A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 125

Chapter 125

After Li Jiang’s father left with the Qi family, Li Jiang took over all the matters.

Although he was long-winded and nagging, he was meticulous and reliable in handling matters. Every single task assigned by Wen Yu was successfully completed.

To bring Laba home, there had to be a plausible explanation. So, she sent him to find Zhang Jiangqing and get a contract of service.

Ah, Zhang Jiangqing is truly so useful! Wen Yu thought without any guilt: Going to the capital city without such a person would be inconvenient. I have to find a way to bring him along too…

Returning home, Wen Yu spoke to Wu Shi in a pleasant tone, explaining that this was her newly bought servant girl named Laba.

Wu Shi’s face was gloomy, and she pretended not to hear.

She sent people to investigate for half a day, only to find out that the courtyard was occupied by that Yan Zhu, who had also bought some young girls and hired masters to teach embroidery and dressmaking.

It seemed that she intended to open an embroidery house, but they found nothing else. After several days of futile effort, Wu Shi was in a very bad mood.

After Laba arrived home, Xiao Ji was responsible for explaining the people and affairs of the household. Then, Wen Yu secretly observed for two days. This Laba was more reliable in her work than her initial impression suggested.

Especially her ability to come and go without a trace. In just a couple of days, information was continuously reported to her…

The information she gathered was more discreet than Xiao Ji’s.

However, much of it was unnecessary for Wen Yu, such as the second steward and Li Baogui’s young wife whispering sweet nothings in the small house at the corner of the front courtyard…

Or Old Madam muttering to her servant girl before going to sleep: “Getting along with my eldest daughter-in-law after arriving in the capital city will be a real headache. Yuan Shi is full of schemes and strong-willed, and my son trusts her. If things go wrong, it will affect their mother-son relationship…”

After listening, Wen Yu chuckled to herself: “It’s not that Yuan Shi is difficult to deal with, it’s that your eldest son blindly trusts her! Besides, you two will definitely not get along because I won’t allow it.”

She also noticed that Hong Xing was particularly afraid of Laba… So, she asked Laba what was going on.

Laba scratched her head, “I don’t know. That day, I felt she was acting strange. I just glanced at her, and she almost cried…”

Although Laba appeared carefree and unassuming, she was, after all, trained in that kind of place. The hardships she endured were beyond mention, and she had taken several lives.

It was only because of her personality that she wasn’t given important tasks. But her foundation was there. Usually, her eyes were ordinary, but if her intuition sensed any movement, they would become sharp and fierce.

Hong Xing knew that Wen Yu was going to marry into a high-ranking family. After some hesitation, she had rekindled her hope. Therefore, her recent behavior had been well-behaved, observant, willing to work, and she no longer wandered around.

But Wen Yu bringing Laba back and their close relationship had dashed Hong Xing’s hopes.

The young Miss would definitely not favor her anymore.

In the future, when she gets married, she wouldn’t take her along… At most, before leaving to get married, the mistress of the house would casually point to someone, give her some dowry, and send her away. Just like Xiangshu…

But how many years had she been by her side? Even if there were no merits, there were still hardships she endured. Why should this be the outcome?

Moreover, she hadn’t followed Nurse Xu’s instructions. How could Eldest Madam find a good place for her? Wouldn’t it be the most miserable outcome?!

So, she started pondering how to take action, how to do things successfully without being suspected…

Then, she observed Wen Yu’s every move, imagining all sorts of possibilities…

Laba sensitively picked up on this aura, but she didn’t know what was going on in Hong Xing’s mind. She just stared at her intently.

Hong Xing felt as if the girl’s gaze was like a knife, piercing through her, and she was instantly petrified.

✿✿✿

That day, Wen Yu received a letter from Song Shang.

It contained only a few short words:

“The matter has been settled, it wasn’t easy! Send to the capital city, don’t inquire too much!! Tell your people to behave themselves for me!!”

His tone was impatient, filled with anger even in writing!

Ah?! Master Qing’s matter has been settled?!

Wen Yu’s heart pounded. Although it was just a few short words, she could sense the difficulty involved. What was Master Qing’s background? How come both the uncle and niece are such extraordinary figures?!

She asked Xiao Ji to find Li Jiang and send Master Qing a message to reassure her.

However, she didn’t expect Li Jiang to send a message first.

Wen Yu read it and replied with a few words…

After a while, Nurse Song came to invite her, “Eldest Miss, Old Madam requests your presence.”

“Laba, come with me!”

Wen Yu arrived at Old Madam’s room with Laba. Wu Shi was sitting there, her face full of anger. Even Wen Jiao was there, seemingly intending to watch the fun.

Among Wen family’s daughters, Wen Wan, who used to love stirring up trouble and watching the drama, had been clinging to Wen Yu lately, coming to her room for visits whenever she had the chance. And Wen Su had also become closer to Wen Yu, but she wasn’t as shameless as Wen Wan.

“Grandmother,” Wen Yu greeted respectfully according to etiquette, “Second Aunt.”

Old Madam Wen asked, “Wen Yu, I ask you, who is living in the small courtyard you rented?”

“Grandmother, after Yan Zhu’s identity was clarified, Second Aunt said it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to continue living at home, so she rented a small courtyard for her to stay. What is Grandmother asking this for?”

“What for? When an elder asks a question, you answer honestly. Being evasive like this, could it be that you’re hiding some shameful deed?” Wu Shi said sharply.

“Second Aunt, what do you mean by… shameful deed?!” Wen Yu asked softly.

✿✿✿

“Unrelated men and women living together is shameful!”

“Oh…” Wen Yu looked Wu Shi up and down, then smiled, “You actually know about this?”

Her gaze almost made Wu Shi jump up!

“Grandmother, please ask if you have any questions.”

“Alright. I ask you, have you taken in Liu Lanzhou?”

“Yes,” Wen Yu answered.

She’s not even trying to hide it?

“Yes?!” Old Madam Wen was surprised. She didn’t believe it when Wu Shi described it excitedly just now.

“You… You took him in? On what grounds?!”

“Grandmother, before Lan Fang passed away, she entrusted her brother to my care.”

“Entrusted to your care? Who do you think you are?” Wu Shi shouted, “Furthermore, how did Liu Lanfang die? What are the rumors outside? You should avoid such people like the plague, yet you brought him home?!”

“Second Aunt, you’ve asked so many questions at once, which one should I answer first?”

Old Madam Wen intervened, “Stop arguing about that for now. Wen Yu, did you really take in Liu Lanzhou?”

“Grandmother, it’s true. Your granddaughter has discussed it with Magistrate Liu. From now on, I will be responsible for taking care of Liu Lanzhou!”

“Nonsense…” Wu Shi shouted again.

Old Madam Wen frowned, “You’re responsible for taking care of him? Wen Yu… not to mention you’re an unmarried girl, even if you were married, it wouldn’t be right to raise another man’s child. Grandmother can’t believe such a thing would happen.”

“Grandmother, after Lan Fang and Eldest Madam Liu passed away, Magistrate Liu felt incapable of taking care of Lanzhou and wanted to send him to Fayuan Temple. You know, Lanzhou is sick, over ten years old, and even needs someone to feed him. If he went there, he definitely wouldn’t survive.

Lan Fang treated me… closer than a real sister.”

After saying that, Wen Yu looked at Wen Jiao’s malicious face and smiled sarcastically:

“Your granddaughter promised that if possible, she would help her take care of Lanzhou in the future. You also know about the Liu family’s situation… It’s a human tragedy. That’s why I took Lanzhou in.”

Wu Shi said, “No wonder the Liu family came knocking on our door with such a sour expression, it turns out you were the one who caused it!”

“Second Aunt, I don’t understand why you’re so agitated? What trouble did I cause? Did the Liu family call you over to scold you? Was your reputation affected by this?” Wen Yu retorted.

Old Madam Wen stopped them, “Alright! What’s the point of arguing so much? Wen Yu, Liu Lanzhou is a living person, not an object. Did you discuss it with anyone before doing this?”

“Although I didn’t discuss it with Grandmother beforehand, since I was young, Grandmother has taught me that living in this world requires righteousness and repaying kindness.”

Old Madam Wen’s eyes flickered as she looked at Wen Yu, trying to discern the true meaning behind her words…

Wen Yu’s expression remained calm, composed and dignified.

“Therefore, your granddaughter followed her heart and did it. I also signed an agreement with Magistrate Liu, with my signature and seal. If anything happens, I will bear the responsibility myself!”

“Can you bear the responsibility? You haven’t even seen an elder speak, and this is how a junior behaves? Not to mention you’re not even married yet, even if you climb up to the Qi family, you can’t treat elders with this attitude.” Wen Jiao interjected.

“Wen Jiao, did an elder tell you to run to the main courtyard of Madam Qi and block Fifth Young Master Qi at Zanquan Mountain Estate?!”

“Ah?! You’re talking nonsense! Grandmother, Mother! Wen Yu is slandering me?!” Wen Jiao’s face turned bright red.

“Oh! Slandering you? You think I was the only one who saw it? Oh… I understand now, no wonder Second Aunt’s face has been so sour every time she sees me lately. I greet her politely, and it’s like she doesn’t even hear me. Could it be that she blames me for stealing Wen Jiao’s marriage prospects?!”

“You’re talking nonsense!” Wu Shi and her daughter shouted.

Old Madam Wen watched, her head pounding.

“Grandmother, even before the Liu family incident, there were rumors of Eldest Madam Liu mistreating her niece and nephew. This is the root cause of this tragedy.

When elders are unkind, juniors become unfilial, it will inevitably lead to disaster. Looking at Second Aunt’s current behavior, it’s really hard to imagine where the composed and dignified mistress of the Wen family has gone.”

“Shut up!” Wu Shi, in a fit of rage, charged towards Wen Yu.

Laba stepped forward to block her, and Wu Shi felt as if she had slammed into a wall…

“You dare to lay a hand on me?! This is outrageous! If I don’t teach you a lesson today…”

Wen Yu smiled, “Second Aunt, I’m not like the Liu siblings. You want to use force on me? You should ask Grandmother and my father if they agree!”

Wu Shi and Wen Jiao were so angry that they didn’t know what they were shouting…

Suddenly, someone announced, “Old Madam, Fifth Madam Jie from the corner of the street has arrived.”

Old Madam Wen said irritably, “Not seeing her!”

But they heard a commotion outside, “Don’t stop me! With such a big matter, if I don’t tell my aunt, the Wen family will lose face. Who will be responsible then?!”