A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Tan Shi returned home and had someone pour her a cup of wine.

She sipped it slowly, lost in thought.

For the past two years, she had been keeping an eye on Qi Wu.

She felt that he was up to something, but she couldn’t find out what it was, nor could she guess.

He returned to the residence without any news, and no one knew what he had been doing.

If she asked him directly, he would just clam up and refuse to speak. Trying to get information out of Cui Shi seemed pointless… she didn’t seem to know anything either.

This time, when Qi Wu accompanied Cui Shi back to her hometown, she had asked “that person” for some men to follow and try to set him up, but it didn’t work. It only made Qi Wu seem even more mysterious.

This feeling of not being in control made her uneasy.

Today’s events were even stranger…

He made his official appearance in the capital, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Crown Prince, causing a sensation. He was even assigned a position by the Emperor…

He was so close to the imperial family!

Before, the Marquis had agreed with her that when they returned to the capital, he would use illness as an excuse to cede the title to her son, You Duan!

Qi Youyi and Qi Xiao… were already firmly in her grasp. Even if they were dissatisfied with this and felt they were being taken advantage of, they would have to swallow it!

But Qi Wu had become a variable!

For this kind of thing, as long as the Qi family agreed, the Emperor would also respect the Marquis’s wishes. But if someone from the legitimate eldest branch objected…

Sigh… All these years, she had exhausted herself, all for two wishes: the title for her own son, You Duan, and leaving a large inheritance for Xiu Yun and her children.

For so many years, although the Marquis favored her, she couldn’t go too far. The family rules were there!

Not to mention her dowry, even when she was by the Marquis’s side, she didn’t even have a decent piece of clothing.

The Marquis had defied everyone to marry her… She was afraid of being seen as greedy and losing the Marquis’s respect.

And also, to maintain a good reputation outside…

She hadn’t touched Zhao Shi’s dowry. When managing the household, she also pursued integrity…

Therefore, despite living a luxurious life, she didn’t actually have much personal wealth…

Cui Shi was concerned about appearances and had a strong will, making it difficult for Tan Shi to control her.

She never interfered in household matters!

But this time, she didn’t know who had given Cui Shi the idea, but she insisted on going south and even directly asked the Marquis for the family property there.

The Marquis, fearing that it would affect the bigger picture, handed it over.

The principal wife, the eldest son’s wife! It would be difficult to take it back!

What to do?

Her heart hardened: If it came to it, she would have to use Qi Youyi!

Also, she hoped that this eldest daughter of the Wen family would be a useless beauty, as easy to manipulate as Xu Shi!

“Grandmother!” Hearing the voice, Xu Shi arrived.

Tan Shi frowned and then relaxed, “Minghui? Come in quickly!”

✿✿✿

There was a very elegant small courtyard in the east of the city.

The male owner, Yang Xiangdong, had just returned home. He first went to his study in the front and carefully inspected it.

He sniffed. There was a strong fragrance on his clothes… He quickly changed into another set before sauntering back to the rear courtyard.

This man was a classmate of Wei Xiangyu’s elder brother, the person Wei Xiangyu intended to spend her future with after her divorce.

Wei Shi’s brother had demanded a sum of silver from Song Shang before agreeing to his sister’s divorce.

Originally, Wei Shi’s brother and sister-in-law had planned to keep the silver for themselves.

But later, they saw that she had actually hooked up with Yang Xiangdong.

And Yang Xiangdong seemed to have fallen truly in love and was willing to help his beloved!

This man was on the rise. If he succeeded, it would only benefit their family.

So, they used the silver Song Shang gave them to buy a quiet and elegant courtyard in the capital for their sister.

Wei Xiangyu had her dowry. Song Shang had also been generous with her in terms of money, so she had quite a bit saved up. Living in this courtyard, her life was comfortable.

However, it was very boring.

Due to her awkward status, she couldn’t even go out and socialize!

Let alone attend today’s event at the palace!

She was very clever. She got along well with Yang Xiangdong, acting affectionately and talking about a wide range of topics. She didn’t refuse his gifts. Of course, she also gave him gifts.

But she never took the final step with him.

She knew: Once a man got what he wanted, he wouldn’t cherish it anymore.

So, today Yang Xiangdong came over, and the two of them chatted, drank tea, and played chess. They dawdled for a long time before Yang Xiangdong reluctantly left.

In the back courtyard, Yang Xiangdong’s wife, Younger Madam Wang, was talking to their children, filled with laughter!

✿✿✿

Seeing him return, Younger Madam Wang quickly smiled, “You’re back?!”

“Father!” Their two children ran up to him.

Their son was eight years old and had already started school. Their daughter was five.

Yang Xiangdong asked his son, “Have you finished your homework today?”

His son hadn’t, and he mumbled incoherently…

His face darkened.

Madam Wang quickly said, “Our son is usually very diligent. Today is His Majesty’s birthday, and it’s almost New Year’s, so let him have some fun for a couple of days!”

Yang Xiangdong frowned, “A loving mother often spoils her child! You can’t always pamper him like this!”

“Alright, alright! After New Year’s, he’ll study hard! Husband, why did you leave early today?”

“Yes, I had some things to attend to.”

Madam Wang was not tall and had ordinary looks, but she had a particularly good complexion. She was also talkative and cheerful, without a single malicious thought.

“I saw so much excitement today. Qi Wulang, did you see him over there?!”

“I happened to have something to do and didn’t see him.”

“Oh, how could you miss it?! I wanted to hear you talk about it! You wouldn’t believe it, we didn’t see it either, but everyone went crazy. Everyone was talking about it! My sister said…”

She started again…

Yang Xiangdong didn’t need to listen to know that everything was: “My sister said…”

Younger Madam Wang was her mother’s child born in her old age. Not long after she was born, her mother died.

Her father remarried, and her elder sister, Elder Madam Wang, worried that her younger sister would be mistreated, so she personally raised her and even took her along when she got married!

Elder Madam Wang married the eldest son of Grand Secretary Li. Of course, when she married, her father-in-law was not yet a Grand Secretary.

She was extremely capable and treated her younger sister like her own daughter.

Yang Xiangdong was the husband chosen by Elder Madam Wang for her younger sister!

At that time, Yang Xiangdong was just a poor scholar with no family background. When he came to the capital to become an official, even the house he rented was the worst kind.

After marrying Younger Madam Wang, his life took off!

The courtyard they lived in now was part of Younger Madam Wang’s dowry!

Not to mention his career…

At twenty-six years old, he was several ranks higher than his peers and classmates. Every position he took was a highly sought-after one.

After the New Year, he would be promoted again.

In fact, he was very capable. The Li family and Elder Madam Wang only gave him the opportunity.

His term in office went smoothly, he earned some silver, and he quickly bought his own courtyard.

But Younger Madam Wang refused to move.

Firstly, this place was close to the Li family, just a short walk away. She had to consult her sister about everything!

If she didn’t see her for a day, she felt like something was missing.

If she didn’t see her for two days… she would be restless.

If she didn’t see her for three days… that was impossible!

Secondly, this place was also better than the one he bought!

But she didn’t know, living here made him feel like a kept man!

Thinking of his imposing and domineering elder sister-in-law.

Looking at Younger Madam Wang, who wasn’t pretty, had no elegance, only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, and was always mindlessly happy, chattering nonstop about boring topics…

Then looking at his foolishly happy son… She couldn’t even teach her own children well! What was he like when he was eight?!

Although she was truly good to him…

How could she compare to Xiangyu… The image of that beauty flickered before his eyes.

When the two of them were together, he was the one who spoke, and she was the one who listened.

Unlike now… His wife’s chatter was still in his ears, but he only needed to listen with half an ear, not even bothering to respond…

When he was in the south, his mind was made up. He had domineeringly asked Wei Xiangyu to come with him…

But upon returning, he realized that actually resolving this matter was extremely difficult.

Although Xiangyu didn’t mention it, he was anxious!

What to do?

If he moved forward, would he succeed? Could he extricate himself afterward?

But if he retreated, what about Xiangyu?

Moreover, living this kind of life every day, even if he reached a high position, what was the point?

Oh no, did I write another heartless man?

Counting them, there were quite a few.

Did I hate men?

There were many types of jerks, each different. This one could be considered a social climber…