The Sickly Regent Prince Who Was Abandoned as a Substitute Bride

Chapter 599

"Stop!" Nightshade, clutching his wound, gave chase, his boots shattering the moonlight on the ground. Dongfang Wan'er ran, lost in thought. She was familiar with the Eastern Mansion, but shaking off the well-trained guards would be no easy feat. As she rounded the winding corridor, she suddenly caught sight of an abandoned woodshed in the corner—in her past life, she had hidden here from Dongfang Mingzhu's harassment, and remembered that the back window led directly to the moat.

Pushing open the creaking wooden door, the stench of rotting wood assaulted her nostrils. Dongfang Wan'er swiftly reached for the haystack in the corner, pulled a tinderbox from her sleeve, and lit it. The instant the flames leaped up, the woodshed was engulfed in flames, thick smoke billowing out through the broken window. Night Shadow chased to the doorway, coughing repeatedly from the smoke, and could only cover his mouth and nose with his sleeve. Just as he bent down to rush inside, Dongfang Wan'er had already vaulted over the window frame and slid down the vines to the outside of the wall.

The steam from the moat, carrying a fishy stench, rushed towards her. Ignoring her soaked skirt, she ran swiftly along the riverbank. Behind her, the angry roar of the Night Shadow echoed, but the footsteps of her pursuers gradually faded into the distance. Only when she saw the eaves of her own courtyard did she slow her pace and sneak in, hugging the wall.

Hiding the letter in a secret compartment, Dongfang Wan'er collapsed onto the bed. Moonlight streamed through the window curtains onto her face as she gazed at the swaying shadows of trees on the ceiling, her fingertips gently tracing the wounds from the earlier fight. The pain made her increasingly lucid, and recalling her hesitation during the battle with Ye Ying, and the sordid schemes in the letter, a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"Nightfall is just beginning, the Oriental Pearl Tower." She whispered to the void, her voice as soft as a sigh, "How you schemed against me in my past life, I will make you pay a hundredfold in this life." The night breeze outside the window stirred the gauze curtains, the candlelight flickering, making the murderous intent in her eyes even more intense. Tonight's confrontation was merely the prologue; the real show had only just begun.

Dusk fell as dark as ink, and thick clouds pressed down, causing the windowpanes to creak. Dongfang Wan'er was leaning against a carved rosewood couch, perusing ancient books, when she suddenly heard a cacophony of footsteps coming from the bluestone path, like ants fleeing in droves before a storm. Before she could even look up, the carved sandalwood door was flung open with a bang, the gilded door knocker striking the door panel with a dull thud, startling the ash from the bronze crane incense burner on the table into a shower of ashes.

Dongfang Mingzhu was draped in a peacock blue cloak embroidered with gold, the phoenixes embroidered in gold thread gleaming coldly in the twilight. Behind her followed seven or eight maids, their sheepskin lanterns casting flickering light on the corridor, each face bearing a grim, menacing expression. Dongfang Mingzhu stepped across the threshold in her gold-embroidered shoes, her silver armor reflecting a chilling light in the candlelight: "Dongfang Wan'er, how dare you set fire to the woodshed!" She deliberately emphasized the word "set fire," her hands on her hips like a victorious peacock, the curve of her lips concealing a calculated, determined resolve.

The silk palace lantern on the table suddenly flickered, candle wax trickling down its glass shade. Dongfang Wan'er slowly put down the book in her hand, her moon-white skirt brushing against the cool blue bricks, her jade pendants jingling softly as she rose. She lowered her gaze to the hem of her skirt, embroidered with twin lotus blossoms, and suddenly chuckled softly, a laugh like icicles on a winter's eaves, clear yet sharp: "Sister, you must be mistaken. Last night, at the third watch, I passed by the woodshed and suddenly saw wisps of smoke coming from the crack in the door. Pushing it open, I saw someone destroying bloodstained linen." She paused, her fingertips tracing the pearl hairpin at her temple, "It concerns lives, and I dared not make a sound. I had no choice but to use the most foolish method—waiting for the fire to grow large enough to alert everyone."

"Lies! It was clearly you..." Dongfang Mingzhu roared in fury, but before she could finish speaking, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed through the corridor. A figure dressed in black, like a ghost, swept into the room and whispered in Dongfang Mingzhu's ear. A sudden clap of thunder outside the window illuminated Dongfang Mingzhu's abruptly pale face. Her knuckles, gripping her cloak, turned blue, her meticulously drawn eyebrows trembled violently, and her eyes held a panic like that of a startled crow.

Dongfang Wan'er stared at the other woman's suddenly changed face, secretly delighted. The secret letter she had found in the corner of the woodshed three days ago was probably churning through Dongfang Mingzhu's mind right now. The crooked handwriting and the burnt signature on the letter were enough to bring this high and mighty elder sister down from her pedestal. She stepped forward slowly, her wide sleeve brushing against Dongfang Mingzhu's stiff shoulder: "Sister, do you know that some things can be hidden for a while, but not forever?" Her voice was as gentle as a silkworm eating leaves, yet every word carried a deadly force.

Dongfang Mingzhu abruptly took a half-step back, nearly causing the lantern in the hand of the maid behind her to fall. She gritted her teeth, her rouge-painted lips turning pale from the force of her movement: "Dongfang Wan'er, don't be so smug!" As she turned, her cloak swept away the brush washer on the desk, ink spreading on the blue bricks like undried blood. After the group disappeared into the rain, Dongfang Wan'er gazed at the mess on the ground. Outside the window, amidst flashes of lightning and thunder, the charred outline of a distant woodshed loomed faintly. This power struggle within the household, steeped in intrigue and scheming, had only just begun, its blood-red curtain drawn.

Rain streaked across the windowpane, leaving fine welts on the blue brick floor. Dongfang Wan'er leaned against the carved lattice window, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the fragments of a secret letter hidden in her sleeve, her tense back finally relaxing slightly. The copper bells on the eaves jingled softly in the draft, their sound, for a fleeting moment, like the crisp crack of a letter consumed by flames in the woodshed at midnight.

“Bang—”

The carved wooden door was kicked open again, and rainwater, carrying a sweet, pungent smell, poured in. Oriental Pearl's peacock-blue cloak was stained with mud, her jewels cascading haphazardly down her sides, and a few withered leaves clung to her hair. Her chest heaved violently, and the gleaming dagger in her hand flashed with lightning, its blade still stained with undried dark red blood.

"You wretch! I'll kill you!" A sharp scream pierced the rain as Dongfang Mingzhu lunged forward like a madwoman. The whistling sound of a dagger grazed Dongfang Wan'er's ear, severing a few strands of her hair. Her pupils constricted, and her back slammed heavily against the antique shelf. The sandalwood ornaments collapsed with a crash, and the sound of a jade vase shattering mingled with the terrified screams of the maids, exploding throughout the room.

Dongfang Wan'er dodged the fatal blow, her slender fingers gripping Dongfang Mingzhu's wrist like a serpent. The strength honed through years of swordsmanship training manifested itself in this moment; she twisted her opponent's wrist, but Dongfang Mingzhu, in a frenzy, slammed her knee into her abdomen. The two rolled and wrestled amidst the mess on the ground. Dongfang Mingzhu's golden armor left three bloody scratches on Dongfang Wan'er's collarbone, warm blood seeping into her moon-white robes.

"Guards! Stop them!" Nightshade's shout mingled with the sound of shattering porcelain. The maids, already terrified, scattered and fled. Someone knocked over a copper basin, the water overflowing the blue bricks, reflecting the two entangled figures. Using the force of the attack, Dongfang Wan'er whirled around and slammed Dongfang Mingzhu to the ground. A crisp "clang" rang out as a dagger slipped from its sheath and fell to the ground, its blade gleaming coldly in the lightning.

Dongfang Mingzhu lay sprawled amidst the shattered porcelain, a cut on her forehead drawing blood down her pale cheek. She tilted her head back, a sinister glint in her eyes through her disheveled hair: "Dongfang Wan'er, you think you can defeat me? You've only escaped with your life by sheer luck! Just wait..."

"Ladies! The Old Madam requests your presence!" Hurried footsteps approached, and the Old Madam's personal maid rushed in, panting, her handkerchief crumpled in her hand. Looking at the mess on the floor, her face instantly turned deathly pale. "The Old Madam heard that the woodshed was on fire, and then heard the commotion here..."

Dongfang Wan'er raised her hand to press against the bleeding wound, a large patch of dark red staining her moon-white inner robe. She bent down to pick up the fragments of the secret letter from the ground, her fingertips tracing the charred edges, and looked up at Dongfang Mingzhu, who was also tidying her appearance. The other woman was re-pinning her hairpin into her hair bun, a chilling smile curling at the corner of her lips, a smile that seemed to make the rain curtain even more gloomy.

On the bluestone path, two rows of lanterns flickered in the rain. Dongfang Wan'er gazed at the blood-stained peacock-blue hem of Dongfang Mingzhu's dress and suddenly recalled the scene of her mother teaching them to read "Admonitions for Women" when she was young. Back then, the candlelight was gentle, and her sister would tuck her in. But now, this rain-soaked night was pushing them into a deeper vortex. The warm light emanating from the old lady's courtyard seemed to them like the bared fangs of a beast, foreshadowing an even greater storm to come.

As Dongfang Wan'er crossed the bluestone threshold of the old lady's courtyard, she felt the sinister gaze cast upon her by Dongfang Mingzhu. The rain continued to slant across the carved corridor, wetting the jade beaded curtains hanging from the eaves, their tinkling sounds like countless tiny alarm bells ringing in her heart.

The room was filled with the scent of ambergris, and wisps of smoke rose from the gilded beast-head incense burner, enveloping the old lady in a hazy glow. On a carved rosewood armchair, the old lady, dressed in a deep purple brocade robe, the gold-embroidered peonies gleaming with a dignified sheen in the candlelight, sat upright in the main seat. The jade prayer beads in her hands swayed gently with her breath, each bead telling a story of age and dignity.

"Speak, what happened?" The old lady's voice was like the cold ice of winter, deep and chilling, carrying a sinister pressure. She slightly raised her eyelids, her cloudy gaze like a sharp knife, taking in the disheveled appearance of her two granddaughters. Dongfang Wan'er noticed the wrinkles at the corners of the old lady's eyes tremble slightly, a sign that her anger was about to erupt.

Dongfang Mingzhu reacted swiftly, her knees slamming heavily onto the blue brick floor with a dull thud. "Madam!" Her voice trembled with sobs, her eyes instantly reddening, large tears rolling down her cheeks. "It was Dongfang Wan'er! She set fire to the woodshed and tried to frame me! Just now in her room, she even attacked me. If I hadn't been lucky..." She choked back tears, her trembling finger pointing to the wound on Dongfang Wan'er's collarbone, as if it were irrefutable evidence of the attack.

Dongfang Wan'er remained calm and composed. She straightened her disheveled skirt and knelt gracefully. The pearl hairpin in her hair swayed gently, reflecting a cool light in the candlelight. "Madam, please look at this first." She took out a fragment of a secret letter from her sleeve, held it high above her head, and said in a steady and firm voice, "This was found in the woodshed last night. The letter contains a major conspiracy that concerns the safety of my Dongfang family."

The old lady frowned slightly, gesturing for her personal maid to take the fragment. In the candlelight, she squinted, examining it closely, her withered fingers gently tracing the charred edges. As she read, the wrinkles on her face deepened, the corners of her mouth drooped, and a shadow fell over her previously calm expression. Dongfang Mingzhu knelt on the ground, her nails digging deeply into her palms, yet she forced a facade of composure, managing a feigned innocence.

"Bang!" The old lady suddenly slammed the broken piece of paper onto the table, making the bronze paperweight jump. "Regardless of the truth, what kind of behavior is this, causing such a scene in the mansion!" Her voice rose several decibels, her prayer beads clenched tightly in her hand. "You have utterly disgraced the Dongfang family!"

The room was deathly silent, save for the soft patter of incense ash falling from the burner. The old lady closed her eyes, took a deep breath, seemingly suppressing her rage. After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes: "Dongfang Wan'er, the arson in the woodshed must be thoroughly investigated. If you are truly innocent, your name will be cleared; but if the evidence is irrefutable..." She paused, her gaze piercing Dongfang Wan'er like a sharp sword, "...don't blame me for being ruthless."

"As for you—" The old lady turned to Dongfang Mingzhu, her tone even colder, "wielding a weapon to injure someone, showing no respect for elders, your crimes are unforgivable." She waved her hand, her tone leaving no room for argument, "From this day forward, both of you are confined to your courtyards, not to step out without being summoned. A final decision will be made after the truth is ascertained!"

Dongfang Wan'er lowered her eyes and agreed, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Dongfang Mingzhu biting her lower lip, her face as pale as paper. When they left the courtyard, the rain had stopped, and moonlight filtered through the clouds, casting long shadows on the bluestone slabs. Dongfang Wan'er knew that this seemingly subsided storm was merely the prelude to a larger conspiracy. The candlelight in the old lady's courtyard would eventually illuminate many more untold secrets.

As dusk tinged the carved window frames with an amber hue, Dongfang Wan'er leaned against the Xiangfei bamboo couch, her fingertips lightly tracing the icy patterns on the celadon teacup. The incense burner emitted wisps of ambergris, yet they couldn't mask the lingering smell of gunpowder in the air. Just then, Qingdai stumbled in, the silk flower at her temple askew, a few fallen leaves clinging to her forehead.

"Miss! Something terrible has happened!" Qingdai gasped for breath, her chest heaving as she leaned against the doorframe. "Dongfang Mingzhu has sent people all over the mansion saying you deliberately set the fire and tried to murder her! Granny Wang from the front kitchen just saw me, and her words were full of accusations..."

A teacup clinked crisply on the table. Dongfang Wan'er lowered her eyes, her eyelashes casting butterfly-like shadows beneath them. Outside the window, the sycamore trees rustled, a few withered leaves swirling in the wind and slapping against the window paper, like the impatient claws of Dongfang Mingzhu. "She's certainly impatient," she said, a cold smile playing on her lips. Her fingernails unconsciously traced the rim of the teacup, leaving fine scratches on the glaze. "Go and fetch A-Yan. Have him take the guards and keep an eye on the west courtyard, especially on any unfamiliar faces coming and going."

Qingdai accepted the order and left, and the room fell silent again. Dongfang Wan'er rose and walked to the window, gazing at the flickering lights in the Oriental Pearl Tower courtyard in the distance. The rain had started again, pattering softly on the banana leaves, sounding like someone grinding their teeth in the shadows. She stroked the half-jade pendant hidden in her sleeve—the one she had found in the ashes of the woodshed the day before, engraved with a different surname's design.