A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 132

Chapter 132: Be Careful and Cautious

Yuan Shi blushed. “Look at me…”

“Mother is here, and your daughter-in-law is so happy, I was busy introducing you to everyone and forgot about the journey. Mother, let’s sit in the back hall. Hot tea and hot water for washing are all ready. The room is also heated, and if you feel cold, we can add more fire. It’s dry here, so you need to drink more water.”

Wu Shi had been quite peaceful recently. Seeing Yuan Shi’s calm and unhurried manner, she became more cautious. It wouldn’t be easy to share power with this person. Most likely, she would still have to rely on Old Madam.

Meanwhile, Wen Jiao was carefully observing Wen Huan. She felt that Wen Huan had changed a lot in the past six months. She acted sincerely and affectionately while accompanying their grandmother, and she smiled gently at her sisters, unlike her previous somewhat arrogant self!

In addition, her attire was elegant yet not ostentatious.

She was truly different from how she was back home. It seemed like she really couldn’t compare, and it made her angry.

So she put on a smiling face. “Second Sister, that cloak looks very nice. Is it a new style?”

No matter what, Wen Huan was still a young girl. She nodded. “The style just came out from Princess Zhengyang’s Residence.”

“It’s really beautiful. Hey, did you see Eldest Sister wearing a sable cloak?”

Wen Huan’s eyes narrowed. “I was only focused on Grandmother just now and haven’t seen Eldest Sister yet. I don’t know what she’s wearing.”

“Take a good look later! My mother said she knows about these things. That cloak must be worth tens of thousands of taels of silver!” Wen Jiao said excitedly. “Eldest Sister is really bold with spending money! Grandmother was stunned when she saw it! Hmph, such good fur, Grandmother has never worn anything like it in her life, yet she’s wearing it so grandly!”

Wen Huan knew Wen Jiao had ill intentions, but she couldn’t help but be affected by her words.

“Eldest Sister has changed a lot. I don’t like it, but I don’t dare to provoke her either. Second Sister, you have to tell Eldest Uncle! Let him discipline her!”

“Doesn’t Grandmother care?”

“Oh, you don’t know she’s engaged to a good family, do you? Grandmother is too busy being pleased with her!” Wen Jiao said with a sour expression.

Wen Huan’s face couldn’t hold its composure anymore…

Wen Jiao smiled secretly…

✿✿✿

Prince Wu’s Heir Apparent was Prince Yongqing. He also arrived at Prince Wu’s Residence in the capital city.

Prince Wu and Princess Wu had arrived earlier than him.

In a few days, it would be the Emperor’s birthday, and then after the New Year, Prince Yongqing would get married.

The Princess Consort only had this one son. Seeing him, she was filled with joy and showered him with care and concern…

“In two days, I’ll arrange for you to meet Miss He. To be honest, that girl’s looks are indeed ordinary, but aside from that, there’s nothing else wrong with her. With your status, your wife must be chosen based on her family background and abilities. As for looks! What kind of beauty won’t you have in the future? So, you have to be obedient and don’t give that girl a cold shoulder!”

“Mother Consort, you’ve said it a hundred times already.”

“Hehe…one more thing, listen carefully: the people around you must be those few you trust absolutely. When you go out, take all your guards with you. Don’t wander around aimlessly! Especially in the market…this is not our territory yet. Be careful and cautious. Mother Consort is not joking with you!” The Princess Consort was quite serious.

“Yes, Mother Consort, your son remembers! How are things in the palace?” he asked softly.

“Your father said the Emperor is in good health. As for the imperial harem, each one is like a cunning fox. We can’t see anything on the surface yet.”

“What about maternal grandfather and uncles?!”

He mentioned his maternal family so quickly, and the Princess Consort was happy. “They are all doing well. You can meet them after you’ve rested.”

“Your son will pay respects to maternal grandfather himself.”

“Good.”

“Mother Consort, your son remembered something…during the Heavenly Dragon Temple Dharma Assembly, you mentioned a Miss Wen?”

“Ah?!” The Princess Consort was stunned for a moment before she remembered. “Oh my, I almost forgot if you didn’t mention it! I wanted you to meet her at that time, but then something happened, and I didn’t have time to think about it. Why are you asking about this?”

“Mother Consort, the Wen family has come to the capital.”

“Oh?”

“Your son saw them at the wharf. At that time, there were two young ladies. I don’t know which one Mother Consort was referring to?”

“The one who is very good-looking!”

“Hehe…” both were good-looking. It would be even better if he could keep both!

“In that case, Mother Consort, will you find some time to inquire about it again?”

“Alright.”

Watching her son leave, Princess Wu felt a bit heavy-hearted. Regarding Yang Ruishi’s matter…although her husband didn’t show it on the surface, she didn’t know if there would be any trouble!

Although she only had this one son, her husband had several sons, and he even had grandsons! She had to be careful and cautious…

✿✿✿

That evening, Old Madam went to rest. Wen Qian and Wen Feng, the two brothers, had dinner and drinks, chatting for a while.

✿✿✿

Wen Qian was most worried about Wen Yu, so he casually asked about her…

As a result, Wen Feng sighed endlessly. “Big Brother, you have no idea! That girl Wen Yu…almost entered Prince Wu’s Residence!”

“What?”

Wen Feng then told him about what happened at the Heavenly Dragon Temple.

“Princess Wu must have had intentions, otherwise, with our family’s status? Would the Princess Consort come to talk to us? And then the invitation to Orange Garden was sent to our house. Moreover, Princess Wu specially sent a female official to meet Mother and the girls. What a great honor! Mother guessed that the Princess Consort had taken a liking to Yu girl. It’s a pity that there was an assassination attempt. The banquet was stopped, and everyone was dismissed. Afterward, Prince Wu left…”

As Wen Qian listened, his heart pounded.

Ordinarily, with his qualifications and official position, he couldn’t be connected to the prince’s residence or families of meritorious service.

The legitimate grandson of Grand Secretary Li was the direction of the Wen family’s marriage alliances. Even if they couldn’t reach the Li family, it would mostly be scholars from families of their colleagues. If they were Jinshi, then it would probably be families of landed gentry.

He never thought they could be related by marriage to a marquis’s household.

He even less expected that if the accident hadn’t happened, she might have entered the prince’s residence…He didn’t know whether to be happy or worried.

“My thoughts are different from yours. The imperial family, their rules, are not something our family can understand. Having property, official positions, a good life, that’s enough. Anything more, I don’t dare to think about.”

“Big Brother! People aim high! Which great families were born great families? Those luxurious mansions we passed by along the way, how can you be sure that we won’t be able to live in them in the future!”

“Hehe, I didn’t expect you to have higher aspirations than me!”

“Hehe.”

Wen Qian said with some annoyance, “Also, Wen Yu, didn’t you see her pomp today? With attendants in front and behind, she was even more impressive than Feng Ge’er. What’s going on with that?” Ordinarily, with the little money in her hands, she shouldn’t be able to afford such a grand display, right?

She spent all her money on this? He felt a wave of unease.

Wen Feng nodded. “She really is something! Big Brother, have you seen Fifth Young Master Qi?”

“No. I inquired a bit. It seems not many people have seen him. He hasn’t entered official service yet.”

“My goodness, you haven’t seen him! Let me tell you, he’s even better-looking than that girl Wen Yu!”

“Really?” Wen Qian was astonished.

“I’m a puppy if I’m lying! So many people were stunned by him!”

“But…why?!” He had thought that Fifth Young Master Qi had taken a liking to Wen Yu’s appearance, so he married beneath his status.

“Hehe, that girl’s fate is good!”

“…” Wen Qian didn’t know what to think.

“That girl is indeed capable. I heard from Wu Shi that she sold or transferred all the dowry you gave her. There’s nothing left. She rented a small courtyard, bought a few young girls, and even hired embroiderers and masters to teach them! It seems she wants to open an embroidery workshop…And Song Shang…eh, do you know about Song Shang’s matter?”

“What matter?”

“He divorced Wei Shi!”

“Ah?! I didn’t know!”

“Hey, that guy is really something. He doesn’t even care about the Wei family!”

“What are you talking about?!”

“Mother said he’s also coming to the capital, bringing his mother with him! Moreover, Song Shang is good to Wen Yu. It seems he’s helped her a lot. I don’t know the details!”

“So many things have happened during this time?”

“Indeed! All good things! Has the Qi family not come to visit?”

“No.”

“They will probably contact us after Mother and Yu girl arrive! Oh my, Big Brother, why do I feel like our family is going to prosper!?”

“I’ve almost found a position for you. You have to be honest. If you act like you did back home, it won’t work. Be careful and cautious. If something happens, no one can protect you!”

“I know, I know.” Wen Feng agreed repeatedly.