A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 121

Chapter 121
Madam Qi’s motorcade arrived at the west side of the city.

The Qi family’s large courtyard was located in a quiet area amidst the hustle and bustle, with high gray walls so extensive that one corner couldn’t be seen from another.

The vermillion gate, with large stone lions flanking the entrance, exuded an air of wealth and grandeur.

The motorcade drove directly to the side gate closer to the inner quarters, where many servants were already waiting to greet them.

Her eldest daughter-in-law, Xu Minghui, stood at the front of the group.

“Mother!” Xu Shi bowed slightly, a faint smile on her face.

“Yes. Is Qi Xiao back?” Madam Qi asked with a light smile.

Looking at her eldest daughter-in-law before her, with her thin, arched eyebrows, upturned phoenix eyes, bright red lips, and oval face… she was indeed beautiful.

But in Madam Qi’s mind, Wen Yu’s calm and graceful eyes appeared…

“My husband wrote that he was delayed by something and would be back in a few days.”

“Oh. Where’s Bao’er?”

Xu Shi forced a wide, sweet smile, but her eyes were cold, “Bao’er’s grandmother missed her, so I took her back to my parents’ house a few days ago. My mother insisted on keeping her for a day. But, after she stayed, she wouldn’t let her come back!” She dramatically dabbed at her mouth with a handkerchief, then looked around, “Mother, where’s Cousin?”

She was asking about Yuanyuan.

“Her father picked her up at the city gate.”

“Oh, I really envy Yuanyuan. She’s so young, yet she’s traveled to so many places. And so many people cherish her like a precious jewel… Blood is thicker than water after all. My mother, she misses Bao’er terribly after not seeing her for just over ten days. My uncle hasn’t seen Yuanyuan for almost half a year, he must miss her terribly.”

Was she implying that I haven’t cared for my granddaughter for half a year, don’t miss Bao’er, and instead took someone else on so many trips?

But Madam Qi was helpless against this tactic. If Xu Shi had found fault with something else, she would have retorted without hesitation.

But if it involved her granddaughter… how could she not miss her after being away for so long?

She treated Yuanyuan so well, how could she not treat her own granddaughter well?

“I brought some toys for Bao’er, send them to her room later.”

“Thank you, Mother. Bao’er is younger than Yuanyuan, she doesn’t know how to play much yet. You don’t need to prepare anything special. Later, just give her one or two of Yuanyuan’s discarded toys. Bao’er is quite picky too, what if she… then Mother’s kind intentions would be wasted.”

I really don’t like coming back here…

Madam Qi felt a sense of despair, thinking of the harmonious and warm atmosphere when she was with Wen Yu. She sighed, “Fortunately, there’s something to look forward to. It’ll be better once Wen Yu enters the household.”

So, she remained silent.

“Mother, where’s Fifth Uncle?” Xu Minghui asked again.

“He had an urgent matter to attend to first and will be back soon.”

“Really?! It must be very, very urgent. Otherwise, Grandmother would be waiting for nothing!”

Madam Qi stopped, “I haven’t had a proper bath or change of clothes for days because I rushed back. I’ll go back to my room first. You can tell Old Madam for me… tell her that I’m fine.”

“But Mother, Grandmother has been waiting in her room…”

Madam Qi’s gaze turned cold and heavy, “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

Xu Shi’s face flushed red. She pursed her lips and lowered her eyes.

“Hmph!” Madam Qi couldn’t hold back any longer. She flung her sleeves and left.

Do I have to see that old hag as soon as I walk in the door?

I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist slapping her!

Seeing Madam Qi leave like that, Xu Shi felt embarrassed and humiliated, angrily clutching her handkerchief. After a long while, she let out a cold laugh and headed towards Old Madam’s room.

✿✿✿

Wen Qian received a letter from home. After reading it, his brows furrowed…

He quickly assessed the pros and cons, and in the end, he let out a sigh. He excused himself from those around him and took the letter home.

Yuan Shi was surprised to see him back, “Why is Master Wen back so early?”

On his way back, Wen Qian had calmed down considerably. At this point, continuing forward carried uncertain risks, but stopping… might cause even more trouble. He would inquire about the Qi family first.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it? You’re being so serious. Tell me…” Yuan Shi poured her husband a cup of tea, then took a sip of her own, appearing very relaxed.

Since their arrival in the capital, Wen Qian’s official duties had been going smoothly. She had accompanied her husband to social gatherings and made a few good friends among the madams. Their path upwards was slowly opening, and they had received invitations from respectable families.

Household matters were also on track.

She had decorated the front study, Old Madam’s courtyard, and Wu Shi’s courtyard according to her husband’s preferences.

However, she had entrusted Wen Huan with the courtyards of the daughters. After all this time and effort, Wen Huan had made great progress. She was organized and had an air of authority in her commands.

✿✿✿

And so, there was another piece of good news. Her new friend, Madam Li, was the wife of Grand Secretary Li’s brother’s legitimate son, Li Qi. He was seventeen this year and already a Xiucai. Due to his focus on his studies, he had not yet been engaged.

Madam Li was very fond of Wen Huan and intended to matchmake them… Judging by her demeanor, she was quite confident about it!

Everything had been going well since their arrival in the capital.

“What’s the matter, Master Wen?! I’m listening!”

Wen Qian said, “Mother wrote that she has arranged a marriage for Wen Yu.”

Yuan Shi’s smile faded slightly, “It’s about time for Eldest Miss to be engaged. Is it the Zhang family?”

“No. It’s the legitimate fifth son of the Zhenyuan Marquis Residence in the capital, the Qi family.”

Yuan Shi blinked, “With who?!”

✿✿✿

“With who?”

The crystal ball in the man’s hand “clanged” as it was tossed onto the table, rolling twice before falling towards the floor.

Qi Wu quickly caught it and placed it back on the table.

He silently looked at the man before him, the current Crown Prince, Zhao Qihuan.

Years ago, he had saved his life. Now, he had pledged his life to him.

“Speak!”

Qi Wu sighed. His Highness didn’t know about his engagement, which was arranged after his return. Because the people he had sent to follow him had all sent back messages.

So, he only knew that he had been tricked by the Qin family…

“Your Highness, it was arranged right before I returned. It happened like this…”

Zhao Qihuan cast a stern glance towards the window… Someone was trembling by the window…

He lazily interrupted Qi Wu, “Tell me, Qi Xiao Wu, how could your heart change so easily?! Fickle and ungrateful. This isn’t the Qi Xiao Wu I know! I didn’t realize you were such a womanizer!”

Qi Wu couldn’t respond to that.

“Initially, I was thinking about how to break off the engagement between the Jiang and Qin families, and how to… uh, help you get her back! But you changed your mind…”

“Your Highness, the engagement is with the eldest daughter of the Wen family in Jiangzhou, Miss Wen. Her father, Wen Qian, has just been transferred to the capital and appointed…”

“Alright… just a country bumpkin.” The Crown Prince sneered, “Have you met her?”

“I have met her a few times.” Qi Wu knew he had to be honest, otherwise it would be the start of even bigger trouble.

“Oh! A few times… you actually went on blind dates! A man and a woman alone, meeting ‘a few times’? One can easily deduce that she’s not a woman who follows the rules!”

Qi Wu couldn’t argue… he could only listen.

Then, the Crown Prince muttered something under his breath, who knows what he said, and asked with a sideways glance, “How does this country bumpkin look?

“Your Highness!” Qi Wu became serious; otherwise, the conversation would never end. “As you know, Mother’s intention for my return this time was to arrange my marriage.”

He rolled his eyes, “Then tell me, how does her appearance compare to Qin Dongshi?” He took a sip from his cup and asked in a drawn-out tone.

“…The main reason Mother chose her was…” Qi Wu cut to the chase and recounted the incident of rescuing Yuanyuan.

The Crown Prince listened attentively. His face darkened for a while, then he snorted and turned to look at Qi Wu, “Couldn’t this whole thing have been orchestrated by this country bumpkin?! Maybe she saw you somewhere and knew that Madam Qi wanted to arrange a marriage for you. So, she set up this whole scheme to get closer to Madam Qi. And then, you know…”

He raised his eyebrows, his eyes gleaming, his whole demeanor suddenly transformed.

But Qi Wu didn’t want to continue this line of conversation. He directly took out the package, “Your Highness, please take a look at this… I had someone send back a portion earlier, afraid it wouldn’t be safe. I’ve been carrying these on me.”

The Crown Prince glared at him, took the package, and began flipping through the pages one by one.

This time, his frivolous expression vanished, replaced by a serious and focused look…

Sorry, I’m even later tonight.

I was about to sleep last night when I saw the earthquake videos, and then I couldn’t fall asleep.

It’s so cold! Why do disasters always have to happen at the most difficult times…