TRBDM -Chapter 183 She Will Definitely Win the Bet

Clang.

The porcelain teacup in Lin Juehui’s hand slipped to the ground and shattered into several pieces.

Startled by the sudden crash, Lin Juehui shuddered belatedly. She quickly glanced around and lowered her voice to the barest whisper.

“A-Rong, it’s fine to say this in front of me—but you must never let a second person hear it.”

Just hearing those words had nearly frightened her to death. Her hands were still trembling.

Wei Zhaorong held her shaking hands and said with a smile, “Xiaohui, don’t be afraid. I know what I’m doing.”

It took quite a while before Lin Juehui finally stopped trembling.

Though she was afraid, doubt still lingered in her heart. Why, out of nowhere, did Wei Zhaorong suddenly want to support the Tenth Prince’s ascension?

After Consort Shu passed away, the Tenth Prince’s presence in the palace had dwindled to almost nothing. He hadn’t even attended many royal events. Lin Juehui could hardly remember what Zhao Jingheng looked like anymore.

Now that the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were locked in fierce struggle, Zhao Jingheng—no matter how one looked at it—was merely cannon fodder.

Either he would be eliminated early on, or he would cling to life, surviving only to spend the rest of his days living under the shadow of the new emperor.

To support him to the throne was harder than ascending to the heavens.

After letting her thoughts run wild for a moment, Lin Juehui suddenly remembered that women of the inner household must not meddle in state affairs.

“A-Rong, matters of court politics aren’t something you and I can interfere in. I’ll pretend I never heard what you just said. And you shouldn’t dwell on it either.”

Thinking of her earlier conflict with the Third Prince, Lin Juehui clung to a sliver of hope.

“Even if the Third Prince ascends the throne, it’s not certain he would wipe us out completely… right?”

Even as she said it, she doubted her own words.

After all, Zhao Jingyan’s vindictive nature was known to everyone in the capital.

Just a few days ago, the death of Dali Temple Minister Feng Jun—anyone with clear eyes knew it was Zhao Jingyan’s handiwork.

The Dali Temple was aligned with the Crown Prince. By removing one of the Crown Prince’s arms, Zhao Jingyan was paving the way for his own bid for the throne.

Feng Jun’s death had indeed dealt a heavy blow to the Crown Prince. According to General Nanyang, the Crown Prince had not slept peacefully for days, often waking in fright in the middle of the night.

The Crown Prince was already frail to begin with. General Nanyang feared that before Zhao Jingyan even made a move, the Crown Prince might collapse on his own.

Even though the General Nanyang’s residence and the Dali Temple both belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction, they knew in their hearts that the Crown Prince was no match for Zhao Jingyan.

Wei Zhaorong, as if reading Lin Juehui’s thoughts, said, “Xiaohui, General Nanyang should understand that whether or not the Crown Prince successfully ascends the throne, he will ultimately be defeated by the Third Prince.”

Lin Juehui let out a long sigh. “Of course we know that. But what you’re saying about the Tenth Prince—that’s simply absurd.”

“It’s not absurd,” Wei Zhaorong said firmly.

Lin Juehui knew Wei Zhaorong was not someone who spoke recklessly. Seeing her so resolute, could there really be some hidden truth she didn’t know about?

“Then tell me—what does the Tenth Prince have to turn the tables?”

Wei Zhaorong took an unhurried sip of her chilled drink and said softly, “The Eldest Princess.”

“Impossible!”

Lin Juehui’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

What on earth had gotten into A-Rong today? Had she been possessed by something unclean? Otherwise, how could every word she uttered be so terrifying?

Lin Juehui grabbed Wei Zhaorong’s hands.

“A-Rong… are you—are you in your right mind?”

In her mind, she was already considering inviting a high monk to exorcise Wei Zhaorong.

Wei Zhaorong clasped her hands in return.

“Xiaohui, of course I’m in my right mind. I came today precisely for this matter. My Mingde Marquis Manor is willing to stake everything to support the Tenth Prince. I hope the General Nanyang’s residence will join us.”

After hearing Wei Zhaorong’s words, Lin Juehui slumped back against her chair in despair.

It was over. A-Rong really had been possessed.

She wondered whether she could find a reliable wandering sorcerer from the jianghu to drive out the evil spirit from Wei Zhaorong.

Having known Lin Juehui for so many years, Wei Zhaorong could already guess exactly what she was thinking at this moment.

She let out a soft laugh. “Xiaohui, don’t worry. I haven’t been possessed by anything unclean. Every word I said today was carefully thought through.”

Lin Juehui was still reeling in shock and instinctively retorted, “Carefully thought through? And the result is staking the lives of everyone in the Marquis Manor?”

The price of such consequences was far too great. Lin Juehui would rather be a coward burying her head in the sand than recklessly take such a risk.

Wei Zhaorong could understand her. After all, Lin Juehui had lived deep within the inner quarters and knew little of many matters outside.

“Xiaohui, will General Nanyang return to the residence today?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then I’ll stay for dinner before leaving. I’d like to speak with General Nanyang.”

Lin Juehui had never expected that Wei Zhaorong would actually tell her husband!

“A-Rong, are you serious?”

“Of course. I’m determined to gamble the future of the Mingde Marquis Manor and the General Nanyang Manor.”

And she would definitely win.

If the matter of her rebirth were not so absurd, Wei Zhaorong would have told Lin Juehui that she had seen the future emperor with her own eyes.

That was why she was certain Zhao Jingheng would ascend the throne.

All afternoon, Lin Juehui’s heart refused to settle—at one moment pounding wildly, the next lying still as if dead.

In contrast, Wei Zhaorong remained calm, as though the treasonous words she had spoken were nothing more than idle chatter.

At last, evening came, and General Nanyang returned.

“Madam Marquis, you’re here.” General Nanyang’s hearty laughter carried from afar as he approached.

“General Nanyang, I’ve come to trouble you again.”

“Not at all, not at all. My wife talks about you every day. When you come, she’s delighted—aren’t you, my dear?”

As he spoke, he looked toward Lin Juehui.

Usually cheerful and smiling, Lin Juehui now forced a twitch of her lips, producing a rather strained smile.

General Nanyang immediately noticed something amiss and asked with concern, “My dear, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Lin Juehui shook her head. “No. Since you’re back, let’s have dinner.”

“Very well.”

After the evening meal, Lin Juehui dismissed the servants. She tried several times before finally saying, “Husband, A-Rong has something she wishes to tell you.”

General Nanyang’s smile faded. “Madam Marquis, please speak.”

Before the Nanyang couple, Wei Zhaorong could speak freely without fear of them reporting her.

“General Nanyang, His Majesty is gravely ill, and a new emperor will soon ascend the throne. The court is currently divided into two factions—the Crown Prince’s faction and the Third Prince’s faction. I choose neither. I intend to support the Tenth Prince in ascending the throne.”

“…”

A long silence followed.

General Nanyang nearly tore his robe from gripping it so tightly.

Those words—had they truly come from the mouth of a woman of the inner quarters?

So bold.

Even he, a general seasoned by countless battles, would not dare to utter them aloud.

“Husband,” Lin Juehui hurriedly interjected, afraid he might misunderstand Wei Zhaorong. “A-Rong seems to have a fever—her mind isn’t clear. She’s speaking nonsense. Don’t take it to heart.”

General Nanyang fixed his gaze on Wei Zhaorong, scrutiny evident in his eyes.

“But I see that the Madam speaks clearly and logically. She does not appear confused.”

Wei Zhaorong met his gaze steadily, her expression as composed as ever.

“General Nanyang is correct. Every word I just said came from the depths of my heart. It is not only the Mingde Marquis Manor that wishes to support the Tenth Prince—I hope the General Nanyang Manor will join us as well.”