A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Wen Yu returned to her room, and Xiao Ji noticed that Laba hadn’t come back yet.

She asked, “Miss, where’s Laba?”

“I sent her to take care of something. She’ll be back soon.”

“You must be exhausted today, Miss.”

“A little.” Wen Yu didn’t speak much; she was indeed tired.

Xiao Ji didn’t ask further and prepared hot water for her to wash up quietly.

Qing He helped Wen Yu change into her nightclothes, remove her jewelry, and let down her hair. Her movements were graceful, and her steps were precise. She had been very diligent in her work recently.

Hong Xing seemed to have something on her mind, but she was well-behaved, doing what she was supposed to do.

Qing He hoped that she would talk about the things in the palace, especially whether she had seen Fifth Young Master Qi…

But Wen Yu didn’t speak much to either of them.

The two maids were doing things she used to do herself, so she wasn’t picky.

In any case, she would never consider them her confidantes.

However, the Qi family had many members and a complicated situation. She had to prepare some staff before marrying into the family.

Oh, I forgot to ask, how long can I keep Laba?

She’s so useful, please don’t take her back!

After washing up, she opened the book given by Jiang Pinting. Scenes of the three of them together when they were young came to mind.

Laba returned very late and quietly told her the whole messy story.

Wen Yu felt no emotion about Zhang Jinjin’s miserable fate. Such a person deserved it!

And Jinzi from the Duke Xingguo’s Residence…foolish and lustful, yet bold and reckless, quite useful. Keep an eye on him…

“Laba, you did a good job today. Take two days off!” Wen Yu yawned, “Tomorrow morning, I’ll find some things for you. Then you can go to Zhuzhu’s place to get some more and go back to see your martial brothers!”

Laba happily agreed.

The next day, Wen Yu found some things in her small storeroom and gave Laba some silver. She also wrote letters to Yan Zhu and Master Qing, asking them to prepare some things for Laba.

Laba didn’t hold back, loading two carts full of things and returning directly to her base.

She was triumphant, with a touch of returning home in glory.

Her martial brothers and sisters at home were surprised. The things she brought back were gone in a blink of an eye.

As soon as “Fifteen” entered the door, he saw the chaotic scene inside, and upon closer inspection, it was that damned girl Laba again!

He reached for a stick, ready to strike. But he didn’t expect to grab a beautiful purple clay teapot with his outstretched hand.

Fifteen had no hobbies, except for a slight interest in drinking tea. Tea drinking, of course, required utensils, and seeing the teapot in his hand…he really loved it. He coughed, “Alright! That’s enough!”

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, he walked away with his hands behind his back.

Everyone surrounded Laba, expressing their good impression of her master.

The Crown Prince had no idea that several of his most trusted agents had been won over by Wen Yu, whom he looked down upon, with a few trinkets!

…

The Jiang family invited the Wen family the next day.

This time, the entire Wen family went, even Wu Shi and Li Shi, who was newly pregnant.

Yuan Xi Jun’s desire to use this opportunity to advance had faded, and she was afraid to go, but she had to.

She didn’t know what to say to her daughter beforehand. She saw that Wen Huan was dressed neatly but seemed distracted.

Old Madam Wen attached great importance to the Jiang family and personally went to the storeroom to prepare the gifts, making sure they were both appropriate and not too ostentatious.

On this day, both Old Master Jiang and Master Jiang were present, and they had ordered a banquet to be delivered from outside.

When Jiang Pinting’s mother saw Wen Yu, she was delighted and took her hand, looking her up and down.

✿✿✿

“Old Madam Wen, you’ve raised this granddaughter of yours so well!”

Old Madam Wen flattered her right back, “No matter how good she is, she’s not as good as our Lady! When I saw her yesterday, my goodness, that presence! Even in front of the Princesses, she was so composed and dignified, not inferior in the least!”

Wen Yu nodded, “Aunt Jiang, Grandmother is right! Pinting Jie’s grace truly makes me admire and appreciate her! But Jie also complimented me, saying that I’m not as rough around the edges as I used to be!”

Everyone present laughed!

Yuan Xi Jun was lost in the crowd of the Wen family, her status completely obscured. She felt awkward, with a slight smile on her face, and didn’t speak much.

Madam Jiang said, “Yu girl, you were innocent when you were young, not rough around the edges. Of course, you’re even better now, a beautiful young lady with a unique charm!”

Wu Shi complimented, “Sister-in-law Jiang, you are truly skilled at praising others! We wouldn’t even think of such words!”

Everyone burst into laughter again.

Madam Jiang said, “Sister Wu, your Jiao’er is also excellent! She seems to have a strong personality and won’t suffer after she gets married. Her father, Master Jiang, and I didn’t raise her as a delicate young lady! No matter the situation, one must be able to stand on her own two feet!”

Wen Jiao was very pleased to be praised. She even glanced at Wen Huan…

Wen Huan: “…” Secretly hating, what are you looking at me for?

Old Madam Wen nodded, “I completely agree with what you said! I’ve been strict with them, and Second Daughter-in-law still feels sorry for them. Now you understand why, right?” For so many years, it was her own strength that had brought them to where they were today.

Wu Shi quickly chimed in, “How could my vision compare to Mother’s? Haven’t I also improved?”

Another round of laughter…

Eldest Madam Jiang said to Old Madam Wen, “When we received Pinting’s letter, Master Jiang laughed! He had seen Fifth Young Master Qi before! He came back and said: ‘To be so handsome and so capable, it’s truly unfair!’ I said: ‘What’s unfair about it? It’s Heaven’s blessing for our dear Ah Yu!'”

Hearing this, Wen Huan regretted coming today!

Who was Old Madam Wen? She didn’t blush at all and continued, “You don’t know, the first time I saw him, I was also stunned! When they finally said he had chosen our Ah Yu, how could I believe it? I actually…” She paused and considered for a moment but decided not to mention her initial refusal of Madam Qi as a joke, as it might be twisted into something else if it spread.

The old lady was cunning and continued, “…thought they were playing a trick on me! My goodness, in the first half of my life, I’ve experienced quite a few twists and turns. This time, it’s also Heaven’s compassion for me!”

Wen Yu was deeply aware of Old Madam Wen’s shamelessness.

But her down-to-earth performance left a very good impression on the ladies of the Jiang family!

…

After leaving the Jiang Residence, Wen Yu slipped away, taking Xiao Ji with her to find Yan Zhu and tell her about Pinting.

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhu was overjoyed, “Oh my, Zhuzhu actually knows the Lady now. Ah Yu, next time you go see Lady Jiang, take Zhuzhu with you.”

“Okay, I’ll take you. Pinting asked about you too.”

“Really? Zhuzhu feels so important now! Ah Yu, have you noticed? We’re all experiencing good fortune.”

“Yes! And it will continue to be so in the future…”

The two of them reminisced about the past and looked forward to the future, filled with joy.

Back at the Wen Residence, Old Madam Wen immediately called Wen Qian over for a talk.

Yuan Xi Jun and Wen Huan sat alone.

“Mother, I truly hate her!” Wen Huan finally dropped her gentle and obedient facade, her face twisting with malice.

“Indeed! She makes us look so inadequate!” Yuan Xi Jun sighed.

She had been busy in the capital for half a year.

She had maintained relationships and gained a good reputation, earning her husband’s approval and praise.

But how long had Wen Yu been here?

She had already overshadowed her completely!

The Old Madam had already changed. If her husband also changed…

How could she not hate her?