The voices in the room rang out again. It was a strange middle - aged man:
"Lord Wen has made great contributions in the case of the Lan family's treason. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is very satisfied. The position of the vice - minister of the Ministry of War will soon be yours."
Wen Zilong was overjoyed. "Your humble official is grateful for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's promotion."
Lan Jinqin heard the footsteps approaching the door. She quickly hid behind a bonsai beside her.
A middle - aged man with a cold and solemn face was sent out by Wen Zilong.
Before leaving, the man turned his head and praised, "Lord Wen, your skill of imitating Lan Yuanyi's handwriting is really vivid! When the letter was unfolded in front of Lan Yuanyi, even he himself couldn't tell the difference. He almost thought he had been bewitched to write it. He was really unable to defend himself. Hahaha..."
"The messenger flatters me. It is my duty to serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. It is my honor that I have a little talent that can be used by His Highness..."
Lan Jinqin leaned against the trunk of the bonsai and slowly sat down, watching the backs of the two men walking away.
Big, hot tears rolled down and hit her arms.
These days, she had been running around non - stop, still holding on to hope in her heart.
She believed that her father would never be a traitor.
There must be someone framing the Lan family.
But she never thought that the person who framed the Lan family was actually the man beside her pillow!
Lan Jinqin stared blankly at the glazed tiles protruding from the Wen Mansion, which were covered with snow.
The bright sunlight shone on the snow, stabbing her eyes painfully.
Suddenly.
She raised her arm and bit down hard on herself.
Blood oozed out and slowly flowed down her fair wrist, dripping into the dark bonsai soil.
Her chest heaved violently. The smell of blood in her mouth rolled, and together with the scream that almost burst out of her chest, she swallowed it silently.
The sound of footsteps rang out again outside the courtyard of the study.
It was Wen Zilong striding back confidently.
Lan Jinqin watched him push open the door and enter. She summoned up her courage and secretly peeked through the window slit. She saw Wen Zilong take out a letter from his sleeve and examine it, then let out a cold laugh:
"Hehe! How could I burn the letter written to me by the Crown Prince?"
"This is my guarantee for my safety!"
"Since I can imitate my father - in - law's handwriting, I can also imitate the Crown Prince's... Hehe! How stupid! What you saw me burn with your own eyes was just a letter I imitated in the Crown Prince's handwriting!"
Then, Wen Zilong tucked the letter into his inner room.
When he came out again, his hands were empty.
When Lan Jinqin turned around in a hurry, she kicked a small stone beside her, making a dull sound.
Wen Zilong quickly opened the door. His face was full of killing intent, and he shouted sternly, "Who?!"
Lan Jinqin stopped outside the door and came face to face with him.
The face that used to be gentle in her eyes now looked like a devil climbing out of hell.
When Wen Zilong saw Lan Jinqin, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. He asked tentatively, "Madam, why are you here? When did you come?"
Lan Jinqin stared at Wen Zilong without missing the fleeting murderous look in his eyes.
So this was the true face of the man beside her pillow!
She hid her fists behind her back and clenched them tightly, trying her best to restrain her surging hatred.
She had never hated so much as at this moment. She had never wanted to kill so much as at this moment.
The overwhelming hatred roared and surged in her veins, sweeping her whole being away.
"Husband." Lan Jinqin's voice was soft and trembling, with a sob in it. "You're finally back. Please find a way to save Father and Big Brother. The Lan family, only you can save the Lan family now..."
Seeing Lan Jinqin like this, Wen Zilong let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed that she had just arrived at the study and had neither encountered nor heard anything.
The killing intent in Wen Zilong's eyes dissipated, and his face returned to its usual gentle look. He said with a warm smile:
"Madam, I've been running around for Father - in - law for the past two months. But unfortunately, you know that I'm of low status and have no say in the court... Fortunately, His Majesty remembered Father - in - law's meritorious service in founding the country and didn't sentence the whole family to be executed. Instead, he changed the punishment to exile. This is a blessing in disguise."
Lan Jinqin's throat felt blocked, and she couldn't say a word for a long time.
After a long while.
She finally made a hoarse sound. "The whole family... is exiled?"
A sad look appeared on Wen Zilong's face. He reached out and put his arm around her shoulder and nodded:
"Madam, exile is a much better outcome than beheading... Since ancient times, those who committed the great crime of treason would always implicate the nine generations of their family. His Majesty is so kind. There has never been such a kind emperor before and may never be again. As long as the Lan family members are still alive, it's always a good thing!"
Wen Zilong didn't understand why the crime of treason was suddenly changed to exile.
He didn't know who was still helping the Lan family behind the scenes, which even made the Crown Prince loosen his mouth and plead with His Majesty to change the sentence to exile.
"I can only save you. Originally, you would also be implicated. Like your second and third sisters, you would all be sent to the music workshop. I ran around day and night, asked a nobleman for help, and spent a lot of silver to smooth things over. Only then did His Majesty change his mind."
"You're already married and a member of the Wen family. You have nothing to do with the Lan family. Don't worry. You won't be involved in this incident."
This was... the best outcome he had arranged for her.
After all, they were husband and wife. Wen Zilong was well - known in the officialdom of the capital for loving his wife. Even Queen Ma had praised him in person.
Anyway, he had to protect Lan Jinqin.
Otherwise, he would be regarded as the second Chen Shimei in the eyes of the world.
Lan Jinqin was held in his arms. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and even the tassels on her outer robe jingled:
"Second and third sisters... are sent to the music workshop..."
Her two sisters, who were as precious as golden branches and jade leaves, were actually forced to be sent to the music workshop!
And the man who had harmed them was right beside her, falsely claiming credit!
She hated so much.
She hated Wen Zilong, the hypocritical gentleman!
She hated the Crown Prince, the ruthless heir apparent!
She even hated herself for not being able to recognize people clearly. She had mistaken a fish - eye for a pearl and harmed the Lan family.
She hated her own powerlessness at this moment.
She hated that she could only watch as the whole Lan family was imprisoned and couldn't do anything to stop it.
The cold wind blew through Lan Jinqin's back.
She felt that Wen Zilong's embrace was as cold as ice. She couldn't wait to push him away and escape from here.
But she couldn't.
She couldn't let Wen Zilong see any flaws.
Lan Jinqin rubbed her face against Wen Zilong's chest and slowly nodded, pretending to be grateful:
"Fortunately, fortunately, you've been mediating..."
Wen Zilong finally felt at ease.
The downfall of the Lan family and the position of vice - minister of the Ministry of War promised by the Crown Prince made him very proud at this moment.
Holding the fragrant and soft woman in his arms, he began to have impure thoughts.
"Madam." His fingertips pressed against Lan Jinqin's cheek, landing on her tender skin like soft tofu. He wiped away her tears, and his eyes gradually became hot. "At least Father - in - law and the others are still alive, and you've escaped danger... I think you should be happy."
Wen Zilong's words were like poisoned needles stabbing into Lan Jinqin's heart.
Her natal family had encountered trouble, but Wen Zilong actually advised her to be happy.
Why hadn't she noticed before that this man was so evil?
Wen Zilong didn't notice her resentful gaze at all. He continued on his own, "Madam, we've been married for two years. Before, I was busy with official affairs and didn't have time to have a child. Now that things have come to an end, it's time for you to add an heir to the Wen family..."
Wen Zilong, who was about to be promoted, put having a child on the agenda.
Lan Jinqin felt as if she had been poured a bucket of ice - cold water on her head in winter. She was completely frozen.
Her body had lost its vitality since she was attacked by bandits last time. She had caught a cold after falling into the water, which had damaged her health, so it was not easy for her to conceive.
She had been carefully taking care of her body for the past two years, and it was finally showing signs of improvement.
Wen Zilong's words made her suddenly change color.
How could she be pregnant with the child of the enemy of the Lan family?