A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Previously, the Wen family received an invitation from Prince Wu’s Residence, inviting them to visit on the third day of the New Year.

And the third day of the New Year was also the day the Cui family had invited them.

Old Madam Wen wanted to discuss this with Yuan Xi Jun.

But without consulting, Yuan Xi Jun stated: “For families of such status like Prince Wu’s Residence and the Cui family, it would be impolite to refuse either. It’s better to go separately.

Wen Yu was raised by her mother, so having you accompany her to the Cui family will make her feel at ease and perform better. I, your daughter-in-law, will just take Wen Huan to Prince Wu’s Residence.”

In fact, Old Madam Wen had basically the same plan.

She wasn’t as adept as Yuan Xi Jun at dealing with Prince Wu’s Residence. Besides, she had to personally go to cultivate the connections that Wen Yu’s marriage had brought to the Wen family.

But before she could say anything, Yuan Xi Jun had already made the decision, which made her feel awkward again.

If it had been Wu Shi, Old Madam Wen would have started reprimanding her right away.

But with Yuan Xi Jun… she had to show her more respect… This made her feel very stifled.

However, who was Old Madam Wen? A veteran of countless battles! She nodded and said: “Your arrangement is very good! For the visit to the Eastern Palace on the sixth, I will also take Wen Yu there!”

“…” Yuan Xi Jun was very surprised that she wasn’t allowed to go to the Eastern Palace! Her usually “calm” face couldn’t hold it anymore and she stared at Old Madam Wen.

Old Madam Wen “calmly” picked up her teacup, sneering inwardly: You’re far from being able to compete with me!

Yuan Xi Jun practically hated this old woman to death!

But she couldn’t bring herself to back down, so she left awkwardly.

Old Madam Wen called Wen Yu over and told her about the arrangements.

Wen Yu nodded, saying that she was actually quite apprehensive, but with her grandmother going, she would have a backbone.

Old Madam Wen had just started to feel that this girl was quite sensible when Wen Yu added: She also wanted to take Yan Zhu with her that day.

Old Madam Wen was angered again. Take Yan Zhu?

What was Yan Zhu? Not quite a servant, not quite a relative, and without a proper background!

But before she could say anything, Wen Yu gently tugged at her sleeve and said: “Grandmother, there’s something I want to tell you!”

“What is it!” Old Madam Wen said angrily.

“Grandmother, this Old Madam Qi from the Qi family is a great philanthropist within the circle. Everyone speaks highly of her! But, she’s Madam Qi’s stepmother-in-law. As for stepmothers, you know, there’s never anything good about them, right?!”

“What are you saying!?” Old Madam Wen was furious.

“Ah??!” Wen Yu acted as if she had misspoken, but didn’t explain further. Instead, she said seriously: “Madam Qi introduced the family situation, so this is just my guess. You’re my grandmother, and since I thought of this, of course I had to tell you!”

Old Madam Wen was very angry and glared at her.

“Don’t be angry! Look, this Old Madam has her own children and grandchildren. The Qi family’s title and property are all coveted prizes, you definitely understand this better than I do!”

“Hmph, you haven’t even entered the family yet, and you’re already thinking so much! If others heard this, you’d never be able to get married!”

“My cleverness comes from being around you!”

“When did I ever teach you these things?!” Old Madam Wen was furious again!

“Listen to me finish! I heard that she, uh, comes from humble beginnings! But now her status is so high. So, I’m not sure how to interact with her. I’m a little worried, since you come from a wealthy family but your status is lower than hers, would she be dissatisfied with you?”

“Dissatisfied with me!? What can she do if she’s dissatisfied? I come from the Song family! I am wealthy!! Even in the palace, I speak this way!” Old Madam Wen was full of pride!

“Grandmother, why are you getting anxious again! Look, if she’s nice to you, I worry she might have ulterior motives. If she looks down on you, I wouldn’t be able to bear it.”

“Wen Yu, this Old Madam Qi has a prominent status and is your elder! Speaking this way could bring disaster to you and the Wen family!” Old Madam Wen was a bit worried. This girl was really a reckless daredevil!

“How could that be? I’m so clever and perceptive. How could I bring disaster? I understand these things, I could keep my mouth shut completely! I’m just being open and honest with you!”

“I won’t go, you go with Madam Qi!” Old Madam Wen waved her hand.

“How can that be!? Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. I’m still counting on you to support me!”

Wen Yu started to flatter her again…

But she thought to herself: Although Old Madam Wen is strong and capable, she may not necessarily understand the intricacies of these grand families. If I enter the Qi family, my interests will clash with that Old Madam.

There’s no way we can be on good terms!

It wouldn’t be beneficial for Old Madam Wen to get involved, she shouldn’t add to the trouble.

✿✿✿

On the third day of the New Year, Wen Huan got up early, combed her hair, put on her jewelry, and applied makeup. She deliberately drew her eyebrows straighter…

Then she put on a light snowy blue dress, the kind Wen Yu loved to wear.

Standing in front of the mirror, she straightened her back and slightly raised her eyebrows…

She was truly skilled. With this, she surprisingly resembled Wen Yu by forty percent…

When she came out, Yuan Xi Jun looked her over and was very satisfied.

Mother and daughter exchanged a knowing smile.

They arrived at Prince Wu’s Residence.

Today, Princess Wu was only hosting a small gathering of close friends and relatives, including her own family.

There weren’t many people, but their status was prominent.

Yuan Xi Jun greeted Princess Wu and tactfully explained why her mother-in-law couldn’t come.

✿✿✿

Princess Wu only cared about seeing Wen Huan, so she didn’t mind this and introduced everyone present.

Everyone sat down to drink tea and chat.

Yuan Xi Jun noticed that there were several young ladies of Wen Huan’s age and couldn’t help but feel nervous. Was this a selection process?

Princess Wu’s demeanor was obviously of a higher level than the likes of Yuan Xi Jun.

Moreover, she treated all the young ladies equally, regardless of their relationship to her.

She spoke to them the same amount and gave them all the same gifts.

While seeming impartial, she was secretly observing Wen Huan. Today, Wen Huan wasn’t as sweet as the last time, with a touch of coldness and allure, she resembled Wen Yu even more.

They were sisters after all!

The Heir Apparent would definitely be satisfied when he saw her!

For choosing a wife for her son, and for selecting people to be by his side, she hadn’t considered anyone from her own family.

She wasn’t like the Crown Princess, whose greed was so blatant! Not only did the Crown Princess choose someone from her own family, but she also allowed the Crown Princess to act arrogantly in the inner quarters.

What was the rush anyway! There was plenty of time!

If they truly gained control of the world, what kind of women wouldn’t be available? What couldn’t they achieve?

The young ladies present all had better backgrounds than Wen Huan. Their attention towards Qi Wu made them feel a bit resistant towards the Wen family.

They didn’t talk much to Wen Huan and instead started talking about Wen Yu, asking why she hadn’t come?!

Some even commented that the Wen family was being very rude…

Wen Huan spoke softly: “Madam Qi’s maternal family, General Cui’s Residence, had already set a date and invited my elder sister to visit. That’s why she couldn’t come.”

These words seemed to have no aggressiveness. But if you thought about it carefully, before even getting married, she was already invited to visit her mother-in-law’s maternal family!

Who else could have such treatment?

But why?

Yuan Xi Jun, quiet and elegant, spoke to everyone carefully and politely, which resonated with the noble ladies present.

The Wen family’s future was also quite promising, so they all wanted to befriend them.

After chatting for a while, a servant girl entered: “Your Highness, the Heir Apparent has returned to the residence and is here to pay his respects.”

“Good! Let him in!”

Prince Yongqing entered slowly. His appearance was nothing special, but his demeanor clearly showed he wasn’t an ordinary official’s son.

The young ladies present were all a bit shy.

Wen Huan looked at him, but felt nothing.

Because there was a tall figure completely blocking him from her view.

But she knew she shouldn’t be like this… So, she pulled herself together.

Prince Yongqing didn’t stay long. His mother had already told him which one was the Second Miss Wen.

His expression remained unchanged as he glanced at her twice. He then exchanged a few words with the relatives he knew and left.

Yuan Xi Jun and her daughter felt good about their visit to Prince Wu’s Residence, but…

“Next year, the Heir Apparent will get married. The Princess didn’t show any intentions today, I wonder when things will become clear?”

“Mother, I’m not in that much of a hurry. Next year, the spring social season will begin. As long as we have connections, even if it doesn’t work out with Prince Wu’s Residence, there will be other families. We can always make some plans.”

“You’re right.”

✿✿✿

After Princess Wu saw off her guests, she called her son over again.

She asked with a smile: “Well? Do you like her?”

“Mother, I don’t fancy her.” Prince Yongqing’s expression was indifferent.

“Why not? I thought she looked quite like the Eldest Miss Wen today! And she seems even more well-behaved. Why didn’t you like her?!”

“Superficial beauty. What’s the difference between her and those other girls today? Forget it! I’ll get married first, and leave the position vacant! I’ll find someone myself later!”

“Don’t be ridiculous! This is the capital city.”

“I know!”

Prince Yongqing was also a bit annoyed. He still hadn’t been able to find out who the other girl on the boat was?!

His old friend had come from out of town, and they were going to eat and drink together. He hadn’t even finished tomorrow’s calligraphy practice yet!