A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 174

Chapter 174: You and Me

Yuanyuan finally remembered that she had been kidnapped by child traffickers before.

She was just like the people of the Cui family, straightforward and simple.

Although she was scared and cried at that time.

But later, Wen Yu coaxed her and she was fine. So much so that she didn’t feel anything, it was even like an adventure!

Reminded by Tan Shi, she wanted to show off her “glorious experience”!

“There’s nothing to be afraid of child traffickers, Yuanyuan was at…” She was just about to say…

“Old Madam Qi! Under Emperor Yongde’s rule, it is a time of peace and prosperity. It happens to be the Lantern Festival, the Emperor is celebrating with the people. The capital is decorated with lanterns everywhere, showing the peace and prosperity of the world. How could there be any child traffickers?”

County Princess Huiyi stood there and said unhurriedly, her voice not low.

“…” Everyone was stunned for a moment, how did the conversation get here?

“Moreover, she is my daughter! How could those evil and dirty people get close to her?!”

Tan Shi’s heart skipped a beat, oh no, how could I be so loose-lipped?

Did Qi Shi really tell County Princess Huiyi about this?!

She reacted very quickly and said with a light smile: “County Princess Huiyi, what I said was just a folk saying to tease children. Why are you so nervous?!”

The people beside them also thought that County Princess Huiyi was making a fuss. After all, Old Madam Qi was still County Princess Huiyi’s elder, this was very impolite.

An old lady, whose status was not low, said directly: “Yes! Everyone is just joking during the New Year! Fourth Madam Cui, don’t be anxious. Sit down quickly!”

Huiyi ignored them: “Maybe because Old Madam Qi came from a humble background, she experienced many such things when she was young, and the impression was deep… So that after so many years, what she thinks, thinks, and says is still those…”

Tan Shi was extremely embarrassed, she quietly glanced at the people beside her, covered her nose with a handkerchief… looking like she didn’t know what to do.

“Alright, County Princess Huiyi! It’s New Year’s Eve, and we are at the Qi residence! You should at least restrain your temper!” The old lady spoke up for her again.

“Oh, right! We are at the Qi residence. If I’m not allowed to speak, I’ll leave! Yuanyuan, come on, let’s take your father home!”

After saying that, she took Yuanyuan and swaggered out.

Bao’er was saying to Yuanyuan: “Auntie, take Bao’er with you when you go out to see the lanterns!” Her mother said she couldn’t go out.

Her words were very discouraging.

Tan Shi wished she could slap her too.

As County Princess Huiyi passed by Madam Qi, she said to her: “Third Sister, no matter what, I shouldn’t have made a scene here today. I apologize to you. If my brother-in-law blames me later, please convey a message for me: Filial piety doesn’t mean that whoever provides milk is the mother! If he’s not convinced, I, the Cui family, will take it on!”

Those who heard it looked at each other, how did the conversation get here?

The Qi family and the Cui family… what happened?

The older ones knew that this Tan Shi came from a humble background. But the younger ones didn’t know, they were inquiring with their eyes, and those who liked to gossip whispered a few words.

Once someone started, more people started talking. For a while, it seemed like everyone was whispering.

Tan Shi regretted it immensely and felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

Finally, someone smoothed things over, “This year’s lanterns are displayed all the way from Middle Street to Houhai! The city defense troops are all out. One is to prevent crowding, and the other is to prevent fire hazards.”

Someone else said: “Fireworks are being set off at Houhai, and the nearby tall buildings have been booked long ago. Which family booked them?”

“The price is ridiculously high! And you can’t even book them!”

The matter was thus glossed over.

Even though many people tried to smooth things over… Tan Shi still had to endure the whole night.

After everyone left, Tan Shi returned to her room, trembling all over from suppressing her anger, and barely managed to keep herself from sweeping the things on the table to the floor!

Even Qi Youyi heard something and wanted to comfort her, but she didn’t even see him!! She didn’t even have the mood to instigate anything…

She sat alone under the lamp with her eyes closed…

What does this mean to me?

I crawled out of hell, what haven’t I been through?

Don’t be angry, don’t be angry…

Do everything I can, whoever laughs last, laughs best!

After a long time, she finally calmed down and wrote a letter under the lamp.

She came out and called: “Call Old Woman Zhou from the second gate!”

When she entered the Qi family, she didn’t have a single person of her own.

Although those around her now were all her trusted confidantes, no one knew her deepest secret!

After a while, Old Woman Zhou from the second gate came. Tan Shi handed her a letter, “Deliver this letter.”

She didn’t say the address, but Old Woman Zhou knew.

Early the next morning, Old Woman Zhou went out, hired a small donkey cart, and after traveling for half a day, arrived at Fanghua Temple on the outskirts of the capital.

The old woman went straight to Wanqi Courtyard.

This place was for wealthy people to stay when they came to burn incense.

Old Woman Zhou handed over the letter, asked if there was a letter for her, and then came back.

After a while, a person came out from here, entered the city, and finally stopped at the gate of a large mansion, asking someone to report inside. After a while, a person came out and took the letter.

That person then returned to the temple.

It wasn’t until evening that the owner of this mansion returned. This person’s surname was Zhou, he was nearly seventy years old and had already retired from official service.

But he was a special figure in the capital, with connections everywhere. He could help people do many big things…

The servant handed him the letter.

✿✿✿

Opening it and taking a look, he frowned: She wants me to deal with the Cui family? Deal with County Princess Huiyi?

Is she crazy?

Does she think I can deal with whoever I want?

Moreover, what good would it do me to deal with them?

I helped her once, and it’s not enough? This ungrateful thing!

He burned the letter on the fire and ignored it.

Sitting there, he thought to himself: I just met with Prince Wu, and recently there were two things that were about to be finalized, but they inexplicably fell through…

Where did it go wrong?

✿✿✿

On the evening of the fifteenth, Qi Wu, urged by Madam Qi, arrived at Wen Yu’s small courtyard.

There were also many lanterns lit in the small courtyard, some were bought as blanks, and the girls decorated them. Master Qing said that two uniquely shaped ones were made by her nephew. Consort Jiang also sent people to deliver lanterns.

During the New Year, the girls didn’t rest much. Today it was chaotic outside, Master Qing didn’t let them go out to play, so they decorated the courtyard.

After a while, Wen Yu would go out, and they would drink and play guessing games in the courtyard.

Wen Yu asked Qi Wu: “Are you free today?”

“There are always things to do. But there are many people on the street today, my mother is worried about you, so she asked me to accompany you…”

The Qi Wu in front of her was fair as jade, with eyes like stars. His outstanding figure, and dressed so flamboyantly…

“You should wear a mask?!”

“What mask?”

Wen Yu took out several masks made of kraft paper, with painted faces, revealing only the eyes and mouth.

Each one was different…

“You don’t know about masks? Haven’t you worn one before?” Wen Yu thought about the time he chased her wearing a mask, “Hmph, you almost scared me to death…”

“You weren’t scared at all, you even bit me. Hmph!” Qi Wu also snorted.

At that time, how could they have imagined that they would be facing each other like this…

They both felt the magic of fate at the same time, and also some strange feelings…

“I was doing something and I was afraid of being recognized, so I wore it.” Qi Wu thought to himself: I’m not doing anything now, what’s there to be afraid of.

“There are many girls going out to see the lanterns today, you walking around in the crowd like this, I’m afraid it will cause a commotion! In my opinion, you should wear this one, the one with a beard, it looks more rugged and imposing!”

“You think I’m not imposing?” Qi Wu asked casually.

This made Wen Yu blush, and she didn’t know how to answer.

“Try it on?”

“Alright!” Qi Wu didn’t care.

Wen Yu walked behind Qi Wu.

But he was too tall, she couldn’t reach him.

“Squat down!” Wen Yu didn’t even notice that her tone was a little tender.

Qi Wu felt that squatting like this was not elegant, so he took a few steps and sat down on a chair.

Wen Yu followed him and carefully put the mask on his face, then tied the strap behind his head, “Alright, let me see!”

Qi Wu wanted to tease her, so he struck a very imposing pose: “How is it?”

Wen Yu was amused, “Very good, very good!”

Qi Wu looked at her and said: “In my opinion, your appearance is even more likely to cause a commotion! You should also wear one. Yan Zhu, bring them here for me to see!”

Yan Zhu came over, “Ah Yu, you should wear this one, the one with flower decorations on the forehead and cheeks, right?”

Qi Wu said: “Wear this one? Then what’s the difference between wearing it and not wearing it?! It will still cause a commotion, this one for the chubby little girl is very good. People will only glance at it and won’t look at it a second time. It’s safe.”

Wen Yu blushed slightly. Did he mean that I am good-looking?

I am indeed good-looking!

She felt a little smug inside.

“Sit down!” Qi Wu pointed to the chair.

Wen Yu obediently sat down.

Qi Wu was not as nimble as she was, he leaned forward first, saw the position of her eyes clearly, and then carefully pressed the mask lightly on her face.

Looking at her white and slender neck, he was nervous to death, afraid of hurting her with his hands, it took him a long time… to tie it up.

Then, he walked around to the front, took a closer look, and nodded: “This is very good!”

Although she didn’t look as good, it was safe.

Yan Zhu was watching from the side, oh my, they were so lovey-dovey, how nice…