A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 51

Chapter 51: My Territory

Madam Song saw that Han Jie’er was only focused on playing by herself, not paying attention to her Cousin, Cousin’s Wife, or cousins…

She wasn’t anxious or annoyed, but gently coaxed her, “Good Han’er?! Greet everyone quickly!”

Song Chihan turned her head to look at her grandmother, pursed her lips… neither moving nor greeting.

This expression was very similar to when she was being stubborn with Song Shang. Madam Song had no way to deal with her and shook her head helplessly…

Wen Jiao stepped forward with a smile, “Han Jie’er, show Auntie your doll!?”, wanting to play with her. She reached out to touch the doll.

As a result, Song Chihan suddenly turned away, dodging Wen Jiao’s hand, and screamed impatiently, “Don’t touch it!”

Wen Jiao’s hand froze in mid-air, feeling quite embarrassed… She was usually not known for her good temper.

But she couldn’t lose her temper at this moment, so she had to lower her hand with an awkward smile on her face…

Wen Yu chuckled inwardly, serves her right!

Madam Song finally “scolded” Song Chihan, “Hanhan?! Not greeting people and shouting like this, you’re not being good!” This expression, this tone, where was there any hint of a scolding?

When Song Shang was young, there were countless potential dangers around him. Although Madam Song loved him more than her own life, she was extremely strict with him.

He couldn’t do things she forbade him from doing. Otherwise, if she found out, she would personally punish him. If she hadn’t disciplined him like that, Song Shang wouldn’t be as outstanding as he is now; he would have lost his life long ago!

But now, life was peaceful and smooth, and facing the next generation… Madam Song’s good temper was overflowing, and her patience was limitless!

Old Madam Wen laughed heartily from the side, “Good! Han’er is good like this, I like it!” Inwardly, she thought: She’s really spoiled rotten! If it were any of my granddaughters, daring to be so disrespectful in front of me… I would slap them right away!

The Wen family members also laughed and chimed in, “Yes, Han Jie’er is so cute…”

Only Wen Yu, disapprovingly turned her head to look at the painting on the wall.

But she heard Madam Song calling her, “Ah Yu!? Come here!”

Wen Yu walked quickly with small steps, arrived beside Madam Song, and smiled sweetly, “Aunt!”

Madam Song looked Wen Yu up and down.

Tall stature, although thin, but with a fair and rosy face! Her eyes were as bright as black pearls, looking strong and healthy!

She wore a light green jacket embroidered with small red plum blossoms, a light green skirt, two pearl hair ornaments in her hair, and a gold lock around her neck.

Her attire wasn’t particularly elaborate, highlighting the image of a sweet and innocent young lady.

Yes, what a good girl!

Madam Song’s eyes were filled with fondness.

When Wen Yu was young, she often stayed at the Song residence.

Although the Wen family didn’t treat her well, Madam Song quite liked this little girl. She believed that women should be like this… filial, well-behaved, not lazy, cheerful, observant, and knowing how to be good to their elders. These were the qualities of a good girl!

Of course… her own granddaughter was not included in these criteria!

“Oh my!” Seeing that Wen Yu was more than half a head taller than herself, she turned to Old Madam Wen and said, “This girl’s height resembles Master Wen! Her fair complexion too. Tsk tsk, she’s truly beautiful.” She praised sincerely.

Hearing her grandmother praising someone else’s beauty, Song Chihan finally turned her head, pursing her lips, her eyes even more unhappy.

Old Madam Wen smiled, but didn’t say anything.

“She’s just too thin! She needs to eat more! I remember you like to eat fish. Now that you’re by the lake, the fish and shrimp are fresh, eat more!”

“Aunt, you still remember what Yu’er likes to eat!” Wen Yu asked coquettishly.

“You little glutton, how could I forget?! You, and that little maid who follows you, that bold girl, how old was she? The two of you ran to the lakeside to catch fish. When the maid came back and told me, I was so scared!”

Wen Yu was smiling on the outside, but her heart ached…

Among her relatives, Madam Song was the kindest to her, right?

It was a pity that later she entered the Song household as a concubine for her son. Instigated by Wei Shi, Madam Song became disappointed and resentful towards her…

Madam Song picked up a brocade box beside her, “This is a coming-of-age gift for you! Now that you’re an adult, you must be cautious in your words and actions, be filial to your elders, and set an example for your younger sisters!”

“Yes! Thank you, Aunt, for your teachings, and thank you for the gift!” Wen Yu accepted it with both hands, sincerely and respectfully.

Old Madam Wen’s ears turned slightly red. Even she, as Wen Yu’s grandmother, had never given such teachings…

“During this time, the family has prepared many fun activities, you girls…”

At this moment, a light laugh came from the doorway, “Mother, has Grandaunt arrived?”

The curtain lifted, and Wei Shi walked in.

The Wen girls, including the newly arrived sister-in-law, all turned their gazes towards Wei Shi.

Today she was wearing a silver plain dress, a palm-wide waistband embroidered with flowers and adorned with pearls and mother-of-pearl flowers. Her apron, also decorated with dangling pearls and mother-of-pearl, swayed with every step, making her appear graceful and elegant.

She walked to the two Madams and performed her customary elegant greeting.

Madam Song’s face lit up with a smile upon seeing her daughter-in-law.

Old Madam Wen also smiled and called out, “Xiang Yu!”

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“Grandaunt, you must be tired from your journey! Oh, this is my sister-in-law!” She walked over and looked Li Shi up and down.

The new bride, being shy, softly called out, “Cousin’s Wife!”

Li Shi was dressed in a bright red jacket and skirt, wearing rather heavy jewelry.

Wei Shi inwardly disapproved, looking at her attire… how tacky!

The Wen girls hurriedly called out, “Cousin’s Wife!”

“Cousin’s Wife is so beautiful…”

“The style of this apron is so pretty!”

Wei Shi smiled nonchalantly, glancing at each of the Wen sisters, not lingering on Wen Yu, treating her the same as the others.

Then she said to Old Madam Wen, “In the next two days, relatives and friends coming to celebrate Mother’s birthday will arrive, and I have so much to do. It’s a good thing you arrived two days early, you can keep Mother company!”

Old Madam Wen nodded with a smile, but felt a bit displeased. Why did these words sound so jarring?

Oh, you don’t have time to accompany your mother-in-law, so you want me to do it? Who are you ordering around?

Who am I?

I’m your mother-in-law’s elder!

This Wei Shi… always putting on an air of arrogance, what’s she trying to do?

If it weren’t for Song Shang, even if you dressed up like a princess, would you have caught my eye?!

But those were just thoughts; she didn’t show any of it on her face.

Wei Shi “finally” noticed the brocade box in Wen Yu’s hands and laughed, “Even though Younger Sister Yu didn’t have a coming-of-age ceremony, she’s still receiving gifts until now!”

Wen Yu smiled delicately, “It’s because Aunt favors me, don’t be jealous!”

“Ha!” Wei Shi’s heart churned, a sharp expression appearing on her face, “Elder Sister Wen is really good at joking!”

She didn’t control her emotions well, so her voice was quite jarring, causing Madam Song’s displeasure, “Alright! It’s not just Ah Yu, you girls all have gifts too, they’re all placed in your own rooms.”

Wen Jiao took the lead in flattery, “Aunt, you’re so kind!”

Madam Song pointed at her and laughed, “You little girl, your voice is so loud! My ears are ringing!”

It was unclear who she was referring to…

“If my voice is too soft, Aunt won’t notice Jiao’er!” Wen Jiao didn’t care.

Everyone laughed.

Madam Song continued, “This time, your Cousin has arranged many interesting things! There are acrobatic performances, plays, all arranged in the opera house, and he even invited female storytellers. If you want, you can stay there all day. Also, the Hundred Beasts Garden, your Cousin has brought in some new animals… Just don’t leave the estate, play wherever you like!”

The girls were even more delighted, responding in agreement.

“Grandaunt, I’ll stay with you.” Madam Song said to Old Madam Wen, “Let’s listen to some stories, sit by the lake, and relax for two days. Oh, if any of you want to go boating or horseback riding, let your Cousin know! Han’er, do you want to go play with your aunts?”

“No!” Song Chihan stuck out her little neck.

Madam Song laughed heartily, while Old Madam Wen also shook her head with a smile, “This little girl…”

“Oh, Yi’er is also here!” Weng Xiaoyi was her niece from her maiden family. “This girl has become very capable recently! I just sent someone to find her, so you could meet her, I don’t know where she ran off to. She’s very familiar with this place. If your Cousin’s Wife is busy, tell Yi’er if you want to eat or drink anything!”

All the girls agreed.

Madam Song turned to Wei Shi and said, “You go and take care of your things. I’ll chat with your Grandaunt for a bit. Han’er, do you want to stay with Grandmother, or go with your Mother?”

Han Jie’er immediately stood up, without saying a word, and went to hold Wei Shi’s hand.

Wen Yu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Madam Song was so good to Song Chihan, yet she didn’t receive any affection in return.

As Wei Shi left, she only smiled at her cousins, “Sisters, don’t treat yourselves as guests, have fun!” With that, she led Song Chihan away.

Among the Wen family, she valued Wen Huan the most. Wen Huan wasn’t here, and she didn’t care about the rest of them.

Especially Wen Yu…

Now that you’re on my turf, I’m in no mood to be nice to you!

I don’t want to write anymore. For the first time in my life, I want to drop this book…