Chapter 010: Come, Let’s Seek Revenge!

“Big brother!” Wu Tan grinned broadly, setting the umbrella aside. “It’s so late—yet you really came?”

“I wasn’t at ease, so I came to check on you again.” Wu Qinglin walked over and sat down on the couch.

Cheng Cheng, intent on avoiding suspicion, said, “I’ll make some tea!”

“No need. I’ll just sit for a while before heading back,” Wu Qinglin replied, then turned to ask Wu Tan, “Did you get hurt anywhere in the palace today?”

“No!” Wu Tan still wore her carefree smile. “It’s just that my knees ache from kneeling. In a bit, I’ll have Cheng Cheng bring some medicinal wine to rub it out.”

Wu Qinglin didn’t feel right inspecting her knees, so he simply raised a hand to test her forehead, frowning. “You seem to be running a bit of a fever. Cheng Cheng, go call Doctor Xu over to take a look at Tan’er.”

“Yes!” Cheng Cheng agreed and was about to leave, but Wu Tan stopped her. “No need, I just got caught in the rain. Didn’t I already drink ginger soup? If I sleep for a bit, I’ll be fine.”

Cheng Cheng instinctively opened her mouth to protest, wanting to say that Wu Tan hadn’t really drunk it—just tasted it for show. But knowing Wu Tan’s intent, she didn’t dare contradict her in front of Wu Qinglin, and quietly went to the inner room to make the bed.

“Are you really not feeling unwell?” Wu Qinglin still wasn’t convinced.

“No! I’ve always been healthy since I was little, and you know that, brother!” Wu Tan laughed, pulling a thin blanket over her knees and skillfully shifting the topic. “By the way, Father was in such a hurry to call you over—is something the matter?”

“Mm.” Wu Qinglin answered, his expression unchanged. “Father was ordered to return and attend next month’s Longevity Festival. The army can’t be left unattended, so I was planning to head back in a few days. But Father just called me over and said he may need to leave earlier, which means I don’t have to rush—I can stay a while longer.”

Ever since her brother joined the army, their chances to meet had grown rare. Even during the New Year, neither father nor brother had returned from the southern frontier.

“That’s wonderful!” Wu Tan’s delight was clear, but after a moment’s thought, she grew curious. “When does Father plan to leave? Is there an emergency in the south?”

But that didn’t make sense—if there really was an emergency, Father would have rushed back that day, and her brother would surely accompany him.

“His Highness, Prince Sheng, who was stationed in the northern frontier, has recently returned to the capital,” Wu Qinglin explained. “When the late emperor reigned, the princes’ infighting weakened our borders. We thought the northern victory would deter our neighbors, and that Father could leave the southern frontier for a month or two without trouble. But now, Prince Sheng is gravely wounded and forced to return for recovery. With him gone, the north lacks his presence. If Father leaves the south for too long at this critical juncture, it’s risky.”

“Prince Sheng?” So the man she saw earlier was injured?

If he had to relinquish his command and return for treatment, his wounds must be severe—anyone else would be bedridden. Yet that lord held up, striding with vigor, not a hint of illness, and with that tall, graceful posture—most burly men wouldn’t dare approach him.

Wu Tan mused, her thoughts drifting.

Wu Qinglin didn’t notice, continuing, “To prevent the Northern Yan from exploiting the situation, Prince Sheng’s injury is kept from the troops, and his return is secret. The officer sent by His Majesty to replace him arrived a few days ago, and this afternoon, Prince Sheng himself reached the capital. Father hasn’t received an imperial order yet, but I expect tomorrow’s court will address it. And—”

Wu Qinglin’s words stopped abruptly.

Wu Tan returned to herself and gave him an inquiring look.

He finally continued, “If His Majesty truly intends to bestow a marriage, it’ll be settled before Father leaves the capital. If you’ve made up your mind, you should be prepared.”

Crown Prince Xiao Yun, at least, is good-looking… Wu Tan consoled herself, her smile blossoming. “Understood!”

Wu Qinglin saw her expression and, unsure what to say, simply smiled along. He raised a hand to touch his sister’s loose hair, gently pressing her head to his chest.

Wu Tan leaned against him, like a docile cat, hearing his strong heartbeat mingled with his voice above her head, “After Father, I’ll always be here. We’ll hold up the Wu family. Rest easy.”

Wu Tan lifted her face to gaze at him, “I trust you, brother!”

Her eyes always shone—bright and lively.

Wu Qinglin met her gaze and smiled, patting her back before letting her go. “All right, it’s late. Get some sleep—I’m off!”

“Okay!” Wu Tan responded crisply, without rising to see him out.

Wu Qinglin shook his robe and stood, but didn’t immediately leave. His gaze drifted past her, settling on the umbrella leaning against the couch.

He had noticed it earlier at the palace gates—the umbrella wasn’t new, much larger than those ladies usually carried, crafted with care and fine materials. It couldn’t belong to any palace servant.

Wu Tan followed his gaze and laughed openly, “Oh! It was raining and someone lent it to me.”

This girl was clever and bold, and those eyes seemed born to deceive—most of the time, even Wu Qinglin couldn’t tell which words were true and which false.

He simply stared at the umbrella, speaking casually, “Should it be returned?”

“Uh…” Wu Tan considered, “I suppose… it should be.”

“Alright. Tomorrow I’ll have someone prepare a gift and return it for you,” Wu Qinglin nodded, extending his hand with composure.

“No need!” Wu Tan instinctively declined, reaching for the umbrella while quickly concocting a lie in her mind. “I don’t know who it belongs to—I just happened to meet them at the palace gate. I only thought it’s not right to discard someone else’s possession so casually…”

It was, after all, a man’s item—not suitable for her to keep. Reluctant, but fearing her brother would grow suspicious, she handed it over with both hands.

“Oh!” Wu Qinglin was sharp—though Wu Tan tried hard to conceal it, he sensed her words lacked sincerity. But he didn’t press the matter, calmly accepting the umbrella. “It’s not proper for you to keep this here. I’ll hold onto it for you, and if you ever find out whose it is, I can return it for you.”

“Thank you, brother!” Wu Tan flashed a wide, sweet, flawless smile.

“Get some sleep.” Wu Qinglin suppressed a chuckle, his gaze indulgent as he looked at her again. “The rain won’t stop soon—close the windows tonight and don’t catch cold.”

“Okay!” Wu Tan replied briskly.

Wu Qinglin turned and left.

Cheng Cheng, having seen him out, returned and couldn’t help asking, “Miss, why did you hide it from the heir? Wasn’t that umbrella lent to you by Prince Sheng?”

“It’s just a shabby umbrella—do you think the Sheng Palace lacks any? I don’t want brother to trouble himself with it,” Wu Tan shrugged. Now that Wu Qinglin had taken it, she didn’t care, raising an eyebrow at Cheng Cheng, “Listen—if he ever asks you about this, just say you don’t know. Got it?”

After all, both Prince Sheng and her father commanded armies—it was best not to have private dealings.

“I understand,” Cheng Cheng replied, accustomed to her decisive ways. “The kitchen has prepared your meal…”

Before she finished, the door was suddenly flung open. Xingzi rushed in, breathless, “Miss! I’ve found out! Third Miss went straight to Madam this afternoon and stayed there. I watched her for a while—she just left the south courtyard and is heading back!”

Wu Tan’s eyes instantly brightened, swiftly slipping on her shoes and grabbing a cloak from the rack. Wrapping it around her shoulders, she dashed out, “Let’s go—time for revenge!”

———Extra———

Male lead: [A bad premonition] Damn it! The shift in tone is terrifying! Is my wife some kind of lunatic?

Lanbao: [Serious face] No, no, son-in-law, you’re overthinking!

Male lead: [Rubs his chest] Whew, that’s a relief…

Lanbao: [Quickly covers the pot, legs it out] Actually, she’s just a split personality!

Male lead: %￥@&%￥@!

This book is released exclusively—please do not reprint!