After Transmigrating into a Book, I Was Entangled by the Paranoid Eldest Princess - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The marriage discussion didn’t go as planned, and Wen Huayuan, in a foul mood, dismissed the two sisters after giving them a few more instructions.

Outside the door, Wen Shiyuan looked at Wen Chenqing, who appeared calm, her eyes even carrying a hint of relaxed amusement. “Second Sister, you truly are bold.”

Wen Chenqing smiled, the thin sunlight rippling in her eyes. “Eldest Sister, I am merely insisting on my own heart’s desire.”

Wen Shiyuan froze, moved by the sentiment.

After Wen Shiyuan left, Wen Chenqing hesitated, then turned back to knock on the study door. Her original purpose in returning to the Wen manor today was to signal her intention to seek an external appointment after the Palace Examination. Unexpectedly, Wen Huayuan had been scheming to arrange a marriage for her. Given the tense atmosphere earlier, it hadn’t been the right time to bring up her plans.

Seeing his second daughter return, Wen Huayuan frowned subconsciously. “What else is it?”

Wen Chenqing spoke with a serious expression: “Father, after the Palace Examination, if I am favored by the Emperor’s grace, I wish to be appointed to a provincial post to gain experience.”

“A provincial post?” Wen Huayuan was stunned, his brow knitting tightly. The lingering anger from her defiance earlier was now compounded by new dissatisfaction. “Why would you have such a thought? Is a prestigious office in the capital not good enough? You are currently ranked fifth; after the Palace Examination, remaining in the capital to receive an official post is a matter of course. Why seek out hardship?”

Since ancient times, it was understood that “one cannot enter the Hanlin Academy without being a successful exam candidate, and one cannot enter the Grand Secretariat without being in the Hanlin Academy.” Given Wen Chenqing’s performance, entering the Hanlin Academy was a real possibility. Why did she want to leave? Wen Huayuan could not comprehend it first why she refused a beneficial marriage, and now she wanted to leave the capital. It was pure madness!

Wen Chenqing had long anticipated his dissatisfaction and had prepared a strategy. To a man who valued family interests above all else, talk of “honing talent” or “achieving great things” would fall on deaf ears. Besides, her true reason for wanting to leave was to avoid a certain person. Thus, she employed the rhetoric she had polished many times in her mind.

“With Father and Eldest Sister in the capital, if I volunteer to go to a local post, I may be able to bring glory to the Wen family in a different realm.” She paused, then added: “The current political climate is unstable…”

She glanced up at Wen Huayuan, trusting that he understood the implication. As expected, his indignant expression froze as his thoughts aligned with hers. Wen Chenqing didn’t know the specifics of the unrest at the border, but the “instability” she referred to was the fact that the Emperor was old and the imperial children were growing up; the court seemed calm, but currents were churning beneath the surface. She believed Wen Huayuan, being in the thick of officialdom, understood this far better than she did.

“My nature is not steady enough; I fear causing trouble. I wish to stay far from the capital so that if I achieve something in the future, I can serve as a pillar of support for Eldest Sister.”

Wen Huayuan’s expression sharpened, the anger replaced by gravity. He looked deeply at Wen Chenqing: “I did not realize you were so perceptive.” If a daughter is smart, she is naturally better than a fool who cannot see the tides.

Wen Huayuan’s voice held a hint of suspicion: “You insist on leaving the capital. There is more to it than that, isn’t there?”

Wen Chenqing let a flash of “caught” panic cross her face before quickly steadying herself. She stole a swift glance at the man in the seat of honor. “Nothing escapes Father. Eldest Sister is exceptionally capable, and I know I cannot compare to her. If I remain in the capital, I will inevitably be compared to her. I truly do not wish for that. It is better to choose a provincial post; by stepping out, I am still a Wen, but I can hear fewer whispers.”

This admission, mixed with private selfishness, made Wen Huayuan believe her. He pondered for a moment; from the perspective of family interest, her choice had merit. Yet, he still had reservations. Wait, he thought, what does it matter? Can this daughter really survive without the family? Even if she has some ability, without the family’s support behind her, how can she stand firm in the provinces? Let her go and gain experience; once she suffers, she will naturally understand that the family is indispensable and will only cling closer to us.

“I am gratified that you have the family’s interests at heart. In that case, you must give your all in the Palace Examination and strive for an even higher rank.”

Wen Chenqing caught the subtext and immediately replied: “I understand, Father. I will not fail your expectations.”

“Good. Now go and prepare properly.”

Wen Chenqing walked out of the study and pulled the door shut behind her. Standing in the veranda, she watched the setting sun, a genuine and relaxed smile curving her lips. The first step was a success. If the Wen family didn’t block her, then after the Palace Examination, she would likely be free.

That evening, after a low-key celebratory banquet at the Wen manor, a slightly tipsy Wen Chenqing returned to the small courtyard with Yinxing. By the time she stepped out of the carriage, she was already seeing double. She was never good with alcohol, but thinking the local brew was mild, she had indulged in a few extra cups during the toasts. She hadn’t realized the after-effects would be so potent.

Supported by Yinxing, she went inside. After washing up, her brain buzzing and ready for rest, she changed into her sleeping clothes and collapsed into bed. She didn’t even need to try to fall asleep; the dream world claimed her almost instantly.

In the dead of night, the courtyard was silent. A few rustling sounds broke the quiet, and Wen Chenqing’s unlatched bedroom door was pushed open without a sound.

Si Jinghua was dressed in dark robes that blended into the thick night. She approached Wen Chenqing’s bed with light steps. The room was filled with the faint scent of alcohol mixed with Wen Chenqing’s own aroma, which diluted the faint, metallic scent of blood on Si Jinghua’s dark clothes. The person on the bed slept soundly, her breathing long and even.

Si Jinghua leaned over, watching the rosy hue on Wen Chenqing’s cheeks—brought on by the wine—in the silver glow of the moonlight. She stared at the sleeping woman, stretching out a fingertip to gently stroke her warm cheek, eventually resting it between her tightly closed lips. Then, she pulled her finger back, placed it against her own lips, and flicked her tongue to lick it. A faint,清 sweet taste mixed with wine bloomed on the tip of her tongue.

Si Jinghua’s eyes darkened further, turbulent waves rolling within. She leaned her body down, her gaze tracing Wen Chenqing’s brow, stopping at her ruby-red lips, and then leaned in to press her own against them. Her tongue probed the closed seam, soft and gentle, yet carrying an undeniable, irresistible force. A moment later, she tasted something even sweeter than before, and for a fleeting instant, her mind clouded with indulgence.

Wen Chenqing, in her sleep, seemed to feel discomfort; she frowned unconsciously, turning her head to avoid the touch that disturbed her dreams.

“A-Qing…” Si Jinghua leaned against Wen Chenqing’s ear, her warm breath spraying onto the sensitive skin. Her voice was low and hoarse, carrying a touch of tenderness and obsession in the dead of night. “Do you really think you can escape?”

With that whisper, she rose and left the bedside. She paced in the dark room, walked to a cupboard where things were stored, pulled it open, and took something out. Looking at the box in her hand, Si Jinghua narrowed her eyes and let out a silent, cold laugh. She cast one last deep look at the sleeping woman before turning to leave. Like her arrival, she merged into the night as silently as a ghost, disappearing outside the door.

Moonlight continued to spill coldly across the bedside, and the room was as silent as if nothing had ever happened.

The next day, the sun was bright. In the imperial court:

“Your Majesty! I wish to impeach the Chief Examiner of this year’s Metropolitan Examination, the Eldest Princess!”

The hall went deathly silent. All eyes focused on the Censor and the Eldest Princess.

“During the grading process, the Eldest Princess was unclear in her judgment and lax in supervision. She publicly allowed talented scholars to fail while elevating obscure individuals of mediocre talent. This unfair practice has caused an uproar among the candidates! Her virtue and talent are insufficient to convince the public. I implore Your Majesty to investigate this matter strictly, to rectify the atmosphere of the examination hall and ease the hearts of the scholars under heaven!”

Before he could finish, several other officials stepped forward to echo his sentiments. On the throne, the Emperor’s face gradually darkened.

“Jinghua, do you have anything to say?”

The Third Prince stood among the officials, casting a side glance. Facing the impeachment, Si Jinghua remained calm. Upon hearing the question from the throne, she stepped forward, bowed, and said: “I beg Father to be discerning, and allow me to respond.”

She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping lightly over the Censors who had impeached her before landing on the Third Prince. Though it was only for a fleeting second, it made the Third Prince, Si Jingzhang, tighten with anxiety. She didn’t waste time on pleasantries, but raised her voice: “Guards, bring the items up!”

Fuqu, who had been waiting outside the hall, entered immediately, holding a brocade box. Si Jinghua took the box and opened it in front of everyone; inside were several transcribed papers and their corresponding originals.

“Father, fellow officials, these are the very papers that caused the uproar among the scholars. Please, take a look: are the transcribed papers and the originals consistent?”

Eunuchs hurried forward to receive the items and show them to the Emperor and his ministers. Upon careful comparison, gasps of shock broke out—on the transcribed papers, critical data and arguments had been tampered with, drastically altering the meaning of the originals!

One official asked in shock: “Was the transcription done in error?”

“That is not the case!” Si Jinghua’s voice was icy. “Someone deliberately sabotaged them, intending to bury true talent and frame me!”

Ignoring the uproar, she turned to the Emperor and bowed: “Father, during the lockdown of the exam hall, I sensed unusual movement. To avoid alerting the enemy, I sent men to watch in private and intercepted these tampered papers. The offending transcriber has been captured, and I have interrogated him throughout the night. This is his signed confession.”

The eunuch presented the confession. Si Jinghua picked up another file. “Furthermore, I have evidence here documenting how the Vice Examiner, Wang Shiren, and others deliberately suppressed these truly excellent papers during the grading. I hope Father will investigate clearly.”

Evidence was thrown out one after another, exploding like thunderclaps in the court. The faces of the Censors who had impeached her turned deathly white, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. Si Jingzhang’s expression stiffened. He had changed color the moment he saw Si Jinghua produce those papers—hadn’t he already sent men to handle it? How could those fools have failed?!

The Emperor looked at the evidence, his face dark enough to drip ink. “A swap of truth for falsehood, a framing of the Chief Examiner! To dare commit such filth during the Metropolitan Examination—Guards! Arrest all involved parties!”

“Father, calm your anger,” Si Jinghua said, her expression steady. “The mastermind behind this is vicious. They not only intended to destroy my reputation but also to shake the foundations of the nation and chill the hearts of scholars. I implore Father to investigate this to the very end.”

On the throne, the Emperor watched Si Jinghua below, his eyes shifting, as if he sensed something. “Permission granted!”

“Dismiss the court!”

Si Jinghua exited the court with composure under a sea of different gazes. As she passed the Third Prince, Si Jingzhang, she curled her lips and asked with concern: “Third Brother, your complexion seems poor. Are you ill? Shall I send for an imperial physician?”

“Thank you for your concern, Elder Sister. I am quite well,” Si Jingzhang replied dryly, suppressing the hatred in his heart.

The Fourth Prince, Si Jingyu, following half a step behind, looked at the “harmonious sister and brother” scene ahead. Through the gap of Si Jingzhang’s body, he met eyes with Si Jinghua, who had turned to look back, and silently tilted his lips in a smile.