Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

Chapter 136 Crown Princess

After delivering the rouge, Yu Wanran went to Fulai Restaurant, ordered a few side dishes, and a private room, where she sat and waited quietly.

More than an hour later, a soft sound came from the stairwell.

Two maids in green robes with double buns lifted the curtain and helped a woman dressed in a moon-white Shu brocade dress, with a white fur cloak and a light veil hat, to walk in with light steps.

She looked around and, seeing no one else was around, took off her straw hat and cloak and handed them to her maid. This revealed her delicate and dignified face, her smile gentle and captivating.

"Ranran, the moment I saw that box of rouge, I knew it was you! Sure enough..."

"This humble woman greets the Crown Prince's Consort..."

Tang Manman stopped Yu Wanran from bowing with one hand; with the other hand, she gently waved for the two maids to leave. After the door was closed, leaving only the two of them, she pulled Yu Wanran to sit down with a half-smile.

"Don't give me that! Ranran, since you dared to ask to see me, do you really think of me as the Crown Prince's consort? Let's skip the pretense!"

The rouge that Yu Wanran gave her was from the shop that sold her dowry. Back then, Yu Wanran was unaware of this and secretly used her saved monthly money to buy two boxes of rouge, which she eagerly gave to her new sister-in-law, becoming a laughing stock in the whole household.

But this touched Tang Manman deeply.

Later, when Tang Manman was neglected by the heir in the inner quarters, Yu Wanran often visited and comforted her. Although the two were no longer sisters-in-law, Tang Manman came without hesitation as soon as she saw the box of rouge.

Yu Wanran laid out the wine and dishes, and the two drank a cup of wine facing each other. Although they had a thousand words in their hearts, when their eyes met, they had nothing to say. It seemed that apart from that kinship, the affection they once shared had become floating and illusory.

After a while, Yu Wanran took the initiative to speak.

"Sister Tang, did you send someone to warn me to be careful with the goods last night?"

After much deliberation, she realized that the only person who could and was willing to help her was her sister-in-law, the heir apparent of the Duke's mansion.

Tang Manman did not answer her question. She simply held her teacup and studied her appearance.

"Ranran, you've lost a lot of weight and gotten quite tanned. Life must be tough out there, right?"

Before Yu Wanran could answer, she changed the subject, her gaze fixed on Yu Wanran's eyes.

“When the young master returned from outside last time, he didn’t go out and wander around for a long time. Instead, he stayed obediently in his study and even called a doctor.”

"I heard he's now traumatized by those shady women. Ranran, did you do the right thing?"

Yu Wanran blinked.

"Sister Tang, so you've come here to confront me?"

Tang Manman extended a finger and lightly flicked her nose.

"You're still so naughty!"

She didn't finish her sentence, her eyes sparkling: "I owe you another favor! Tell me, what is it you wanted to meet me about this time?"

"Sister Tang, you know that I have two bodyguards by my side: Yan Bai and Yan Qing."

Yu Wanran stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point: "Not long ago, Yanqing told me that Yanbai was arrested and imprisoned in the Duke's mansion for attempting to assassinate the Duke. What exactly happened?"

Tang Manman's expression changed drastically; she pressed her hand on the table and almost jumped up.

"What? The assassination attempt that occurred at our Duke's mansion the other day was actually carried out by you?"

"no no!"

Yu Wanran hurriedly pulled her aside, signaling her to speak softly.

"Sister Tang, Yanbai and Yanqing were given to me by the Duke on the surface, but in reality, he wanted them to infiltrate and monitor my every move! Yanbai acted on his own initiative, and I don't know why he suddenly tried to assassinate the Duke?"

Because these two bodyguards had followed her since childhood and were close to her, even though Yan Bai obeyed the Duke's orders, she, as his "master," still had to take the blame if he made a mistake.

Tang Manman sat back down, her lips curving slightly.

"Ranran, you still trust me so much? You tell me everything, things you shouldn't and things you shouldn't, aren't you afraid of me..."

She gave a meaningful, drawn-out "hmm".

Yu Wanran immediately realized that the other person probably knew far more than she had imagined. Without hesitation, she took Tang Manman's hand.

"Sister Tang, if there's anyone in the Duke's mansion who wouldn't harm me, it's definitely you!"

Tang Manman chuckled softly and hooked her finger under her chin.

"Oh, after being kicked out of the Duke's mansion, your little mouth has actually become quite sweet? In that respect, you're quite like your elder brother, the heir apparent. It's a pity he treats every pretty woman the same way!"

Yu Wanran remained calm and wiped away the other person's fingers.

"My elder brother is just a villager, not a prince!"

"What a pity~"

Tang Manman sat up straight, looking bored.

"I'd actually love to have a sister-in-law like you!"

Seeing Yu Wanran's growing anxiety, she sighed, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore! Ranran, I do know something about that assassin you mentioned."

Tang Manman shook her head at the surprised look in Yu Wanran's eyes.

"When that man was apprehended by the guards, what was he yelling about, saying he wanted revenge for his family? Everyone present heard it... I don't know where a mere bodyguard like him got any family from!"

It is common knowledge that the Duke's mansion's secret guards are all adopted orphans. The Duke's mansion does good deeds; there are countless people in the world living on the streets, so why would they need to kill, commit arson, or kidnap children?

"Although what he did has nothing to do with you, Ranran, you are still his master. I don't know if the Duke and Duchess will hold a grudge against you for this?"

Tang Manman said sincerely to Yu Wanran.

"I know you came to me wanting to rescue your bodyguard, but I advise you not to get involved in this mess! Your identity is very sensitive right now."

"Sister Tang, do you think the Duke's mansion will let me off the hook if I don't get involved?"

She had been carefully nurtured by the Duke's mansion for sixteen years, and Xiao Wang regarded her as his heir, second only to Xiao Baichen, placing high hopes on her. She knew and was involved in many of the Duke's mansion's secrets, and Xiao Wang certainly did not want to lose control of her.

If even the kinship the other party believed in no longer exists, how is she any different from Yan Qing and Yan Bai in Xiao Wang's eyes?

Therefore, Yu Wanran must maintain this facade of respectability before she gains full power. She cannot allow the Duke's mansion to misunderstand her regarding Yan Bai's matter! The information provided by Tang Manman reassured her considerably.

Since Yan Bai had ulterior motives in assassinating Xiao Wang, Xiao Wang should know that this matter had nothing to do with her, right?

The two ate a few bites of food.

Before leaving, Tang Manman touched Yu Wanran's face meaningfully, her eyes brimming with affection.

"Ranran, let's not see each other again! Unless one day I'm in charge of the Duke's mansion... Take care!"

Watching her retreating figure, Yu Wanran felt as if something was stuck in her throat. After a while, her expression calmed down, she silently looked away, and murmured to herself.

"Take care, sister-in-law!"

At first, they both thought they would be best friends for life, an enviable pair of sisters-in-law.

However, no matter how many times we've been in the past, it can't withstand the unpredictability of life.