He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

The atmosphere at the Great Zhou Embassy was as cold as ice.

A eunuch from the northern region had just finished reading the emperor's decree, his shrill voice still echoing on the beam.

"Ms. Liu has regained her freedom and is free to choose her own marriage partner; no one may interfere!"

Jiang Chengxuan's face turned ashen as he stared at the bright yellow imperial edict.

Only after the eunuch had gone far away did the anger in his chest finally explode.

"Snapped!"

He slammed a teacup to the ground.

"This is outrageous!"

He gritted his teeth.

"That bitch Liu Jingyi, she's going to be the Prince Xin's principal wife!"

"And Jiang Bingning! She's climbed the social ladder! This is a slap in my face! A slap in the face to our entire Jiang family!"

Jiang Siyuan, who was standing to the side, was equally agitated and slammed his fist on the table.

"Father! Are we just going to stand by and watch?"

"Haven't that woman caused us enough trouble?!"

Only the second son, Jiang Luwei, remained the most composed.

"What's the point of arguing?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced his two furious brothers.

"My father is an envoy of the Great Zhou Dynasty, representing the national system. He can exert diplomatic pressure on Beidi; this is our first card."

A sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

"Yuerong is currently in the inner quarters of the Lin family. Although she is a lowly concubine, she is most likely to have access to the Lin family's secrets. This is our second card."

Jiang Luwei's gaze swept over the two of them.

"And we, on the other hand, are out there running around, contacting every force we can."

"The three parties have joined forces, laying an inescapable trap. I refuse to believe we can't bring down Jiang Bingning!"

Jiang Chengxuan's breathing gradually calmed down.

"So, what exactly should we do?"

Jiang Luwei's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Let's start with Yue Rong."

"Lin Wenbo is a good-for-nothing, he's the easiest to control. Yue Rong needs some help."

He took a small paper packet from his sleeve.

"What is this?" Jiang Siyuan asked.

"A slow-acting poison." Jiang Luwei's voice was completely calm. "It's colorless and odorless, not fatal, but it gradually weakens a person, making them dependent on an antidote."

"With it, Yue Rong can completely control Lin Wenbo."

-----------------

The next day, at the dilapidated temple in the west of the city.

A figure dressed in coarse cloth and wearing a veiled hat hurriedly entered.

It's Jiang Yuerong.

As soon as she entered, a person emerged from the shadows in the corner.

"younger sister."

Jiang Yuerong trembled and suddenly looked up.

"Second Brother!"

She rushed over, and all the grievances and fear she had suppressed for so long turned into tears at that moment.

"Brother, I'm suffering so much..."

She burst into tears.

Jiang Luwei patted her back, his eyes filled with heartache and resentment.

"I know, I know everything."

After a long while, Jiang Yuerong finally stopped crying. She lifted her head from Jiang Luwei's embrace, but her eyes were filled with deep-seated hatred.

"I want revenge!"

"I'll make Lin Wenbo wish he were dead! And I'll make that bitch Jiang Bingning utterly disgraced and lose everything!"

Jiang Luwei nodded as he looked at her.

"Yes."

He stuffed the medicine packet and a stack of banknotes into Jiang Yuerong's hands.

"Take these, use them to win people's hearts, and protect yourself."

"Use this medicine on Lin Wenbo as you see fit."

Jiang Luwei's teeth were grinding together.

"Don't worry, little sister."

"Soon, we will be able to collect all the debts, with interest."

-----------------

In the main hall of Prince Xin's residence, the Dowager Consort looked worried.

The butler led in a young girl dressed in mourning clothes.

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old and had a slender figure.

She wore the simplest plain white mourning clothes and no makeup, which made her face look even more beautiful, like a lotus after the rain.

Especially those eyes, now brimming with tears, looking at anyone with a hook that could soften anyone's heart.

"Grandmother..."

The girl knelt on the ground, her forehead touching the earth, her thin shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

"My mother's coffin has been laid to rest."

"Wanqing... Wanqing kowtowed to her maternal grandmother."

The Dowager Empress stopped stringing beads in her hand.

This is the only bloodline left by her fourth daughter, who married far away in Longxi: Su Wanqing.

Now, her fourth daughter has passed away, and her son-in-law is also long gone.

"Poor child, get up quickly." The Dowager Princess felt very sorry for him.

Su Wanqing refused to get up, tears streaming down her face.

"Grandmother, Wanqing's parents have both passed away, and she is now homeless."

"I beg my grandmother to have mercy and take Wanqing in, to give Wanqing a place to stay."

"Wanqing is willing to serve as a slave or maid to her maternal grandmother and repay the kindness of the Prince's Mansion!"

Her words were so poignant and moving that all the servants present were deeply touched.

The Dowager Empress sighed and personally stepped forward to help her up.

"Silly child, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"This is your home, so please settle in comfortably."

"Thank you, maternal grandmother."

Su Wanqing leaned against the Dowager Empress's chest, but a glint of shrewdness flashed quickly in the depths of her eyes.

-----------------

Su Wanqing settled down at the Prince Xin's residence.

She appears gentle and obedient, speaking softly and gently to everyone, which makes her endearing.

On the first day of my stay, I "coincidentally" fell ill due to the change in environment.

For a time, everyone from the Dowager Empress to the maids and servants felt sorry for this newly arrived young lady.

Herbal medicines and tonics were being delivered to her courtyard in a continuous stream.

Su Wanqing lay on the hospital bed, seemingly weak with her eyes closed, but her ears were not idle.

She subtly extracted information about all the masters in the Prince's mansion from the maids and servants who came to visit her.

Prince Xin, Ji Yunhan, is about to marry his new queen.

The second young master, Ji Zhaowu, is a elusive and formidable figure, rarely seen and never truly encountered.

There is also the heir apparent, Ji Chengyun.

Young and promising, yet unmarried, he is the darling of the Dowager Princess and the future master of the Prince Xin's Mansion.

Su Wanqing's lips curled up slightly under the blanket.

The target has been identified.

-----------------

翌日清晨，天光微亮.

Ji Chengyun was practicing his sword in the open space of the garden.

Suddenly, a slender, graceful figure appeared not far away.

Su Wanqing, carrying a food box, walked over with a pale face and unsteady steps.

"Cousin Chengyun..."

She called out softly.

Ji Chengyun sheathed his sword and turned to look at her.

"Cousin Wanqing? Why are you up? Shouldn't you rest a bit more?"

Su Wanqing smiled faintly, about to speak, when she seemed to trip over a pebble.

"what!"

With a gasp, she plunged straight into the lotus pond beside her.

"thump!"

Water splashed everywhere.

Ji Chengyun's expression changed, and without thinking, he immediately leaped into the pool and pulled her out.

The girl was soaked to the bone, her plain white clothes clinging tightly to her body, outlining her exquisite curves.

She huddled in Ji Chengyun's arms, shivering, her wet hair clinging to her cheeks, her eyes filled with fear and looking utterly pitiful.

"Cousin...I..."

Ji Chengyun helped her to the shore and was about to say that she was alright.

Looking up, I saw Jiang Bingning standing quietly under the corridor not far away.

She arrived at some unknown time, and saw an unknown amount of time.

She had no expression on her face, just looking at them with a calm demeanor.