A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Madam Qi and County Princess Huiyi introduced themselves to Jiang Pinting and Wen Yu.

Jiang Pinting’s Second Aunt also arrived and spoke very politely to Old Madam Wen, introducing her own friends to her.

After the earlier fright, all that remained was joy.

Old Madam Wen moved among the noble ladies, her smile radiating from her heart.

When they had finished eating, drinking, and socializing, it was almost evening when they came out of the Eastern Palace. Most of the people outside had already left.

Wen Qian was waiting by the carriage, looking a bit anxious: “Mother, why has it taken so long?”

Old Madam Wen said mysteriously: “We’ll talk about it when we get home.”

After getting into the carriage, Old Madam asked Wen Yu: “Where is your servant girl?” She hadn’t seen Laba.

“I was afraid that Madam Qi would be worried, so I asked Laba to explain what happened earlier to her again. Laba will go back by herself later.”

“Wen Yu, what was going on with that female official today? Tell me about it in detail…” Old Madam Wen asked as soon as she sat down.

Wen Yu said: “Someone must have taken a fancy to Fifth Young Master Qi and wanted to cause trouble for me. They are probably quite familiar with that female official and wanted her to lead me into making a fool of myself.

I knew it as soon as I came out, so I refused to go any further. That female official was acting in private and felt guilty, so she didn’t dare to do anything to me. Later, I met someone from Crown Princess’s entourage. The female official was afraid of being discovered, so she let me go. As soon as I turned around, I ran into a maid serving Pinting, who recognized me and took me to see her.”

There were no flaws in these words, so Old Madam Wen believed her: “Do you know who did it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Someone who can order a female official around is probably not an ordinary person. Fifth Young Master Qi is too outstanding and easily attracts attention. We must be careful! Look at what happened to the Eldest Madam of the Imperial Son-in-Law’s Residence today, how frightening! This matter is very suspicious! Which woman would be so bold as to act recklessly in the Eastern Palace?

Most likely, it was a setup! If you encountered such a thing, our family wouldn’t have the same capabilities as the Imperial Son-in-Law’s Residence! It would be over! From now on, if there’s nothing important, don’t go out. It will be fine once you’re married…”

“Yes.” Wen Yu responded.

“Jiang Pinting! Her luck is so good! Her future prospects are incredible. Her closeness to you is based on your childhood friendship. But if you continue to interact with her, you have to be sincere and genuine. Later, Grandmother will discuss it with your father…”

Old Madam knew that the Emperor was getting old, and it wouldn’t be long before the Crown Prince ascended the throne.

The Crown Prince only had the Crown Grandson as his heir. In the future, even if Pinting didn’t become the Empress, she could still become a Noble Consort with the help of her father and brother. If the Wen family could latch onto this connection, it would be a whole different story!

Wen Yu responded again. She thought to herself: This old woman didn’t get to where she is today for nothing. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and her ideas are sound!

When they arrived home, Wen Qian personally helped Old Madam out of the carriage.

In the back hall, the whole family was waiting in order. They all stood up when they saw Old Madam enter.

Old Madam didn’t even change out of her outdoor clothes before she shared this “great news” with everyone.

Wen Feng was the first to explode. He recognized Jiang Pinting!

“Mother, are you serious?! Are you talking about that chubby girl from the Jiang family!?”

“Second Brother, what are you saying! What kind of tone is that!?” Old Madam scolded him. “Miss Jiang is a Consort now! Even your mother, me, stood there respectfully in front of her! Watch your mouth!”

Wen Qian was also a bit surprised: “Lord Jiang and his son have returned and are highly valued by the Emperor. I have met them twice, but it was always in a hurry, and we didn’t talk much. I really didn’t know about Miss Jiang.”

Old Madam Wen said: “How fortunate! I watched her grow up. She was close to us when she was little! Today, it was a senior palace maid by the Consort’s side who recognized Yu’er. The Consort treats Yu’er like her own sister!”

Looking at Wen Yu, her eyes were filled with joy: “Wen Yu, you must be happy to have met Consort Jiang, right?”

Wen Yu smiled inwardly. Old Madam was truly excited today.

She nodded and replied: “Grandmother, Yu’er is really happy! I went up and hugged her, crying, and she even teased me, saying that I was still as rough as ever, and I got makeup on her clothes!”

Old Madam Wen pointed at Wen Yu and scolded her, but with a hint of indulgence: “You, you! This is only because of your childhood friendship! Otherwise, how rude would that be?”

Yuan Xi Jun felt a sinking feeling in her heart as she stared at Wen Yu.

Wen Yu continued: “Of course, I understand what Grandmother is saying now, but at that time, how could I have thought of that? It was like seeing a family member, and I blurted out about Ah Fang, which made her cry too…”

“You silly girl! It’s New Year’s Eve, why bring that up? If you had said that in front of the Crown Princess, it would have been enough to get you punished. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future! Besides, this kind of thing…” Old Madam thought to herself, what’s there to talk about?!

“Grandmother, the Consort praised Yu’er! She said Yu’er is loyal and righteous, worthy of being her good sister! She even said she wants Lanzhou to move to the Jiang family residence!”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Wen’s attitude changed again, and she clasped her hands together: “The Consort is truly benevolent!”

She secretly made up her mind: She couldn’t treat Wen Yu the same way as before.

✿✿✿

She had to give her some money to help her interact with Consort Jiang.

When she got married, her dowry had to be satisfactory!

She would find time to discuss it with her son…

The family was talking when a message arrived at the gate: The Eastern Palace had sent gifts!

The Wen family was shocked again. Wen Qian led the men to the front to welcome the visitors.

Old Madam quickly led the women to get ready…

This time, the visitors included a steward from the Eastern Palace, the palace maid Qiu’er who served Consort Jiang… and a cart full of gifts.

The Crown Prince heard the Crown Grandson talk about Wen Yu and didn’t say much. He instructed the Crown Grandson to directly take gifts from the storeroom to reward her.

Jiang Pinting also sent a large pile of gifts.

The Crown Princess saw the Crown Prince sending people to get gifts from the storeroom to reward someone, and she didn’t understand why. She wanted to ask the Crown Princess Consort for the reason.

But the Crown Princess Consort was still shaken from the earlier incident and had already retreated to the side. So the Crown Princess didn’t bother asking…

Wen Feng spent a lot of money to send the people from the palace away.

The family gathered around the gifts, their emotions overflowing.

Among them was a paper box that Qiu’er handed to Wen Yu, containing several books.

Consort Jiang said these were good books she had read in recent years, and they even had her annotations on them!

They were specifically given to Wen Yu… clearly showing her favor.

Old Madam Wen carefully examined them and solemnly handed them to Wen Yu. She instructed her: “Don’t lose them, and don’t get them dirty. Read them carefully and ponder them well. Next time the Consort asks you about them, don’t be clueless!”

Wen Jiao came up to Wen Yu and pleaded: “Eldest Sister, next time you go to see Sister Pinting, take me with you! I’m also very familiar with Sister Pinting!”

Wu Shi looked at Wen Yu with no resentment, her face full of smiles.

Yuan Xi Jun looked at Wen Yu, who was surrounded by everyone like the moon surrounded by stars.

She didn’t dare to look at her husband, afraid of seeing affirmation and appreciation in his eyes… and comparison.

This feeling of failure and helplessness was something she had experienced when her husband married Chen Shi.

Old Madam Wen wasn’t tired at all, her spirit was high: “At the Eastern Palace, I also saw Second Madam Jiang. She said she would send an invitation as soon as she got home, inviting our whole family to visit tomorrow! Madam Xu, who is close to her, is also from our area, just over a hundred miles away, close to the Song family. Maybe Shang’er’s mother knows her. They’re all from the same place! In the capital, we have to stick together!”

Wen Yu obediently agreed, glancing at everyone subtly.

Wen Qian didn’t say anything, his expression deep and warm. He was very satisfied with today’s events!

Wen Feng was so happy that he laughed from time to time.

Feng Ge’er nodded every time Old Madam said something.

Even Wu Shi, who had been keeping a low profile for a while, had a bright expression on her face.

The three Wen Jiao sisters had probably already imagined the benefits they would receive from the Consort in the future.

As for Wen Huan… she was fiddling with her handkerchief with her head lowered, her expression unreadable.

Yuan Xi Jun, who had been calm before, now had an ashen face… It seemed she was truly affected.

The imperial family that you all yearn for and try so hard to enter, Jiang Pinting doesn’t even want to be a part of!

This is the difference between high and low!

Sometimes, death is not scary, what’s scary is repeated failure, rejection, and abandonment…