A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 85

Chapter 85

After some awkward small talk,

Prince Wu smiled and said, “Mr. Hu, there are a few people up ahead who would like to meet you. Would you like to join me?”

Mr. Hu didn’t really want to go. He glanced at his wife.

Mrs. Hu turned to look at him and nodded.

“Then I’ll go with the Prince first and come back for you later. If you need anything, send someone to get me,” Mr. Hu said softly.

Prince Wu’s face remained calm, but his heart was filled with jealousy. He stood up with Mr. Hu and walked out.

Even Princess Wu stood up to see her husband off.

But Mrs. Hu remained seated.

After the men left, Princess Wu smiled and said, “Pour some tea for Mrs. Hu.” Her voice was extremely gentle. She glanced at Yang Ruishi and sighed inwardly: People always say that time takes its toll on beauty.

But she is an exception!

After all these years, her appearance remains the same… how does she not age at all? Thinking of her own five children, the loose skin around her eyes and neck, the tightly cinched waist…

Sigh, not only is she not ugly or dead, she’s also living a life where her respectable husband dotes on her.

This fate truly makes me, the Princess, admire her.

She lifted her teacup, gently swirling it, and sighed inwardly…

This Mrs. Hu, whose real name is Yang Ruishi, is an orphaned girl from a branch of the deceased Grand Imperial Consort’s family.

The Grand Imperial Consort’s family didn’t have many descendants, so upon hearing the news, they brought little Yang Ruishi into the palace to raise her by their side.

The deceased Empress Dowager, seeing how beautiful she was, like a painting, was also very fond of her and decided to keep her in her own palace, treating her like a princess.

Therefore, Prince Wu, in his youth, saw this little girl who was so beautiful she seemed unreal.

Later, when Prince Wu reached the age to establish his own residence, the Empress Dowager fell ill, the Grand Imperial Consort passed away, and then the former Empress also fell ill. Prince Wu’s mother was constantly busy in the palace.

He didn’t know how he managed it, but he brought Yang Ruishi back to his own residence.

He reached the age for betrothal, and the Emperor bestowed a marriage upon him. I had been married into the family for a long time before I realized that there was someone like Yang Ruishi in Prince Wu’s residence!

A peerless beauty hidden in seclusion!

She was truly “unseen” back then!

Because no one outside knew of her existence. And within Prince Wu’s residence, almost no one knew either.

That girl lived in a courtyard within a courtyard.

The people serving her were all personally appointed by Prince Wu. Even her food, clothing, shelter, and studies were all personally arranged by Prince Wu.

Before marrying in, I had even inquired about the names and origins of Prince Wu’s concubines, but I had no idea about Yang Ruishi’s existence!

Even raising a daughter wouldn’t be done like this, right?!

I had received a strict upbringing from my family, making me a reserved and composed person…

Marrying Prince Wu, I knew I would face a descendant of the imperial family, that there would be concubines of noble birth, and various other concubines.

I wouldn’t be jealous. I would also allow other women to bear Prince Wu’s children.

But… ever since I learned about Yang Ruishi, I could no longer tolerate her presence no matter what.

Because I knew that with this woman around, all my family’s hard work was ultimately for Yang Ruishi’s benefit.

Sooner or later, I would die because of this woman… I understood all too well the difference between how my husband treated Yang Ruishi and how he treated others.

To my husband, I was also “others!”

Because he was extremely polite, our daily discussions about matters were always smooth. But when it came to sleeping in my room, his reluctance was written all over his face! Sometimes, he even needed alcohol to do it!

Thinking of this, Princess Wu also admired herself.

No matter what she went through, she pretended not to understand and silently endured it all. Secretly, she started planning, gathering all the information she could! Once she was prepared, she just needed an opportunity.

Unfortunately, she got pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. And then another daughter…

At that time… the political situation was unstable. The Empress Dowager and the Empress passed away one after another, and then the Crown Prince had an accident. The Emperor’s paranoia intensified, tossing his sons around. Later, he even sent his adult sons away without any explanation.

Our family was relocated, and I was still pregnant. My husband, perhaps worried about Yang Ruishi traveling alone, brought her along.

I pretended to casually ask who she was, and he replied, “Cousin!”

Since she was a “cousin”, wouldn’t I, as her cousin-in-law, be able to interact with her?!

Yang Ruishi had never met anyone from the outside world. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.

She was truly beautiful! I had never seen anyone like her!

Along the way, Yang Ruishi would always come to me.

✿✿✿

I have to say… she was a truly innocent child. She softly called me “Sister-in-law” and deeply admired my “knowledge and experience.” She followed me around like a shadow… She didn’t know anything, yet she even wanted to help me take care of my daughter!

Finally, she had fallen into my hands. I made my move without revealing my intentions.

Yang Ruishi became filled with curiosity about the outside world and decided: She wanted to manage her own affairs, to stand at the bow of the ship and watch the scenery, to make friends, to see the world beyond the walls…

And she was furious about her husband’s restrictions, leaving him at a loss for how to appease her. But no matter how he tried, he couldn’t make it up to her.

Later, my husband directly took action…

Not long after, Yang Ruishi became pregnant.

Before my husband could even rejoice… the Emperor, not trusting his sons to be away, sent people to check on them. He was afraid of the Emperor finding out, so he transferred Yang Ruishi and hid her here…

Orange Garden.

Only then did I finally have my opportunity. Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on Princess Wu’s lips.

She had arranged everything, but there was a slight mishap…

Of course, she couldn’t use her own people for this kind of thing, so she found outsiders. The original plan was to have her raped and murdered, but those men, seeing her stunning beauty, couldn’t bring themselves to do it and instead kidnapped her.

When the news reached the residence, Prince Wu, disregarding everything else, went out like a madman to search for her.

My people had already cleaned up everything. So, he searched for a long time but found nothing!

Later, I safely gave birth to my eldest son.

Prince Wu almost died from grief! Haha, that’s an exaggeration. At that time, I thought: I have a son anyway, so if you die, you die!

Gradually, life went on.

I had always thought… she was dead!

But I never expected that some time ago, I would discover that she was still alive, and living quite well!

Judging by my husband’s behavior, he probably knew long ago, right?!

After so many years, going through so much, she has unexpectedly reappeared before me.

“Although we are not far apart, Mr. Hu treats you like a treasure, making it truly difficult to see you! However, knowing that you are doing well, both the Prince and I are happy for you,” Princess Wu said slowly.

Yang Ruishi lifted her eyes and looked at Princess Wu.

“It’s been so many years. Sister-in-law, I’ve always wanted to ask, how have you been all these years?”

The Princess’s smile remained unchanged. “Me?! I never talk about whether I’m doing well or not. I only think: Pay the price, and then reap the reward! I don’t expect more, and I won’t settle for less.

My father and brother have given everything for the Prince. My daughters have also entered into marriages for the Prince’s benefit. My eldest son has begun assisting the Prince with his affairs. The Prince has given me the respect due to a principal wife. In that sense: Am I doing well?!”

“Yes. I thought so too.”

“Oh, the Prince is too busy on a daily basis. He has to care about both national and family matters, and he has to handle everything personally. That’s what it means to be from the imperial family, right?”

The Princess held a few sheets of paper in her hand. “Look, while there are songs and dances outside, the Prince has assigned me so many tasks. I have to meet people and help arrange marriages for the children of some close families. It’s impossible to find any peace and quiet. I’m about to call them in. If you’re interested, stay and have a look with me?”

“I don’t understand these things that the Princess does. I’d rather go and see the singing and dancing outside.”

“That’s fine too! After all… you’re familiar with this garden. I won’t keep you any longer. Let’s meet again at dinner.”

Yang Ruishi stood up and went out.

The Princess watched her retreating figure…

Now that she’s alive, my husband might eventually find out it was my doing.

But, I’m not afraid! I’m not so easily moved now!

Besides, haha… fear is useless.

“Let them in! Oh, the Miss Wen I met last time, is she here already?”

“Yes, Your Highness, the entire Wen family is here.”

“Good. That girl is beautiful and seems to have a straightforward personality. Put the Wen family on the list. I’ll take another look at her later. If she’s suitable, go and call the Heir Apparent so he can take a look too. As for her position… we’ll see what he thinks!”

“Our Heir Apparent has high standards, but this Miss Wen will surely catch his eye,” the female official joked familiarly with the Princess.

“Indeed! His standards are not low.” He doesn’t even consider who his father is!