A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 49

Chapter 49: A Small Team

Master Qing personally escorted Wen Yu out. As expected, a young shop assistant from Golden Joy Pavilion, about ten years old, was waiting respectfully outside.

“Let’s go!” Wen Yu smiled.

The young shop assistant pointed ahead: “Miss, Golden Joy Pavilion is right over there… Look, the tallest one!” His voice was filled with pride.

The few streets nearby were the central area of the city, the most prosperous.

Shops lined up one after another, each with their own signboards fluttering in the wind, and the shouts of shopkeepers welcoming customers rose and fell…

Carriages and sedan chairs passed back and forth, some riding horses, some riding donkeys. There were also many women on foot, with their daughters, maids, and male servants, carrying large and small bags.

Restaurants and roasted nut shops emitted various aromas… If Zhu Zhu were here, she would definitely be drooling.

So, she asked Xiao Ji to buy some snacks.

Since they couldn’t walk everywhere, they decided to take it slow.

Wen Yu lingered, looking back and forth at the shops on both sides. Thinking that in the near future, she would be able to stroll here at will, she couldn’t help but feel happy.

At this time, a few people on horseback came towards them.

The man at the front was wearing a bamboo hat, pulled down very low, making it impossible to see his face. He was wrapped in a dark blue, thin, windproof garment.

His riding posture was elegant yet domineering. Surrounded by several people behind him, he looked very mysterious.

The group passed by Wen Yu and headed off into the distance.

This must be someone important!

Wen Yu felt that she had seen the world! Such demeanor was definitely extraordinary.

Her girlish heart surfaced, and she actually turned her head and watched for a long time…

When they arrived at Golden Joy Pavilion, Old Madam and Wen Huan had already bought the jewelry they wanted and were preparing to return home…

Wen Jiao was personally holding three beautiful brocade boxes, one large and two small, and gave Wen Yu a triumphant look. She brushed past her with a waft of fragrance.

Eldest Sister-in-law accompanied Old Madam, also walking out. Old Madam saw Wen Yu but didn’t say anything.

The new daughter-in-law smiled gently at Wen Yu. The attention of the younger sisters was all on the boxes in their hands, and no one paid attention to her.

Only Cousin Hui looked at Wen Yu apologetically.

Wen Yu smiled brightly, she really didn’t care!

Just as she was about to leave, a female manager from Golden Joy Pavilion called out to her, “Eldest Miss!”

Wen Yu turned her head, and the female manager smiled, “I was so busy with Old Madam that I didn’t see Eldest Miss, how rude of me. This is a small token of apology from the shop.” She handed over two boxes, their style extremely ordinary.

“There’s no need to be so polite, Manager Zhang. I just spent too long at Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion!”

“Don’t be so polite, Eldest Miss. It’s nothing much, just two small trinkets… Oh, one of them is for that pretty girl who always follows you around! Please take them both back…”

With that said, Wen Yu couldn’t refuse any longer, “You are so thoughtful, Manager Zhang!”

The female manager personally escorted her out to the carriage.

Once in the carriage, Wen Jiao saw them and asked, “Eldest Sister, what are those?”

“Free gifts from the shop…”

Wen Jiao looked at the two shabby boxes and curled her lip, “You even want these?!” She was very disdainful.

✿✿✿

Fifth Young Master Qi, who was inexplicably “busy with official matters”, was walking on the most prosperous street in the city when he suddenly smelled a pleasant fragrance.

It vaguely resembled the scent of Cousin Lian Yue.

But he only thought about it for a moment and didn’t dwell on it.

He had recovered from that during these days!

They arrived at “Fan Lou” ahead, the most expensive restaurant in the city.

After dismounting, he tossed the reins and strode directly to the private room on the third floor.

✿✿✿

Back home, Yan Zhu’s eyes lit up when she saw Wen Yu return, but she didn’t want to let it go so easily, so she quickly turned her head and pouted again.

Wen Yu ignored her, changed her clothes, and had some tea.

She asked Xiao Ji to distribute the snacks she bought to everyone and sent them away before taking out the things from Golden Joy Pavilion…

She couldn’t help but sigh, who would consider these as “trinkets”?!

They were two pieces of white jade jewelry, a bracelet and a jade pendant.

The jade was white and smooth, warm and pleasant to the touch.

The bracelet was wide and thick, and the jade pendant was exquisitely carved. At a glance, they were not ordinary items…

She knew that this must have been arranged by Song Shang beforehand.

… She turned to look at Yan Zhu, who was still angry?!

“Zhu Zhu, pick one, the bracelet or the jade pendant? Oh, never mind, I’ll take the bracelet, you keep the jade pendant?!”

Yan Zhu’s eyes immediately widened, “Bracelet?” She ran over at once, “Ah?! A jade bracelet! Miss… But I really want the bracelet! I’m wearing the jade pendant my mother left me around my neck! No matter how good another jade pendant is, I can’t exchange it. Can I have the bracelet?”

“Then are you still angry?!”

Yan Zhu hesitated, not wanting to let it go so easily.

✿✿✿

So, Wen Yu took out the snacks and the embroidered piece from Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion.

Yan Zhu was immediately happy, “Not angry anymore, not angry anymore! Oh my, this embroidered piece is so beautiful? How did they embroider it…” She took it and examined it carefully.

After a while, she turned her head and said, “Ah Yu, when we go to the Song family, you’ll take me with you, right?”

“Hehe, you poor thing, alright, I’ll take you!”

“Ah! That’s great! Zhu Zhu is happier today than during New Year’s!” She happily put on the bracelet, admired it for a while, then carefully examined the embroidered piece again, “Next time, I’ll embroider this for you… Oh, I might not know how to yet!”

“Remember, don’t wear the bracelet out for now.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

✿✿✿

Steward Li, Xiao Ji’s father, was truly capable.

He sent a message that in just two days, he had completed all the tasks Wen Yu had assigned him.

Accompanied by Xiao Ji’s mother, Xiao Ji, and Yan Zhu, Wen Yu went out of the second gate and finally met the father and sons.

Xiao Ji’s father had the perfect image of a steward. He was of medium height, thin, and wore clean cloth clothes and shoes. His eyes were bright, he had a short beard, and a natural smile on his face.

Xiao Ji’s brothers really did look alike, and they were all outstanding! They were fair-skinned, clean, with dark eyes and straight postures.

As for Xiao Ji… After looking at everyone, Yan Zhu kept sighing to Xiao Ji, asking her how she ended up looking the way she did.

Steward Li and his sons bowed according to etiquette and briefly reported on what had been done during this period. “We have already contacted Fifth Master Song’s people and have inspected the properties. Fifth Master Song’s intention is to discuss the details with you when you go to Song Family Estate in a few days.”

Discuss the details…

What else is there to discuss, I have the manpower now?! Just hand it over…

Wen Yu complained inwardly but could only nod silently.

“Turn right after going out of this gate, the fourth house in Water Well Lane is the small courtyard we have newly rented. My family and a few others have moved there.”

“Good.” Wen Yu nodded.

“And this one…” Steward Li pointed to a man in his forties standing beside him.

“His name is Sun Ying, he’s a master from Zhenyuan Escort Agency here. He’s a local, has parents, wife, and children, even grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He has no bad habits, and we know him well. We plan to have him follow the carriage when you go out. Please take a look at him…”

Wen Yu saw that the man had an ordinary appearance, was very strong, and had honest eyes.

“Master Sun.”

“Miss!” Master Sun cupped his hands and bowed, with a straightforward air.

“Have you discussed the terms?” She asked Steward Li.

“It’s all market price. We’ve agreed!”

“Good, I’ll be troubling Master Sun in the future.”

Master Sun politely replied, inwardly amused: A young lady, where could she possibly go? What could she possibly do? What’s there to be troubled about? This is a task where I can sit back, relax, and count my money, hehe.

“This is the carriage and horses we bought. Brand new!” Steward Li’s voice was filled with joy. Regarding carriages, men probably haven’t changed from ancient to modern times.

The style and material of the carriage were not particularly outstanding, just brand new inside and out. It was clean, sturdy, and compact, with a comfortable seat and bamboo curtains. It looked very practical.

“Mhm, not bad, this is exactly what I wanted!”

“The rented courtyard over there has a large entrance, and the carriage can be placed directly inside. Among your people, there’s one called Tie Zhu who can drive. My second son can also drive.”

“I can take my own carriage when I go to Song Family Estate this time!” Wen Yu was quite happy.

“Yes. We bought one horse and one donkey. The donkey… is very convenient for us to run errands. If it’s not needed, it’s easy to sell.” This wasn’t discussed beforehand, so Steward Li was worried that the Miss would blame him for making the decision on his own.

“Why not buy both as horses?” Wen Yu asked.

“Hehe, the price of a horse, and the cost of keeping it, are much higher. But using them is about the same.”

“Horses are prettier…” Yan Zhu looked at the little donkey with disdain.

Sensing her unfriendly gaze, the little donkey brayed a few times.

Everyone laughed.

“One is a bit too few, buy another one! It can be either a horse or a donkey. I need to go to distant places, and Master Sun also needs to ride and follow.”

“Yes! This is a letter from Fifth Master Song, he said to bring these when you go to Song Family Estate. He will discuss the specific matters with you then.”

“…Alright!”

The male and female leads met for the first time, neither understanding the other.