A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Old Acquaintances Again

The Song Family Estate was not close to the Wen Family Residence, requiring two nights on the road.

Old Madam Wen set off with her eldest grandson and his wife, Li Shi, as well as several granddaughters.

They planned to arrive early and stay at the Song Family Estate for a few days.

Along the way, there were Song Family villas and inns. Song Shang must have given instructions beforehand, as everything was arranged perfectly for the Wen family, with people coming to pick them up and see them off.

This made Old Madam Wen feel very honored.

If it weren’t for the fine tea sets in the room, the exquisite bedding, and the delicate late-night snacks that only she received… Wen Yu would have truly believed that Song Shang was giving face to her grandmother.

These special treatments made her feel a little uneasy…

Although she had made up her mind, when she actually encountered these things, she still didn’t know what to do.

Yan Zhu and Xiao Ji, however, were extremely satisfied. Yan Zhu kept praising, “Fifth Master Song is so generous!”

Xiao Ji nodded while eating, she would finish all the food Yan Zhu left behind…

This time, Wen Yu insisted on bringing Xiao Ji, with an unquestionable expression. Given Wei Shi’s personality, she didn’t know what she might do to her. She had to have her own people around her!

Qing He finally understood that Xiao Ji’s entire family worked for the young mistress, so naturally, Wen Yu trusted her the most! She had nothing to compete for.

As for Hong Xing, she was gloomy for a long time. She wandered around the Peony Pavilion, staring at the beams, accumulating reasons for her future actions.

Xiao Ji’s second elder brother drove the carriage, while Master Sun followed on a donkey.

Old Madam Wen saw this and was stunned again. This girl was quite capable!

Sigh…

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After two days of travel, they were nearing the Song Family Estate. The carriage was moving along a small road by the lake.

On one side were weeping willows by the lake, and further into the lake were lotus flowers.

On the other side were flowering trees, and further in were rice paddies.

The young ladies, and even Old Madam Wen, lifted the carriage curtains, admiring the scenery along the way.

After a while, they saw a large cluster of houses at one end of the lake. That was the Song Family Estate!

Wen Yu stared blankly into the distance…

Song Shang’s father was named Song Rupeng. He was the legitimate eldest son of the legitimate eldest branch of the Song Family and held a very high position in the family.

Although Madam Song didn’t come from a prominent family, her family owned a kiln and was quite wealthy.

The two of them were engaged after Song Rupeng himself took a liking to her. The couple had a good relationship.

More than a year after their marriage, Madam Song gave birth to a son… Song Shang’s elder brother, Song Chen.

At that time, the Song family had gradually expanded their business from their original modest wealth, and had become quite prosperous.

Then, while on a business trip, Song Rupeng had an accident and died.

At that time, Madam Song was pregnant with Song Shang.

Shortly after the funeral, Song Chen, who was not yet two years old, drowned in the lake while unsupervised.

If Song Rupeng’s death could be considered an accident, then Song Chen’s death was clearly deliberate, and it must have been someone from the Song family!

Madam Song was usually gentle and naive. With her husband, her pillar of support, gone, she almost couldn’t go on living.

But the death of her eldest son woke her up. It was truly a case of a mother becoming strong for her child. With great care and protection, she kept this pregnancy safe.

From Song Shang’s birth to his adulthood, he had experienced countless dangerous situations.

Although the Song family’s business grew rapidly, several people had also died!

Including Song Shang’s second elder brother… Song Jian, the eldest son of his second paternal uncle.

She remembered him…

A flash of inspiration struck Wen Yu, and the image of the tall and strong Song Jian appeared in her mind… She had been so afraid of him back then…

Hmm… She was just about to remember something!

But then she heard Yan Zhu shouting, “Hey, hey, hey! Ah Yu, look, several people are coming to welcome us, eh?! Is that Fifth Master at the front?!” She shaded her eyes with her hand, looking carefully.

Wen Yu leaned forward to look and it was indeed Song Shang! He, along with several of his men, was galloping towards them and had already reached Old Madam’s carriage.

She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but he seemed quite happy. She could see his white teeth flashing from afar.

Wen Yu stared blankly at him, and suddenly saw him turn sideways and look at her.

Startled, she ducked her head.

Yan Zhu, however, stretched her neck out for her. Seeing Song Shang looking over, she waved vigorously at him.

Oh, this girl wasn’t afraid of him at all!

The convoy moved forward again.

Song Shang remained on his horse, not moving.

Wen Yu’s carriage was at the back. When it reached him, he pulled on the reins and rode beside her carriage. “Eh?! Is this Ah Yu’s new carriage?”

Before Wen Yu could speak, Yan Zhu proudly said, “Fifth Master, this is our new carriage. Looks good, right?!”

Song Shang, however, was not satisfied. “Very ordinary! Hong Dou, your taste is not…”

“Fifth Master! I’m not called Hong Dou anymore, I’m called Yan Zhu! Ah Yu gave me this name, and she calls me Zhu Zhu!”

“Yan Zhu?!” Song Shang was a little surprised. He really didn’t know about this. “Alright! Then can I also call you Zhu Zhu like Ah Yu?”

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Yan Zhu giggled, as beautiful as the lotus flowers in the lake.

Wen Yu shook her head… As long as she was happy!

✿✿✿

The group entered the Song Family Estate and arrived at a large courtyard. Every time the Wen family visited, they stayed here.

Song Shang said to Old Madam Wen, “Grand Aunt, please rest for a while. Someone will come to escort you to Chun Hui Courtyard soon. Mother is waiting for you there!”

The old madam nodded in agreement.

Song Shang gave instructions to the servants, then glanced at Wen Yu and rode away happily.

The young ladies stayed in the courtyard behind the old madam’s, each with three small rooms.

Older female servants and maids had already prepared cold and hot water.

Yan Zhu was quick and finished tidying up her things first.

Xiao Ji also helped Wen Yu wash her face, and Yan Zhu came to comb her hair.

Wen Yu chose a set of clothes. Just as she finished dressing, a maid came to call her. “The old madam wants the young ladies to go to the front, they’re going out.”

The Song Family Estate was very large. It took them a while to reach Chun Hui Courtyard.

As soon as they entered the courtyard gate, they saw flowers everywhere, and large pots of brocade carp.

Prosperous and peaceful, Song Shang was truly devoted to his mother!

He was also a son who was not easy to raise, but he was much more filial than her own father!

Everything was arranged, and Madam Song didn’t have to worry about anything. If she had a grandson, her life would be perfect…

Older female servants and maids, smiling, welcomed the Wen family inside.

Madam Song had already gotten up and walked to the door. “Aunt! You’re here!” Her voice was filled with joy.

Old Madam Wen also had a gentle smile on her face, and she quickened her pace. “Xiang Ci! It’s been a while, how are you?!”

“Aunt, I’m doing well! My, you look so well after marrying your eldest grandson’s wife! You look several years younger!”

“Hahahaha, no wonder Shang’er speaks so sweetly, he must have learned it from his mother!”

The two women were very affectionate when they met. They held hands and sat down together, chatting about family matters.

Wen Yu, however, noticed the little girl sitting next to Madam Song, Song Shang and Wei Shi’s daughter, Song Chihan…

She was only four years old now, with two buns in her hair tied with pink gauze, and wearing a pink butterfly shirt.

She had a small round face, single eyelids, very fair skin, and blue veins visible on her eyelids.

Her appearance wasn’t particularly outstanding, but at such a young age, she could sit upright with a straight back.

Her little face was tense, very haughty.

She didn’t smile at the Wen family who had just entered, and even seemed unhappy.

Heh, she was always unhappy!

Old Madam Wen formally introduced her eldest grandson’s wife. “Eldest Grandson’s wife has gone to the capital. Second Grandson’s wife is looking after the house! I brought Feng Ge’er and his wife! Let her get to know her aunt’s family!”

“Oh, let me see…”

Madam Song extended her hand, and Li Shi went over. Her peach blossom-like face pleased Madam Song. “Yes! Good! Good looks!”

The newlyweds bowed to her.

Madam Song took a box from a servant. “Feng Ge’er’s wife, take this to play with!”

Old Madam Wen quickly said, “Shang’er brought your gift!”

“It’s not the same! I’m happy to see this new daughter-in-law! Han Jie’er? Come here quickly! Greet… This is your Grand Aunt! And this is your Uncle Feng, and Aunt Feng!”

The little girl, however, remained proudly seated. The maid beside her quickly tried to help her down.

She dodged irritably, glared at the maid, and then reluctantly jumped off the seat.

She bowed, and although her movements were proper, her reluctance was evident.

Old Madam Wen chuckled. “Xiao Han’er? Do you remember your Grand Aunt?”

Song Chihan didn’t speak.

Madam Song said, “Han Jie’er? Why aren’t you speaking?”

Old Madam Wen took a small cloth doll from Song Momo. “I saw this at Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion a few days ago. Really, they even make these! It looks fun. Han Jie’er…”

When Song Chihan saw the beautifully dressed cloth doll, she became happy. “Thank you, Grand Aunt…” She thanked her in a soft and delicate voice, then took the doll and started playing with it.

Wen Yu looked at the little girl playing with the doll with great interest, but what came to her mind was the sharp and mean expression she had in her previous life, her criticism, her scolding towards her.

And finally, the punches and kicks in the prison cell…