Chapter 263 Catching a Turtle in a Jar

Three days later.

As night falls, the Tianxi Tower is brightly lit, its glazed tiles gleaming under the lights. Exquisite carvings adorn the eaves, and the pavilions, private rooms, and main hall are filled with dignitaries. On the stage, eyes sparkle and red sleeves flutter, and mournful songs captivate the souls of everyone in the audience.

Dou Wenyi, wearing a veiled hat, sat in the Jade Pavilion, watching the play while waiting for someone.

"...Ah, the Kang family troupe is the best opera troupe in Tianning City. They are truly extraordinary and sing exceptionally well," Cuizhi exclaimed sincerely.

Dou Wenyi lowered her eyes slightly, lifted the light veil covering her face, took a sip of tea, and said, "It is indeed very good."

She suddenly remembered that in her previous life, Sheng Xiyue had loved the Kang family troupe's operas.

Later, it was also heard that Pei Siyan invited people to perform at the East Palace, which made it difficult to get tickets for the Kang Family Troupe at the Tianxi Tower.

At that time, many people envied Pei Siyan's affection for Consort Sheng.

Now, Sheng Xiyue is completely on his opposite side; life is truly unpredictable.

The famous opera singer on stage was singing, and two acts of the play had already been performed. Cuizhi was getting impatient. "Miss, will this person come again? Could it be that the news has leaked?"

Dou Wenyi's gaze fell on the young noble ladies in the main hall of the opera stage. The private rooms of Tianxi Tower were not something that ordinary people could book.

The Sheng family, being a noble family, goes without saying. Given how much Sheng Xiyue valued this date, how could the other party dare to offend her without even a greeting?

She shook her head and curled her lips into a smile. "No, they will come. Even if they don't come, they will send someone to let us know."

Dou Wenyi picked up a piece of candied fruit, put it in her mouth and savored it. Everything was ready, except for the final touch...

On the stage, the music changed, and the actors, now in new costumes, returned to the stage. With a creak, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a little boy of about five or six years old entered, his clear eyes wide. "Fifth Sister? Who are you? Where is my Fifth Sister?"

Dou Wenyi frowned slightly. This child looked unfamiliar. Who was he?

Cuizhi was about to reprimand her, but she stopped herself with a look.

The next moment, a woman's voice came from outside, "Brother Lin! Where did you go? Sheng Jinlin!"

When Wen Jingchu looked up and saw the person inside wearing a veiled hat, she paused slightly, then pulled her foot back from the threshold and scolded, "Sheng Jinlin, why aren't you coming out? What are you doing wandering around like this?"

Sheng Jinlin frowned unhappily, "Mother, this is Emerald Pavilion, I didn't go to the wrong place."

Wen Jingchu suppressed her anger. Sheng Jinlin was usually very obedient, so why was he so clueless this time?

"Shut up! Come out now, don't disturb the important person."

Dou Wenyi was surprised to find that the person who came was from the Duke of Wen's faction. Wen Jingchu was Wen Wan's younger sister and Pei Siyan's aunt by blood.

She removed her veil, revealing a face as beautiful as pearls and jade, and raised an eyebrow. "Aunt, won't you come in and sit down?"

Wen Jingchu grabbed Sheng Jinlin and smiled awkwardly, "The Crown Princess is here to watch the show too? The child is ignorant and went into the wrong room. Please forgive him for disturbing your enjoyment. We'll leave right away."

Just as she was about to turn and leave, two imperial guards appeared silently in the corridor like ghosts, blocking her way.

Only a few beams of light shone through the corridor, and in the dim light, the guard's face appeared as terrifying as a ghost.

Wen Jingchu's heart skipped a beat, and her expression changed drastically. "Crown Princess, what do you mean?"

Dou Wenyi looked up at her, her gaze cold and deep. "Aunt Jingchu, you came out to watch the opera, didn't you book a private room? Or did you make an appointment to watch the opera with someone, such as someone from Emerald Pavilion? Aren't you surprised that you didn't see Consort Shen?"

A flash of surprise crossed Wen Jingchu's eyes. She released her son's hand and came in with a smile. "Jinlin, go find Aunt Tao first. I have something to discuss with the Crown Princess."

Sheng Jinlin nodded understandingly, then turned and ran away.

Wen Jingchu sat down at the lower end of the table, clutching a delicate round fan tightly, and said with a fawning expression, "Your Highness, it was indeed Xiyue who invited me to watch the play. Why didn't she come?"

Dou Wenyi looked at her quietly, her face expressionless, and said coldly, "Sheng Xiyue is suspected of drugging His Highness the Crown Prince with aphrodisiacs. She has been caught red-handed and is under house arrest."

Wen Jingchu's smile froze awkwardly. They had actually already discussed it. After the matter was settled, Sheng Xiyue would invite her to watch a play at Tianxi Tower and would also pay her 20,000 taels of silver.

But in the past few days, no news of Sheng Xiyue has come out.

She thought everything was settled!

Now that Dou Wenyi is stationed here, it means that Sheng Xiyue has failed. But judging from her words just now, this matter is just pinned on Sheng Xiyue's head. What does it have to do with her?

Wen Jingchu composed herself and feigned utter disappointment. "I'm afraid there might be some misunderstanding. Xiyue has always been well-behaved, so how come she's like this after entering the Eastern Palace... Sigh, I'll definitely talk to my brother about this when I get back."

"But Lin-ge'er is still too young, so I won't accompany the Crown Princess to the opera. May I take my leave now?"

Dou Wenyi said quietly, "Wait! Let me tell you honestly, this is just the beginning. Auntie can forget about going back..."

Wen Jingchu was startled and retorted defiantly, "This was done by Sheng Xiyue, what does it have to do with me? I've never even been to the East Palace!"

Looking at the burly guards at the door, she felt inexplicably panicked.

Dou Wenyi said coldly, "This method of drugging is quite clever. The aphrodisiac is soaked on the fan and then taken to the East Palace by the Duchess of Wen. The Sheng family and the Wen family originally had no connection whatsoever, but with you, Aunt, as the link, things are a different story."

"Auntie wants to distance herself from the matter, but I'm afraid that's impossible."

Wen Jingchu leaned back in her chair, her scalp tingling. After a long while, she roared, "Fine, I underestimated you! I didn't expect the Dou family to raise such a formidable person as you: disrespectful to elders, so arrogant. Even if you are the Crown Princess, you can't be lawless and spout nonsense!"

"Do you still want to interrogate me here in this opera house? Or do you intend to torture me?"

Dou Wenlian's lips curled into a mocking smile.

This is the Heavenly Opera Tower, frequented by many high-ranking officials and nobles. She had come prepared to trap them like turtles in a jar.

Her expression was indifferent, then she turned to her guards and whispered, "Tie her up!"

"No, Dou Wenyi, how dare you! What evidence do you have? I never even went to the East Palace..."

Ignoring her struggles, the two guards easily bound her up and stuffed a wad of cotton into her mouth.

Wen Jingchu's pupils widened. She never dreamed that she would end up in this state when she came to the theater to collect her money.

They...they have absolutely no evidence!

How dare Dou Wenyi?

She is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Wen's mansion. Even when the Crown Prince Pei Siyan came, he treated her with humility and politeness. Where did she get the audacity?

"Go and tie up Granny Tao too, and send the young master of the Sheng family back to the Sheng family first, but keep it low-key."

The guard laughed heartily, "Don't worry, Your Highness!"

Before an incense stick had burned, the guard returned to report, "Your Highness, the matter has been settled!"

"Take him back to the Eastern Palace for a thorough interrogation."

Wen Jingchu's face drained of all color, turning ashen, as she stared intently at her.

Dou Wenyi looked at Wen Jingchu and chuckled, "Didn't you want evidence? That fan is made of double-sided kesi (silk tapestry), a treasure of Lanxiufang. Half a year ago, you ordered several round fans there, one of which is now in your hands."

“Aunt, you can naturally deny that the fan was a gift from you to my eldest aunt. But tell me, is it Granny Tao who is more principled, or their methods?”

Wen Jingchu trembled with anger and regret. She hated that this person was so difficult to deal with, and regretted that she had been bewitched and had gone against the Crown Prince for a little bit of money.

Actually, she had considered what would happen if she were discovered, but she believed that even if the matter came to light, her sister-in-law, Fan, would be the scapegoat.

Pei Siyan has not yet ascended the throne, so he dares not immediately retaliate against the Wen family; otherwise, there will be endless disputes and trouble.

Once Sheng Xiyue succeeds, a few words in her ear and the matter will naturally be dropped.

Even if she gets implicated later, she can still shirk responsibility, but now she has this feeling that disaster is about to strike...