Chapter 321: He Deserved It
Feng Ge’er went to the Imperial Villa and met the Crown Prince.
Although he was so nervous the entire time that he didn’t dare to speak, he couldn’t suppress the joy in his heart. When he returned home, he went to chatter with his grandmother. Wen Yu had instructed him beforehand that if anyone asked, he should only mention Master Qing’s injury. He mustn’t reveal anything about that nephew.
There were so many amazing things, which one couldn’t he mention? Feng Ge’er’s eyes sparkled as he finished speaking to Old Madam Wen, exclaiming, “I’ve truly seen a grand occasion!”
He had drunk wine with the Crown Prince, the “East Hu, West Bai,” General Duanmu, and Magistrate Wen at the same table, and he had even sat by the pond and fed the Crown Prince’s fish. Wasn’t that enough to brag about?
Old Madam Wen was both surprised and delighted, asking repeatedly, “Is this true? Did the Crown Prince speak to you?”
“No, it was all the important people talking, how could I dare interrupt?”
Old Madam thought again, “This isn’t right! Wen Yu’s shop master is injured… why would she be staying at the Crown Prince’s Villa?”
“I heard that: they haven’t caught the person who hurt her yet, and they’re afraid something might happen again if she returns to her previous residence, so she’s staying there for now.”
“Is it that simple? A dressmaker, who would chase after her to kill her? There must be something else going on! No, I have to call Wen Yu back and ask…”
“Grandmother, if younger sister wanted to tell you, wouldn’t she have already told you? Don’t go prying!”
“How dare you speak to your grandmother like that? Sigh, let me ask you, those people, how did they treat your younger sisters…?”
Old Madam’s eyes glinted.
“They didn’t do anything! They were all talking about business, and my sisters just played on the side.”
“What about General Duanmu? Did he say anything when he saw Wen Su?”
“General Duanmu didn’t talk to the girls at all! He didn’t even look!”
Old Madam Wen was a bit disappointed, “That girl Wen Su, why didn’t she tell her grandmother when she came back? And those two… they took advantage of so much and didn’t say a word?” Her expression turned sour.
“Come on, Grandmother! The people present today were special, how would you know what they were thinking? I was just so happy, I couldn’t help but tell you. Don’t make me regret it!”
“You little rascal, is your grandmother an outsider?”
Old Madam pondered to herself. Recently, through the Princess, quite a few people had come to inquire about Wen Jiao’s marriage prospects. In the past, those families would have been considered quite good. However… sigh, that girl Wen Jiao had become picky after broadening her horizons. And she herself had thought that with Wen Feng marrying the Princess, things might get even better, so she hadn’t been in a hurry.
But if Wen Jiao didn’t settle down, Wen Wan couldn’t either. They couldn’t drag this on for too long.
After considering for a while, she still sent someone to invite Wen Yu back, saying she wanted her to come and see if the courtyard prepared for the Princess was suitable.
Princess Hui Duan had long expressed that, apart from important occasions like New Year’s, festivals, and Old Madam’s birthday, she would basically be living in the Princess Residence most of the time. There was a room prepared for Old Madam there as well, so everyone could stay there as they pleased, saving themselves the trouble.
Old Madam Wen would never live in the Princess Residence no matter what, but to have a daughter-in-law marry in and not serve her… who would manage household affairs then? Would they have her, the old lady, manage them? Handing everything over to Guan Shi… wouldn’t that make her too complacent?
She had initially felt a bit awkward, but after Wen Yu’s scolding last time, she thought it over carefully: she herself had a strong personality, and the Princess wasn’t weak either. Rather than clashing and making things ugly, it would be better to maintain a respectful distance.
Wen Yu hadn’t returned to the Wen family home for a long time. Today, upon entering, the servants said that Eldest Master was at home…
“Father.” Wen Yu went to see him first, “Why are you at home today?”
Wen Qian’s official duties were going smoothly, but he himself… seemed somewhat dejected. He had dark circles under his eyes, white hairs at his temples, and an indescribable heaviness about him. Compared to the previously spirited and elegant scholar… he seemed like a different person.
Everything today was what he deserved! Wen Yu felt no pity.
“I’ve been busy for a while lately, I’m a bit tired, so I’m taking a few days off.” After speaking, Wen Qian coughed lightly a few times.
“It’s getting cold, remember to wear more clothes.”
Wen Qian had no one by his side. Old Madam had mentioned taking a concubine for him several times, but he refused to listen, leading to unpleasantness between mother and son.
Now, every day when he came home, he would read books and teach his two sons their lessons. He didn’t care about household affairs and rarely socialized outside.
Every night before going to sleep, he would stare at the empty room, sitting blankly for a long time. He thought of the cozy atmosphere of the past… the room was warm, always with figures moving about. Her beautiful appearance, her tenderness and affection. Sleeping beside him, she was fragrant and warm…
And Wen Huan… with her around, there was always so much laughter.
That vibrant and beautiful life was gone forever. These feelings tormented him every day, making it impossible to sleep at night.
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At this moment, his beautiful eldest daughter spoke even words of concern with such indifference, mere perfunctory politeness. A sharp pain pierced his heart… Wen Qian, how did you let your life become like this?
“Good.” His voice choked slightly. “Wen Yu, how are you doing?”
“I’m doing very well, daughter.”
“That’s good… at least someone is doing well.” He fell silent.
As Wen Yu walked from the front study to the back, Guan Shi and her daughter were waiting at the second gate. Seeing Wen Yu arrive, she smiled and said, “Thank you for broadening their horizons.”
“Third Aunt, you’re too kind, it was just a coincidence.”
“These days, they’ve been doing well learning the ropes at the shop. They’re much more organized than before!”
“My two younger sisters were always quite good.”
Entering the rear hall, Wen Jiao and Wen Wan were accompanying Old Madam. Both were dressed appropriately and adorned with jewelry, seemingly having learned a lot from the Princess.
“Grandmother!” Wen Yu first paid her respects to Old Madam.
Wen Jiao looked at Wen Yu, unhappy, extremely unhappy!
So, during this time, the reason the Princess hadn’t paid attention to her was that she was busy with Wen Yu’s affairs! She only just learned that Master Qing had been injured and rescued by Brother Duanmu. A mere artisan, and he had actually stayed at the Princess Residence for so long!
Why?!
She had seen the Princess last time at the palace, but the Princess not only hadn’t told her about this matter, but she also hadn’t invited her out for visits or to stay over!
Moreover, her grandmother had actually confined her to her quarters!
It was infuriating!
The Princess was clearly related to her father and herself, soon to be her mother. Why did Wen Yu get to bypass her and become so close to the Princess?
And Brother Duanmu, she had only met him twice in total! Why was Wen Yu able to order him around like that?
“Elder Sister, what’s going on with your Master Qing? Why is he living at the Princess’s place?” Wen Jiao launched into her interrogation.
Wen Yu sat down and looked her up and down, “Wen Jiao, your tone sounds like you’re accusing me!”
“With Grandmother here, who’s accusing anyone? That’s the Princess’s place, she’s going to be my mother soon, and there’s even a courtyard there for me, what’s wrong with asking?”
“She’s not even staying in… your… courtyard, why are you asking about it?” Wen Yu was exasperated. It was utterly baffling. “Grandmother, did you call me back to ask about this?”
Old Madam Wen didn’t dare provoke her, but she didn’t stop the bickering between her granddaughters either, “It’s nothing like that! I called you back to talk about the wedding banquet!” As she spoke, she felt indignant. This wretched girl definitely loved talking about this, and had once again ruthlessly swindled the Wen family out of a fortune!
“Grandmother, isn’t everything already settled? Second Uncle has been overseeing it from start to finish. This is the first time in years I’ve seen him take anything so seriously!”
“You child!” Old Madam Wen truly had no way to deal with her.
Sending Wen Jiao and Wen Wan away, Old Madam still wanted to ask about the Crown Prince’s Residence, “Are you on very good terms with the Crown Prince? You even went to the Hot Spring Villa last time.”
“Grandmother, if Elder Brother is so loose-lipped, I won’t take him with me next time there’s something going on! I told them not to talk about it outside, but Wen Jiao already knows and is throwing a tantrum at me! Do I owe her something? Does the Princess and General Duanmu need to consult with her about their affairs?”
Wen Yu was losing her temper.
Old Madam Wen quickly said, “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. It’s my fault. I thought this matter was somewhat related to Jiao’er, so I told her about it.”
“Related to her? Even after Second Uncle’s marriage is done, she’s just a baggage stepdaughter! The benefits she could gain are extremely limited. She has absolutely no say in the Princess Residence! Who does she think she is? Does she have no self-awareness? What’s wrong with everyone?”
“Alright, alright. Grandmother understands, I’ll scold her later, don’t be angry!”
Wen Yu looked at Old Madam, “Grandmother, Duanmu dared to injure someone at the Emperor’s birthday banquet. Don’t you understand his temper? With him like that, how could the Princess’s temperament be any better? I’m telling you this upfront, if the Wen family doesn’t adjust their attitude and provokes the Princess and General Duanmu, leading to embarrassment or losses, you’ll have to bear it yourselves!”
“Enough!” Old Madam Wen found it unpleasant to hear. “It was out of good intentions that I called you back! The Marquis’s own grandson suffered a major setback and was humiliated at the palace banquet. This is no joke. You must absolutely not let the residence know about Master Qing being rescued by Duanmu. Otherwise, Old Madam Qi, your grandmother-in-law, will lash out at you, and you, as the granddaughter-in-law, will have to suffer!”
“I stayed there for a while and then moved out, she doesn’t even know. I think it was the Wen family who spread the news!”
“No, they won’t say anything more.”
Old Madam Wen regretted calling her back. This wretched girl couldn’t speak properly!
