Ch 294: Secret Talk

“This humble daughter, Wen Ruohuan, greets Princess Yongzhen.”

Wen Ruohuan knelt and performed a courtesy, her face showing a mixture of anxiety and apprehension.

It was already late at night; the Princess had suddenly summoned her, and she didn’t know the reason, but she had a vague idea, which made her somewhat excited.

Last time, her elder brother incurred debts at the gambling house, and the Princess appeared like a timely rain, sending someone with silver to cover her brother’s losses.

That person also said that when the Princess needed her, she must repay the favor.

She had pondered this sentence for a long time.

What could she, the daughter of a minor seventh-rank official, do to help the powerful Princess?

After much thought, the only connection was the Jing’an Marquis Manor.

Then again, the Princess frequently sent her brother-in-law to the Princess Manor; she understood the underlying intentions behind it.

Wen Ruohuan was prepared; she would repay the favor.

However, she also had her own conditions: she would also become her brother-in-law’s woman.

Sharing a husband with a princess would make some people think she had lost her mind.

But she wasn’t afraid; after all, the Princess only had her to use, and she would definitely agree.

Thinking this, Wen Ruohuan felt more confident; even her posture was straight as she sat in the armchair.

Li Zhilan blew on the steam rising from her teacup, and asked softly, “You are Wen Ruohuan?”

Her appearance wasn’t outstanding, and she looked restless, far inferior to Wen Jiayue.

“Indeed,” Wen Ruohuan smiled confidently, “I wonder why Your Highness summoned me at this late hour?”

“No need to pretend; this palace hasn’t time for idle chat,” Li Zhilan put down her teacup, “I only ask you one question: can you kill Wen Jiayue for me?”

Wen Ruohuan stared at her in shock, kill her sister?

She thought it would be enough to have her sister and brother-in-law divorce; why did it come to murder?

Her legs weakened, and she almost fell from the armchair, quickly grabbing the armrest.

Seeing her trembling like a leaf, Li Zhilan frowned; it was just killing someone, why make such a fuss?

She didn’t bother to ask further, tilted her chin, and gestured for the steward to bring the poison.

“This is medicine from the Western Regions, colorless and odorless. If it’s added to water for three consecutive days, the person will fall ill. At first, it’s only a light cold, but after a few days, they will suffer heart and lung failure and die, incurable.”

Wen Ruohuan took it with trembling hands, but said, “No, I can’t do this…”

Li Zhilan curled her lips and tempted, “No one will know it was you. Don’t you hate your sister too? Kill her, and her dowry, betrothal gifts, and even her husband can be yours.”

Wen Ruohuan suddenly raised her head; did the Princess guess her thoughts?

“To be honest, this palace has coveted Lord Shen for a long time,” Li Zhilan said, propping her chin, “But this palace isn’t like your sister, clinging to Lord Shen. Whether Lord Shen can enjoy the blessings of two wives depends on whether you agree.”

Wen Ruohuan looked at the white porcelain bottle in her hand and clutched it tightly.

The Princess had actually told her everything, and the conditions were so tempting; she was so frankly trying to win her over.

But murder, she still wasn’t sure about that.

Seeing her hesitation, Li Zhilan’s patience ran out, “I’ll give you only one cup of tea’s time. If you still can’t decide, then leave.”

A fierce internal battle raged in Wen Ruohuan’s mind, before she finally said, “This humble daughter… this humble daughter doesn’t know how to administer the poison…this humble daughter cannot enter the Marquis Manor…”

Seeing her agreement, Li Zhilan smiled.

“That’s easy, curry favor with your sister,” she said casually, “Sisters are the closest people, there are no overnight grudges.”

Wen Ruohuan suddenly realized; yes, when they were little, she and her sister were best friends, and that wouldn’t change when they grew up.

Although her sister was a little cold towards her now, as long as she clung to her like she did when they were children, she would soften.

She quickly said, “Rest assured, Your Highness, within half a month, this humble daughter will definitely take care of this matter.”

Seeing Wen Ruohuan’s change from hesitation to eagerness, even more impatient than herself, Li Zhilan cursed her inwardly as a fool.

Acting under the watchful eyes of the perceptive Shen Fuhan, was she tired of living!

However, she said calmly, “There’s no rush. During this period, you should get closer to your sister. When Lord Shen leaves the capital, you move into the Marquis Manor and act accordingly.”

Wen Ruohuan understood, “This humble daughter will follow Your Highness’s instructions.”

“You may leave; this palace is weary.”

Wen Ruohuan, clutching the small porcelain bottle, left the Princess Manor, her face full of excitement.

The Princess’s plan was foolproof; when her brother-in-law left the capital next time, upon his return, she would be his woman!

Returning to Wen Manor secretly, Wen Ruohuan prepared to write a heartfelt letter late into the night.

But she was too excited, and every attempt at writing was unsatisfactory, so she went to bed.

Meanwhile, Shen Fuhan learned of their conversation word for word.

He dismissed the guard and pondered quietly.

In just two short visits to the Princess Manor, Li Zhilan was ready to act; her patience was really poor.

His own planned visit to the Princess Manor tomorrow seemed unnecessary.

Since they would soon be on opposing sides, why bother with pretense now?

It was just a pity that he hadn’t yet investigated Feifei’s matter.

But the living must be prioritized over the dead; he had to protect Wen Jiayue first.

Shen Fuhan took out a painting of bamboo and rocks painted by Feifei from his drawer.

He remembered that it was a birthday gift Feifei had given him once.

He said, “In my heart, Eldest Brother is the tall bamboo, upright and strong, so I will be the stone beside Eldest Brother, bamboo and stone together, inseparable.”

His appearance and smile were still vivid in his memory, the painting remained, but the person was gone for many years.

He stroked the stone under the bamboo and softly said, “Sorry.”

It was my fault, Eldest Brother, that I haven’t found out the reason for your death, and I even have to make you compromise.

But I know you wouldn’t blame me.

When he returned to the bedroom, it was already late at night. Shen Fuhan silently went to the washroom.

Wen Jiayue glanced at him, feeling a subtle tension.

She had once again kept him waiting, and she would still pay the price.

However, unexpectedly, after washing up, Shen Fuhan simply lay down, showing no intention of intimacy.

Wen Jiayue was a little puzzled, but this was exactly what she wanted, and she wouldn’t remind him.

She was about to fall asleep when she heard rustling sounds beside her, and she fell into a warm embrace.

Wen Jiayue stiffened; was Shen Fuhan trying to lull her into a false sense of security again?

As she was pondering, she suddenly heard Shen Fuhan ask, “A Yue, are you sleepy?”

His voice was low and heavy, as if filled with endless distress, seeming somewhat vulnerable.

Wen Jiayue was startled, vulnerable?

Could that word ever be used to describe Shen Fuhan?

Seeing her silence, Shen Fuhan said softly, “Tonight, let’s just talk.”

Wen Jiayue recovered, “What does the Marquis wish to say?”

Shen Fuhan was silent for a moment, then said, “You speak, I’ll listen.”

Wen Jiayue: …

So, having a conversation meant she was the one talking, and he only listened?

However, Shen Fuhan was acting rather strangely, so she asked softly, “Is the Marquis in a bad mood?”

“Not very good,” Shen Fuhan sighed deeply, “I suddenly thought of Feifei.”

Wen Jiayue suggested, “Then Marquis, tell me about your younger brother. It’s better to say it out loud than to keep it in your heart.”

Shen Fuhan looked down at her and asked, “Are you willing to listen?”

Wen Jiayue nodded, “Of course.”

In view of his agreement to not go to the Princess Manor twice in a row, she could temporarily be a comforting listener.