Wen Xun’s expression grew particularly ugly.

He gazed at her with a heavy look, and after a long silence, he said, “Wen Yue Sheng, have you thought it through?”

“Do you truly believe that all these years the Princess Mansion has remained prosperous, with a prestigious status, solely because of the title of Princess Mansion?” Wen Xun coldly looked at her. “Your mother has been dead for over ten years.”

“No matter how much honor and prestige there was, it was all due to the late Emperor during his time. Even if the current Emperor received favor from your mother, once a person dies, they’re like a lamp extinguished. How can a deceased person still support such a vast mansion?”

“Without your father and brothers in the court, this mansion is just a gorgeous shell! Without support, do you really think you can continue to act arrogantly just by relying on the Princess Mansion your mother left behind?”

Wen Yuesheng sat still while Wen Xun stood, looking down at her from above. “A person without the protection of their family and brothers is absolutely not qualified to be the future Princess Consort of Yong’an.”

Gu Yu stood behind Wen Yuesheng, looking at her with a complex expression.

Wen Xun wasn’t wrong in some of his words.

For a woman to live well in this world, without a powerful family behind her, it was impossible.

This was also the reason why Wen Yue Sheng’s situation had worsened in recent years.

It had been more than ten years.

The eldest princess had long since faded from the noble families in the capital, even from the Emperor’s mind.

In her place was the current Minister Wen, a high-ranking official and close minister to the Emperor.

The eldest princess had passed away many years ago, but the world continued to move forward.

The Princess Mansion was quiet in the night. Wen Yue Sheng’s side profile was serene, but her voice held no emotion:

“Protection? Are you referring to the servants in your mansion who deceive and manipulate, or your wife and second daughter who schemed to steal royal marriage?”

“Wen Xun,” Wen Yue Sheng coldly looked at him. “Is it protection or are you trying to squeeze out the last value from the late Princess?”

As soon as she spoke, Wen Xun seemed to be struck by pain.

His face darkened, and he was furious. “You are being reckless, and still dare to be so unfilial! Fine! Let me see how long you can keep the Princess Mansion standing without the Wen family’s support!”

Furious, he turned and swept his sleeve, leaving.

But Wen Yue Sheng’s voice rang out, cold and chilling: “Take all the people from your mansion with you. Nothing in the Princess Mansion can be left behind.”

Wen Xun was instantly enraged, veins bulging on his forehead, his expression dark.

After a night of turmoil, the local government finally found evidence in the room where Wang Mama had once stayed, showing her collusion with outsiders.

The magistrate, along with his subordinates, left in haste.

When they departed, they saw Wen Xun with a solemn face, already having ordered the carriage to wait outside the mansion.

When Wen Yuruo was woken, she was still a bit confused.

She looked at the people coming in and out of the yard, carrying large and small bundles, and asked in confusion, “Mother, where are we going?”

Chen Shi froze for a moment.

With this mistake made by Wen Yuesheng, forcing Wen Xun to take them away overnight, it wasn’t a good time to tell Wen Yu Ruo the truth.

She simply said, “Your grandfather is ill. Your father is taking us to Chen Mansion to serve him.”

Although Wen Xun had gained power in the court in recent years, because they had been living in the Princess Mansion, the Emperor had never granted them a residence in the minister’s house.

For now, they could only go to Chen Mansion to stay temporarily.

Wen Yuruo paused and didn’t ask more questions.

After leaving Wen Yuruo’s courtyard, Jiang Mama followed behind Chen Shi.

After much hesitation, she asked, “Madam, are we leaving like this?”

Chen Shi’s face was grim.

If they didn’t leave, with Wen Yuesheng’s madness, it was possible she would drag everyone in the mansion down with her.

She turned and glanced at the vast Princess Mansion, and spoke softly: “There’s no need to worry too much.”

Although Wen Yuesheng had gained favor in front of the Emperor recently, this situation wouldn’t last long.

The envoy from Haoyou would eventually leave the capital.

When that time comes, how long could she, a girl waiting for marriage, really keep this Princess Mansion?

She wanted to see if Wen Yuesheng had the ability to marry into Haoyou and become their Crown Princess.

Since it was the middle of the night and they were leaving in haste, only a few people knew of this matter.

However, with Wen Xun taking most of the servants away, the Princess Mansion became noticeably quieter, and those who were paying attention could notice something was amiss from the empty gates.

This matter had originated from Chen Shi’s people.

Wen Xun took strong measures, punishing several servants who had aided Wang Mama.

After executing those who had facilitated her schemes, the matter was eventually suppressed.

With most of the Princess Mansion empty, Wen Yuesheng had people bring Zhao Mama and Zhou Manniang, to the mansion.

Also coming back was Zhao Mama.

Although Zhao Mama had some grievances against Wen Yue Sheng, she knew who her true master was.

With everything that had happened, she was no longer in control.

All she thought about now was serving Wen Yuesheng, as anything beyond that was not within her power.

Aside from them, the only ones still remaining were Gu Yu, Xia Zhi, and a few young maids and servants.

There were so few people that even a steward wasn’t around.

Luckily, Zhou Manniang took charge of the household affairs after entering the mansion.

She had done almost every kind of work when she was at home and, being exceptionally smart, she quickly got everything in order.

In just two days, Zhao Yulin returned from the hunting palace to the capital, accompanied by an experienced old maid from the Duke of Zhong’s Mansion.

Though this maid was initially there to serve Zhao Yulin, once she entered the mansion, she became Zhou Man Niang’s right-hand assistant.

With her guidance, Zhou Manniang made rapid progress.

Even though her forehead injury hadn’t fully healed, she had already handled all the household affairs.

In less than five days, the mansion had been completely refreshed.

Wen Yuesheng still stayed in her previous side courtyard, leaving the main courtyard empty.

Zhou Man Niang decided to turn it into a large guest reception room, with a statue of the White Jade Buddha placed in the center.

She herself moved into the courtyard that had once belonged to Wen Yuruo.

This was the best courtyard in the entire mansion. Although Wen Yuesheng had wanted to stay there, she declined.

Instead, Zhou Man Niang moved in. After remodeling, she finally had her first real home in so many years.

Even the concubines had given up on returning to Zhou Yuan Du’s side after this event.

Zhou Man Niang was immersed in the tasks at hand, feeling a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction she hadn’t experienced before.

Compared to all the past events, it felt like a nightmare.

Once she woke up, she was still by the Princess’s side.

“Miss, the Princess is waiting for you in the study.”

In the afternoon, after Zhou Manniang woke from a nap, she went directly to the study.

The study, located near the tranquil pavilion, had just been completed a month ago.

The study was built by the lake, with lush bamboo groves behind it, peaceful and elegant.

At this moment, Wen Yuesheng sat behind the desk, with Buddhist scriptures arranged on the bookshelf behind her.

On the wall at the center of the room was a black background with golden red characters inscribed.

It read: “Forbid.”

A gust of wind swept past the words, causing Wen Yue Sheng’s robe to flutter.

When Zhou Manniang entered, she was writing the Buddhist scriptures.

The long desk was already filled with scriptures that had a murderous aura.

“Princess,” Zhou Man Niang placed a cup of lotus seed tea beside her.

Wen Yuesheng lightly acknowledged her, her side profile serene, but her handwriting was sharp, almost like blades, carrying a fierce killing intent.

“Sun Shi, what should be done with her?” Wen Yue Sheng’s voice was calm.

Upon hearing Sun Shi’s name, Zhou Man Niang’s expression darkened.

She paused for a moment before saying without hesitation, “She deserves to die.”

Having gone through so much, she was no longer the timid young daughter from Zhou Manor.

She clearly understood that leaving room for people like Sun Shi and Zhou Yu Jie meant giving them another chance to hurt her.

Wen Yue Sheng finished writing the final stroke, then raised her eyes and said, “Zhao Yulin.”

Zhao Yulin entered the room.

Wen Yuesheng sat in the redwood chair, her expression neutral. “Have someone send a message to Zhou Yuan Du, tell him…”

“If he wants to return to the capital, within three days, I want to hear about the mourning in his household.”

When Zhou Yuandu had come to the Guo Temple to see her, leaving Zhou Manniang and Yang Yiniang behind, others had believed they were discarded by him.

But in truth, before leaving, he had privately met with Wen Yuesheng.

He hoped that Wen Yuesheng could give him a chance to return to the capital.

This was the last straw he could grab before leaving the capital.

Zhao Yulin nodded and glanced at Zhou Manniang.

But Zhou Manniang, no longer the same as before, stood in the sunniest spot, her expression resolute.

Before Zhou Yuan Du’s news had arrived, a grand banquet was held in the palace.

This time, the atmosphere was much lighter than the first time the Haoyou envoys came, even though there was no competition.

The celebration was for the victorious martial contest, and it was far more enthusiastic than before.

There is only one matter that has spread widely in the capital.

“…I heard the princess has angered Lord Wen, and now she is staying alone in the Princess’s residence?”

“Yes, it’s true. Even at today’s palace banquet, the Wen family members all came, but the princess was nowhere to be seen.”

“Why is that?”

“The reason is unclear.”

“If a woman is disobedient and unfilial, even if she is a princess, her future marriage prospects will not be easy.”

“Without the support of her father and brothers, it will be difficult for her to establish herself in the capital.”

“The princess’s temper is indeed rather large…”

Such discussions faded away after the Wen family appeared.

The attention of those present shifted to Wen Yuruo, who was dressed in a grand outfit.

She wore a goose-yellow gown, with intricate embellishments made from pearls and white mother-of-pearl, embroidered with large, beautiful flowers.

She complemented this with a complete set of glass hair accessories, with pearl earrings, giving her a delicate and captivating appearance.

At the literary competition, Wen Yuruo performed exceptionally well.

Today, she was walking alongside Xiao Jin, naturally drawing the attention of many.

As for Wen Yuesheng, who had still not arrived, she was rarely mentioned.

Rarely, Wen Yuru had been in better health lately and had followed Xiao Jin.

He was slightly cheered by her sweet voice.

During these days, Xiao Jin’s emotions were quite complicated.

In the past, if someone had sought to marry Wen Yuesheng, he would have felt relieved.

But when this actually happened, all that remained in his heart was anger and some indescribable feelings.

He was unaware that the entire Wen household had left the Princess’s residence.

Once the Emperor and the Crown Prince of Haozhou, Yu Shun, entered the hall, Xiao Jin’s expression grew even darker.

After Yu Shun seated himself, someone whispered to him, “Princess Sining has arrived.”

Indeed, Wen Yuesheng did not arrive with the Wen family.