As for the relationship with Wu Yuning, with money, what kind of beauty couldn't he marry? They both had new lives, so why cling to the past? To put it plainly, they both loved themselves more.
Wu Yuning only reminisced for a moment before immediately returning to reality. She said with some sadness, "I have food and drink in the manor, and with you backing me, no one dares to bully me easily. The only thing that worries me a little is what I told you last time about Gao Feixue."
"Didn't you tell me you sent people to stir up trouble to drive them out of the capital? I've already spoken to the Prefect, and those three people have been released. Is there anything else unresolved?" the Fifth Prince asked her with some confusion.
"Can you find a way to drive them out? Today, that Gao Feixue specifically came to see me and threatened to tell the Crown Princess about my past. What past do I have? I'm not afraid of an investigation, but gossip is dreadful. Some people don't know the truth of things and just follow the crowd. It would be a small matter to ruin my reputation, but what if it reaches the palace and the Emperor scolds you?"
The Fifth Prince looked at Wu Yuning’s worried expression, feeling quite moved. This was just like how they interacted when they were children. She was always so kind, always considering others. His heart softened, and he embraced her.
After a while, he sighed and said, "You should go out less recently. I'll talk to her personally another day. If they were just ordinary merchants, I could make her disappear from the capital with a wave of my hand. But Zhang Dahai has the Lin family behind him, as well as the Anning Marquis Manor. We can't move against them for now."
Wu Yuning became anxious upon hearing this. "If we can't do it openly, can't we do it secretly? I always feel like they're a ticking time bomb, and I can't feel at ease." Su Dan Novel Network
"Give it some time. Once I've dealt with the matters at hand, we'll think of a solution," the Fifth Prince said, patting her shoulder for comfort.
Wu Yuning wanted to say more, but seeing his tired expression, she swallowed the words.
She suddenly remembered what the Fifth Prince had just said. He had encountered difficult matters recently, and they must have been overwhelming him. She couldn't add to his troubles. After all, things had already reached this point.
However, even if he didn't help her, she could find a way secretly. She couldn't stand Zhang Dahai and Gao Feixue jumping around right under her nose. If they were to expose her past one day, she felt that she wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.
Wu Caiwei looked at Zhang Tieshan, who had come to find her, with a speechless expression. Yesterday, she had just gone to find Zhang Tiehua, and today her brother showed up. If she were to believe it was all a coincidence, she wouldn't. Since she was bored, she might as well see what tricks he was planning. Wu Caiwei raised an eyebrow and looked at him with interest.
Zhang Tieshan looked around and said with a hint of sourness, "I often hear people say that your business is quite large, and this is my first time experiencing it firsthand. When I think of how we used to brew wine together, sell wine together, and the sweet moments of our life together, my heart aches. How did we end up like this? The person who should be standing beside you is me."
Wu Caiwei looked up at the sky and said sarcastically, "The sun didn't rise from the west, did it? We've become mortal enemies, and yet you can still say such things. I'm impressed."
Zhang Tieshan seemed not to understand the meaning in her words and said with some sadness, "We were so in love before. Now that I have some wealth, why don't we get back together?"
Wu Caiwei was so angered that she laughed. "I know you're not sincere in saying these words. If you intend to ruin my reputation and prevent me from entering the Lin family, I advise you to give up. If you provoke me, it'll be a fight to the death. I won't have a good ending, and neither will you."
Zhang Tieshan looked at her serious expression and was momentarily intimidated. He felt that his sister's plan was not feasible. This woman was fearless when she went mad. He dared not gamble, so he could only find an excuse. "I truly wish to mend our broken relationship. I think you can consider me. You don't look happy today. I'll come see you another day."
Watching him flee in disarray, Wu Caiwei couldn't help but smile, thinking he was truly spineless. She wondered how Gao Feixue had ever taken a liking to him.
However, she didn't dwell on this interlude, as she still had many things to do.
That night, lying in bed, Wu Caiwei pondered how to retaliate. Her agreement with Zhang Tiehua to let bygones be bygones was for this lifetime. In her previous life, the original owner had been harmed by them, so she had to get revenge for them.
As she thought, sleepiness overcame her, and Wu Caiwei closed her eyes, falling asleep at some point.
She was suddenly awakened by pain while sleeping soundly. She quickly grabbed the knife by her bedside, and with a swift slash, something fell to the ground.
She endured the pain and quickly lit a candle. On the ground lay a snake, cut in half.
The snake was red all over and looked extremely poisonous. She immediately took a dagger from the table and drew a cross on her leg, forcefully squeezing out the poisonous blood. After squeezing out most of it, she found an antidote pill and took it. Finally, she carefully bandaged her injured leg.
After completing this series of actions, she carefully examined the snake. It was in two pieces and not quite dead, writhing continuously. Wu Caiwei stepped forward and delivered a few more strikes before it became completely still.
The pain in her leg made her seethe with anger. Zhang Dahai and Gao Feixue were skilled physicians with vast knowledge. This kind of snake must have been transported from the south. The climate in the capital was not suitable for its survival. Someone had deliberately placed it in her room, or rather, under her bed, with the intention of taking her life.
If she had truly died, even if Zhang Dahai reported it to the authorities, the coroner would examine it and declare it a poisonous snakebite. Since someone dared to release a snake, and with the Fifth Prince's backing, the trail would be thoroughly covered. An accident could easily conclude the case, and her death would be in vain. It was a well-thought-out plan.
Wu Caiwei felt that she couldn't just wait to die. Of course, she wouldn't actually publicize their past actions as she had threatened Zhang Tieshan and Zhang Tiehua. She couldn't guarantee that if things spiraled out of control, the Emperor wouldn't eliminate her to protect Zhang Tiehua, as she was a concubine on the imperial genealogy, representing royal dignity. In this world ruled by imperial power, she dared not gamble, nor could she afford to.
The next day, Zhang Dahai learned of what had happened the previous night and was filled with righteous indignation. He immediately went to the Anning Marquis Manor and remained in the study with the Marquis for an entire day before leaving.
No one knew what they had discussed, but only that within a few days, Zhang Dahai handed over all his businesses to Gao Feixue and became a strategist for the Second Prince.
When Lin Daren received this news, he was furious. He had tried his best to remain neutral and avoid the princes' disputes, but unexpectedly, his foolish son, after only a few days in the capital, had become embroiled in it. The Anning Marquis should have spoken to him about it.
Old Master Lin paced back and forth at home, pondering for a long time. He felt he couldn't just let it go. He had to find Zhang Dahai for a good talk, lest he sink deeper into the quagmire.