A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 157

Chapter 157

Today was the day Wen Family’s future son-in-law was to visit.

Wen Qian had even specifically taken half a day off to wait at home. He was clearly preoccupied, and didn’t really respond when Wen Feng spoke to him.

The servant at the door announced: “Fifth Young Master Qi has arrived!”

Feng Ge’er hurried out to welcome him.

They saw a man on a date-red horse, wearing a black cloak embroidered with gold thread.

He dismounted at the doorway, clean and crisp, with an air of ease and grace.

Feng Ge’er, his face full of admiration, stepped forward to greet him.

Qi Wu was accompanied by two attendants, one of whom was Mu Bo, and two carriages followed behind.

Mu Bo presented the gift list, which the Wen family’s steward accepted with a bow and scrape.

The two entered the house together.

Although they had met once before, Wen Qian and Qi Wu hadn’t spoken to each other in the Emperor’s presence. Now, seeing him enter, Wen Qian felt a bit awkward.

“Qi Yang, greetings to Uncle Wen!”

“Young Master Qi.” Wen Qian looked at the man before him, still doubtful in his heart. “This will be my son-in-law? Oh, this is my second younger brother, Wen Yu’s Second Uncle.”

“Second Uncle Wen. I have actually met Second Uncle Wen before.”

Wen Feng was quite pleased when he heard this. “Yes! We just didn’t have time to talk much. Please, have a seat. We’re about to become family, so don’t be polite!”

It was warm inside, so Qi Wu took off his cloak and an attendant received it.

He turned and sat down. His upper body was straight, his hands resting on his knees, with a military bearing.

Wen Qian sighed inwardly: I’ve truly never seen such a young man in my life! “Have you taken up the post assigned to you by the Emperor?” Wen Qian found a topic to talk about.

“I have.”

“Do you have to report for duty every day?”

“I definitely have to attend the grand court assembly every ten days. On ordinary days, it’s not too bad. It’s almost New Year’s, so there isn’t much going on.”

“Oh. I heard you studied at the Qin Family Academy for many years. Are you not planning to take the imperial examinations?”

“The Emperor has already assigned me a position, so I won’t take the exams for now. Maybe I’ll try in the future.”

“… But you studied literature, and I heard that the place you’re going to requires some martial skills.”

“During the years I studied at the Qin Family Academy, I also had a martial arts master by my side!”

So he was both scholarly and skilled in martial arts! “It’s a pity not to take the imperial examinations after studying at the Qin Family Academy for so many years. I wonder how far you’ve gotten in your studies. Why don’t I give you a question…”

“Big Brother! What are you doing?! Young Master Qi is visiting for the first time, why are you giving him a question?!”

Wen Qian was actually just making conversation, and when Wen Feng stopped him, he glared at him.

Wen Feng asked, “Qi Yang, every winter, I go with my friends to stay at the Zanquan Mountain Estate for a few days. Does the Qi family have a hot spring villa near the capital?”

“We do have one. But I’m not home often, so I’ve never actually been there.”

“Oh, then what do you do for fun in the capital?”

“Actually, I’ve only recently started living in the capital permanently. These days, I’ve been playing ball with friends, listening to music in Houhai, things like that.”

“If there’s anything fun in the future, let Second Uncle know!”

“Alright.”

Wen Qian glared at Wen Feng again. You, an elder, hanging out with a junior, what kind of decorum is that?!

“Let’s go to the back and see Old Madam.”

The group of men entered the inner courtyard.

The son-in-law was a highly regarded relative, and any respectable family would attach great importance to him!

The rear hall was neatly arranged, with fresh flowers…

Old Madam Wen had dressed up early and was sitting here waiting.

No matter what she thought of Wen Yu, she had the highest regard for Fifth Young Master Qi. Not to mention the wonderful opportunities he brought.

Yuan Shi and Wu Shi had already begun the handover of the kitchen. The two were in a corner, talking about matters.

Several of the young ladies had also arrived.

Wen Yu was dressed as a young lady receiving guests at home, her clothes and jewelry refined yet casual…

Wen Huan, on the other hand, was wearing a white dress with woven pink peonies today, fresh and charming, as if she had already changed into spring clothes.

Wen Jiao rolled her eyes and laughed, “Second Sister, are those your new spring clothes? The color is so light! Among us sisters, you’re the most eye-catching. Isn’t that right, Eldest Sister?”

She was subtly implying that Wen Huan was trying to steal Wen Yu’s thunder.

Wen Yu glanced at Wen Huan, and nodded without much expression, “Third Sister is right.”

Wen Wan was more cunning. She knew it was useless to dress up, and she had been trying to curry favor with Wen Yu lately, so she couldn’t provoke her. So she was also dressed as a young lady in seclusion ━ not outstanding, but not shabby either.

Wen Su rolled her eyes inwardly: Wen Huan really has no sense of propriety, Eldest Sister’s fiancé is here, why is she trying to steal the spotlight?! Can she really steal him away? Third Sister is right, when you look over, you see her first!

✿✿✿

Wen Huan wasn’t afraid, and smiled, “I wanted to wear this when I went to the palace a few days ago. I was just worried it was a bit early! But when I got there, I saw quite a few people wearing it. Third Sister, didn’t you see it too?”

“Of course I saw it, but that was in the palace! At home…” She didn’t finish her sentence.

Nurse Song rushed in nervously, “They’re here, they’re here! Old Madam, Fifth Young Master Qi is here!”

“Stop talking! Everyone, stand properly!” Old Madam Wen instructed them.

The curtain was lifted, and Feng Ge’er entered first, “Grandmother, Eldest Uncle and Father, and Fifth Young Master Qi are here!” The silly boy’s mouth was wide open with a delighted expression.

Wen Qian entered first, followed by a fleeting figure.

Qi Wu also entered…

Everyone’s eyes lit up again!

Why “again”?

Because Qi Wu was also wearing a white robe!

The same color as the base of Wen Huan’s dress!

It was as if the two had deliberately dressed like this!

Others hadn’t reacted yet, but Wen Huan’s face flushed red, and she panicked. She was excited, happy, and also felt like she had slapped Wen Yu in the face ━ it was a satisfying release of frustration…

Then, she fixed her eyes on Qi Wu.

The swelling on Qi Wu’s face had subsided, the bruising was gone, leaving a purplish-red hue…

But the handsome young man remained unaffected!

“Old Madam Wen!” Qi Wu bowed deeply. Then he gave a slight bow to Yuan Shi and the other women. His gaze was steady, and he didn’t notice Wen Huan, who was dressed similarly to him.

But when he saw Wen Yu standing beside Old Madam Wen, he met her gaze seriously, and then nodded slightly.

Looking at Qi Wu’s face, and his clothes that were almost identical to Wen Huan’s, Wen Yu was speechless…

What was he doing?!

“Fifth Young Master Qi! Please have a seat!” Old Madam Wen greeted him and introduced her two daughters-in-law.

Yuan Shi scrutinized Qi Wu, a storm brewing in her heart.

When she first learned of Wen Yu’s engagement to him, she thought: Maybe he’s short, fat, and ugly, and has taken a fancy to Wen Yu’s beauty.

When he caused a stir in the imperial palace, she felt uneasy, but thought: If he’s so good, why would he take a fancy to Wen Yu?

Now she realized his reputation was truly well-deserved!

When Old Madam introduced her, she forced a smile but didn’t speak.

Nurse Song brought the gift list from outside and handed it to Old Madam Wen.

It seemed the gifts outside had already been inventoried.

Old Madam Wen glanced at it symbolically, and the first few items… Wow! Ginseng, deer antler, all in pairs.

“Your mother is so thoughtful!” Old Madam Wen was not ignorant, but she was a bit flattered by the Qi family’s gesture.

The men all took their seats.

Only then did Old Madam ask, “Fifth Young Master Qi, was your face injured while playing ball?”

“No. I bumped it during martial arts practice at home a while ago.”

“Have you seen a doctor?”

“It’s a minor injury, it will heal in a few days.”

“It’s not convenient for our two families to visit each other during this New Year period. We’ve also prepared some New Year gifts at home. I’ll have my eldest grandson, Feng Ge’er, deliver them later.” She thought to herself, I have to add more gifts! We can’t let the Qi family look down on the Wen family!

“Thank you! Old Madam Wen, Mother asked me to inquire: on the third day of the New Year, the Cui family, that is, my maternal grandfather’s family, would like to invite Old Madam and Miss Wen to visit. Then on the fifth day, the Crown Prince’s residence would also like to invite Miss Wen to visit. I wonder if it’s convenient for your family.”

Qi Wu was straightforward and got straight to the point.

The Crown Prince had made a fuss several times, insisting on seeing Wen Yu.

Old Madam was beaming from ear to ear, oblivious to the issue hidden within…

When mentioning the invitation to the Eastern Palace, he only said “invite Miss Wen”. Because that’s exactly what the Crown Prince had said!

“It’s an honor for the Wen family! The third, the fifth…” Old Madam still pretended to be reserved…

“Mother said that the Wen family has just arrived in the capital, and must have many other arrangements. Old Madam doesn’t need to rush to reply immediately. If it’s really inconvenient for your family, Mother said she would personally come to pick her up…”

The first “she” referred to Madam Qi, and the second “she” referred to Wen Yu.

The tone… implied intimacy.

Wen Yu thought to herself: I misjudged him before, this person really doesn’t know how to be tactful.

Wen Qian and Old Madam Wen exchanged glances. Madam Qi truly didn’t treat Wen Yu as an outsider!

But wasn’t she being a bit too distant with us?

So it’s fine whether we go or not, as long as Wen Yu goes?!

When Madam Qi instructed her son, she probably didn’t expect him to repeat it verbatim…

This was a bit awkward.