A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 26

Chapter 26: She’s So Arrogant

Wen Yu lowered her eyes slightly and didn’t respond.

“Cousin Ah Yu?”

Seeing her ignore him, he called again, his voice taking on a special tone.

Helpless, she had to look up. Song Wu, the Fifth Master Song, stood before her, his narrow eyes wide open and shining, filled with her reflection.

He grinned, revealing white teeth.

His clothes were exquisite, his nails trimmed neatly, with a hint of inexplicable affection and a touch of genuine “impropriety.” This image formed a stark contrast to her memories of their last meeting in her past life, shocking Wen Yu.

She panicked, her hands accepting the box.

“Thank…… Thank you, Cousin.” Her voice was dry and low, her breath weak, her eyes slightly red.

Song Shang narrowed his eyes again. Something was wrong. Something big must have happened!

“Eh? It hasn’t been long since I last saw our little Ah Yu. How come you’ve grown so much taller?!” He sat beside Wen Yu, his peripheral vision sweeping over everyone. They were all unwrapping their gifts, and no one was paying attention to him.

His voice carried a hint of emotion as he discreetly sized Wen Yu up and sighed. “Alas, although you’re a young lady now, you’re still… ‘flat,’ and green.”

He chuckled to himself. “Still a little girl…”

“My little girl!”

He felt like a cunning old fox, guarding a little white rabbit eating carrots. He felt a wave of embarrassment, his ears turning red.

Wen Yu calmed her heart. “Yes…” She opened her mouth and realized her throat was still tight, making it difficult to speak.

In her previous life, the two of them had gone through too much suffering.

His affection for her, she didn’t know where it came from, and she never understood it until her death… But his feelings were real.

He might seem cheerful, transparent, and steady, considerate of everyone’s feelings… as if it were easy to become acquainted with him, even close.

But Wen Yu knew that apart from his mother, it was towards her… that he was genuine. At other times, his actions stemmed from necessity and habit, not from the heart. This was something she understood only after spending a long time with him.

The joy and anticipation in his eyes when he learned she was pregnant.

His pain and breakdown when they lost the child.

Although he was so good to her… and it seemed he still was! But those painful experiences, especially the feeling of that red, fleshy mass leaving her body… and their tragic deaths in the end…

She couldn’t pretend that none of it had happened!

Wen Yu lowered her eyes, suddenly calming down.

Between them: There was gratitude and resentment, affection and hurt. In the end, they both died.

Let all of that be settled then!

In this life, she would first live well and accomplish what she wanted to do. Then, she would try her best to help him so he wouldn’t end up like that.

But anything else… she couldn’t give.

Song Shang saw the momentary dampness in her eyes, the struggle and pain on her face, and finally, a trace of determination.

His heart grew even more uneasy. He wished he could drag her out immediately and ask her the reason.

Wen Yu had made up her mind. She smiled politely but distantly and said no more.

Song Shang stared at her for a moment, deciding not to press her further. He would wait until he understood the situation clearly.

✿✿✿

Wen Wan had already squeezed next to Old Madam, showing her the gifts from her cousin one by one. Old Madam looked at them for a long time, not even knowing what some of them were, and they launched into a lively discussion.

Meanwhile, Wei Shi stood on the other side, her eyes glancing at her husband and Wen Yu. Her heart skipped a beat, and her three white eyes involuntarily took on a coldness.

In truth, her relationship with her husband wasn’t entirely as everyone saw it…

She was confident in her exceptional talent and believed she had married beneath her by becoming Song Shang’s wife. It was his good fortune to have her as a wife. Therefore, she had to hold her head high!

But on the other hand… She hadn’t given birth to a son yet. In the Song family, this was a problem.

Moreover, she had some indescribable feelings towards her husband. It was as if: She clearly held him in her hand, yet she couldn’t control him…

Although this often made her uneasy, it also repeatedly sparked her competitive spirit! This was what made it interesting!

Despite her thoughts, she hadn’t spared any effort in secretly speculating, investigating, and guarding against him. The result was still the same feeling as before. It seemed like there was nothing going on, but something just felt off.

But at this moment, she clearly sensed that her husband’s expression and demeanor were very different!

She took another careful look at Wen Yu…

Suddenly, she felt that her carefully applied makeup, compared to that girl’s natural beauty, seemed a bit old-fashioned and even a little vulgar…

Wen Yu was clearly distant, yet her husband was actively fawning over her!

How could this be?!

Arrogant as she was, how could she tolerate this?

So, she also picked up a small box and walked over, handing it to Wen Huan, who was not far from Wen Yu.

Old Madam was still fiddling with those rare objects with Wen Wan, asking Song Shang, “Really now, Ah Shang, where did you get all these?!”

“If I’m giving gifts to my cousins, of course I have to put some thought into it!” Song Shang was talking to Wen Yu, pointing at the gifts. Hearing Old Madam’s question, he answered casually.

“Haha! Just keep spoiling them!” Old Madam felt particularly proud. “Oh, Ah Shang, there’s something I need to talk to you about later!” Before that old geezer came back.

✿✿✿

Song Shang nodded absentmindedly. “Okay!” His mind was still preoccupied with Wen Yu.

Receiving the gift, Wen Huan saw Wei Shi being so cordial and dropped her reserve, smiling sweetly and expressing her gratitude. She even gave Wei Shi face by making some small talk.

“Eldest Aunt, when will you be leaving for the capital?” Wei Shi asked Yuan Shi.

Yuan Shi replied, “After Feng Ge’er’s wedding, we’ll probably be leaving.”

“Then you and Eldest Uncle won’t be able to attend my mother-in-law’s birthday celebration in a few days, or the Heavenly Dragon Temple celebration?”

Yuan Shi’s face was filled with regret. “Originally, your eldest uncle wanted me to stay with the children… But the house in the capital hasn’t been tidied up yet, and your eldest uncle just took office, so there are many things to take care of… I’m not at ease, I have to go and oversee things.”

“Yes, there are indeed many things to do after taking office. But this time, the Heavenly Dragon Temple’s millennial celebration is particularly grand. It’s a pity to miss it.”

“Indeed!” Yuan Shi echoed, genuinely feeling regretful. This was also an opportunity to meet some good families.

Wei Shi was talking to Yuan Shi, but her mind was on her husband. Seeing Song Shang still chatting and smiling with Wen Yu, while Wen Yu kept her eyes lowered and remained silent…

Her husband wouldn’t stop talking!

Talk, talk, talk! What are they talking about… Wei Shi’s heart seethed with anger!

Yuan Shi knew how important Song Shang was to the Wen family, so she was willing to chat with Wei Shi. “We can meet in the capital in the future. You’ve been there many times before, and you know many people. We’ll need your recommendations for connections in the capital.”

“Naturally.”

“I heard from Mother that our two families’ courtyards aren’t too far apart, just a cup of tea’s journey… Then…” Yuan Shi’s heart had already flown to the capital.

“Yes!” Wei Shi had no desire for further conversation. She wanted to know what Song Shang was saying!

…

“In a few days, it’s my mother’s birthday. This time, I want to throw her a small celebration. I’ve invited the most famous opera troupe and the acrobatic troupe. There will also be a horse race by the lake. Fifth Brother has prepared a white horse for you, only two years old, very beautiful. It was chosen from among many horses. I remember Ah Yu can ride…”

Wen Yu ignored him, but he didn’t mind, continuing to speak, “It doesn’t matter if you can’t. Fifth Brother can teach you. We’ll set off early one day and ride along the lake for the morning. We’ll have fish for lunch at Golden Bridge Town. Then, after a short rest, we’ll go back around the western slope. They’ve planted many flowers there, it’s beautiful along the way.

If you’re interested, we can even ride around the whole lake, but that would take longer. We’d have to stay at the mansion in Looking Far Pavilion for two days. I’ll have Cousin Yi’er accompany you. Eh? Don’t you have two good female companions? Bring them along! Fifth Brother will arrange everything for you. I can also send carriages to pick them up.”

Song Shang spoke in a gentle and pleasant voice, unhurriedly.

Wen Yu showed no emotion on her face, but she was extremely annoyed inside!

What was he babbling about?

She wouldn’t go! She wouldn’t ride a horse! She wouldn’t eat fish! She wouldn’t bring anyone! But she couldn’t say that…

“Cousin, you don’t have to make special arrangements. I’m not even sure if I’ll be going!” Wen Yu deliberately teased him.

“Huh?! You must go! Oh, don’t forget to bring that girl, Hong Dou.”

Her name was Yan Zhu now!

Hmph!

“What’s wrong, little Ah Yu? I’ve been talking for so long, aren’t you tempted at all? A white horse! You don’t even have to prepare riding clothes. I’ve had people prepare several sets, in all sizes, small, medium, and large!” He looked her up and down. Although she had grown taller, she was still thin and ‘flat.’ A medium size should fit.

Dressed in riding clothes, riding a white horse, female companions by her side, surrounded by flowers, and that delicious fish—thinking about it, it was indeed beautiful. Wen Yu was almost swayed, but she suddenly remembered her important matter and interrupted him, “Cousin, I actually have something I want to talk to you about privately.”

Right, she also had to return that hairpin to him!

“Ah! Really?!” Song Shang stopped smiling, his eyes widening, as if a spark had lit within them.

Wen Yu couldn’t help but avoid his gaze… “Well… I just want to ask you for a favor…” Her voice trailed off.

Song Shang leaned closer to her. “Hmm?! A favor?! Sure! No, no, no, what do you mean, a favor?! If you have something you need, just tell Cousin to do it!”

Seeing Wen Yu glare at him unhappily, he quickly added, “Okay, okay! You set the time, and we’ll chat in detail then…” Then, using this excuse, he moved closer and looked at Wen Yu carefully. She was truly beautiful!

Those eyelashes, so thick and long. Covering her eyes, they were mesmerizing… They looked a lot like his!

“Husband! Have you noticed that Eldest Cousin seems to have changed?” Wei Shi couldn’t bear it any longer. She turned sideways, standing between them and interrupting.

Her eyes held a coldness as she stared at Wen Yu.

It was like a snake eyeing its prey.

Just like in her past life…

Wen Yu’s fighting spirit surged. She pursed her lips into a smile and tilted her head, striking an extremely beautiful pose. “I’m a year older now! Of course I’m different! Cousin, you’re also different from last year!”

Although her words were innocuous, her expression and tone were somewhat provocative! She even boldly looked Wei Shi up and down, her eyes filled with a mixture of disdain and triumph.

“…” Wei Shi was a little incredulous. Was this girl going crazy?! She was half a year older than Song Shang, twenty-four years old. This was one of her sore points.

“Cousin Ah Yu, then… how about Cousin? Take a good look… Is Cousin different from last year?” Song Shang ignored Wei Shi, his smiling eyes fixed on Wen Yu.

He sighed inwardly: “She’s so arrogant!”

But he liked it…

What kind of ending do you all want for these two?!