A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 155

Chapter 155

The Wen family’s front door was bustling with excitement as the people who had gone to the palace returned.

Wen Yu instructed La Ba and Xiao Ji, sending La Ba to keep an eye on Yuan Xi Jun and Xiao Ji to gather information about Old Madam Wen.

Wen Qian and Yuan Xi Jun returned to their room.

“Are you tired today?” he asked Yuan Xi Jun softly, secretly observing her expression.

Yuan Xi Jun’s expression was not as calm as usual, her eyes shining brightly: “I’m not really tired. But I certainly didn’t expect such a situation.”

As she sat, her maid removed her jewelry, and she recounted the day’s events in detail to her husband.

But she didn’t mention how she had adapted, quickly changing her approach and skillfully utilizing the opportunity.

She concealed her aspirations for Prince Wu’s Residence.

She also downplayed Wen Yu’s influence, focusing instead on her responses before the Empress and her interactions with other important individuals.

“I feel like many doors have suddenly opened. I can imagine we’ll receive quite a few invitations these next two days. We’ll have to discuss with you, husband, about which families to visit and whom to invite!”

“You can decide on these matters! You’ll handle it well!”

“I can’t say that for sure!” Yuan Xi Jun said proudly: “There are many things we didn’t anticipate. For instance, we’re not prepared to host guests during the New Year’s period. It’s too short notice.”

“We have time. Take it slowly.”

“How did things go for you?” Yuan Xi Jun asked.

Wen Qian then shared his observations of Qi Wulang at the event. For some reason, he didn’t mention the Emperor summoning him and his own positive feelings about it.

Hearing about Qi Wulang, Yuan Xi Jun felt a bit awkward and didn’t notice what her husband had omitted, lost in her own thoughts.

Just as they finished their conversation, Wen Qian was summoned by Old Madam Wen.

Yuan Xi Jun called Wen Huan over.

Meanwhile, Wu Shi insisted on hearing a detailed account of the palace events from Wen Jiao.

Wen Jiao grew impatient: “Mother, let’s talk about it later.” Without even bothering to boast to Wen Wan and Wen Su, she ran straight to Wen Yu’s room.

“You were thoroughly used by that mother and daughter!” Wen Jiao exclaimed angrily. Though not as cunning as Yuan Xi Jun and Wen Huan, she had realized that Wen Huan had been much more well-received than herself.

She had tried to attract attention and engage in conversation but had been outshined by Wen Huan.

“I never knew they were so shameless! One pretends to be your mother, while the other puts on a sisterly love act. Ugh! Disgusting!”

She had been so angry at the time but didn’t dare make a scene.

Wen Yu listened with a grave expression, her heart even heavier.

She hadn’t expected Qi Wulang’s flamboyant entrance and the commotion it caused…

Yuan Xi Jun was the type who would sacrifice anything for her own benefit.

And Wen Huan, her engagement itself had made her envious. The constant provocations these days had further fueled her competitive spirit, making her act recklessly.

Originally, she had been waiting for them to make a mistake…

But after today, if they could gain advantages openly,

then she would truly be making wedding clothes for them.

“Calm down and tell me everything in detail.”

“Eldest Sister!? Have you not been listening to me this whole time!?”

“I’m listening! Third Sister, of course, I don’t want them to benefit for free, but what can we do?”

“Didn’t you mention last time that Wen Huan was to be engaged to the Li family?”

“The Li family was already a good match! Perhaps their ambitions have grown, and they’ve changed their minds!”

“Right, that’s it… After today, they’ll definitely be even more dissatisfied!”

“Perhaps!? But what can they do about it!?”

“It’s simple! Since we arrived in the capital, Aunt Yuan has always been aloof. Wen Huan is very cunning! Maybe she was looking for an opportunity to disrupt your engagement. But now, thanks to you, even the Empress summoned them for a conversation! What an honor! So many people witnessed it!

So, they have to use you! Otherwise, with Wen Huan’s nasty personality, how could she constantly praise you, calling you ‘Eldest Sister’ this and ‘Eldest Sister’ that?”

“Third Sister, you’re quite sharp! You’re no less attractive than Wen Huan. But from the way you talk, it seems no one paid attention to you? Oh, I forgot, she’s been here longer, so she probably knows more people!”

“What are you talking about!? Who is her father? My father’s official rank isn’t even Sixth Grade. If it weren’t for Eldest Uncle, we wouldn’t have even been able to enter the palace.” Wen Jiao was truly depressed.

“Indeed. Third Sister, both of us have a hard life. Your father’s rank is low, and your mother doesn’t have an imperial decree. Mine is as good as none.”

“But your marriage is so good! Eldest Sister… I was young and ignorant before, please don’t blame me.”

Wen Jiao could actually say such words!?

Wen Yu looked at her carefully. Wen Jiao, probably not used to expressing herself this way, blushed.

✿✿✿

It seems that even she could lower her head under the eaves.

“How could I blame you? Third Sister, you have a straightforward personality, I’ve known that for a long time.”

“Yes, I’m straightforward. Sigh…” Wen Jiao actually sighed, “Grandmother used to like me the most, my mother managed the household, everything was given to me first, I wouldn’t even give in to Eldest Brother. I always thought I was better than you and Wen Huan!

Especially you… I didn’t even see you as a threat. Who would have thought you were so capable? Even my mother suffered a great loss when she went against you!”

“Third Sister, it wasn’t me who caused Second Aunt’s loss. It was her own improper actions that angered Grandmother and Second Uncle.”

“I know. Look how much weight she’s lost recently. Father is always frowning at her!

“Father’s official rank isn’t high to begin with, and now he’s estranged from her. In the capital, Eldest Aunt easily suppresses her. So, her life is tough! I heard the kitchen will be handed over to Second Aunt. It’ll take time, but things might get better in the future.”

Wen Jiao didn’t respond to this, instead thinking about herself: “Eldest Sister, I’m just bad-tempered, speak harshly, and like to be sarcastic. That mother and daughter are not like me! They pretend on the surface, but they’re ruthless underneath! Eldest Sister, don’t be careless.”

“Third Sister, your change is too drastic!” Wen Yu found it amusing.

“I’m serious. Although your marriage is settled, it might not be that easy to marry into the Qi family. You have no idea, today, a Qi Wulang, even the Empress and several consorts summoned us in to ask about him. There was a crowd of people around. I heard there are several unmarried princesses! If they want to compete with you, to sabotage you, you won’t even have a place to hide!”

“Thank you for the reminder, Third Sister! I appreciate your kindness.”

“…Eldest Sister, what do you think I should do?”

“Do you really want to hear it?”

“Yes!”

“Go with the flow!”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, just take what the Wen family offers you. Don’t compare yourself to me or Wen Huan. Grandmother dotes on you, you can also bask in my father’s glory. Your father has an official position, and your mother has her dowry. You’re bound to get a stable marriage.”

Wen Jiao disagreed: “What you said is all guaranteed! There’s nothing special about it!”

“Then what do you want?”

“Of course, I want to aim high!” Wen Jiao blushed again after saying this, “Eldest Sister is marrying into the Qi family, I can’t be too far behind, right!? Otherwise, in the future, we won’t be able to interact, will we!?”

Wen Yu smiled, thinking: She hasn’t changed at all!

“Alright then, let me think about it for you.”

✿✿✿

In Old Madam Wen’s room, Wen Qian recounted the day’s events to his mother from beginning to end.

He even mentioned… his premonition.

Old Madam Wen was delighted, clasping her hands together, “Originally, we went to the palace just to broaden our horizons. I never expected such a good thing to happen, this is wonderful!”

Wen Qian pondered silently for a moment before saying softly, “Mother, I didn’t tell Xi Jun about the Emperor summoning me…”

“What!? Wouldn’t she be happy to hear about such a good thing?”

“Not really. It’s just… too troublesome.”

“Humph! This concerns your future, the Wen family’s future. You’re still worried about her feelings!? Did she not take advantage of Wen Yu today? She thinks I didn’t see it!? Although she put me in the forefront, she didn’t step back either. What a pretentious woman!”

“Mother, I just don’t want to deal with such things. You know is enough!”

Hearing this, Old Madam Wen felt comforted, “Yes, you’re right to think that way! Women, sometimes their jealousy is greater than the sky! What Wen family, what husband’s future, nothing is more important than their vanity! In this aspect, a wife can’t compare to your old mother!”

Wen Qian smiled and nodded.

Mother and son were in harmony.

“What’s even more ridiculous is that she clearly benefited but doesn’t acknowledge it! Doesn’t appreciate the favor!”

“Mother, please stop talking about this.”

Not wanting to upset her son, Old Madam Wen quickly said, “I know your abilities. Our family can’t offer you much support in your official career. You made a good impression on the Emperor today, not to mention the Emperor will remember you in the future. Your colleagues saw it too, they’ll think of you if there are any good opportunities.”

Wen Qian nodded.

Yuan Xi Jun and Wen Huan expressed satisfaction with their adaptability and the results achieved today. They also analyzed Princess Wu and, in the end, both felt very hopeful.

Their ultimate goal remained the same: to enter Prince Wu’s Residence!