Emperor Tai’an had few offspring. Only two princes survived to adulthood—one was the Crown Prince, the other was Prince Wei, the Fourth Prince.

The Crown Prince was born to the late Empress. His status as the legitimate eldest son made his position as heir apparent unshakeable.

Though Prince Wei’s birth mother now held the rank of Imperial Consort, she had been born a palace maid and only achieved her current status by virtue of her son. As for Prince Wei himself, he was far less favored by Emperor Tai’an than the Crown Prince.

Wen Hao recovered from her extreme shock, then found it no longer surprising.

No matter how much Father disliked her, she was still his daughter. For him, a dignified minister, to quietly send his daughter to someone for amusement, that person’s status must be extraordinarily noble.

With Grandfather and Grandmother deceased, Mother driven mad, and herself mute, forget marrying into a family of equal standing—even families two ranks below the Wens wouldn’t be easy. Marrying any lower would offer no benefit whatsoever to a father who never considered his daughter’s lifelong happiness. Better to just keep her at home, costing only some food.

Someone like her was merely a solitary spirit in Wen Manor that no one cared about. If she could catch the Crown Prince’s eye and gain the heir apparent’s favor for Father, how could Father not be tempted?

After all, he was the man who could silently condemn his wife of over twenty years to death.

The Crown Prince… one of her enemies was the Crown Prince.

Not a Crown Prince whose position as heir was precarious, but the next Emperor in everyone’s eyes without question.

This truly was an immovable mountain.

Wen Hao lowered her eyes, staring at her slender, pale hands.

“Ah Hao, are you feeling unwell?” Observing her daughter’s somewhat pallid complexion, Lin Shi asked with concern.

Wen Hao smiled. “I’m not unwell. Has Mother finished choosing?”

Lin Shi pointed at the dazzling array of jewelry on the display table. “Pack it all up.”

The female shopkeeper beamed with joy. “I’ll have everything packed and delivered to your manor right away.”

“There aren’t that many items. I’ll take them directly.”

The shopkeeper efficiently packed the jewelry and personally carried several boxes to see Lin Shi to her carriage.

“Madam Lin, when new designs arrive, I’ll send them to your manor for you to select.”

“No need. Coming out to browse is more interesting.”

Lin Shi boarded the carriage and handed one rosewood box to Wen Hao. “See if Ah Hao likes these.”

Wen Hao accepted and opened it, nearly dazzled by the box full of gleaming jewelry.

Thinking of the hardships during her escape in her previous life, her eyes grew moist.

Forget a box full of exquisitely beautiful jewels—she would even love a box full of plain, simple silver ingots.

“Daughter loves them very much.” Wen Hao nodded earnestly.

“Mother’s eye is still quite good.” The corners of Lin Shi’s mouth lifted high as she patted another box of similar size. “This box is what I chose for your elder sister.”

She was clearly in excellent spirits, and the reason for her happiness was simple: her daughters liked what she bought for them.

This mother, so guileless and wholeheartedly devoted to Father, was calculated against and trampled upon by her husband.

Wen Hao linked arms with Lin Shi and rested her head on her shoulder. “Mother, Elder Sister will surely love them too.”

Lin Shi smiled with pursed lips, completely satisfied. “I thank heaven for letting my Ah Hao speak again. Even if it cost me ten years of life—”

Wen Hao quickly stopped Lin Shi’s words. “Mother, you mustn’t say such things. If that were the case, daughter would rather remain mute.”

“Silly girl…” Lin Shi choked up and wiped the corners of her eyes.

Upon entering Wen Manor, Wen Hao held the box and said, “Mother, I’ll return to Luoying Residence first.”

“Go rest. Let Baozhu carry the jewelry box—it’s quite heavy.”

“No need. Mother gave it to me, and I want to carry it myself.”

Wen Hao took leave of Lin Shi and walked unhurriedly toward Luoying Residence. She had barely taken two steps when she encountered Steward Wen Ping coming toward her.

Wen Ping walked hurriedly. Whether from being too rushed or some other reason, he nearly collided with Wen Hao.

Wen Hao’s hand loosened, and the box fell to the ground.

The box, already packed full, spilled its contents upon impact. The jewels tumbled out, emitting dazzling brilliance in the sunlight.

Wen Ping stared at the golden glitter covering the ground, his eyes glazing over.

Baozhu glared and scolded, “Did Steward Wen not bring his eyes? Can you bear the responsibility for offending Miss?”

Wen Ping shuddered back to his senses and bowed apologetically to Wen Hao. “This old servant was blind. This old servant begs Second Miss’s forgiveness.”

Wen Hao paid no attention to the jewels scattered across the ground, her gaze falling coldly on Wen Ping. “Does Steward Wen have urgent business?”

“There is some matter to handle…” Wen Ping kept his head lowered, his gaze unconsciously drawn to the jewels covering the ground.

“Then Steward Wen should attend to it.” Wen Hao’s tone was calm and even, revealing neither pleasure nor anger.

“Second Miss is magnanimous. This old servant thanks Second Miss for not holding this against me.” Wen Ping bowed deeply.

Wen Hao stared at Wen Ping’s hastily departing back, her gaze growing colder.

Wen Ping was the page boy who gave false testimony for Father!

In the blink of twenty years, the little page boy had become a head steward, also a person of status in Wen Manor.

His rush today should be because he was heading to a gambling house.

Baozhu picked up the jewelry and breathed a sigh of relief. “Miss, fortunately none were damaged.”

Wen Hao nodded slightly. “That’s good. Let’s return to Luoying Residence first.”

She had deliberately dropped the box to stimulate Wen Ping. Judging by his reaction, the effect was quite good.

Returning to Luoying Residence, Wen Hao didn’t rest for even a moment. She changed into different clothes and left again with Baozhu.

The master and servant didn’t use Wen Manor’s carriage but hired one instead.

“To Qianjin Lane.”

Qianjin Lane was one of the capital’s major gambling establishments. Gamblers came and went continuously every day, and it was also the easiest place for trouble to occur.

At this moment, a young man was cornered against the wall outside by several people, crying and begging for mercy.

People entering and exiting the gambling house didn’t even glance in that direction, clearly long accustomed to such scenes.

“Young Master Yun, shall we say we chop off your left pinky finger, or your right one?”

The youth’s expression was terrified, tears and snot streaming down his face. “Don’t… don’t chop off my finger. My father will bring money immediately…”

“Then why isn’t he here yet?”

“Soon, soon…”

“Last time your father came to pay your debt, he said he wouldn’t take care of you anymore.”

“My father will definitely help. I’m his only son. You have to believe me—” the youth cried out.

Someone whispered something in the leader’s ear. The leader glanced in a certain direction and sneered coldly, “Chop off his finger!”

The man who received the order pressed the youth’s left hand against the wall and raised a cleaver.

“Stop!” Wen Ping shouted from afar and came running.

“Oh, Lord Wen arrived just in time. Your son’s little finger is still intact.”

“Father, Father, save me!”

“You… you’re absolutely lawless!” Wen Ping trembled all over, both angry at his son’s debauchery and annoyed by these scoundrels’ behavior.

“Lord Wen speaks incorrectly. Paying debts is only natural and right. If you don’t believe it, we can go ask the magistrate at the government office.”

Wen Ping’s face turned iron-blue with rage, but he knew that without paying today, there would be no escape.

Though he was a steward in a minister’s manor, those who could operate a gambling house in the capital that stood firm were hardly simple. If this truly escalated, the master would certainly blame him.

“How much?”

The man held up one finger.

“One hundred taels?” Wen Ping’s heart ached as he shuddered and reached to pull out the money.

Once upon a time, one hundred taels wasn’t considered much money to him, but with such a son, even the thickest savings had been depleted. Now, forget one hundred taels—even producing one tael of silver was difficult.

The man sneered. “Lord Wen must be joking. One thousand taels. One tael short and we keep your son’s finger.”