A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Old Geezer

Old Madam Wen called Song Wu to her side, whispering something.

The young ladies lowered their voices as they chatted and laughed.

At this moment, someone came in and announced, “Old Madam, Old Master has returned! The two masters are welcoming him with several young masters!”

Everyone fell silent.

Earlier than expected! Old Madam Wen felt a surge of annoyance: Old geezer! He couldn’t come back a day earlier or later, but he had to show up and spoil my good mood! I didn’t even have a chance to talk to Shang Ge’er properly. He’s truly a nuisance.

“Second Wife!” she called out indifferently.

“Mother!” Wu Shi hurriedly approached.

“Quickly go and see if everything is ready. Make sure hot water and everything else is arranged…” Don’t let that old geezer find any fault.

“Don’t worry, Mother, we’ve been prepared all along.”

“Alright, then you go and keep an eye on things!”

Wu Shi acknowledged and left, quickly walking away with several servant women.

Yuan Shi observed Wu Shi’s demeanor as the mistress of the household, calculating in her mind: I’ll arrive in the capital first and definitely take control of the household affairs. But Wu Shi will arrive half a year later, having managed the household for years, how could she possibly submit? Old Madam is used to her, so there will surely be a power struggle then?!

Song Shang said, “Aunt, should I go welcome Old Master?”

“No need! Stay here and talk to me. He’ll be in shortly.” She deliberately wanted Song Shang to stay by her side, hoping it would restrain that old man!

The atmosphere in the room was no longer as lively as before.

“There’s no time for details, this time, he’s probably going to tell you…”

Old Madam Wen lowered her voice further, and Song Shang leaned closer to her, seemingly listening attentively, but his eyes were fixed on Wen Yu. He saw the young lady sitting there gracefully, only occasionally speaking to the Song family cousin, ignoring everyone else. She had truly changed…

On her fifteenth birthday, he couldn’t make it back in time, but fortunately, he had prepared a gift in advance.

He had always known how the Wen family treated her, but his own identity was special, and he had his own plans. Excessive interference might not be a good thing. He could only feel sorry for her silently.

My dear girl!

I hope my affairs progress smoothly, so that in the years to come, you will be under my protection, safe and happy.

✿✿✿

Meanwhile, Wen Yu was thinking about this Old Master Wen.

In her past life, she didn’t have much of an impression of him. At most, she would see him during the New Year, and even then, everyone would be on edge. The conflict between the two elders seemed to have existed since her marriage, and then became a bitter feud over Third Uncle’s birth mother.

According to the gossip among the servants, there had been many ugly scenes in the past.

A major reason why Grandfather couldn’t divorce Grandmother or confine her to the ancestral temple was because of her father, Wen Qian.

He was naturally gifted, achieving great success in his studies and official career, becoming the pride of the clan. Moreover, he was extremely filial to his mother, inadvertently supporting Grandmother.

Grandfather couldn’t win against them, and living together only brought endless anger, so he chose to stay away. The old man only favored his third son and fourth daughter… as well as their descendants. It was said that when Fourth Aunt married into the capital, she had a ten-mile-long dowry!

Wen Yu smiled faintly, probably several of the grandchildren here were unknown to the old man!

Wei Shi returned after freshening up her appearance. She saw Old Madam whispering to her husband, while her husband seemed to be listening, but his eyes were fixed on Wen Yu.

She clenched her handkerchief, little girl, just you wait, I’ll show you what I’m capable of!

After a while, someone announced from outside, “Old Master is coming to the back!”

All the wives and young ladies stood up, lining up against the wall.

Old Master Wen, supported by his third son, Wen Shuo, with exaggerated care, walked in. Following behind were Wen Qian, Wen Feng, and the groom-to-be, along with several grandsons.

Old Madam stood up and bowed slightly.

Old Master entered the room without saying a word, heading directly to the main seat and sitting down.

“Grandfather!” Having not seen him for a long time, all the children knelt down to kowtow.

Old Master Wen nodded, not paying attention to which descendants were bowing to him, “Rise!”

Everyone stood up, but the daughters remained standing by the side. Wen Yu observed the old man she had barely seen in her past life.

To be honest, her father, Second Uncle, and even Third Uncle beside them were all good-looking, most likely because of Grandfather.

✿✿✿

He was already over fifty, yet his complexion was rosy, with black hair, black eyebrows, and black eyes. His face was well-defined, his posture upright, and he wore an elegant black silk robe. At first glance, he looked much better and younger than Old Madam.

Sitting there, he exuded a powerful aura and unpredictable emotions.

Wen Yu glanced around discreetly. Everyone in the family was silent, those who were timid didn’t even dare to raise their heads. Even Second Uncle, who was usually arrogant, had become much more subdued.

Only her father, Wen Qian, could sit comfortably beside him, appearing calm and composed.

Third Uncle, accompanied by his wife, Guan Shi, Fifth Miss Wen Jing, Seventh Miss Wen Man, and several sons, paid their respects to Old Madam. Wen Jing was thirteen years old, while Wen Man was only five or six, chubby and adorable, holding her elder sister’s hand. It seemed that the sisters were closer than the daughters raised by Old Madam.

Guan Shi had a round face, thick eyebrows, and round eyes. She was quite beautiful and bore some resemblance to Third Uncle. She was the daughter-in-law chosen by Old Master himself.

Although she was only a concubine’s son’s wife, Old Master had invested a lot in her marriage, so Third Aunt’s family background was no less than Wu Shi’s. Moreover, after marrying Wen Shuo, she had always been under Old Master’s protection, rarely suffering any mistreatment from her mother-in-law, and had given birth to two sons and two daughters. Her life was the most comfortable.

Huh, it seemed like she was pregnant again? Looking at the concubine’s sons and daughters beside them, whose names and rankings were unknown…

Oh my, so many offspring, a truly flourishing family!

Guan Shi greeted Old Madam politely. Old Madam also noticed Guan Shi’s pregnancy, her expression involuntarily turning sour.

Wen Yu found it amusing. With Old Master’s protection, Third Uncle’s family could live a good life. But if Grandfather were gone… Not to mention Old Madam’s oppression, even her father probably wouldn’t spare them. How much they could gain now and whether they could keep it in the future remained uncertain.

Beside them stood two beautiful women in their twenties, one dressed in light pink, the other in light green. They had slender waists and were extremely beautiful, wearing exquisite jewelry. They were the two concubines whom Old Master had favored in recent years.

Seeing the two concubines bowing respectfully, Old Madam still couldn’t help but want to lash out. Such concubines should simply be sent back to their courtyards, why bring them before me?

Showing off in front of these granddaughters and Wei Shi?!

That old geezer was still so clueless!

Old Master noticed Old Madam’s scowl from the corner of his eye, feeling secretly delighted.

He had no interest in the numerous children and grandchildren present, and nothing to say to them! His eyes searched for Song Shang, and his face immediately lit up with a smile, “Oh, Song Shang!”

Song Shang stepped forward and bowed, “I passed by last time and went to visit you, but you weren’t there. They said you had gone river fishing. You truly live a carefree life!”

“Haha, that time, it was because Minister Liu from the capital came. He loves fishing, so I accompanied him.”

“You must have outdone him, right?!”

“Uh… not really.” Old Master felt a bit disgruntled.

“Next time, I’ll find you a good fishing rod, with a line long enough to cast to the other side of the river!”

“Haha! There’s no need for that. Just a rod and a sturdy line will do! I lost several big fish because my rod broke halfway through.”

“Alright! Haha…” Song Shang laughed heartily.

Wen Shuo said with a smile, “Father, you have to seize the opportunity when you meet Shang Ge’er. We still need his help with that matter!”

“Oh, that’s right! Shang Ge’er, I have a small matter to ask of you. Can we talk about it later?”

“Between you and Song Shang, there’s no need for such formality. If you have any requests, just tell me directly. If it’s within my power, Song Shang will do his utmost!”

Although he spoke sincerely, to the old man, it sounded a bit slippery. He couldn’t help but worry: Did that old woman instill something in him?

“Hahahaha! You, I can’t bring myself to ask you to do your utmost!”

“Then shall we talk about it later?!” Song Shang’s attitude was unclear.

“Alright, alright!” Old Master turned to look at Old Madam, forcing a gentle tone, “Are Feng Ge’er’s matters all settled?”

Old Madam replied respectfully, “Basically, everything is in order. You can go over it later, and if there’s anything that needs to be changed, they can take care of it immediately.”

Old Master Wen nodded, “The eldest grandson’s wedding should naturally be grand! Tenth Grand Uncle is coming, I’ve already made arrangements for him!”

“We have a courtyard prepared here. We can ask the old man where he prefers to stay later.”

Old Master Wen nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and asked, “Where’s that girl, Wen Yu?”