The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 158 - 157

Chapter 157

After Eunuch Fu left, Master Wan and his daughter retreated to his study for a private conversation. It took a long time for Master Wan to console Wan Ningtong and stop her tears.

"I refuse to believe this is happening. I will seek an audience with the Empress Dowager!"

Wan Ningtong declared coldly, her recently red, tear-streaked eyes showing defiance. She would never accept this marriage. Perhaps someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes. If she could see the Empress Dowager, maybe she could help her escape this situation.

"Sigh...Tong’er, accept the reality. Even if you see the Empress Dowager now, nothing will change. The imperial decree has been announced. How can it be rescinded? Besides, this isn’t entirely bad. You just have to marry far away. His Majesty has bestowed upon you the title of princess. In the future, no one in Yingjie will dare look down on you,"

Master Wan tried to persuade his daughter further. Wan Ningtong immediately retorted, "Good? What is good about this? That Third Prince..."

She bit her lip in dissatisfaction. She wanted to describe the depravity of the twisted Third Prince to her father, but she couldn’t reveal her knowledge without arousing suspicion. If her father knew, he would definitely wonder how she found out and why she had to investigated.

"No matter what, I will seek an audience with the Empress Dowager. Her Majesty cares for me too much to let me be married off to Yingjie."

Master Wan sighed heavily and shook his head inwardly. His daughter was being too stubborn and naive. Did she truly believe that up until now, the Empress Dowager favored her so?

Not at all!

It was because the Empress Dowager saw potential in her, viewing her as a pliable and controllable pawn prepared to be placed beside the Emperor. But his daughter foolishly thought the Empress Dowager genuinely cared for her.

"Even if you want to seek an audience with the Empress Dowager now, you can’t. A few days ago, she left for a retreat at the imperial temple and has forbidden any disturbances until she completes her meditation," Master Wan said, looking exasperated.

Upon hearing this, Wan Ningtong turned sharply to her father with disbelief in her eyes. This was...too convenient!

"I will try sending a letter to her trusted maid. If the Empress Dowager knows what’s happening, she will surely agree to see me," Wan Ningtong insisted, still unwilling to give up.

"Tong’er..."

Before Master Wan could finish speaking, Wan Ningtong interrupted, "You don’t need to say anything else, Father. I will never accept this and will find a way to handle it myself. If you don’t intend to help me, at least don’t stand in my way."

She left her final remarks with a voice colder than ever before, then leaving the study. Since finding out that her father had known about this but hadn’t told her, all the trust she had in him vanished, leaving only coldness in her heart.

Master Wan watched his daughter’s departing figure with sorrowful eyes. He understood why she was so cold towards him, but this matter had already been decided. No matter how much his daughter tried, she couldn’t change the imperial decree.

As Wan Ningtong walked back to her quarters, she reflected on the events that had transpired. The decree was issued because the Third Prince had pleaded with the Emperor. But why would he act so boldly?

Was he interested in her?

Was he in love with her?

No!

Impossible!

She had only spoken to him once, at the plum blossom garden. How could a single encounter make a man so infatuated that he would act so boldly?

There must be some mistakes...

The more Wan Ningtong thought about it, the more she felt that something was off. She carefully retraced the events in her mind. When she first met the Third Prince in the plum blossom garden, he had shown immediate interest in her, even though it was their first proper meeting outside the birthday celebration. His behavior indicated a strong desire for her, which seemed highly unusual.

It was as if he had been influenced by a love potion, making him easily infatuated with a stranger...

Suddenly, Wan Ningtong’s eyes widened as she halted her steps, realizing something. The Third Prince’s behavior and actions were exactly like those of someone under the influence of a love potion!

Previously, when she had been planning to deal with Mu Qingxuan, she had studied the symptoms and effects of love potions extensively. She knew the general details and effects, but she never imagined that such a potion would be used against her.

Thinking back to before she met the Third Prince at the pavilion, wasn’t there a maid from an unknown household who had bumped into her? The maid must have used that moment to sprinkle the fragrant powder on her. She hadn’t noticed the strange fragrance because of the overpowering scent of the blooming plum blossoms.

Who could have dared to scheme against her so cunningly?

Mu Qingxuan?

No...if it were Mu Qingxuan, it would mean she had discovered that Wan Ningtong was behind the previous incidents. If that were the case, Mu Qingxuan would have informed her brother, and the Left Side Minister Mu would have reported it to the Emperor to take action against her.

Yet, until now, there had been no news of any accusations or actions taken against her.

Could it be that Mu Qingxuan knew the truth but chose not to accuse her, opting instead to retaliate personally?

Wan Ningtong decided she needed to probe Mu Qingxuan first. If Mu Qingxuan was indeed behind this, she would not let it slide!

Having made up her mind, Wan Ningtong’s face turned cold. A cruel glint flashed in her eyes before she continued walking to order preparations for a carriage to take her to the Zhuiping Residence.

Zhuiping Residence

While Mu Yingying was reading some documents in her room, her close maid entered to report something. "Miss, just now someone reported that Young Miss Wan Ningtong is here to see the Eldest Young Miss."

"She’s here to see my sister?"

Mu Yingying repeated in surprise, then asked, "And what did my sister say?"

"The Eldest Young Miss agreed to see her and asked the servants to lead her to the main hall," Su Su reported truthfully.

Mu Yingying nodded, stretching to relieve some stiffness. Her big, round eyes gleamed with cunning. Just as she had expected, the clever Wan Ningtong had quickly pieced together the events.

But even if she figured it out, what could she do about it?

She would make sure Wan Ningtong realized her helplessness!

"Then we should also go meet our guest. It’s not every day Young Miss Wan visits. It would be a shame not to see her." With that, Mu Yingying got up to head towards the main hall.

Meanwhile, in the main hall, two women sat facing each other. The atmosphere was tense and stifling, no one spoke as if they were silently competing in a battle of endurance.

Finally, Wan Ningtong, too anxious to bear the silence, spoke first. "I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you, Eldest Young Miss Mu, on your engagement to become the future Empress. Congratulations."

"Thank you,"

Mu Qingxuan replied, taking a slow sip of tea. "I must also congratulate you, Young Miss Wan, on your important task of marrying to strengthen ties with the Yingjie Region and being appointed as Princess Qing Xian...I offer my congratulations, Your Highness."

Though Mu Qingxuan’s words seemed innocuous, they cut deeply into Wan Ningtong. Her face momentarily changed colors before she regained her composure, her eyes growing deeper and more calculating.

"Eldest Young Miss Mu, you are well-informed. The imperial decree arrived at the Wan Manor just four hours ago, yet you already know about it," Wan Ningtong said coldly, narrowing her eyes to catch any hint of guilt.

If Mu Qingxuan had no involvement, how could she have known the decree’s contents so quickly?

Mu Qingxuan placed her teacup back on the table and replied leisurely, "My brother is one of His Highness’s close attendants. Is it so difficult for me to learn about these matters more quickly than others?"

Mu Qingxuan’s answer effectively dispelled Wan Ningtong’s suspicions. With a brother close to the Emperor, it was only natural for her to hear court news faster than most. Even Wan Ningtong occasionally learned about certain matters from her father that others would not know.

"Just a few days ago, the Third Prince was showing interest in you, Eldest Young Miss Mu. I didn’t expect him to change his mind so quickly. Did you say something to him that made him turn his attention to me?" Wan Ningtong probed cautiously, watching the other woman’s reaction.

"What are you implying, Your Highness? How could I have had the opportunity to speak with the Third Prince? I haven’t even had the chance to see him. Perhaps he was initially impressed by me when we first met, but it’s just a fleeting feeling, so later, upon meeting you, he realized his true feelings,"

Mu Qingxuan replied with a slight smile, her eyes calm and unreadable.

"Hmph! True feelings? Mu Qingxuan, don’t think I don’t know this is all your doing! The maid who bumped into me confessed that you were behind it. What do you have to say about that?"

Seeing that Mu Qingxuan would not easily reveal any guilt, Wan Ningtong bluffed that she knew the truth and had evidence in her hands, hoping to rattle her opponent and force a confession. However, Mu Qingxuan remained unfazed, revealing nothing for Wan Ningtong to see, only furrowed her brows slightly.

"It seems there has been a misunderstanding, Your Highness. Which maid are you referring to? I have no knowledge of this. I have been in my residence the entire time and have no reason to orchestrate such a scheme. I don’t understand,"

Mu Qingxuan responded innocently, showing no signs of guilt. This frustrated Wan Ningtong further, as she still believed Mu Qingxuan had a hand in the events.

"Don’t get too comfortable, Mu Qingxuan! My people have already detained the maid, and we have evidence. If you don’t confess, I will take this to the authorities and seek justice. You are brazen to have drugged the Third Prince and plotted against me!"

Wan Ningtong said sternly, her eyes cold as she stared intently at Mu Qingxuan, hoping to force her to crack. But she was deemed to be disappointed as Mu Qingxuan remained calm and composed.

"Please do, Your Highness. I have done nothing wrong and am confident in my innocence. If you wish to press charges against me, I have no choice but to accompany you to the authorities,"

Mu Qingxuan replied steadily, meeting Wan Ningtong’s gaze without fear. Even if she had done it, why should she admit it?

Seeing Wan Ningtong so agitated was satisfying. Previously, when Wan Ningtong had acted against her, she had remained calm. But now, facing similar treatment, Wan Ningtong couldn’t sit still and had rushed to confront her. How amusing!

Rile up, get more agitated...

Behind Mu Qingxuan’s calm demeanor was a hint of satisfaction and coldness. She knew Wan Ningtong came today to catch her in a lie. However, no matter what Wan Ningtong did or said, Mu Qingxuan would never admit to anything. She would continue to instigate and let her enemy stew in her anxiety.

"You!"

Wan Ningtong bit her lip tightly. Normally, when she claimed to have evidence, the other person would show signs of guilt or shock. But Mu Qingxuan remained unphased. Could it be that Mu Qingxuan was not behind this?

No!

If not Mu Qingxuan, then who else could it be?

The only person she had a grudge against was Mu Qingxuan!

"If Your Highness has nothing more, I’ll take my leave,"

Mu Qingxuan stood up before leaving her last remarks, "Oh, and if you need me to testify at the authorities, just let me know. I’m always ready."

Wan Ningtong clenched her teeth and glared at Mu Qingxuan as she left. Her mind was a chaotic storm of confusion. If not Mu Qingxuan, then who was behind this? It was possible Mu Qingxuan was responsible but skillfully hiding it.

What was the truth...?

Wan Ningtong rose and left the quarters, preparing to head back to her own. As she walked, she noticed a small figure standing not far off. She glanced briefly at the person before passing by without a second thought.

Mu Yingying watched Wan Ningtong’s departing figure for a moment, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. She had overheard the entire conversation in the hall. Wan Ningtong was already so stressed and confused. If she faced more dire situations from now on, she might go mad...

Upon returning home, Wan Ningtong wrote several letters to the imperial temple, hoping to seek the Empress Dowager’s intervention. But despite how many letters she sent, none received a response. It was as if her letters never reached the Empress Dowager. In her growing anxiety, Wan Ningtong decided to visit the imperial temple herself the next day to seek an audience with the Empress Dowager.

However, upon reaching the temple, she was stopped by imperial guards at the entrance and denied entry. In the end, she could not see the Empress Dowager. Unbeknownst to Wan Ningtong, all news of the imperial decree, her letters, and her visit to the temple had been kept from the Empress Dowager. None of it reached her as she continued her meditation retreat.

One could say her last shred of hope was utterly crushed from the very beginning!

All of Wan Ningtong’s efforts had been in vain. She struggled in desperation, unaware that everything she did was futile. No matter how much she hoped to rely on the Empress Dowager, her pleas never reached her...

Time flew by, and soon it was the night before her departure to Yingjie. The constant stress and despair had taken their toll on Wan Ningtong, making her lose sleep and weight. On this final night, she made a decision. Since she couldn’t escape this fate, she refused to endure it any longer.

In the darkness of her room, Wan Ningtong dismissed all her maids from her quarters. She prepared a white silk cloth, placing a chair in the middle of the room. She stepped onto the chair, tied the silk cloth to a beam above, and made a noose for her neck.

Wan Ningtong, now devoid of all her former elegance, had empty eyes like a soulless body. She slowly put her head into the tied noose and closed her eyes tightly. Anger, regret, sorrow, and defiance surged within her.

Why had her life come to this?

When had everything gone so wrong?

She should have become the Empress, the mother of the nation, standing beside the Emperor. How did she end up here, driven to end her own life to escape such a pitiful fate?

When had it all gone astray...?

It was all because of that wretched Mu Qingxuan!

Because of her!

If not for Mu Qingxuan, she would have been betrothed to become the future empress, the next mother of the nation. But because of her, this was how it all ended!

"I curse them! May all who harmed me never meet a good end. May that wretched Mu Qingxuan suffer the greatest torment, just as I have suffered!"

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