The golden hairpin was sharp and keen. As it came down with a tap, the warm, crystalline pink jade petals at the hairpin’s end trembled lightly.

Wen Ping knew very well that anything Second Miss owned was worth a fortune, so naturally she could produce ten thousand taels. What shocked him even more was what Second Miss said next.

He stared intently at Wen Hao, waiting for her to continue.

Wen Hao didn’t keep him in suspense. In a calm, indifferent tone, she said, “All those fine things my father stored away—you’ve emptied them out, haven’t you?”

At these words, Wen Ping felt as if struck by lightning. His entire body stiffened, and only after a long while did he think to defend himself: “S-Second Miss, you wrong this old servant. How could this old servant possibly do such a thing?”

Wen Hao was in no hurry. “Whether I’m wronging you or not is easy to settle. When I return home, I’ll simply make up some excuse and have Father inspect the storeroom. Only by then, Steward Wen, you’ll likely have no time to spare for your son.”

Wen Ping held the keys to Wen Rugui’s private treasury. In her previous life, Wen Hao had known about his embezzlement through her special ability.

But to Wen Hao, who had a distant relationship with her father, what did that have to do with her? As long as his greedy hands didn’t reach toward her mother, it was fine.

Now, however, she could use this very point to make Wen Ping turn traitor.

These words of Wen Hao’s struck like a heavy hammer against Wen Ping’s heart.

His psychological defenses finally collapsed completely. His legs went weak and he dropped to his knees. “Second Miss, spare my life!”

Wen Hao leaned back slightly, her tone still unhurried. “Steward Wen, you have it wrong. I’m clearly saving lives—saving your life, and also your son’s life.”

“Yes, yes, yes—Second Miss speaks truly.” Wen Ping raised his sleeve and continuously wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Wen Hao smiled faintly. “Steward Wen, don’t kneel. Get up.”

Wen Ping hurriedly stood.

Wen Hao pushed a cup of tea forward. “Steward Wen, please sit. It’s easier to talk that way.”

Wen Ping sat as instructed, secretly alarmed.

He had to admit that he’d been completely led around by Second Miss this entire time.

Among the four masters of the Wen household, the master was deep and shrewd, the madam was fierce but lacking in cunning, First Miss was gentle and steady, while Second Miss—because of her natural muteness—had always been seen by the servants as merely a somewhat odd and solitary young lady.

He never would have imagined that once Second Miss could speak, she would turn out to be so formidable.

No, no, no—it wasn’t just formidable. It was downright monstrous.

How had she learned these secrets?

As Wen Ping’s rationality returned, his thoughts multiplied.

His regaining rationality didn’t mean he regretted his earlier decision. Rather, it was precisely because he’d made that decision first—jumping from a desperate situation to a difficult one—that he could now think somewhat calmly.

“Steward Wen must have many questions, yes?” Taking in Wen Ping’s constantly shifting expressions, Wen Hao asked with a smile.

Wen Ping immediately focused his attention. “This old servant does have some questions—”

“Then hold them in.”

Wen Ping choked, once again experiencing the young lady’s unpredictable moods.

“Yes… May I ask what Second Miss needs this old servant to do?”

“Very simple. In the future, when matters come to a head and you’re questioned, you need only tell the truth.”

Wen Ping nearly blurted out “How does Second Miss know this?” but under the young lady’s cool gaze, he forcibly swallowed the words back.

“One thousand taels of silver in exchange for one truthful statement—quite a good deal, wouldn’t you say?”

Wen Ping clutched the banknote with a bitter smile. “This old servant is just worried that when the time comes, the master will—”

“Worried my father will deal with you?” Wen Hao casually glanced at him.

Wen Ping nodded with an awkward smile.

The corners of Wen Hao’s lips curved slightly, and a mocking expression flashed across her face.

So he was asking her for a way out.

How beautifully he thought!

“Steward Wen, have you heard this saying?”

“Please, Second Miss.”

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Wen Hao enunciated each word clearly.

As she spoke, she casually picked up the peach blossom hairpin and turned it in her fingers. “One is an immediate life-or-death crisis, the other is a small difficulty in the future. If Steward Wen doesn’t know how to choose between them, then I’ll be rather disappointed.”

Wen Ping smiled with difficulty.

A small difficulty? What he would face was the consequence of betraying his master.

However, Second Miss was right. If he didn’t follow Second Miss’s lead, he and his son would be finished right now.

“This old servant will listen to Second Miss.” Wen Ping lowered his head.

Wen Hao raised her voice and called out, “Baozhu—”

Baozhu pushed the door open and entered.

“See Steward Wen out for me.”

Wen Ping quickly said, “I dare not trouble Baozhu.”

After Wen Ping left, Baozhu couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, giving him one thousand taels just like that—aren’t you worried he’ll go back on his word?”

“His embezzlement far exceeds one thousand taels. He passed the point of no return long ago.” Wen Hao’s gaze drifted casually toward the window as she spoke lightly.

Once Father discovered Wen Ping’s embezzlement, his fate would only be worse than his son falling into the hands of those thugs.

What he’d stolen and sold were rarely-used treasures. He held onto the wishful thinking that Father wouldn’t notice.

But she happened to know about it.

“Baozhu, we’re going home.”

Having dealt with Wen Ping, the next one would be Father’s clan brother.

How laughable—Wen Ping aided the tyrant for his son’s sake, and Father’s clan brother also aided the tyrant for his son’s sake.

Oh, and even Father himself—his driving Mother to desperation was largely for his son’s sake as well.

After Wen Hao returned to the Wen mansion and had lunch, she took a short rest before Wen Chan came to visit.

“Elder Sister returned so early.”

“That kind of banquet happens a dozen times a year. There’s nothing interesting about them.” Wen Chan raised the oil-paper package in her hand. “Crispy butter pastries from Wan Ji Shop—I remember Second Sister loves their—”

Her vermillion lips curved slightly upward in an arc so similar to Wen Hao’s gentle smile, and those pure black, clear eyes were full of affection.

Wen Hao gazed intently at her elder sister, and tears fell.

She and Elder Sister truly looked so alike.

That man who took liberties with Elder Sister, as Lian Xiang had mentioned… was it also the Crown Prince?

This possibility made Wen Hao’s heart feel as if pierced by knives.

“What’s wrong, Second Sister?” Wen Hao’s reaction left Wen Chan completely confused.

“Are you thinking about Father’s outside mistress? Don’t be afraid—Grandmother will stand up for us—”

“Elder Sister.” Wen Hao embraced Wen Chan, her hot tears soaking into her sister’s garment. “I’m not thinking about those things. I just feel that Elder Sister has been too good to me. Before, I couldn’t speak, but now I can finally say thank you to Elder Sister.”

What she actually wanted to say was “I’m sorry”—to say “I’m sorry” many, many times.

Though she knew clearly that the one at fault wasn’t her, but those conscienceless beasts, whenever she thought of how in her previous life, if she hadn’t gone to watch that street performer that day, perhaps Elder Sister wouldn’t have met with disaster—she couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Wen Chan gently patted Wen Hao’s back, both heartbroken and touched. “What silly talk. I’m your elder sister—isn’t treating you well what I’m supposed to do?”

She opened the oil-paper package and took out a piece of crispy butter pastry to give to Wen Hao.

“Elder Sister should eat too.”

After the two sisters finished the snacks, Wen Chan said, “Second Sister, let’s tell Grandmother tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow. Mother says she’s taking us back to our maternal family’s home tomorrow.”

Wen Chan nodded. “Then the day after tomorrow we’ll quietly go over.”

Mother loved Father too deeply and had a quick temper. It would be more prudent to notify Grandmother first.

But beyond this consideration, Wen Hao had another plan.

Tonight, it was also time to show her face before that clan uncle.