A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Wen Huan returned after wandering around outside, having inquired about Prince Yongqing’s marriage and gathered all the details.

He even learned about Lady He’s appearance and personality.

He felt even more hopeful.

However, although he had a pleasant time that day, the timing was terrible.

No matter what, he wouldn’t arrange this matter before his wedding or for a period after…

After discussing with Yuan Shi, they both agreed: Be patient, don’t rush.

Old Madam Wen was discussing Wen Yu’s dowry with her two sons. She planned to give more!

Wen Shi’s brothers were not particularly attached to money now, so they nodded to whatever their mother said.

However, Wen Qian waited until Wen Feng left before saying, “Mother, there’s no need to make a fuss about this. You can handle it quietly!”

“What? Are you afraid Yuan Shi will find out?” Old Madam Wen became annoyed.

Wen Qian had once vowed: He wouldn’t care about Wen Yu or benefit from her.

But now, many people got to know him through Qi Wulang. The matters he handled went much smoother! It seemed that an early promotion was in sight.

Although he was happy, the feeling of thorns embedded in his flesh made him feel quite uncomfortable.

“Mother, I just don’t want any trouble.”

“Who dares to cause trouble? The family’s property was mainly earned by me! I can use it however I want. Discussing it with you two is because I value you. Does it matter if Yuan Shi knows or not? Did I interfere with how she uses her money?”

Old Madam Wen’s face was full of mockery.

“Mother…” Wen Qian was in a dilemma.

“Look at her all day long! Maybe she looks down on me in her heart!”

“Mother, how could that be?” Wen Qian was helpless…

“Hmph! I haven’t eaten from her, drank from her, or relied on her!” The old lady wanted to say more, but seeing her son’s expression, she sighed, “Forget it, forget it! When people get old, they just attract less annoyance! Let’s leave it at that!”

Wen Qian came out and stood outside the door, sighing. He and Yuan Shi shared similarities in their personalities, always: thinking more, saying less. Once they hid something and didn’t communicate, it became even harder to speak up.

That day, Old Madam Wen finally kept Wen Yu at home: “You, day in and day out, what are you busy with?!”

There was nothing to hide, so Wen Yu told the old lady about the shop.

Old Madam Wen was dumbfounded: Before she even entered the door, her mother-in-law started handing over family property? What was going on?

Tsk tsk tsk, this girl’s fate!

But, to open a shop, it wasn’t enough just to have a storefront. Renovating, hiring people, stocking goods, managing relationships, how much silver would that take?!

After asking for a long time, Wen Yu didn’t say anything and was still eager to go out.

The old lady thought for a long time and gave Wen Yu five thousand taels of silver.

Wen Yu sneered after receiving it… It was different when she had value to be used! …

Not long after the first lunar month passed, the Zhang family entered the capital.

Only Magistrate Zhang didn’t come, everyone else did.

Zhang’s elder brother attached great importance to marrying off his daughter and meticulously prepared her dowry.

The Zhang family didn’t have a residence in the capital and had long ago assigned their steward to rent a house in the capital. Zhang’s brothers had many classmates and friends in the capital who helped out, so the courtyard was quite presentable.

Old Madam Wen still felt a bit guilty towards the Zhang family. Wen Qian wanted to maintain the relationship even more.

Therefore, at this crucial moment, the Wen family also came to express their sincerity and sent people to help early on.

Now, the house inside and out was cleaned and tidy, everything was new, and even the firewood, rice, oil, and salt in the kitchen were fully stocked.

Wen Feng, along with his eldest son, went to the city gate to welcome them.

Madam Zhang heard about it as soon as she entered the door and was quite touched: The Wen family was on the rise and so prosperous, but they didn’t forget their old friends and thought of everything so thoughtfully. They were truly a respectable family…

If Wen Yu heard this, she would probably vomit blood in anger, right?!

After two days of good rest, the Wen family came to visit.

Zhang Jiangqing had lost a lot of weight, his round face had become long.

Zhang Moqing and Zhang Jinqing were very affectionate when they saw Wen Yu, pulling her aside and chatting non-stop. Wen Jiao and the others were also happy to see familiar faces.

Only Wen Huan put on airs, neither close nor distant, with a good demeanor.

After a long time of bustling, Wen Yu finally got the chance to talk to Zhang Jiangqing alone.

“Brother Jiangqing, are you alright?” Wen Yu looked at Zhang Jiangqing. After the long journey, even his stubble had turned into a short beard, how had he become so mature? She felt it was funny, but also felt sad.

“I’m fine. Younger Sister Ayu, you’ve lost weight.”

“I was just about to say that, you’ve lost weight too! You’ve become an adult all of a sudden!”

Zhang Jiangqing’s smile was no longer as innocent and sunny as before, but still warm: “Younger Sister Ayu, are you used to living in the capital?”

“Everything is very good. I’ve been busy opening a shop recently, running around all day, so I’ve lost some weight.”

“But your spirit seems good!”

“Yes. Brother Jiangqing… there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

✿✿✿

“Tell me.”

“It’s like this: I found an opportunity for you, see…” Wen Yu took out something and handed it to him.

Zhang Jiangqing took it and looked at it, surprised, his brows slightly furrowed.

“Where did you… from the Qi family?”

“It was obtained through Fifth Young Master Qi’s connections, but I don’t know much about the specifics. Brother Jiangqing, don’t rush to agree or refuse. I haven’t told anyone about this. I just want you to think it through before making a decision.”

“What do you mean by doing this…”

“Brother Jiangqing, I’ll be honest: Although I found this opportunity for you, it’s out of my own selfish motives.”

Zhang Jiangqing was a little surprised again and looked at Wen Yu.

“I have a lot to do, and most of my wishes are still unfulfilled. I need someone I can tell my worries to without any reservations. You are that person. However, this is unfair to you.”

“Ayu, this position!” Zhang Jiangqing shook the paper, “Even if you did it for your own benefit. But for anyone, this is a very good offer first. I don’t know how many people would long for it!”

“But you’re not just anyone! You’re my good brother, my good friend. Although this opportunity is good, if it’s not what you want in your heart, I won’t persuade you to stay.”

Zhang Jiangqing was lost in thought and couldn’t make a decision for a while.

“Go back and think about it. If you have any questions, you can come and ask me. We can also discuss it…”

“Alright. But… Ayu, when you talked about unfinished worries, there was a sense of heaviness. Can you tell me where it comes from?”

“Maybe I’ll tell you in the future. But now, I don’t know how to say it.”

“If you have anything you want to share, I’m afraid I’m really the best listener.”

“I know, I’ve always known.”

✿✿✿

While the adults were chatting happily, the girls slipped out.

Wen Huan saw at a glance that Zhang Jiangqing was talking to Wen Yu, and Zhang Jiangqing had put away a piece of paper.

“Oh, what are they talking about?”

Wen Jiao snorted coldly, “What’s it to you? Put away your little thoughts!”

Wen Huan was furious, “What thoughts do I have?”

Wen Jiao looked her up and down and turned away.

Wen Huan was so angry: Just you wait!

Zhang Jinqing ran over and pulled Wen Yu, asking about Yan Zhu.

“Zhuzhu is very busy recently, once you’ve settled in, I’ll take you to see her! Moqing, it just so happens I have something to tell you.”

Zhang Jinqing disagreed, “Older Sister Yu, you have to talk to me alone too!”

“Alright! I’ll talk to you alone, I have many good things to give you!”

Wen Yu first exchanged pleasantries with Zhang Moqing, then said, “…That Eldest Sister-in-Law from the Qi family, I met her once at the Cui family’s, she’s a muddleheaded one. I haven’t met Old Madam Qi yet, I heard she’s an old lady with a particularly good reputation, but it seems Madam Qi has a grudge against her.

Our marriage was decided by Madam Qi herself. It’s also been criticized to a certain extent within the family.”

Zhang Moqing listened very carefully.

“Wulang said that Fourth Brother is a sensible person. He can stand his ground in front of his aunt. So, you don’t have to worry about anything.”

Zhang Moqing nodded: “My family said that Fourth Young Master often comes over to help tidy up the courtyard. He also came these past two days and brought a lot of things. Father likes him a lot and says he’s reliable.”

“Hmm, I have a lot on my plate right now, I’m constantly busy.”

“If there’s anything I can help with, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Once you’ve settled in, there will be a lot of things I’ll need your help with!”

After a brief chat, they returned to the room. Old Madam Wen was excitedly telling Madam Zhang about Consort Jiang.

Madam Zhang was also happy after hearing it, “I’ve met Consort Jiang, but not many times. Later, when we went to Jiangzhou, she had already moved away with her grandfather and father.”

Zhang Moqing said to Wen Yu: “At that time, I was studying with Father at Songshan Academy, so I don’t have a deep impression of her either.”

But Zhang Jiangqing said happily, “I remember some things!”

“Let’s find a chance to visit her after everything is settled!”

But Old Madam Wen said, “Ayu, have you heard that Fifth Brother Song is now Loyal and Diligent Earl?”

“What Earl? I don’t know?! ” Wen Yu was surprised.

Old Madam Wen laughed loudly: “This, this Old Five, how clever he is! He got a noble title just like that!”

Madam Zhang also laughed: “Indeed, not bad! Using the title for his business! So many benefits!”

Everyone laughed…