage. Rest assured, I will never let anyone hinder this marriage."

That's Prince Jing!

Whether it's Wen Shuyao or Wen Yitong, they are both his daughters! It doesn't matter who marries Prince Jing.

Seeing how considerate Prince Jing is towards Wen Shuyao, he feels that the future prosperity and wealth of the Wen State Duke's Mansion depends on this marriage, so he must protect it carefully.

Knowing his nature, Old Madam Chu gave a cold laugh and led Wen Shuyao forward.

"Your father is a profit-driven man," Old Madam Chu said in a low voice. "You must be very careful! You absolutely must not..."

"Don't worry." Wen Shuyao's pretty face was filled with coldness. "I have never regarded him as my father, and naturally I will not change because of his likes or dislikes."

"I did this..." she was about to say what was on her mind.