Hiding in the corner, Wen Yuwei lowered her breathing to the minimum, afraid of startling the father and son inside who were sharing secrets.
She covered her mouth with her hand and quietly left while the two were immersed in their dreams.
It wasn't until she returned to her own courtyard that she dared to breathe heavily. To avoid suspicion from the maid arranged by her uncle, she claimed to have chest pain and insisted on seeing the imperial physician, thus sending the maid away.
After the person left, she let out a long sigh of relief.
"Uncle, how dare he..."
How dare he use the imperial examinations for personal gain!
This was something she had never expected, and her heart grew more fearful.
If the past Eastern Capital was dazzling with wealth, after experiencing so many events, she now felt that this capital was full of traps and dirty tactics.
Remembering that her brother had not sent any news since entering the princess's mansion, she couldn't help but shed tears.
Now trapped here, she couldn't get out.
She didn't know how to deliver this news to her brother!
Otherwise, with her brother's intelligence and his hatred for the Wen family, he would surely avenge the great humiliation!
Carrying this secret in her heart, when the imperial physician came to examine her, he truly felt she was ill. Because the cause of illness was palpitations, he dared not prescribe any medicine rashly. He only thought of reporting to the adults, letting them decide, and inviting a doctor specializing in palpitations from outside.
Therefore, when the news reached Wen Jingsong's ears, he remembered some kinship.
"Now, Wen Xinglu is said to be highly favored in the Princess's Mansion. It's not good to further worsen our relationship with him. Send someone to deliver a message, saying to ask the Grand Princess Changlin to invite an imperial physician to see her, so that he knows we haven't mistreated Yuwei."
"Father thinks very thoughtfully. Your son will send someone to deliver the message now."
The father and son did not know that this messenger's departure would mark the beginning of the Wen family's downfall.
Everything was proceeding unhurriedly towards the trap set by Feng Jinyao.
In fact, she hadn't done much.
She had merely used secrets she accidentally learned in her previous life to lay the groundwork.
Wen Jingsong's act of receiving money to alter examination papers was accidentally discovered by her. Unfortunately, at that time, she was already besieged from all sides, and her family was in distress. Even if she wanted to send the news, she couldn't.
In this life, she had a chance to start over.
The Wen family would surely tread the same path!
It was a profitable business that could easily capture a large amount of wealth, so why wouldn't they do it!
Moreover, it could win favor with many officials and gain the support of colleagues, so why wouldn't they continue!
Since that was the case, she might as well give them a great gift. After the spring examinations, when the Wen family awoke from their dream, the blade of destruction would likely be hanging over their necks.
Wen Xinglu arrived in a hurry, followed by an imperial physician.
He was no longer the same as before. He was clad in silk and brocade, with jade reins and red tassels.
He clearly looked prosperous and honored.
Upon entering, he didn't even glance at Wen Mengsheng, who came to curry favor. He led the imperial physician directly to the courtyard where Wen Yuwei was.
His behavior was a snub to Wen Mengsheng. Unfortunately, he was now a highly favored consort, and Wen Mengsheng didn't have the nerve to confront him!
He flicked his sleeves and left, returning to his own courtyard to rest.
Wen Xinglu entered and saw that the maid sent to attend her had not been diligent. He angrily scolded the maid.
"The young lady is so ill, and you only tell me now. If it were next time, would I, as her elder brother, only know of her condition when she's dead!"
His words were severe. The maid, trembling, knelt down and begged for mercy.
Meanwhile, Wen Yuwei, who had been "unconscious" on the couch, conveniently woke up and weakly called out to Wen Xinglu, "Brother."
Hearing his sister's call, he forgot about punishing the maid and rushed to see her.
He saw that her complexion was indeed not good, but she wasn't as emaciated.
"How are you? Are you alright?" After speaking, he pulled the imperial physician from behind him and said to Wen Yuwei.
"Brother has invited an imperial physician to see you. Don't worry, you'll be fine."
Wen Yuwei felt a little guilty. Her palpitations were mostly feigned, and partly due to fear. She was afraid the imperial physician would see through her pretense.
To her surprise, after taking her pulse, the diagnosis was "melancholy and worry, damaging the heart and lungs." He also prescribed medicine and sincerely instructed her on how to take care of her health, which impressed Wen Yuwei.
As expected of an imperial physician from the palace, what kind of situations had they not seen?
Those noble ladies vying for favor and engaging in schemes were probably even more formidable than her!
Hearing the imperial physician's words, Wen Xinglu became genuinely concerned.
"Hmph, it seems this uncle of the Wen family hasn't taken my words to heart. How long has it been, and he still hasn't sent you away! He's probably greedy for..."
He stopped before finishing his sentence, remembering that someone else was present.
The imperial physician, being very understanding, said to Wen Xinglu.
"Consort and Miss Wen, please chat. This subordinate will go and prepare the medicine. I will bring it to the young lady after it's brewed."
"Yes, thank you, Imperial Physician."
"This is my duty." With that, he left the inner room.
The attending maid, afraid of being punished by Wen Xinglu, also hurried away, fearing that if she was slow, she might be remembered and punished again!
Wen Xinglu doted on his sister, but saw her suddenly sit up, looking around outside, and making a shushing gesture to Wen Xinglu.
He was puzzled, not knowing what his sister was up to.
After confirming that no one was watching outside, he leaned close to Wen Xinglu's ear and whispered everything she had overheard that day.
The more he listened, the more astonished he became.
They had been in the Wen family for several years. They only knew that they lived better than other members of the Wen clan and had always thought it was because their uncle was skilled in business and household management. They never expected there to be such a reason behind it.
After listening, he asked Wen Yuwei.
"Your palpitations today?"
"I was tricking them. Otherwise, how could I have conveyed this news to you, brother."
Wen Xinglu was somewhat relieved to hear her words, but his brows still furrowed.
"Brother, what do you plan to do?"
Wen Xinglu was also contemplating what to do.
The last time Wen Yuwei was in trouble, he had run around seeking help, but no one responded. He figured they were all unwilling to offend Wen Jingsong, the gatekeeper, as so many people in the court had entered officialdom through his connections.
In this case, if he were to expose him, wouldn't it also anger a large group of powerful officials?
Such a great risk, perhaps even the Princess's Mansion could not protect him.
However, such a perfect handle, which could clearly bring down Wen Jingsong and his son, how could he let it go?
So, he calmed himself and said in a low voice to Wen Yuwei.
"You just recuperate here. When you're better, I will send you away no matter what. Otherwise, staying here is like being buried with the Wen family."