The Mad Ҡìղց

Plot

The atmosphere in the Wen Chamber was thick with tension. Wen Ruohan sat at the head of the room, his dark, piercing eyes glaring at his two sons, Wen Xu and Wen Chao, who knelt before him, heads bowed in submission. Despite their stoic expressions, the brothers felt a shiver run through them as their father's powerful aura filled the space. Wen Ruohan sneered, tapping his fingers against the edge of the armrest.

"So useless," he hissed, his voice low and biting. "Is this all you have to offer?"

"We are sorry, Father," Wen Xu and Wen Chao replied in unison, their voices barely above a whisper. They knew any attempt to placate him might only fuel his disdain further.

"Sorry doesn't fix anything," Wen Ruohan retorted with a sharp edge, his voice echoing off the chamber. "Apologies are worthless. What we need is action. It's time to start putting our plans into motion. And I have a feeling Yu will be instrumental in solving at least half of our problems." His lips twisted into a cruel smile, and a low, chilling laugh filled the room.

"Yes, Father," the boys answered obediently, though their expressions betrayed nothing of their thoughts.

One of them, however, was noticeably uncomfortable. Wen Qing stood slightly apart from her brothers, her brows furrowed, her heart pounding as she absorbed her father's words. Ever since she'd begun spending time with Jiang Cheng, the son of the Jiang Clan's leader, her loyalties had started to waver, torn between family and newfound feelings. The thought of her father's ruthless schemes involving Jiang Cheng's family made her uneasy, and she couldn't help but wonder what her father planned to do with the alliance with Yu, Jiang Cheng's volatile mother.

"Wen Qing," Wen Ruohan addressed her, his voice sharp, pulling her from her thoughts. She straightened, meeting his gaze, knowing that hesitation or defiance would not end well.

"Yes, Father," she replied, her voice steady, though her heart was heavy with unease.

"I need you to find out who that Wei Ying boy is and why Yu harbors such intense hatred for him," Wen Ruohan said, his gaze narrowing. "If we are to manipulate her effectively, we must understand every leverage point."

"I already know, Father," Wen Xu interjected, trying to redeem himself from his father's earlier scorn. "I looked into everyone as you instructed."

"Oh?" Wen Ruohan raised an eyebrow, giving his son a calculated look. "Then share what you've found."

Wen Xu swallowed, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts. "Wei Ying," he began carefully, "is the illegitimate son of Master Jiang Fengmian. His mother was a slave woman who died protecting him from Madam Yu's wrath a few years ago."

Wen Ruohan's expression shifted slightly, amusement dancing in his eyes. "No wonder she hates him," he murmured with a dark chuckle. "A reminder of her husband's betrayal, alive and well in her household. It's almost poetic, don't you think?"

The brothers nodded, but Wen Qing could feel a cold knot forming in her stomach. She clenched her fists, her gaze momentarily flicking away as her father and brothers discussed Wei Ying as if he were a mere pawn in their intricate game.

"Yu's resentment toward Wei Ying will serve us well," Wen Ruohan continued, sounding almost gleeful. "If she despises him so much, it won't take much for us to use that hatred to our advantage. Her anger makes her predictable, and predictability is weakness."

Wen Chao, sensing an opportunity to regain his father's favor, chimed in, "Perhaps we could incite Yu even further, Father, turn her anger into action that benefits us."