A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Each Busy with Their Own Affairs

Old Madam Wen was exhausted from the preparations for her eldest grandson’s wedding and excused everyone from paying their respects.

Wen Feng limped out the door and didn’t return, sending a message that he would be staying at the Wen family’s house in Qianjiang for a while.

Upon hearing this, Wu Shi hurriedly sent daily necessities and a delicate-looking concubine over.

Old Madam Wen snorted when she heard about it but didn’t pay it any mind.

The time came for Wen Qian to hand over the accounts. As promised, Song Shang sent people over – three men and one woman, all following proper etiquette. From their appearance, they were at least managers, not mere assistants. Each one appeared dedicated…

This showed considerable importance! Wen Qian felt awkward but didn’t show it.

Yuan Xi Jun, not wanting to witness this scene, took Wen Huan out to visit friends. Since everything had been entrusted to her husband, he could handle it however he pleased!

Wen Qian decided to be decisive and swiftly settle the matter, regardless of the consequences. As long as it was handed over, that was enough.

However, he was surprised to find that Wen Yu was fully aware of what needed to be done! She was completely familiar with the process and knew where the focus should lie! Overwhelmed with thoughts and feeling embarrassed, he simply crossed his legs, sipped his tea, picked up a book, sat to the side, and didn’t even look.

In a short while, the handover of the account books was completed.

Old Madam Wen didn’t appear. Nurse Song led the people to open the storehouse. It was evident that it hadn’t been touched for many years, covered in a thick layer of dust with a strong musty smell.

Wen Yu was easy to deal with. After a simple inventory, she signed her name, then replaced the lock with her own. With a click, everything inside belonged to her.

The handover was completed in less than half a day. The inventory was written, two copies were prepared, and it was time to sign…

Wen Qian thought: This time, the account of this “father-daughter relationship” was completely settled! From now on, they would be far apart, never to see each other again.

To ease his own burden, he still gave Wen Yu more than ten thousand taels of silver! “The shop managers and stewards will all remain in their current positions for now. The people on this list are still needed by your father. You should quickly train your own personnel and replace them. As for the rest, you can decide for yourself.

Your father will be leaving soon. If you want to see these managers and stewards, just inform the head steward at the front, and he will arrange it. Keep these ten thousand taels of silver. From this point on, consider your mother’s dowry fully transferred to you. If you agree, sign here.”

“Yes, Father.” Wen Yu didn’t hesitate, directly picking up the brush and signing her name.

Wen Qian looked at his eldest daughter, her demeanor calm and collected, yet possessing such breathtaking beauty… His heart was unsteady, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke: “After your father goes to the capital, he will surely be very busy. Everything at home will be left to your grandmother, with all matters decided by her. Your father still has some things to attend to and will take his leave now.”

“Yes, Father.” Wen Yu bowed, her attitude gentle, but she said no more.

Picking up a document, Wen Qian turned and left. Reaching the courtyard gate, he couldn’t help but look back. His eldest daughter was already discussing matters with several people…

His heart felt slightly sour, slightly pained, and somewhat lost.

Turning away, he completely let go of everything concerning Wen Yu!

…

In a corner of the garden, Hong Xing’er had just received ten taels of silver from Nurse Xu.

Ten taels!

It was a reward from Madam Yuan!

Before she could fully revel in her joy, Nurse Xu asked, “What have you decided about what I said last time?”

“Ah?! What…” Hong Xing’er was suddenly confused.

“Playing dumb again?” Nurse Xu snatched the silver back.

“Ah! Nurse! Hong Xing’er knows her mistake, knows her mistake.” The silver that was in her hand flew away, and Hong Xing’er was shocked.

Nurse Xu snorted, “Do you not know what day it is? Do you not know what Master is doing over there? A girl, daring to force her own father to this extent! If it weren’t for fear of ruining the Wen family’s reputation if it got out…” Her face was full of hatred.

Hong Xing’er kept her eyes on the silver, nodding repeatedly in agreement. After Nurse Xu had vented her anger, she asked, “Nurse, what do you want me to do?”

“What do you mean what do I want you to do?!” Nurse Xu was incredulous. “Hong Xing’er, I can’t believe you’re still so muddle-headed! This is about what you should do, understand?”

“Yes, yes, yes, Nurse, Hong Xing’er misspoke again. After you spoke last time, Hong Xing’er thought about it carefully and did some things. But I don’t know why Madam hasn’t reacted…”

She had already told Madam Yuan about Eldest Miss meeting with Fifth Master Song in private, but Madam hadn’t made any move!

Could she be blamed for that?

“What kind of person is Madam? Noble, elegant, kind-hearted, destined to be a Lady of the Imperial Court. Would she ruin Eldest Miss over this matter?! Hmph, if it were up to me, I’d either take her life or send her to a temple. Madam keeps urging me to be patient. It’s infuriating!”

Hong Xing’er said, “It’s a pity we missed the opportunity. Nurse, it’s not like Hong Xing’er didn’t do anything…”

“Hmm, that’s why I spoke to Madam on your behalf for so long!” Nurse Xu returned the silver to Hong Xing’er.

Hong Xing’er gripped it tightly, delighted to have it back.

“Sigh, I watched Madam grow up. I’ve never seen her so stifled. It breaks my heart. I’ve also realized that some things can’t wait for Madam’s instructions. For Madam’s sake and our own, we need to be more proactive.”

“Nurse, Hong Xing’er is willing, but I really don’t know what to do. Please teach me!”

“To Eldest Miss, I’m an outsider. If I were to do anything, it would cause a big stir. Besides, people would surely suspect it was Madam’s idea. So I can’t really get involved. But you’re different, you’re by Eldest Miss’ side!”

Nurse Xu’s eyes gleamed. “Look… Eldest Miss clearly doesn’t trust you, right? If she manages the businesses well, you won’t benefit. If she loses everything and ruins the family, it’ll be even worse for you! Even if she gets a good marriage proposal, it won’t have anything to do with you!”

✿✿✿

Hong Xing’er nodded; she couldn’t argue with that.

“So! It all depends on you. Hong Xing’er, I won’t hide it from you, I’m saying all this behind Madam’s back. But in front of Madam, I may not have absolute authority, but I have enough face! Now, it’s up to you! If you provide useful information, here, you can get silver. But if…”

She leaned close to Hong Xing’er and said mysteriously, “If you can deal with Eldest Miss…” Her voice was a low growl through gritted teeth. “I will tell Madam to transfer you to Second Miss’ side. With Master’s promotion, Second Miss will definitely have a good marriage. When she gets married, you’ll be a dowry maid. In the future, you could either become a concubine or marry a steward in a wealthy family!”

“Ah?!” Hong Xing’er’s eyes lit up. Could this be true?

“Is it true?” she asked.

“Have I ever lied to you about something I promised?!”

“Yes, yes, yes. Then I…” Hong Xing’er’s face turned grim.

“Here…” Nurse Xu took out a small package. “If you truly have the ability, find an opportunity, slip this into her food or water, and then… everything will be over! After you and Old Madam go to the capital, I swear to heaven I’ll make good on what I promised you!” She smiled, as if telling a joke.

Hong Xing’er didn’t think twice, quickly and tremblingly taking the package and stuffing it into her sleeve. Although it was light, it felt like a mountain in her hand. This was her future…

“I understand.”

“There’s no rush. Just get it done before we go to the capital. Find the right opportunity and make it seem natural.”

“Hmm…” Hong Xing’er was truly nervous.

“If you decide to do this… nothing else matters. Don’t ask unnecessary questions, don’t contact me, in case we’re exposed. You need to appear hardworking and dedicated, and then…”

Hong Xing’er’s heart pounded. Just now, she was afraid and hesitant, but after Nurse Xu’s instructions, a scene appeared in her mind: Eldest Miss returns to her room, pours a cup of tea from the teapot, and drinks it directly!

If… She squeezed the paper package in her hand. It would be so easy!

But…

As if reading her mind, Nurse Xu said: “We need to prevent it from being discovered afterward, so choose your opportunity carefully. You need to know…” She rolled her eyes. “If a girl disappears, no one will speak out about it, it would damage the family’s reputation! Think about it: who in this family truly cares about her?”

“Hong Xing’er understands.” She said in a low voice.

After finishing their conversation, Hong Xing’er walked back nervously, not noticing that Xiao Ji, the “first-class maid”, was following her with surprisingly light steps despite her plump figure.

Just as Hong Xing’er was about to enter the courtyard, she stopped, hesitated for a moment, and turned back.

Xiao Ji was startled and quickly ducked, falling into the bushes under the fence. It hurt, but she dared not cry out. She cursed inwardly: That bitch! Sneaky and suspicious, she must be up to no good.

Peeking stealthily from the ground, she saw Hong Xing’er enter the nearby Peony Pavilion, looking east, west, and even up…

What is she looking at… Xiao Ji stretched her neck as far as she could, but it didn’t make much difference.

She saw Hong Xing’er take something out from her clothes, then stand on a stool beneath a pavilion pillar, reaching up on tiptoe, and placing something on the horizontal beam above.

Then she jumped down and examined it from below repeatedly.

After looking left and right to ensure no one was around, she returned to the courtyard with a relieved expression.

Xiao Ji remained motionless, squinting her eyes in thought. Is that bitch hiding something? So secretive, could it be gold? Her eyes gleamed…

She had plenty of patience. After lying there for a while, there was no more movement. She got up, dusted herself off, and waited for a while, pacing back and forth.

Then, she stealthily ran to the Peony Pavilion and looked up at the beam, but she couldn’t see anything.

She also stepped onto the stool and reached up.

She couldn’t reach it at all…

That bitch!

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Wen Yu had already put away the accounts. Although she had learned a lot in her past life, she had never actually managed businesses. She still needed to ask Song Shang about how to handle these properties. Fortunately, she would be going to Song Family Estate in a few days. She would take these documents with her and then…

“Thank you for your hard work, everyone. We won’t touch these accounts for now. I’m sure you have a good grasp of the situation after looking them over. If Cousin asks, just tell him what you’ve seen. In a few days, when Grandmother and I go to Song Family Estate, I will ask Cousin for further guidance. During this time, I’ll have to trouble you all to help oversee the shops and properties, so things don’t fall into chaos!”

“Yes, we understand. Please rest assured, Miss Wen!”

“From now on, they would be far apart, never to see each other again!”

The protagonist chuckled inwardly. You wish! But that’s not going to happen! We’ll see each other in the capital!