A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Unreasonable Trouble

Wen Qian was about to leave. Old Madam Wen had been putting on a tough front, but as he was leaving, she still took out a considerable amount of silver.

“Although I sent Song Fu to tidy up the courtyard long ago, there will be so many people going there at once, especially since you will be entertaining guests at the residence in the future. The garden and main hall need to be made presentable! Also… if there are any good properties or opportunities, it will be more convenient for you to handle them if you have silver on hand.”

“Yes. Don’t worry, A Jun is capable of handling these matters.” He had been promoted and definitely wouldn’t have time, so all the management would still depend on his wife.

Old Madam Wen disagreed: “This is for you! Eldest, Yuan Shi has been married into the family for years, but she has never served me, her mother-in-law! Let me make this clear, when we go to the capital in half a year, she better behave herself! If she doesn’t follow the rules and I have to deal with her, you’ll be in trouble!”

“Yes. Mother, please rest assured, A Jun is reasonable.” Wen Qian didn’t take it seriously.

Reasonable my ass! If she was truly reasonable, she wouldn’t have touched Chen Shi’s dowry!

This bitch, how did she manage to fool my son like this?

For a moment, Old Madam Wen felt disheartened about the life she had been looking forward to in the capital. But looking at her son, she couldn’t bear to bother him with trivial matters…

She just sighed inwardly, I truly care for him, I just don’t know if that woman does.

We’ll take it one step at a time!

✿✿✿

Wen Qian didn’t speak to Wen Yu again until he got into the carriage and left.

Wen Yu merely stood among her sisters, following the rules and seeing her father off at the main gate.

No matter how well-mannered Yuan Shi was, she couldn’t suppress her anger and resentment in the face of what she had lost, and she was unwilling to play games with Wen Yu anymore. She just listened to Old Madam Wen’s instructions gently.

Wen Huan, on the other hand, happily bid farewell to her sisters, saying a lot about meeting in the capital in half a year, and even talked with Wen Yu for quite a while!

“Eldest Sister, I’ll go ahead and get familiar with the place. When you arrive, I’ll take you to Houhai to appreciate the lotus flowers and Xishan to watch the snow!”

Heh, meet in the capital? Dream on!

“Okay! It’s a deal!” Wen Yu smiled, secretly determined: You think you can prevent me from going and live a happy life as a “family” from now on?

Think again! I’m going there no matter what!

……

After Wen Qian left, Wen Yu prepared to ask Wu Shi for manpower.

She first sent Hong Xing’er with silver ingots to find Wu Mama, who served Wu Shi, to ask when Wu Shi would be available.

Unexpectedly, Wu Mama didn’t even glance at the silver and spoke in a sarcastic tone…

Hong Xing’er was already depressed because Master Wen really didn’t take Wen Yu to the capital, and now she was being given the cold shoulder, she returned to Wen Yu with a bad attitude.

Wen Yu already knew that Hong Xing had met with Xu Mama and had hidden something in the Peony Pavilion upon her return, but she only asked Xiao Ji to observe secretly and didn’t rush to see what it was.

Seeing Hong Xing’s attitude now, she didn’t get angry, “Forget it, I’ll go myself later!”

After a while, Wen Yu arrived at the place where Wu Shi usually handled matters. Wu Mama was talking to a few people at the door, “Wu Mama, is Second Aunt inside?”

Wu Mama said nonchalantly: “Oh, it’s Eldest Miss! Why are you here?”

“There are some matters that Grandmother asked me to discuss with Second Aunt!” Wen Yu didn’t want to waste time with her and directly brought up Old Madam Wen.

“Did Old Madam Wen ask you to come now?!” Wu Mama completely ignored her.

“Not really. But…”

“Madam is busy with important matters and has no time to see you now. Please come back when you have time, Eldest Miss!” Wu Mama interrupted her.

“Then…” Wen Yu hadn’t finished speaking when Wu Mama had already turned and gone inside.

She had expected some difficulties, but she really didn’t expect to be denied even a meeting. She stood there for a while, but without any better options, she had to return.

In the afternoon, she went again, but was told that Madam wasn’t in her room.

Back and forth, she wasted the entire day.

And the next day was the same…

Early on the third day, Wen Yu encountered Wu Shi while paying her respects to Old Madam Wen.

“Second Aunt…” Wen Yu said sweetly, with a charming smile: “Yu’er has something to discuss with you, when will you be free?”

Wu Shi smiled, responding generously and readily: “Oh, come over after I’ve finished handling the household matters in a while!”

✿✿✿

This time, when Wen Yu went again, Wu Shi did let her in.

✿✿✿

Upon entering, she saw Wu Shi sitting behind a desk looking at something, with two people standing respectfully before her.

Wen Yu came in, but Wu Shi didn’t even look up. After a long while, she took out a tally and said to the two people, “Alright, let’s do it this way for now!”

The two people bowed and scraped, taking the tally and leaving.

Wu Shi then picked up an account book, still ignoring Wen Yu.

In her past life, Wen Yu had never really interacted with Wu Shi. When she saw her in front of her grandmother and second uncle, she was always so docile, never smiling or speaking unless spoken to.

She was meticulous and thoughtful towards her own children.

In front of the servants and housekeeper, she was noble and capable.

In front of relatives and friends: easygoing and attentive.

She was truly someone who could handle any situation!

But now, facing Wen Yu, her face was full of arrogance and rudeness, as if she didn’t want to deal with her at all. Where was the slightest hint of the smile she had in front of Old Madam Wen?

“Second Aunt!” Wen Yu pretended not to notice, saying softly: “You must have heard that Yu’er has received my mother’s dowry. But I’m really clueless right now, I wonder if Second Aunt has any free time, I’d like to ask for your advice!”

“Don’t flatter me!” Wu Shi said nonchalantly, not looking at her, still flipping through the account book in her hand.

“Second Aunt… I’ve always heard people talk about your ‘ten-mile red makeup’ when you married into the family, how many new brides envied you! All these years, you’ve not only managed your own dowry but also taken care of the food, clothing, housing, and transportation of our entire family. I don’t understand your abilities, but judging from Grandmother’s approval of you, you must be incredibly capable. Even a little bit of your guidance would be immensely beneficial to me!”

Heh, it was true!

Wu Shi felt pleased after hearing this.

She thought she was good in every aspect, except for her looks… From the moment she saw her husband for the first time, she couldn’t let go and nearly went crazy. In order to marry him, she had put in a lot of effort.

Now, her mother-in-law valued her, and her husband relied on her. She had power and wealth, sons and daughters, seemingly everything was perfect.

However, what she cared about most was her husband’s affection. But facing his lecherous nature, not only could she not object, she also had to cooperate unconditionally and even take the initiative to arrange things for him!

These negative emotions had been bottled up in her heart, long fermented and turned sour.

She looked down on Yuan Shi from the bottom of her heart: How could she have the nerve to enjoy the dowry of the previous wife! But Yuan Shi was able to win her brother-in-law’s wholehearted devotion! It was truly outrageous…

What was envy, jealousy, and hate? This was it!

She was happy to see Yuan Shi return the dowry to Wen Yu, but that didn’t mean she was willing to help.

Therefore, although the words were pleasing to the ear, she was unmoved, “…I’ve been busy these days, and Old Madam Wen is exhausted. Your matters haven’t been discussed with me in detail. I’ll ask about it later!”

“My dear Second Aunt, at the moment, Yu’er just needs some manpower to help me manage the shops and properties. Or you could send over two capable people to help me!” Wen Yu said with a flattering expression.

“That’s not possible! People will think that I’m also coveting your mother’s dowry. Heh, your meager possessions are not worth my effort!” She shook her head slightly with a hypocritical expression.

“Second Aunt, Yu’er knows you don’t think much of them!” Wen Yu continued to smile: “You see, you’re so busy every day, it would be bothersome if Yu’er keeps pestering you for people! We’re going to the Song family soon, so many things to do with the trip back and forth! Grandmother is traveling, wouldn’t you have to be extra careful? Just get rid of Yu’er quickly, wouldn’t that be better?!”

That was true!

“Go back and write a list first.” Wu Shi simply dismissed her.

“Second Aunt, it’s easy to write a list, but will I be given whoever I write down?”

“What are you thinking?! How much silver does the family have to support idle people for you? Everyone has their designated role, if I give them to you, what will I use?!”

Then what’s the point of me writing it?

“Oh, I see… Grandmother did mention that both she and you know some very trustworthy intermediaries. Otherwise, I’ll just have to find them all from outside?” She seemed to be talking to herself.

“Wen Yu. Is this something a young lady like you should be doing? I’m not trying to criticize you! Don’t get carried away just because you have a little property in your hands!” Wu Shi was furious, her aura intimidating.

“Second Aunt, you’ve confused me. You don’t have any free people to give, and I can’t buy them from outside. Then… what can I do?”

“Didn’t I just tell you?! Write a list, and I’ll take a look! Go back now, I still have things to do!” Wu Shi simply ignored her.

The list was already written and on Wen Yu’s person. She was about to take it out, but then stopped.

Not yet…