C4 He Was so Bored That He Was at a Loss for What to Do

Outside the Eternal Stable Gate, Wai Duke Xiao Chen stood tall in a blue satin robe, his dark hair tied up with a jade crown. The sunlight highlighted his handsome, resolute profile, tracing nearly perfect facial features.

“Wai Duke, it’s not that we want to make things difficult for you, but your pass is hard to read,” the gate guard said, holding a gold pass with a troubled expression. A deep sword mark marred the word "Pass."

“No worries, just go verify it. I’ll wait,” Xiao Chen replied calmly, his face expressionless.

As his words settled, a sharp voice interrupted, “Hold on!”

Xiao Chen’s body tensed. He didn’t turn around, maintaining a composed stance, though his hand involuntarily clenched into a fist.

“Greetings to County Princess Wen!” The guards, recognizing Wen Wan, quickly bowed with utmost respect.

Wen Wan stepped past Xiao Chen, approached the guards, and took the pass. “Can’t you read the word ‘Pass’?”

The guards exchanged uncertain glances.

Wen Wan handed the pass back to Xiao Chen. “Why aren’t you letting the Wai Duke into the palace?”

“Yes, of course! Please, Wai Duke.”

Xiao Chen accepted the pass, nodded slightly to Wen Wan, and then entered the palace with composure.

Wen Wan watched his retreating figure for a moment before following him. “Wai Duke, did you visit Vermilion Bird Street yesterday?”

"No."

Wen Wan was about to speak again when Xiao Chen's figure was already far away. She stood there, puzzled, watching the figure that suddenly quickened its pace. Was there such an obvious coldness and distance, maybe even a hint of annoyance? In her previous life, because of her uncle, they were at least friends who knew each other's names. Could her rebirth have changed so many things?

Sweet Spring Palace.

Wen Ruoxuan, the eldest daughter of the South Control Marquis, was the Noble Consort Chen, residing in Sweet Spring Palace. Wen Wan had a good relationship with Wen Ruoxuan and often visited her in the palace.

As they passed through the Imperial Garden, Yindieh suddenly exclaimed with excitement, "Miss, look! There's a cat over there! I'll go check it out!" A small tabby cat was crouching in a flowerbed on the white jade arch bridge.

Wen Wan remembered that in her previous life, this was where Yindieh had caused trouble. Sure enough, soon there was a loud shout from that direction: "How dare you! You actually stepped on the little green snake that Noble Consort Chun kept!"

Yindieh turned pale with fright at the snake, but her eyes quickly darted around, and she put her hands on her hips, retorting, "The little tabby cat that my lady likes was scared away by this wretched snake! If I hadn't stepped on it, who knows if it would have bitten the little cat!"

Seeing Wen Wan approach, Yindieh ran over, tears in her eyes, feeling utterly wronged. "Eldest Miss! She bullied..."

A sharp slap echoed!

Wen Wan struck Yindieh across the face!

"E-Eldest Miss?"

Yindieh was stunned, holding her cheek. "Eldest Miss, I..."

Wen Wan commanded coldly, "Kneel!"

The maid recognized Wen Wan and, seeing Yindieh slapped, felt her anger subside a bit. "Greetings to County Princess Wen."

Wen Wan's eyes showed a hint of regret. "My aunt often mentions Lady Chun, who is always kind to others. Yet now, her favorite little green snake has been trampled to death by this worthless maid. A life for a life—I will ensure Lady Chun receives justice."

Yindieh dropped to her knees, pleading through her tears, "Eldest Miss! I know I was wrong, I won't dare do it again!"

Wen Wan looked at Yindieh with cold eyes. In her past life, she had defended Yindieh and ended up in a dispute with Lady Chun in this very garden. It was her aunt who had to step in to mediate. She saved Yindieh but couldn't preserve her aunt's reputation.

She had given her heart to Yindieh, but how did Yindieh repay her?