Chapter 917: A Wife Other Men Envy

“I came here specifically to tell you something,” Wanyan Ping said hurriedly. “Earlier, I went to break that man out of the imperial prison…”

“Break someone out?” Gebi immediately grabbed her and checked her for injuries. “Are you hurt? Are soldiers chasing you?”

Seeing her sister’s anxious expression, Wanyan Ping was both amused and touched. “Don’t worry, it’s not what you think…” She then recounted everything that had happened in the prison.

“At first, I couldn’t figure out how my brother-in-law managed it, but now that I know it’s him, it makes sense. That man really does have some tricks up his sleeve.” Wanyan Ping recalled the information she had gathered about Song Qingshu over the years and momentarily lost herself in thought.

“Yes, Qingshu is indeed a very capable man,” Gebi couldn’t help but sigh in agreement.

Snapping out of her reverie, Wanyan Ping heard her sister praising him again and huffed in annoyance. “Don’t actually start treating him like your husband, always singing his praises.” Seeing Gebi’s eyebrows arch in irritation, she quickly laughed and changed the subject. “Since it’s him in the prison, we really don’t need to worry. With his martial arts, even the imperial prison can’t hold him. He told me to come back and protect you. From the way he spoke, it sounds like he has his own plans, so you don’t need to fret, sister.”

“Who’s worried about him?” Gebi muttered, though her tone betrayed her true feelings.

Wanyan Ping scoffed. “Oh? Then who was the one looking like they’d lost their soul earlier?”

“You little brat! Always teasing your sister!”

“Good sister, dearest sister, I was wrong, alright? I admit it!” The two sisters quickly dissolved into playful wrestling.

*****

Meanwhile, Wanyan Liang stormed back into his Prince Hailing residence, where his trusted confidants, including Xiao Yu, had been waiting for some time.

“Who dared to anger Your Highness so much?” If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t dare provoke him in such a foul mood, but Xiao Yu was Wanyan Liang’s top advisor and closest confidant, so he had no such reservations.

“That woman from the Tang Kuo family…” Wanyan Liang grumbled irritably. He made no secret of his desire for Gebi among his inner circle.

As for his wife, Tudan Jing, she was indifferent by nature and never interfered with his dalliances.

Tudan Jing frowned slightly. Though she usually ignored such matters, she couldn’t help but remind him, “Your Highness, with our great undertaking imminent, you mustn’t let a woman distract you from what truly matters.”

“I know,” Wanyan Liang replied impatiently.

Suddenly, Tudan Jing stiffened, as if hearing a mesmerizing voice in her mind. Her eyes glazed over briefly before clearing again. “Your Highness, actually, obtaining Gebi might not be as difficult as you think.”

“Oh? Does my consort have a plan?” Wanyan Liang was surprised. Tudan Jing never involved herself in his affairs with women—why the sudden change?

Then it occurred to him—perhaps she was worried he’d neglect their grand scheme over this obsession and wanted to settle the matter quickly.

Xiao Yu and the other confidants were in awe. If it were their wives, they’d be lucky not to have their heads torn off for coveting another woman. Yet here was the princess consort, actively helping the prince pursue someone else! Truly, Wanyan Liang’s mastery over w0men was something to marvel at.

Tudan Jing smiled faintly and continued, “A woman like Gebi is soft on the outside but strong-willed within. Forcing her will only backfire. Instead, you should first do her a great favor, something that leaves her deeply indebted to you. When a woman owes a man too much and has no other way to repay him, she might just… offer herself in return.”

“Ahem!” Even Wanyan Liang’s thick skin couldn’t withstand his wife speaking so bluntly in front of his subordinates. His face reddened slightly. “And how do I make her owe me an unrepayable debt?”

“The deepest hatred in this world is the murder of a father or the theft of a wife. Conversely, the greatest kindness is saving a life—or a husband’s life. Though you’ve had a falling-out with Gebi, if you quietly rescue her husband for her, she’ll have no choice but to accept this enormous debt. Then, if you sincerely apologize for past misunderstandings, her emotions will sway her. Women are sentimental creatures—she’ll likely believe she misjudged you. After that, with your usual charm, winning her over would be effortless. And with Tang Kuo Bian owing you his life twice, how could he possibly stand in your way?” Tudan Jing explained.

Xiao Yu and the others couldn’t help but applaud. “Truly, only a woman understands another woman best! With this plan, Your Highness won’t just possess Princess Daiguo—he’ll win her heart as well. Brilliant!”

Yet Wanyan Liang’s expression turned odd.

He was in a bind.

Under normal circumstances, this plan would work perfectly, but now?

First, it required patience—time he no longer had. Second… neither Tudan Jing nor Xiao Yu knew about his previous “w!fe-swapping” arrangement with Tang Kuo Bian. Today, in a moment of anger, he had blurted out the truth to Gebi. Now she loathed him—how could she ever accept him?

“This method takes too long. It won’t work,” Wanyan Liang could only brush it off with this excuse.

Tudan Jing’s delicate brows furrowed, but she quickly offered another solution. “If speed is what you need, there is another way.”

Wanyan Liang’s interest was piqued. “Go on, Jing’er.”

Tudan Jing replied, “To make Gebi more receptive to you in the future, you must still grant her the favor of saving Tang Kuo Bian—but how you do it can make all the difference.”

Now even Xiao Yu and the others were intrigued. Who would’ve thought the usually reserved princess consort was such a strategist? No wonder Wanyan Liang’s philandering never shook her position.

“Your Highness is about to make your move, yet the Pucha clan remains a thorn in your side. You can use Tang Kuo Bian to draw their forces away from the capital,” Tudan Jing continued.

“How?” Wanyan Liang’s expression turned serious.

After years of preparation, everything was ready—except for this final obstacle.

Once Prince Changsheng was dealt with, the only remaining threat was the Pucha clan, loyal to the imperial family. Most of the palace guards were under their control. Despite all his efforts, Wanyan Liang had only managed to win over Pucha Ahudie, the Vice Commander of the Palace Guard. His elder brother, Pucha Ahute, held the higher rank of Left Vice Commander and controlled more than half the imperial guards. If conflict erupted, victory was far from certain.