Today Xiao Jin did not want to ride a horse; he wanted to sit in the carriage with the little girl, Leng Yan drove the carriage, and Jin Que sat with him at the front.
All along the way only Xiao Jin’s cheerful voice was heard; Wen Qingwan chimed in now and then, making him sound even more delighted.
Wen Qingwan looked at the man grinning like a fool, while inwardly wondering whether Wen Mingzhu would return home today.
Given the crown prince’s level of infatuation with Wen Mingzhu, he would likely accompany her back to the Wen residence to show off.
She was wondering whether to waste a gossip talisman to see if Wen Mingzhu would return to the Wen residence.
They heard Jin Que’s slightly excited voice: “My Lord, Madam, the Crown prince’s carriage is ahead.”
Hearing this, Wen Qingwan lifted the carriage curtain and saw three horses pulling a luxurious carriage.
The carriage was draped with brocade, silk, and other precious fabrics, displaying the splendid aura of the court.
Behind the luxurious carriage followed two more carriages, likely for the crown prince to carry the return‑home gifts.
In her previous life, Wen Qingwan had even ridden in a grand imperial carriage drawn by six horses, so she said without the slightest wonder: “Let our carriage go slower, lest we bump into the Crown prince.”
Xiao Jin saw that the little girl did not envy the Crown prince’s carriage at all; joy filled his heart, happiness overflowed on his face, and his mood was radiant.
"Leng Yan, let’s take a quicker detour. By reason, my wife is the eldest legitimate daughter, so she ought to arrive at the Wen residence first."
“Alright.” Leng Yan said, and the carriage made a sharp turn, causing Wen Qingwan to nearly fall before Xiao Jin caught her in his arms.
Leng Yan naturally knew there was another path that was closer, one he often took with the heir in the past.
When Wen Qingwan’s carriage arrived at the Wen residence gate, crowds had already gathered to watch the spectacle, while the Crown prince’s carriage had not yet arrived.
Minister Wen, together with the sons of the Wen household and the servants, had long been waiting eagerly at the gate.
Everyone saw a sharply defined hand lift the carriage curtain, and from it descended a woman like a fairy come to earth.
Her lotus‑like feet lightly touched the small stool the maid had prepared, and after stepping down from the carriage she walked gracefully toward Minister Wen.
“Daughter greets Father, greets…”
Yet Minister Wen did not spare the woman a glance; instead, he led the crowd past her, hurrying toward the carriage behind.
“Your humble servant greets His Highness the Crown Prince.” Minister Wen knelt outside the carriage and said respectfully: “I am guilty, for I did not come far enough to welcome you.”
“Rise, I do not blame you.” From inside the carriage came the voice of a man, carrying the languid tone that follows pleasure.
“Thank Your Highness for the grace of forgiveness.” Minister Wen, with the crowd, knelt on the ground and spoke.
That distinctive voice continued from within: “Lord Wen, rise.”
“Your humble servant thanks Your Highness.” Minister Wen replied respectfully, then rose and looked toward the carriage curtain.
The onlookers followed Minister Wen’s gaze toward the carriage, and saw the curtain slowly lifted, revealing the crown prince’s handsome face.
The crown prince wore a splendid brocade robe, its hem embroidered with golden dragon patterns, yet his collar was slightly askew, diminishing his majesty by a degree.
Right after, a stunningly alluring woman descended behind him, speaking in a delicate tone: “Zhu’er greets Father and elder brothers.”
“Zhu’er has returned.” Minister Wen’s smile stretched to his ears, filled with doting affection and tinged with flattery.
The Wen household crowded around the crown prince and his consort, escorting them inside, leaving Wen Qingwan and her husband abandoned at the gate.
Wen Qingwan wanted to turn and leave, but then she heard Wen Mingzhu calling in a coy, sugary voice: “Crown Prince brother~ Father~ wait for elder sister~”
But in her gaze toward Wen Qingwan, there was unmistakable schadenfreude; seeing her elder sister neglected filled her with unspeakable delight.
“This minister’s wife greets His Highness the Crown Prince and the Consort.” Wen Qingwan offered her salute, her voice cold and detached.
The crown prince was accustomed to the sweet, coquettish voices of courtly women; suddenly hearing a cold, clear tone, he couldn’t help but turn his head to glance at its source.
She was truly beautiful: her face like peach blossoms, with slender phoenix eyes and a cool gaze that stirred a sudden impulse within him.
His voice carried a touch of greasiness: “You are Zhu’er’s elder sister; before me, there is no need for excessive courtesy.”
“Please, Your Highness.” Xiao Jin blocked the Crown prince’s gaze toward his wife, his voice carrying primal roughness and deep gravity.
Hearing Xiao Jin’s voice, the crown prince finally looked at him; that sharply chiseled face was as sculpted and profound as stone, even more proud and aloof than his own.
The crown prince, displeased, flicked his sleeve and strode into the Wen residence, with Minister Wen scurrying half a step behind.
Wen Qingwan and Xiao Jin stood for quite a while, waiting until the Crown prince’s attendants had carried all the gifts inside before they themselves entered.
The crowd watched Xiao Jin’s limping steps, which seemed to carry a unique rhythm, making everyone glance at him more than once.
Once everyone from the Wen household had entered through the gate, the crowd outside began to chatter freely.
“Oh my, I heard Minister Wen only has eyes for his younger daughter. I didn’t believe it before, but seeing it today, it’s clearly true.”
“I think the Wen family’s elder daughter surpasses the younger one in every way—so why does Minister Wen show favoritism?”
“If Minister Wen weren’t so biased, he wouldn’t have married his elder daughter off to a cripple.”
“Cripple? What cripple—he merely walks differently. I’d heard before that the heir was ugly, but seeing him today… do you call that ugly?”
“The world says the Crown prince is bright and noble as clear skies, but to me the heir is the one truly cold and divine, like a god in heaven.”
Wen Qingwan and Xiao Jin both possessed inner strength, so the couple heard the gossip outside with perfect clarity.
“My dear wife, they all call me a cripple—do you despise me for it?”
Xiao Jin held his wife’s arm, trying to make his limp less noticeable as they walked.
“No, they said your walk is simply different.” Wen Qingwan spoke coolly; she truly did not despise his limp.
In her past life, she was stubborn and unwilling to yield, determined to prove that Zhao Jue was blind not to see her worth.
She always restrained herself and upheld propriety; even when managing the harem, whether great or small affairs, she handled everything personally.
She lived like a tireless old ox, and before reaching thirty, exhaustion brought her down to meet the King of Hell.
In this life, she desired nothing else—only to live happily each day. Her husband was merely a decoration, whether lame or blind.
Hearing the little girl’s truly unresentful tone, and seeing her expression without the slightest disdain.
Xiao Jin lowered his gaze slightly, not daring to let her see the excitement and joy in his eyes.
He truly loved the way she showed no disdain for him.
Perhaps he’s ill?!
Remembering the humiliation Minister Wen had just given her, Xiao Jin’s fist clenched tighter.
Ever since he was twelve, no one in the Xiao household dared to show him a sour face—those who tried were beaten into fear.
It seemed the people of the Wen household had stiff bones—he ought to help loosen them up.
Just as Xiao Jin was thinking, that annoying voice rang out again from the hall: “Father, why hasn’t elder sister come in yet? Does she not want to come in?”
“Side Concubine Madam, sorry to disappoint you—we’ve already come in.” Wen Qingwan spoke with calm dignity, neither arrogant nor servile.
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