A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 108

Chapter 108
The Wen and Qi families were both sincere, so things went exceptionally smoothly.

Suddenly one day, Zhang Moqing came to find Wen Yu, saying that she wanted to go together to see the things that needed to be prepared…

Wu Shi couldn’t control her jealousy when she saw Zhang Moqing.

In the future, the two of them would be sisters-in-law! Were they already forming a clique?

She didn’t even think about it: their relationship had been good before, and naturally, they would be in the same trench in the future, so of course they would stick together.

Wen Yu and Zhang Weiqing came out and got into the carriage.

Zhang Weiqing said, “Ah Yu, actually it was Jiang Qing who was looking for you, about Master Qing.”

“Really? Where?” Wen Yu was very excited.

“I don’t know the details, but he said she was bought by someone surnamed Tian. Jiang Qing sent people to follow them and wanted to buy her back, even offering a high price, but that person refused. Jiang Qing rushed over himself! He asked me to come and get you.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the Tian residence!”

As the carriage moved forward, Wen Yu and Zhang Moqing smiled at each other.

“I didn’t expect that we would end up being related like this. Ah Yu, I’m quite happy. To be honest, I’m actually a bit nervous about marrying into the Qi family.”

“I don’t know much about the Qi family’s affairs. But from what I’ve observed, Madam Qi is a woman of strong emotions, she loves and hates fiercely. She doesn’t have the roundabout ways of a high-ranking noble lady. Fourth Young Master Qi rescued me a few days ago and arranged for me to go home. He gave me the impression of a humble gentleman, someone who handles things with care. He’s favored by Madam Qi, and Fifth Young Master Qi trusts him a lot.”

“Hearing you say that, I feel relieved. I initially felt that there was a difference in our families’ social status, and the Qi family has quite a few brothers, and he’s born of a concubine, so I didn’t know what I might encounter. We’ve been good friends in our young ladies’ chambers. Now, we’ll be good sisters for life!”

“Yes, we’ll help each other and live good lives!”

“Mm.”

When they arrived at the Tian residence, before getting out of the carriage, Zhang Moqing took out two face veils and gave one to Wen Yu.

Two people were standing at the entrance of the Tian residence. Seeing Wen Yu and Zhang Moqing arrive, they hurried inside to call Zhang Jiangqing.

Zhang Jiangqing came out in a hurry. “Ah Yu!”

“Jiangqing Ge, how did it go?”

Zhang Jiangqing’s expression was a bit agitated when he saw Wen Yu, but he quickly composed himself.

“Things are a bit urgent, that’s why I asked Moqing to call you! This Tian fellow, someone in his family holds an official position in the capital, so he’s a bit difficult to deal with. Seeing that I came, he didn’t throw a tantrum, but no matter what I said, he wouldn’t budge.”

“I have silver with me, wouldn’t even offering more work?”

“I mentioned it, but he wouldn’t take the bait… Master Qing was tied up by him! The Liu family wanted to sell her, and Master Qing attempted suicide.”

“…” Wen Yu was speechless.

“Boss Liu died a few days ago. While his family is holding the funeral, they want to sell Master Qing. The intermediary we found out about it and immediately informed me.”

Wen Yu blinked nervously.

“I arranged for someone to go and buy her, and the price we offered wasn’t low, but the Liu family insisted on seeing the buyer. After seeing him, they still refused to sell. They wouldn’t say why. After some back and forth, we found out that the Liu family actually wanted to sell her to a brothel.

But the brothel thought she was too old and wouldn’t offer a high price. The Liu family is greedy for money and doesn’t want her to have a good life.”

“This Tian fellow, he likes to drink, and after drinking, he beats his wife, it’s a terrible mess. He’s already married twice, beat one to death, and the other hanged herself. He has some backing, so nothing happened to him. But no one wants to marry him anymore.

I don’t know where he heard that Master Qing is beautiful and a skilled seamstress, so he went to buy her. And the Liu family actually sold her. When he was leaving with Master Qing, my people went up to him and wanted to buy her back. The price we offered was double, but the more we offered, the more stubborn he became!”

Silver doesn’t work… Wen Yu thought for a moment, then suddenly called out, “Li Jiang, quickly go to Fifth Cousin Song’s residence. If he’s not there, find the steward and tell him I need four jars of: Cloud in the Mist. Reassure the steward that I’ll personally explain to my cousin later. Go quickly and come back quickly.”

Song Shang loves to drink, and he’s a good drinker. Every residence of his has good wine stored.

Like this “Cloud in the Mist,” it’s not something you can buy with just silver.

This Tian fellow, doesn’t he like to drink? If he doesn’t want silver, would he refuse wine?

“The people I arranged are still chatting with him. This person…” Even Zhang Jiangqing’s good temper was strained, his brow furrowed in anger.

“Don’t be angry, it’s not worth getting worked up over him, we just need to find a way to resolve this!”

“Mm. Ah Yu Meimei, I heard that you had an accident on your way back, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, but the maid beside me was injured.”

“Thank goodness!”

Seeing this scene, Zhang Moqing pretended to retrieve something and turned back to the carriage, giving the two of them a chance to talk.

“Ah Yu Meimei, I’ve met Fifth Young Master Qi twice. He’s not only handsome but also well-mannered. I haven’t heard of any bad behavior from him. With such a husband, you’ll be happy for life.”

“Jiangqing Ge, you’re the brother and friend I cherish most in this life. Madam Zhang, Xiao Mei, Moqing, I remember all your kindness to me!”

“I… although I have limited abilities and no power, if you have anything you need me to do, don’t hesitate to ask!” Thinking of the happiness that should have been hers, but had slipped away, he felt truly awful.

✿✿✿

“Thank you, Jiangqing Ge!”

At this moment, someone emerged from the courtyard, a young man of only sixteen or seventeen, quite thin, with a frivolous expression and a face full of anger.

Zhang Jiangqing asked, “Still no progress?!”

The young man said angrily, “I just need to break his legs!”

“Shaojie!”

The young man only then realized that there were girls present. “I’ve talked to him over and over again, but he just won’t budge. The silver we offered is enough for him to marry a young maiden!”

“Shaojie!” Zhang Jiangqing’s face darkened in displeasure.

The young man named Shaojie chuckled, “I’m so angry. I’ve never met someone so stubborn! He’s spitting in the face of kindness!”

“I’ll go in and have another look. Ah Yu Meimei, why don’t you two go back to the carriage and wait!”

Wen Yu nodded, and the two of them went back inside.

Zhang Jiangqing went in, and the surnamed Tian was quite polite, but he kept talking about how he had already lost two wives and how unlucky he was. Although it wasn’t his fault, it would be difficult for him to marry again.

He had heard about this Master Qing for a long time, and his family needed someone capable like her to manage the household. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to live… and so on.

The group chattered for a while longer…

Suddenly, a woman’s voice came from the entrance of the main hall, “Jiangqing Ge, haven’t you reached an agreement yet?”

Everyone turned their heads. Several people entered through the doorway, led by a woman wearing a face veil and a cloak, her features obscured. One could only sense how beautiful her eyes were and how pleasant her voice sounded.

Seeing Wen Yu enter, Zhang Jiangqing quickly stood up, “Why did you come in?”

Wen Yu replied, “Seeing that you hadn’t come out for so long, I wanted to see how things were going. Is this Mr. Tian, who bought Master Qing?”

Seeing Wen Yu, although his heart was filled with desire, the surnamed Tian didn’t dare to be too presumptuous, after all, Zhang Jiangqing wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

“Miss, what can I do for you!” The young lady had addressed him as “Mister,” so he made an effort to appear refined.

“Mr. Tian, it’s like this. This Master Qing is my seamstress. I was thinking of offering you some more silver to buy her back. Would that be alright!?”

“Oh, if the young lady has spoken, I shouldn’t refuse you, but, this…”

“Mr. Tian, I’ve heard most of what you’ve said. Your family is wealthy, and you don’t lack silver. But, as a connoisseur of fine wine, wouldn’t you appreciate a good drink? I want to offer these four jars of wine as a token of my sincerity.”

The chubby maid and another man, each held two small jars in their hands.

As soon as he heard about wine, the surnamed Tian’s lips started to twitch, his eyes involuntarily darting around. Such small jars?! How much could they possibly hold? Who were they trying to fool?

But these bottles, they looked quite exquisite…

Pretentious!

Wen Yu smiled, “This wine, I got it from my relative’s steward while he was away. If he were here, he probably wouldn’t have given it to me. It’s closely guarded, it’s called something like: Cloud in the Mist. What kind of wine has such a name? Would you like to take a look!?”

“Hehe, Miss, I’ve tasted many fine wines from all over the world, ordinary ones wouldn’t catch my eye…” He put on an air of someone who had seen and tasted it all.

“Take a look first!” Wen Yu took a bottle from Xiao Ji’s hand, but suddenly her hand slipped, and the jar of wine fell with a crash, the bottle shattered, and the wine spilled all over the floor…

“Oh no! My hand slipped…”

Before Wen Yu could finish her sentence, a rich, deep aroma filled the entire living room.

The surnamed Tian felt the fragrance of the wine go straight to his head through his face, nose, and ears, making him feel dizzy. Uncontrollably, he took a deep breath.

So fragrant!

Such good wine!

He lunged towards Wen Yu in two steps. Zhang Jiangqing’s face darkened, “What are you doing?” He stepped forward, shielding Wen Yu.

But the surnamed Tian ignored him and went straight to the floor, sniffing and carefully examining. He found a thin layer of golden liquid at the bottom of an unbroken bottle, slightly viscous.

Unashamed, he picked it up, holding it in one hand and supporting it with the other, carefully bringing it to his lips and taking a small sip.

He felt the mellow warmth of the wine go down his throat… and permeate his entire body.

Heavens! So satisfying.

He had been drinking for twenty or thirty years, but he had never experienced such a feeling before.

Such good wine, wasted by this damned woman, what a terrible waste!

Such a sin!

If she were his wife, he would beat her to death!

He finished the last drops at the bottom of the bottle, his craving for alcohol fully ignited.

Then, he saw that woman reaching for another bottle from the chubby maid’s hand. “What’s with this, it’s so heavy and slippery, it startled me! It almost hit my foot…”

Why didn’t it crush you to death! “Stop! Stop! My lady, please don’t reach out anymore!” The surnamed Tian shouted…