Chapter 20: The Harmless Princess of Beiyang vs. The Fratricidal Prince of Beiyang 20

Madame Wen held her cold hands and asked gently, "Ruwei, why are your hands so icy?"

"Hmm..."

Wen Ruwei responded vaguely, leaning against her shoulder to close her eyes and rest. Today was Wen Ruwei’s big day, and the household was exceptionally busy. She had spent the entire day in her room, letting the matrons dress her, apply her makeup, and drape her in the phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, leaving her feeling completely dizzy.

By evening, the Marquis of Zhenxi’s residence was bustling with guests arriving to offer their congratulations.

"Congratulations to the Marquis! Congratulations to the Madame!"

"Thank you all," the Marquis of Zhenxi replied with a smile, bowing his hands in gratitude.

As the guests took their seats, the Marchioness of Zhenxi said with grace and virtue, "Today is the joyous wedding day of Wenyu and the Princess. We have prepared a modest banquet; please, everyone, help yourselves!"

The guests laughed, "Many thanks, Marchioness."

Soon, wine and dishes were served, and the room filled with the clinking of glasses and lively chatter.

In the back courtyard, however, a side room remained quiet and cold. Wen Ruwei sat on the bed and pulled off her red bridal veil. Although this night was supposed to be her wedding night with Liu Wenyu, she was merely a concubine; in truth, this was his wedding night with the Third Princess. Even so, she suspected he might still come to this remote, chilly room. After all, her beauty was undeniable. If he came, she could use the opportunity to steal the two items she had been tasked to find. Liu Wenyu would become her strongest witness, and she might even be able to frame the Third Princess in the process!

The thought alone brought a smug smile to her face.

"Madame, please wait a moment. Drink this soup first; it is good for your health." A maid entered, carrying a bowl of soup with a beaming smile.

"Very well." Wen Ruwei pursed her lips, took the bowl, and downed it in one breath.

"Here, have a longan as well—for good fortune!" The maid peeled a longan and popped it into her mouth. Wen Ruwei chewed a few times and swallowed it.

"Someone, bring out the longan and lotus seed soup for the Madame!"

"Yes!"

Soon, another maid brought a bowl of longan and lotus seed soup and placed it before her. "Madame, this was prepared by the Old Madame herself this morning," the maid said, pointing at the bowl with a fawning expression.

"Is that so?" Wen Ruwei arched a brow. She glanced at the soup, a sneer curling her lips, and picked up a porcelain spoon to take a mouthful.

The longan and lotus seed soup melted on her tongue, leaving a faint, sweet fragrance that she found satisfying. But the next moment, her expression shifted; she spat it out and began to cough violently.

"Ugh—"

What was going on? Wen Ruwei’s eyes widened in shock.

"Madame!" The maid rushed forward in a panic to steady her.

Wen Ruwei shoved her away. "Get out! Get out of here!" The maid stumbled back and fled in haste.

Wen Ruwei could not care about anything else. Her face turned deathly pale, and she clutched her stomach tightly, coughing harshly.

"Madame!"

Small Qing’s voice came from outside. Wen Ruwei gritted her teeth and hissed, "Get out! All of you, get out!"

Silence returned to the room, save for the sound of her ragged breathing. Among the vomit on the floor lay a small slip of paper. Wen Ruwei picked it up with disgust and unfolded it.

It read: *Once you have the items, meet at the tombs outside the eastern suburbs.* There were two symbols at the end.

Before she could burn the note, the door was pushed open. Liu Wenyu walked in, reeking of alcohol. Seeing the mess on the floor and the discarded veil, his face darkened. He grabbed Wen Ruwei’s wrist and demanded in a low, heavy voice, "Do you... do you hate marrying me that much?"

"Hmm?" He was so drunk that his speech was slurred; Wen Ruwei didn't catch his words.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. She threw his hand away and sneered, "Are you shameless?! I told you to go to Wen Yurou, but you—you took advantage of the situation instead. How could I possibly want to marry you now?"

Hearing this, Liu Wenyu noticed the substance still stuck to the corner of her mouth, resembling blood. Seeing her deathly pale complexion and listening to her words, he wondered if she had been violated by someone else.

"On our wedding night, you dare to find another man behind my back?" Liu Wenyu gripped her arm tightly.

*Slap!*

She struck him across the face, her rage flaring. "I am not like you, unable to control your own urges!"

"What did you say?" Liu Wenyu was stunned. It wasn't as if he hadn't slept with other women, but she had never insulted him like this before. He was incensed.

"I said! You are a brainless fool!" Wen Ruwei’s eyes were bloodshot, a hint of madness in her gaze. She had initially intended to feign affection to appease him, but his accusation of her cheating enraged her. Whatever her flaws, she was not the type to sneak around with other men.

Liu Wenyu was startled by her wild appearance. He was too drunk, his head spinning, and his thoughts felt sluggish. He subconsciously let go of her arm but immediately clamped his hand around her throat. "I’ll kill you, you slut!"

"Ugh..." Wen Ruwei’s eyes bulged, and she pounded her fists against him. "Ugh... let go of me! Don't touch me..."

"You stinking bitch!" Liu Wenyu hissed, squeezing her neck.

"Cough, cough, cough!" Soon, Wen Ruwei’s eyes began to roll back.

"You... you wretch!" Liu Wenyu shook his heavy head, reached out, and squeezed her chin hard, snarling, "What do you think you are? Using such filthy tactics against your own sister? If you want to die, I can grant your wish!"

"Don't... cough!" Wen Ruwei was near suffocation.

Liu Wenyu glared at her for a few seconds, then finally let go. He tossed her aside and said coldly, "Whether I’m brainless or not, you’ll find out in bed soon enough!"

Wen Ruwei slumped to the floor, her head spinning. Her entire body spasmed violently, and she gasped for air, her chest tight and aching. Liu Wenyu stood up, walked to the table, and downed several mouthfuls from the wine pot. He then shoved some pastries into his mouth until he had his fill. He glanced around the room and poured some wine over Wen Ruwei’s clothes. "Someone, take the young mistress to the bathing barrel."

As he spoke, he began to undo his robes and take off his shoes. A maid entered, and seeing the scene, her legs trembled; she dared not speak or move. Before long, prompted by Liu Wenyu’s impatient urging, two more maids entered, helped lift Wen Ruwei, placed her into the barrel, and retreated.

As Liu Wenyu stepped into the barrel and reached to undo her clothes, her eyelids fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes, and the moment she saw him, she tried to crawl out and escape.