tallest building

Chapter 186 Using Overt Schemes

Cao Hongyu came out of the Prince's mansion after noon.

She had lunch at the Liu family's house and was in a very good mood.

"It's good to have someone to rely on." Sitting in the carriage, she couldn't help but sigh. "There are people who can give you advice and help you back up."

She lowered her head again and looked at the new coral beads on her wrist. Tsk tsk, only the Prince's mansion has such quality.

She came from a merchant family and never dreamed that she could be connected with the Prince's Mansion.

She had made up her mind that she would cling to this powerful figure no matter what.

They can not only help me get rid of Liu Cuiyi and become the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhou family, but also benefit me in many things in the future.

In such a good mood, she didn't want to go home and told the driver, "Go to Tianshun Street, stroll around for a bit, and then go home."

She strolled around until dusk before leisurely heading home.

Their rented place was a bit out of the way; rent in the capital was too expensive. When they first arrived in the capital, the Zhou family invited them to stay at their residence, but since she wanted to marry into the Zhou family, she couldn't live there, naturally for the sake of her reputation.

The carriage turned into the alley and was stopped not far away.

"Is that Miss Cao in the car?" The man's voice was rough, and he was also frighteningly tall and strong.

The driver was startled and immediately began to stammer, "You...who are you?"

Cao Hongyu and the little girl inside the carriage were also very frightened when they heard this, and they slightly lifted the curtain.

"Our master has something to say to Miss Cao. Please get out of the car and come a short distance." The man's tone was harsh, leaving no room for negotiation.

The coachman wanted to turn the carriage back, but somehow two more men, as dark as iron towers, appeared behind the carriage.

"This is...this is right under the Emperor's nose! Don't you have any respect for the law?" Cao Hongyu's voice became tight and shrill, showing her great fear, but she still tried to put on a brave face. "Let me tell you, I'm a regular at the Prince's mansion. Don't make trouble for yourselves!"

The burly man at the head of the group chuckled and said, "Miss Cao, there's no need for you to say such things. Our master has invited you with courtesy, and we hope you'll appreciate it. Otherwise, we roughnecks might accidentally hurt you, and we won't be liable for compensation."

He stepped forward and ripped off the carriage curtain.

Cao Hongyu covered her face and screamed like a pig being slaughtered.

The man stretched out his large hand and, like an eagle catching a chick, grabbed Cao Hongyu and strode into the alley. A carriage was parked not far away.

"Master, the person has been brought here." The burly man said, throwing Cao Hongyu into the car.

“You are…” Cao Hongyu was dizzy and disoriented. When she looked up, she saw Wen Mingqian.

There was a lantern in the car, and Wen Mingqian sat upright in the carriage with a slight smile on his face.

"It's you... What are you doing?!" Cao Hongyu recognized Wen Mingqian, and seeing that it was her, she became bolder. "This is the capital city, you can't act recklessly here."

"How can it be that I'm being reckless? Isn't it you, Miss Cao, who's been being reckless all along?" Wen Mingqian smiled. "You've repeatedly pressured Cuiyi, and neither she nor I have ever caused you any trouble. Why are you pushing your luck?"

“Aren’t you allowed to expose the despicable things you’ve done?” Cao Hongyu said. “It’s because Liu Cuiyi is pregnant with a wicked child, otherwise why would you come to me?” “Miss Cao, if I told you to stop interfering in this matter, would you agree?” Wen Mingqian’s eyes were dark as he looked at Cao Hongyu.

"Why should I agree?" Cao Hongyu said. "Just because you've kidnapped me right now?"

“I didn’t kidnap you, I just asked you to come and talk,” Wen Mingqian said. “Miss Cao, I’m just advising you not to push your luck. There are some things I don’t want to talk about, so please don’t force me.”

"Wen Mingqian, what you're saying is rather strange. What past could we possibly have? I don't owe you anything," Cao Hongyu sneered.

"Why did you get a divorce back then?" Wen Mingqian asked her.

"Didn't you get divorced too?" Cao Hongyu retorted. "It's clearly written in the law that divorce is permissible. Mind your own business!"

“Miss Cao, you think you’ve kept it a secret, but I know all about you. You’ve been married for less than half a year, and you’ve never disobeyed your parents-in-law or mistreated the servants.”

"You divorced her without any apparent reason, leaving half of your dowry to your husband's family. Outsiders say you did the most benevolent thing imaginable, but they don't know that half of the dowry was meant to keep quiet." Wen Mingqian said calmly, "It's only because you were kidnapped by bandits on your pilgrimage and lost your chastity that you had no choice but to divorce the Meng family."

Unable to find refuge in Daicheng, they fled to the capital. Is that so?

As he spoke, Cao Hongyu's face grew increasingly pale, until finally cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

"How...how did you know? There were clearly only members of the Meng family..." Cao Hongyu was flustered and ashamed, and couldn't even finish her sentence.

“I knew all this a long time ago. I found out when you tried to replace Cuiyi.” Wen Mingqian handed her his handkerchief. “But I never told anyone else, including Cuiyi. I would rather use the power of several noble ladies to make the Zhou family compromise than expose your scars in public.”

Because in my opinion, what you went through was truly unfortunate. As a fellow woman, I don't want to use that against you.

Cao Hongyu, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly raised her head as she listened to Wen Mingqian's words, staring at him in disbelief.

“I know who is instigating you, but what can I do? You're pushing us to the brink, but aren't you standing on the edge of a cliff yourself? When all else fails, I'll have to say it whether I want to or not.”

Think about it, if your past is exposed, will anyone still believe what you say? People will only think that you are an unchaste and impure woman who will do anything to marry into the Zhou family and is trying your best to frame Cuiyi.

"Regardless of Cuiyi's fate, the Zhou family will never let you in again. Not only that, you can no longer stay in the capital. Don't you think so?" Wen Mingqian laid his cards on the table.

The Liu family and Cao Hongyu wanted to use underhanded tactics, but she countered with an open and aboveboard strategy.

"If I give up now, will you really not tell me?" Cao Hongyu looked at Wen Mingqian, her heart filled with doubt and unease.

“Of course,” Wen Mingqian said. “You’re trying to protect yourself by not involving Cuiyi anymore, but the Liu family won’t let you off easily. If you can trust me, I’ll send someone to escort you and your daughter away from the capital and away from this place of trouble right now.”

All you need to do is write a letter to the Zhou family explaining that you are framing Cuiyi.

My men will ensure your safety and prevent the Liu family from finding you.

Of course, you can choose not to believe me. We can continue our competition and see who comes out on top.

Wen Mingqian presented Cao Hongyu with both options, waiting for her to make her own decision.

I'm sorry, I was a little confused about Cousin Cao's background. I only figured it out after reading the previous text today. She was married, but the marriage was very short, lasting only half a year.