A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Used to it Naturally

Yuan Shi listened to her husband’s words, a surge of sorrow welled up in her heart.

For so many years, she had treated those things as her own. Managing them diligently, using them as she pleased.

It turned out that they weren’t! To be chased after to return them… This was truly too embarrassing!

Her eyes reddened, tears streaming down.

Wen Qian understood, so he meticulously wiped her tears, softly coaxing: “Alright, don’t cry. Originally, it wasn’t necessary to do this! However, her uncle has returned, and this matter will definitely be brought up. Father will be back in the next two days… and I have to go to the capital.

Multiple factors constrain me from being too forceful… I have some silver, I’ll give it all to you! Once you’re in the capital, you can acquire some things according to your own wishes. They’ll be under your name, and from now on, you can use them justifiably.”

Justifiably…

It turned out that what I took before was not justifiable.

Yuan Shi felt even more aggrieved.

“Husband, you know the cause of this matter. Initially, I didn’t want to take over this part…”

“I know, I asked you to take it.” Wen Qian was very gentle.

“After I took it, the effort I put into organizing and managing it…” Yuan Shi said, tears and snot flowing. In the past, she wouldn’t have deigned to say such words. But now…

“Your husband understands, A Jun, I see all your hard work and busyness.”

“It’s nothing… As your wife, it’s my duty to share your worries.” Yuan Shi was truly agitated, her voice trembling, “The silver we earned, some was used for your social interactions while in office. Also, my interactions with the wives and daughters of your colleagues… You spoil our Huanhuan too much. Her clothes, her belongings, hiring tutors, buying a guqin… all this, silver disappeared like flowing water. Now, asking me to hand it over…”

Just thinking about it made her panic and feel distressed, “The properties are fine, but the silver, how can I possibly hand it over?”

Wen Qian patted her and comforted: “I understand. You first organize it and give it to me, so I have an idea and know how to talk to her.”

Yuan Shi was stunned for a long time, but didn’t see her husband change his stance. Knowing that the situation was hopeless, she could only nod in agreement.

Some things, if never possessed, it wouldn’t matter. But getting used to having them and then losing them, this feeling…

All those arrangements she had made for after going to the capital, those grand visions for the future, were they all going to waste?

Yuan Shi lowered her eyes, concealing her resentment.

This damned girl, she thought she could completely shake me off, but she didn’t expect me to be waiting for her here!

Back then, why didn’t she just go with that bitch Chen Tongyun?

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Wen Yu listed the steps for reclaiming the properties and the details for each aspect.

She tapped her fingers lightly on the table, pondering: The biggest problem now was that she lacked manpower. This wasn’t just about gold and silver jewelry that could be simply put in a box and locked away.

Let alone managing those fields and shops. Even if she rented them out, a young unmarried woman couldn’t go door to door collecting rent, right?!

Although she had learned from Song Shang in her past life how to manage these things.

But Song Shang had several teams, he only needed to make decisions, and there were people to handle everything!

She could see him when her elder brother got married… Could she ask him to help her with this?

She glanced at the brocade box containing the red coral hairpins in the corner…

Sighing, she thought: In her past life, she never understood why he was fond of her.

This set of red coral jewelry had been with her throughout her previous life. Every time she wore it, it would amaze those around her. It was not only expensive, but also extremely rare. This time he sent it again, he still had the same intentions…

However, she had suffered enough in her past life, and in this life, she wouldn’t get entangled with him again.

But she needed his help with this matter… How could she achieve her goal?

“Zhuzhu, we’re short of people!”

“Zhuzhu will help you!” Yan Zhu, who had already changed her name, was busy with her needlework. She didn’t like to think, but she was skilled with her hands.

“How can you possibly manage everything, we need many people! People to manage the fields, operate the shops, collect rent, manage the treasury. Even if the people they used before aren’t withdrawn, they can’t be trusted.

And next, I’ll be going out. Going out requires a carriage and a driver. A young lady out and about also needs reliable guards… I’m also lacking capable maids by my side. Hong Xing’er is not suitable. And you, I’m not planning to have you do these things anymore, there are more important things…”

✿✿✿

Yan Zhu’s eyes darted around.

“We need so many people! Miss, Zhuzhu will recommend one first, Xiao Ji’s family.”

“Xiao Ji?” Wen Yu pictured a short and plump figure.

“Yes, Xiao Ji has her parents, two elder brothers, an elder sister, and a younger brother, they’re all quite capable. And her brothers are quite handsome! Her sister is alright too, it’s just Xiao Ji who’s ugly. Hehehehehe…” Yan Zhu burst into laughter for no apparent reason.

Wen Yu also laughed, Zhuzhu was quite judgmental based on appearance.

“I heard that Xiao Ji’s mother was once fancied by the head steward’s son because of her good looks. But she wasn’t willing, she liked Xiao Ji’s father. Later, the head steward’s son took over his father’s position, and he would definitely oppress Xiao Ji’s family.

Xiao Ji’s two brothers, both tall, with white teeth, both quite clean. They can read, they are capable, but they are just not favored. They are given all the hard work.

Originally, Xiao Ji’s family had saved some silver, thinking that if it didn’t work out, they could just buy their freedom and leave, but… I don’t know if someone was sabotaging them, whenever they saved a bit, they would lose a bit. They could never leave!

As for Xiao Ji, despite her ugly appearance, she is actually quite clever. There’s nothing in this household that she’s not familiar with. What she desires most is to be a senior maid by your side, Miss. But with her looks, nobody wants her! Tsk tsk.”

Yan Zhu spoke with great enthusiasm.

“Miss, you wouldn’t believe how she looks, short and fat, with short legs! But, she walks so fast, like a ball rolling hahaha.”

Wen Yu also laughed, “Do you tease her like this to her face?”

“Yes!” Zhuzhu said matter-of-factly. “But she doesn’t get angry. Actually… I’m quite good to her. I never shortchange her on food. I even gave her a silver hairpin. The cotton fabric you gave last time, I found it too ugly, so I gave it all to her. She was so happy, saying she would take it home and make clothes for her brothers!”

“Hmm…” Wen Yu pondered.

“In Zhuzhu’s opinion, their family is being suppressed and has no future. You might as well take them all in! I heard her father can read and keep accounts. How wonderful!”

“Good! We’ll listen to our Zhuzhu!”

“Hehe, Miss, don’t spoil Zhuzhu like this, Zhuzhu will become complacent!” She raised her small dark face, saying proudly.

As the two were talking, Hong Xing returned from outside. Today, nobody from Eldest Madam’s side had looked for her.

It made her anxious, her complexion turning pale.

Just as she entered, Chun Hui, the senior maid from Third Miss Wen Jiao’s room, came over, “Is Eldest Miss in?”

Hong Xing hurriedly said: “Sister Chun Hui, our Miss is inside!”

Chun Hui entered and, upon seeing Wen Yu, performed a graceful curtsy.

Wen Yu looked at the things on the table and asked casually, “Is there something?”

“Eldest Miss, our Miss said she wants to eat osmanthus cake! She asks if you could make some when you have time.”

“No time!”

Chun Hui didn’t realize what Wen Yu was saying and continued on her own: “Miss said last time you added chestnut flour… Ah? What did you say? No time?” She finally reacted.

“Yes, I don’t feel like eating it recently, so I won’t be making any.”

“But…” Chun Hui was actually unhappy, “But our Miss wants to eat it.”

“If your Miss wants to eat it, then you go make it!” Yan Zhu rushed over, “If our Miss wants to eat something, I’ll make it right away!”

She looked down upon Chun Hui arrogantly.

Chun Hui had never been treated like this before! She looked curiously at the master and servant pair, rolled her eyes dramatically, and said, “Fine! Then this servant will just go back and tell our Miss that!” She performed a perfunctory curtsy and turned to leave.