Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Impossible to Marry Her Anymore

"Not at all." Shen Longjin shook his head. His voice was soft, but his expression was firm.

Princess Chang Le’s mouth fell open for a moment before she finally said, "Very well. When the time comes, I will write you a letter of recommendation to the Ministry of Rites."

"Thank you, Your Highness." A faint smile touched Shen Longjin’s handsome face.

Princess Chang Le stared, taken aback.

"Please rest well, Your Highness. I will take my leave." With that, Shen Longjin departed.

It took a long moment for Princess Chang Le to recover her senses.

As she replayed the evening’s events, she suddenly realized that in her strategic game with Shen Longjin, she had been maneuvered into a passive position.

Annoyance flashed across her face at the realization.

’Since when have I let Shen Longjin lead me around by the nose?’

’It’s all the fault of that dazzling face of his!’

「Duke Dingguo Mansion.」

Zhi Wan soaked in the wooden tub, mulling over Princess Chang Le’s words.

’So the portrait in Xuanyuan Jing’s possession was offered to her by someone else.’

’I thought Xuanyuan Jing had commissioned it herself.’

’Then who was the person that gave her the portrait?’

’Who wants to harm me?’

Zhi Wan considered every possible culprit and finally zeroed in on Lu Lan.

At the moment, the person most likely to want her harmed was Lu Lan.

A chill went through her at the thought of Lu Lan, and anger flared.

’It seems Lu Lan didn’t listen to a single word I said to her last time.’

’And just as Princess Chang Le said, I was only able to intercept the portrait today by a stroke of luck. But what about next time? And the time after that? Princess Chang Le can’t possibly be there by coincidence every single time.’

’Now that Lu Lan is set on harming me, she definitely won’t stop at this.’

’If she could get to Xuanyuan Jing, she can certainly find someone else to help pass the portrait along.’

However, although she suspected Lu Lan was behind it, she had no proof. Even if she confronted Lu Lan, she would surely deny it.

Zhi Wan mulled it over for a moment, deciding she ought to tell her aunt and cousin.

The next day, Zhi Wan found Jiang Shi and handed him a folded note. "Send this to my cousin by carrier pigeon."

"Yes." Jiang Shi accepted the note without question.

"Also, have someone watch Lu Lan. See who she’s been meeting with lately," Zhi Wan added.

"Yes." Again, Jiang Shi asked no questions.

Once she had given her instructions, Zhi Wan headed to Lan Courtyard to tell her aunt what had happened.

To her surprise, she ran into Tong Da just outside the courtyard gate.

He was standing before the gate, presumably waiting for an audience with her aunt.

’I know Aunt must be seeing Tong Da about Wang Shuya and her son.’

She was hesitating whether she should leave and come back later when Nanny Fang came out. Nanny Fang paused when she saw her, then said, "Miss, please wait a moment. I will go ask the Madam."

Before Zhi Wan could reply, she had already hurried back into the courtyard.

She returned a moment later with a smile. "Miss, the Madam says since you’re here, you might as well come in and listen."

Zhi Wan’s hesitation vanished, and she entered the courtyard.

Tong Da walked in behind her.

Zhi Wan and Lady Wei sat behind a screen, listening as Tong Da reported his findings.

"...I made a trip to the Border and found Nanny Lin, the midwife who delivered Wang Shuya’s child. Nanny Lin said that the baby Wang Shuya gave birth to back then was full-term.

But Wang Shuya had clearly claimed that the child was premature, born two months early.

I felt something was amiss, so I went to great lengths to investigate Wang Shuya.

It turns out that before she met the Duke, Wang Shuya had already secretly pledged herself to a scholar by the name of Xu.

But the scholar abandoned her. When Wang Shuya later discovered she was pregnant, she set her sights on the Duke and plotted against him."

At this, both Zhi Wan and Lady Wei understood everything.

After a long moment, Lady Wei asked with a frown, "Is everything you’ve said the truth?"

"Every word is the truth," Tong Da stated firmly.

Lady Wei was silent for a moment, then said, "You’ve worked hard. You are dismissed."

Tong Da clasped his hands in a salute and withdrew.

Seeing her aunt’s expression soften, Zhi Wan felt relieved and said, "Aunt, it seems Uncle really was framed."

Lady Wei snapped back to reality and scoffed, "If he hadn’t given her an opening, how could she have ever plotted against him?"

Zhi Wan saw that while her aunt was chiding her uncle, a smile had appeared on her face. She spoke up for him, "But Wang Shuya’s brother was Uncle’s own Vice General, a man he trusted. After Vice General Wang died on the battlefield, it was only natural for Uncle to look after Wang Shuya. He just never imagined she would harbor such ill intentions and plot against him so viciously."

Lady Wei sighed. "So be it. Now that the truth is out, I know what needs to be done."

Zhi Wan said no more.

’This is a matter between my aunt and uncle. It’s not my place as a junior to interfere.’

She then brought up the matter of the portrait.

After hearing the story, Lady Wei was furious. "That wretched girl, Lu Lan! How dare she plot against you like that?"

Zhi Wan nodded. "I have no proof it was her, but with Lu Jinglan missing, she’s the only one I can think of."

"There’s no doubt. It was absolutely her!" Lady Wei said firmly. "The last time, when you left without saying goodbye, Lu Lan said many misleading things to me, all intended to tarnish your name."

"She did that?" Zhi Wan asked, astonished.

"Yes." Lady Wei nodded. "I used to pity her for what happened and looked after her in every way. I never expected her to be so vicious."

’To think she would send Wan’er’s portrait into the palace... If the Emperor saw it and decided to take her as a concubine, Wan’er’s life would be ruined! And what would become of Ah Zhan?’

’Thank heavens Princess Chang Le intercepted it this time. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.’

At this thought, Lady Wei’s expression darkened. "With a heart so venomous, Lu Lan can no longer remain in the Lu Family."

Zhi Wan said nothing in response.

Since Lu Lan bore her such ill will, Zhi Wan naturally had no desire for her to remain in the Lu Family.

She didn’t care what fate awaited Lu Lan, nor did she feel any sympathy.

Lu Lan had brought all of this upon herself.

...

Lu Lan was doing needlework in her room when she suddenly pricked her finger. "Ah!" she cried out in pain.

"What’s wrong?" Aunt Xu immediately put down her own sewing and took Lu Lan’s hand to inspect it. Seeing the pinprick on her fingertip with a bead of blood welling up, she quickly wiped it away with a handkerchief, chiding, "Why are you so distracted? You’ve gone and pricked your finger."

Lu Lan snatched her hand back, annoyed. "It was just an accident."

"Is something on your mind?" Aunt Xu asked with concern.

"What could possibly be on my mind?" Lu Lan said impatiently. Not wanting to stay in the room, she added, "I’m going out for a bit."

After leaving her chambers, she went straight out of the Duke Dingguo Mansion.

She had intended to go to Prince Gao Yang Mansion to ask for news, but a thought made her change direction.

’I shouldn’t be so anxious.’

’I’ve already given the portrait to Xuanyuan Jing. Once she finds out Big Brother is going to marry Zhi Wan, she’ll never accept it. She is bound to present the painting in the palace, and the old Emperor will surely see it.’

’Zhi Wan is so beautiful, isn’t she? If the old Emperor takes a liking to her and summons her to the palace... now *that* would be interesting.’

The gloom in her heart lifted at the thought, and she felt a surge of delight.

’Once Zhi Wan is taken into the palace, no matter how much Big Brother likes her, he can never marry her.’

’Bedded by an old man... Zhi Wan’s fate will be no better than my own!’