A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Despicable

Wen Yu had long felt Wei Shi’s gaze and knew that these words were directed at her.

But she acted as if she hadn’t heard, her head didn’t turn, and she didn’t even lift her eyelids.

Old Madam Wen looked at Wen Yu, her tone very displeased: “Wen Yu, your Cousin’s Wife is talking to you, what are you doing?”

Only then did Wen Yu slightly turn her head, lifting her eyes to look at Wei Shi flatly: “Grandmother, Cousin’s Wife didn’t call my name, so I didn’t know she was talking to your granddaughter. Moreover, it’s rare to hear Cousin’s Wife praise anyone, so this granddaughter doesn’t dare to accept it!”

Old Madam Wen glared at her reproachfully, could this girl really be possessed by a ghost?

She didn’t know that if she could, Wen Yu would stab a knife into Wei Shi’s stomach! Could she speak to her nicely?

Wei Shi looked at Wen Yu: her words were flat, her attitude distant, and she showed no intention of chatting familiarly with her, which made her feel a little sour. This silly girl used to go to the Song family a lot, didn’t she always smile and try to please everyone?!

Oh, what’s going on? Her father got promoted, and her temper grew too?

How ridiculous!

Wei Shi smiled at Old Madam Wen, turned her face away pretentiously, ignored Wen Yu, and chatted with the people around her again.

At this time, someone was heard speaking outside the door:

“Nurse Song, you’re looking more and more energetic! Look at this air of importance! If you went out on the street, people would think you were some rich lady! Could it be that you’re secretly pocketing all the good things that are meant for my aunt?!”

Although these words were unpleasant, the playful tone made Nurse Song laugh heartily: “Fifth Master, you’re wronging this old servant. Our Old Madam is charitable and never mistreats her servants. Our food and clothing are top-notch, that’s why this old servant has such an air of importance! It’s not because I’m stealing from Old Madam! You’re wronging me, I won’t stand for it, I’m going to cry in front of Old Madam!”

“Alright! I’ve wronged you… is this apology enough?”

“Oh my! Thank you, Cousin, for the reward!” Judging by the tone, the amount was not small!

The curtain lifted, and a young man stepped in…

That person has arrived… Wen Yu looked at the bane of her previous life.

It was as if a wound on her body that hadn’t healed properly had been picked open again, painful and frightening, but also with a hint of pity.

He had dragged her through a mix of honey and bitter herbs, round and round in agony… But he, in her mind, appeared as she last saw him, messy hair infested with lice, a disheveled beard, chapped lips, deeply sunken eyes… looking at her intently, fearful yet loving…

Wen Yu’s heart twisted in pain, her eyes moist, but she couldn’t even bother to hide it, she looked at him just as he had looked at her back then…

The current Song Shang was only twenty-five years old, but he had already completely taken control of the Song family. He had not yet experienced the hardships that would come later, and was full of confidence and vitality!

A tall and imposing figure, thick long eyebrows, slender single eyelids.

He was dressed in a long indigo linen robe, with ancient jade ornaments at his waist and in his hair.

Upon entering, he looked at no one, and bowed deeply: “Aunt! May you be in good health!” After saying that, he raised his head.

His eyes were particularly narrow and long, with thick eyelashes that obscured his pupils when he smiled.

Every gesture he made exuded an air of unrestrained elegance!

Old Madam Wen’s eyes lit up with a smile when she saw him, “Good health?! Hmph! You haven’t even entered the door, and you’re already bullying my people?!”

“How could that be?! I wouldn’t dare to do anything but flatter the nurses by your side, Aunt!”

“You’re always good at coaxing me!”

“Cousin is getting married, you’re really radiating with joy! You look at least eight or nine years younger than the last time I saw you!”

The whole room burst into laughter.

“Listen to that sweet talk! Your wife is sitting right here, aren’t you afraid she’ll laugh at you for being frivolous?” Old Madam Wen teased.

A flicker of apprehension crossed Song Shang’s eyes, but no one noticed, he just laughed casually.

But Wei Shi was a little surprised when she saw her husband: before they left, she had him wear a set of dark green clothes, although the material was different from hers, the color was the same.

She just wanted them to have a special look!

Why did he change into blue clothes before entering the Wen family? Could it be that he stained his clothes while drinking tea?

“Aunt, I just saw Cousin outside, and oh my, he’s about to be a groom, he’s still shy, I managed to flatter him senseless with a few words!”

“Ha, you’re always good at exaggerating, you’ve confessed yourself, haven’t you?! Oh! How is your mother doing?!”

“Mother is doing well! But she couldn’t come this time, she said she’ll apologize to you in person when you visit Song Family Estate in a few days!”

“There’s no need to be so formal! I’ve prepared some tonics for her, you can take them with you when you go back. Oh, you girls! Weren’t you all looking forward to your Cousin’s arrival? Why aren’t you greeting him?”

“Cousin!” several girls chirped in sweet voices.

✿✿✿

Song Shang’s eyes seemed to sweep over everyone, but in fact, they were precisely aimed at “her,” and he was taken aback.

Oh! She’s really changed?

She’s grown taller. And she’s putting on airs now?!

Hehe, she’s a grown woman after all! He felt a surge of excitement, he was one step closer to his goal.

Old Madam Wen started complaining, “Tsk, why does it look like he’s grown a short beard?! It makes him look like a little old man. He can grow it when he’s twenty-seven or twenty-eight.” Her tone was half-reproachful, but she couldn’t hide her appreciation and fondness.

Wei Shi looked at her husband, her eyes shining, “Old Madam, you don’t know, he’s very particular about it! His beard is specially taken care of by someone, and that person has to accompany him wherever he goes!”

“Aunt, you don’t understand. When you’re out in the world, people say ‘a man without a beard can’t get things done’! Ever since Song Wu grew his short beard, he’s gotten a lot of things done!”

“You’re talking nonsense again!” Old Madam Wen chided.

Wen Yu stood up and bowed to him from afar, but did not approach.

Song Shang was both dissatisfied and puzzled… This silly girl, didn’t she used to like to cling to him? Why, now that she’s a grown woman, is she shy?

His heart felt a pang of jealousy, and he was extremely displeased with her.

Suddenly, he saw Wen Yu looking at him too, and his heart skipped a beat…

Then, his heart sank to the bottom, what, what was that expression on her face?!

Wen Yu’s gaze towards him was quiet and sad, with a hint of pity…

What was wrong with her? Before he could take a closer look, Wen Yu had turned her head away.

Song Shang felt a little panicked, it seemed that there were things he didn’t know about. He would have to investigate carefully later.

Wen Jiao called out from the side, “Cousin, Cousin, did you bring us any new trinkets?”

“Hmph, all you know is to ask your Cousin for new trinkets! No good embroidery to show your respect to your Cousin, and you still want gifts? No!” Song Shang said with a displeased expression.

“Ah! Cousin…” Wen Su stomped her feet anxiously, her embroidery was the worst, she couldn’t possibly show it off.

The room filled with laughter.

Although Wen Huan was laughing on the surface, she actually looked down on Song Wu a little in her heart.

Because Song Wu was still a commoner.

He had some connections, knew how to do business, and had earned a lot of silver, that’s all. Just like this Cousin’s Wife, no matter how well-dressed she was, what was her status?

Among all the women in this room, the first one was still her mother, then Old Madam Wen, and then herself…

Suddenly, she thought of Wen Yu again, and her heart sank.

Despite the two words “legitimate eldest,” it really made a big difference!

That dead girl was still her father’s first wife’s eldest daughter, two levels higher than her own status. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that this person couldn’t stay. She drifted off…

Song Shang had already had people carry the boxes in, and the girls started chattering and laughing.

“One for each, no one will be left out, don’t be impatient!” Wei Shi said with a smile, but her expression involuntarily carried a hint of arrogance.

Old Madam Wen saw this and felt a little annoyed, but she didn’t show it.

The girls were indeed happy, firstly because the things Song Shang gave were really good, they could brag about it in front of their friends for a long time!

Secondly, Old Madam Wen valued this Fifth Cousin even more than her own grandson. She was especially happy when they were close to Song Shang, so everyone tried their best to show their affection.

Wen Yu also understood this, in the past, she would also try to get close to her Cousin and show her best side to please her grandmother. The special and good things she received would be taken away by her younger sisters afterwards. As for the rest, she had two good friends who always thought of her when there were good things, so she would give them as return gifts.

But today, she sat there, immersed in her own emotions, and did not approach.

Song Shang had been paying attention to her, seeing that she was sitting there motionless. What was wrong with her?

He was anxious and restless. His desire to be close to her was so strong that even his normally composed demeanor couldn’t suppress it. He personally took a box and walked over…

“Cousin Ah Yu…” He didn’t even notice that his expression and voice were despicable…