Chapter 63: Imprisoning the Princess Consort of Jin in the Dungeon
That night, the couple each had their own thoughts, testing each other and remaining on guard without making a sound.
The only one who suffered was Wen Jingyi.
She knelt before the low table, copying books until midnight. Her body swayed precariously from kneeling for so long, her face was deathly pale, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. She gritted her teeth and endured pain she had never experienced before.
Because of her presence, it was inconvenient for Prince Consort Wen to stay overnight in the Princess's bedchamber.
This was the first time they had slept in separate rooms since they got married.
Prince Consort Wen wanted to spend more time with her, but Princess Ning'an said, "From today onwards, I will set proper rules for Jingyi. She will stay in my room for the time being. Yishu, I'm sorry to trouble you for a few days. Just bear with the feeling of being alone in an empty room."
The last sentence carried a slightly frivolous and coquettish tone, leaving Prince Consort Wen both amused and exasperated.
Prince Consort Wen appeared displeased: "In that case, I should be the one to teach Jingyi a lesson. If she weren't so ignorant, how could I be living in separate rooms from His Highness?"
“You are a father, it is your responsibility to teach Shiyu and Shijie.” Princess Ning’an smiled. “Alright, go and rest now, stop dawdling.”
Wen, the Imperial Son-in-Law, reluctantly got up and left, turning back every few steps. His gaze seemed reluctant to part with Princess Ning'an, but his eyes were constantly fixed on Wen Jingyi, who was kneeling and copying the Classic of Filial Piety.
Wen Jingyi, kneeling in front of the low table, was as pale as a sheet. Her body swayed so much that she could barely stand, and her hand holding the pen trembled violently.
A look of heartache flashed across Wen Fuma's eyes. He lowered his gaze, concealing the darkness within, gritted his teeth, and turned to leave.
Princess Ning'an stood up and walked to Wen Jingyi, looking down at her pained state with a cold and indifferent gaze.
She thought her daughter, whom she had raised for over a decade, was a sweet and caring daughter, but little did she know that all her sincere efforts had raised a wolf in sheep's clothing.
She used to think of herself as someone of high status—the only legitimate eldest princess of the dynasty, enjoying immense prestige, pampered by the Empress Dowager, indulged by her elder brother, loved by her husband, and respected by her children.
Aside from not being able to give birth to her own child, she has no regrets in life.
But it was all an illusion!
At first glance, Chu Yunjin's words seemed like mere fabrication to her, but she was surprised...
"Remember this lesson well." Princess Ning'an concealed her emotions and reminded her gently but sternly, "In the future, be mindful of your place in the hierarchy and never be presumptuous in front of those of higher status than yourself. Royal rules dictate that hierarchy must not be disordered. Today, at the Princess's residence, I can still use the excuse of punishment to smooth things over, but if you are so arrogant and domineering in someone else's residence in the future, and someone catches you in a compromising situation, I won't be able to save you."
Wen Jingyi's face was covered in cold sweat, and her legs were in excruciating pain. She lowered her head and said in a trembling voice, "Daughter will remember this. Please punish me, Mother."
Princess Ning'an turned and went into the inner room without making her get up.
Wen Jingyi gritted her teeth and held on, her heart filled with intense hatred. She hated Chu Yunjin and Yan Jinyue, and she hated the Princess for her ruthlessness.
Even though no one else was watching, she still had to give her such a severe punishment. Was she punishing her for the sake of others, or was she venting her personal anger at losing face?
As expected, they are not their own children, so they will never truly love them. All the kindness they have shown to the three siblings over the years has been insincere and just for show.
It was late at night.
Wen Jingyi knelt before the desk, suffering agonizingly.
In the study of the Prince of Yan's mansion, a solitary lamp burned all night.
Yan Cang stood silently by the window, his whole being like a lone wolf lost in the darkness, surrounded by an indescribable loneliness and bewilderment.
Qingchuan stood outside the study, also unable to sleep all night.
In the dead of night, a cold, stern voice finally rang out in the study: "Qingchuan."
"exist."
"No matter what methods or means you use, I want to see Princess Jin in the dungeon of Prince Yan's residence in one hour."
"yes."
Yan Cang instructed, "Do not alarm anyone, and do not let the Princess know."
"Yes." Qingchuan accepted the order and left.
Princess Jin has always been an early riser.
It wasn't because she wanted to get up early, but because after becoming a princess, she had to get up early to serve the prince to court, instruct the maids to prepare the prince's meals, and after the prince had finished taking care of things, the princess, along with her concubines and other women, would send him out of the palace, playing the role of a virtuous wife and loving mother, before going back to her room for a nap.
But since the Prince of Jin was injured and took leave these past two days, she was able to sleep a little longer.
The concubine fawned over Prince Jin every day, but Wen Jingsheng couldn't be bothered to see her hypocritical face. She only brought Prince Jin a bowl of dark, medicinal soup at the fixed time of his medicine, asking a few questions about his injuries, how he was feeling, and that he should rest well, Your Highness...
Then he went back to his room and sent someone to inquire about the movements of the Prince of Yan and his wife.
After returning from the Princess's residence yesterday, Wen Jingsheng was in a terrible mood, not only because Chu Yunjin had not been punished after offending Jingyi, but also because her plan had failed to be implemented.
Because of the princess's sudden pregnancy, the banquet was interrupted. Chu Yunjin and Yan Jinyue followed her into the palace, leaving Wen Jingsheng with no time to do anything. As a result, she was so angry that she couldn't sleep at all when she lay in bed that night, and only managed to close her eyes in the early hours of the morning.
When she woke up, she was still a little dizzy. She was about to tell the maid to come in and change her clothes and wash up when she opened her eyes and was stunned.
She looked around and realized that this was not her bedroom, but a prison cell.
Wen Jingsheng's face turned pale.
She suddenly felt a deep-seated fear.
"Guards!" she cried, her voice hoarse as she gripped the cell bars, "Where am I? Who brought me here?!"
"Let me out! Let me out!"
"I am the Princess Consort of Jin, the royal daughter-in-law! How dare you arrest me? This is a capital offense punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family!"
"Is anyone there? Is anyone there?!"
Fearful and uneasy voices echoed in the empty dungeon, followed by absolute silence, amplifying her panic.
Wen Jingsheng's face was deathly pale, and her whole body was trembling like a leaf.
She didn't know where she was, nor what she would face next.
This unknown and helpless fear made her feel as if she had sunk into an ice cellar, her whole body chilled to the bone.
Suddenly, a series of footsteps entered my ears.
Wen Jingsheng held her breath and stared intently in the direction from which the sound came.
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