Chapter 271 Will you spend the rest of your life with me?
Three days later, Dou Wenyi received news that Wen Jingchu had been personally escorted back to the Wen family by the Duke of Wen. The elders of the Sheng and Wen families carried out family discipline, and both the husband and wife were given thirty strokes of the cane.
I heard that Wen Jingchu was beaten so badly that she couldn't get out of bed. She thought she could recuperate peacefully at the Sheng family home, but Sheng Runeng, because of her, was clamoring to divorce her. The entire Sheng family hated her and just wanted to kick her out.
Later, under the instigation of his favorite concubine, Sheng Runeng changed his mind and stopped mentioning divorcing his wife. He only hoped to send her to a nunnery as soon as possible.
Five days after the incident, Duke Wen personally led his guards to escort her to Cuifeng Nunnery.
Yu Zhu and Granny Yao, who were by Sheng Xiyue's side, returned to the Sheng family mansion and were both beaten to death. This was the Sheng family's explanation to the Crown Prince.
Only Sheng Xiyue continued to live in Yingyue Pavilion. Jiang Shi was afraid that she would try to commit suicide again, so she stayed with her in the East Palace.
Of course, the news that Consort Sheng was forced to commit suicide after moving into the East Palace spread like wildfire, and all sorts of rumors circulated. Some said that the Crown Princess was jealous and could not tolerate her consort, while others said that Sheng Xiyue was a spy from an enemy country, plotting to harm the Crown Prince.
After learning that the Crown Princess had personally saved Sheng Xiyue, public opinion completely changed. Everyone praised the Crown Princess for being virtuous, dignified, tolerant, and possessing superb medical skills, making her far more capable than those noble ladies who only knew how to whine about illness and indulge in poetry and pleasure.
This alone was enough to make those powerful and aristocratic families who were eager to enter the palace put aside their contemptuous thoughts.
Overnight, they all realized that Dou Wenyi was not someone to be trifled with.
With disciples of the Meng family spread throughout the court and the country, they naturally knew far more about all sorts of gossip than others. Upon learning of this, Meng Jingshu's expression turned gloomy and solemn.
The Meng family's attempts to probe the Shen family yielded no results, and her situation became increasingly difficult.
But Dou Wenyi, who was belittled at the flower banquet and didn't dare to talk back, has managed to smoothly and firmly sit on the throne of the Crown Princess in less than a few months and is even praised by the ignorant masses.
Where is justice?
This stark contrast fueled her resentment.
Her trusted maid, Caihuan, saw through her thoughts and whispered, "Miss, Dou Wenyi seems to be a bit strange. Anyone who opposes her seems to have met a bad end. Even Sheng Xiyue is no match for her. We... should not act rashly."
Caihuan was very worried that Meng Jingshu would cause trouble and implicate her, making her a scapegoat and even putting her life at risk.
Meng Jingshu seemed to be thinking, "She is indeed quite clever."
But she still felt that Dou Wenyi didn't have any strategies or skills, and was just lucky.
Seeing that she had no intention of opposing him, Caihuan advised her again, "Miss, once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will take in many concubines. She will have a long time to suffer in the palace, so why are you in such a hurry?"
The thought of having to kneel and bow to Dou Wenyi when they met made Meng Jingshu feel even worse.
It would be truly satisfying if someone could drag her into the mire and prevent her from becoming empress.
However, Caihuan's concerns were not without reason. Even if she wanted to deal with her, she couldn't do it herself. Sheng Xiyue was a living example.
She needs a knife, a sharp knife!
Meng Jingshu's mind was filled with images of several people: Xie Mengyao, Jiang Yuning, Dou Mingyan, Sheng Xiyue, and Wen Jingchu. They were all Dou Wenyi's enemies, especially Dou Mingyan, Sheng Xiyue, and Wen Jingchu, who probably hated her to the core.
But their situation has not yet been driven to the brink of despair...
Her idea was to give them a push and add fuel to the fire when the time was right!
Meng Jingshu curled her lips and sighed, "That makes sense. We still need to remain calm and act cautiously."
**
Pei Siyan returned home early that day. Dou Wenyi was engrossed in looking at the account books when she saw him come in. She immediately ordered someone to help set out the meal.
Exquisite dishes were served, and the couple enjoyed their dinner in harmony.
After taking a bath and changing his clothes, Pei Siyan habitually picked up the memorials and reviewed a few before seemingly remembering that he was in Wutong Garden.
He put down the memorial, suddenly looked up, and said solemnly, "The preparations for the enthronement are all complete. The grand ceremony will be held on the fourth day of next month, and then we will get married."
"Yi'er, by then you will be the rightful Empress. The Ministry of Rites is already rushing to make your wedding attire."
Dou Wenyi's brow twitched violently.
Pei Siyan is determined to make her empress, so will she be trapped inside those palace walls for the rest of her life?
Has Sheng Xiyue bothered you?
Dou Wenyi shook her head, her smile radiant, "Never."
Pei Siyan's lips curled up, and he looked to be in a good mood.
"Wen Jingchu has been banished to Cuifeng Nunnery and won't be back for a while. You don't need to worry about the Wen family. After this lesson, they won't dare to disrespect you again."
He paused, then said, "Your half-brother is willing to take a position in the Ministry of Works. He has already considered the pros and cons. But rest assured, I will not disregard his safety."
"It is his blessing to be able to share His Highness's burdens."
Dou Wenyi knew he was a man of principle. The court situation was complex, and he urgently needed to cultivate more trusted confidants. If Dou Ruzhang could seize this opportunity, he could rise to prominence, but a powerful maternal relative would only bring trouble.
"But Your Highness, you should not rely on them too much!"
Pei Siyan stood up, pulled the person into his arms, and handed over a small sandalwood brocade box, his eyes burning with desire, "Open it and take a look."
Dou Wenyi opened it, and inside was the letter of denunciation that she had signed when they first met.
At that time, she had just been reborn and was still in dire straits with her reputation ruined. She accidentally stumbled upon his secret and had no choice but to sign that 'gentleman' agreement' with him. Later, by a twist of fate, the entanglement between the two became deeper and deeper.
She even became his crown princess.
She had once been filled with fear and anxiety, worried that Pei Siyan would one day take her life. But she didn't know when it started, he had developed those kinds of feelings for her.
“Yi’er, I failed to recognize you at first glance and did many things to hurt you, but I never intended to hand this letter of accusation to the Ministry of Justice. The Wen family is not my family; you are!”
As he spoke, he took her hand, lit the thin piece of paper, and threw it into the porcelain basin. The flames flickered and gradually turned to ashes.
"Yi'er, is there anything I haven't done well enough?"
"No……"
Dou Wenyi felt the heat on the back of his hand, and her heart raced with panic. She had no idea how to answer.
Pei Siyan gazed at her eyes and brows, his eyes deep and tender.
"For the rest of my life, I will do everything in my power to make you happy. Are you willing to spend the rest of your life with me? To build a happy home together?"
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