A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 54

Chapter 54: As Expected

The Song Family Estate was a large complex of buildings, with countless courtyards.

It was roughly divided into East, West, and Central Courtyards.

Song Shang’s family lived in the East Courtyard.

The West Courtyard was larger, and it was mainly occupied by Song Shang’s paternal second uncle and his other uncles born to concubines.

The Central Courtyard was for communal use by the Song family, such as the ancestral hall, school, etc. There was also a stage, but because it was built when the Song family was not as wealthy as it was now, it was quite rudimentary.

After Song Shang took over the family affairs, he had all the communal buildings renovated. The stage was only simply refurbished. However, he built a proper opera house in the East Courtyard, specifically using the best materials and craftsmanship, making it exceptionally exquisite.

Madam Song loved watching operas, so she would arrange a performance whenever she found an excuse.

But if anyone from the West Courtyard wanted to come, they had to enter through the main gate of the East Courtyard!

It gave the impression that they treated those from the West Courtyard as complete outsiders.

Not only this… even the walls of the East Courtyard were built exceptionally high, with guards stationed there.

Every detail revealed alienation and distrust.

On ordinary days, unless there were major family events, there was no interaction between the East and West Courtyards.

This angered Song Shang’s second uncle to no end. He had made a scene several times, but each time Song Shang, both overtly and covertly, managed to subdue him.

Song Shang was in no mood to deal with such “familial affection.” He was convinced that the deaths of his father and elder brother were inseparable from these people.

Madam Song’s birthday was the day after tomorrow. In theory, Second Aunt Zhang Shi could simply come on the actual day, given their poor relationship.

But Zhang Shi refused!

She would come!

She would come to cause trouble.

Zhang Shi hated the main branch of the Song family.

She had given birth to three sons and two daughters. Her eldest son, ranked second among the Song generation, had gone missing years ago and could not be found.

The eldest of the Song generation had died at the age of two, and the second had also disappeared when he was sixteen or seventeen, with a rather unsavory reputation.

At that time, Song Shang was only a little over ten years old. Zhang Shi didn’t think it was his doing. She suspected it was the work of her eldest sister-in-law, but she couldn’t find any evidence.

This became one of Zhang Shi’s many knots in her heart.

It was mainly about power and money!

Last year, something went wrong with the business that Song Shang’s second uncle and fourth brother were responsible for. Not only did they lose money, but they also caused trouble. In the end, Song Shang had to personally go and smooth things over.

Afterward, he ruthlessly reprimanded his second uncle and even beat up Song Silang.

After the bamboo salt in Song Shang’s hands became tribute salt, the profits it brought made the Song family members bow down to him in admiration. When they saw him, they nodded and bowed obsequiously, eager to get close to him. Even the two toothless elders of the clan grinned at him with their black mouths.

Zhang Shi hated Madam Song and Song Shang to the core, but she couldn’t do anything about it.

Today, she had dressed herself up in a dazzling display of wealth, deliberately trying to steal Madam Song’s thunder. With a fake smile and a condescending tone, she did everything she could to spoil the atmosphere.

Looking at Zhang Shi, Wen Yu felt genuine annoyance. This was a person who couldn’t stand to see others doing well if she herself wasn’t.

Moreover, it wasn’t just her sour expression and unpleasant words, she was truly capable of ruthless actions.

When Madam Song’s eldest son died, Zhang Shi had just given birth to her own eldest son.

At that time, the East and West Courtyards of the Song family were not so strictly divided. The eldest son had his own courtyard, and people could move freely between them.

Therefore, Wen Yu didn’t believe that Zhang Shi had nothing to do with Song Dalang’s death.

“Oh dear, if it weren’t for sister-in-law’s birthday, I wouldn’t have the chance to experience this high-class feast and the grand opera this afternoon!” Zhang Shi said sarcastically.

Why don’t you just die! Wen Yu felt her anger rising.

Normally, Wei Shi, with her strong personality and capable nature, could always turn the situation around.

But today, Wei Shi had nowhere to vent her anger, so why would she bother? Knowing that Zhang Shi was coming to pick a fight, she had already hidden herself away somewhere.

Zhang Shi, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law and several daughters, made quite a scene with their incessant chatter.

Although Madam Song wasn’t afraid, she was still angry. Even without Song Shang present.

Yi’er, defending her aunt, smiled and said, “Second Aunt, you are too modest. I heard that a few days ago, Third Brother invited a famous singer from Yangzhou for you! Aunt is quite envious.”

Second Madam Song glanced at Yi’er dismissively, not bothering to respond.

Her third daughter-in-law happened to be standing next to Wen Yu and muttered, “Who is this person? She doesn’t even know her place, speaking out of turn…”

Hearing this, Wen Yu explained with a straight face, “Third Cousin-in-law, this is Cousin Yi’er, Aunt’s own niece. This is the East Courtyard of the Song family, Aunt’s home!” She even looked at her as if she was surprised that she didn’t know this!

“You!” Third Cousin-in-law was speechless.

Old Madam Wen glanced at Wen Yu: Was this girl being stupid, or was she pretending to be stupid?

Although she valued Song Shang the most, she didn’t want to offend the other members of the Song family for his sake.

Although Song Shang had done a lot for her, what if something happened to him? He was the only one in this branch, and not only did he not have a son yet, but even if he did, who knew when the son would grow up to be capable? The second branch had several legitimate and illegitimate sons!

They couldn’t afford to burn bridges.

Therefore, she kept a smile on her face and pretended not to understand.

✿✿✿

Seeing Wen Yu stepping forward, she blamed her inwardly. She would have to talk to this girl later. She had been causing too much trouble recently!

Madam Song also heard this and liked Wen Yu even more. “Haha, both Yi’er and Yu’er are my darlings! Especially Yi’er, she has been accompanying me all these years and is so considerate! She is a good girl!”

“Oh, isn’t Miss Yi’er quite old now?” Someone with ulterior motives began to ask.

“Old Madam Wen, your eldest granddaughter is truly beautiful! I have never seen such a beautiful woman!”

“Yes, her skin is so fair, it’s radiant!”

“You don’t know, Magistrate Wen is also very handsome! Eldest Miss Wen takes after her father!”

With everyone chatting and laughing, Wen Yu became the center of attention, leaving Zhang Shi and her group neglected.

Wei Shi had been outside, keeping an eye on the room. As she stepped inside, she heard all this…

She couldn’t help but scrutinize Wen Yu.

Wen Yu was leaning close to Madam Song, whispering something, and the surrounding madams all burst into laughter.

Wei Shi felt even more uneasy. Although Wen Yu had always loved to join in the fun, she had never been so influential!

Something was definitely wrong!

When it was time, everyone took their seats at the banquet.

Song Shang arrived, looked around carefully, and whispered a few words to his mother before excusing himself to join the men for drinks.

As he passed by Wen Yu, he stopped and whispered, “Find some time to talk before dinner. I’ll have someone call you to the opera house.”

“Okay, where should we talk?”

“How about Xiangyun Pavilion?”

Wen Yu thought for a moment and nodded, “Okay. I’ve left the account books by my door.”

“I’ll have someone bring them over.”

“Okay.”

Song Shang left.

Wei Shi, watching the interaction between the two, couldn’t describe her feelings at this moment.

Wen Yu, as if she had thought of something, blushed, then nervously glanced at Old Madam Wen, and secretly peeked at Madam Song before lowering her head.

Wei Shi saw all of this, but she wasn’t angry anymore. She was certain: these two must be having an affair!

……

After dinner and tea, everyone walked to the opera house.

Madam Song’s hobbies were watching operas and listening to storytelling. Today, she had arranged a full performance of 《The Phoenix Returns to its Nest》.

As the gongs and drums sounded, Madam Song invited Old Madam Wen and the others to sit down and enjoy the show.

After a while, a little maid, while serving tea and snacks, whispered something to Wen Yu.

Wen Yu nodded slightly, then carefully looked around.

She seemed to look at Madam Song, her grandmother, and then at Wei Shi.

Wei Shi’s heart pounded as she focused on the stage, pretending to be engrossed in the performance…

Wen Yu lingered for a while, then stood up during a loud beat of the gongs and drums.

Wei Shi remained seated, as she had already arranged for several people to keep watch outside.

But Wen Yu hadn’t been gone long before she couldn’t sit still any longer. It was as if the gongs and drums on the stage were beating directly on her heart.

She got up and walked out, standing outside the opera house. A maid had already returned with news: “That person” had returned to her room, combed her hair, changed her clothes, and “her lipstick was applied rather red!” Then she left.

Bitch!

Bitch!

A moment later, someone else hurried over, “That person” took Hong Dou with her, and it seemed they were heading towards Xiangyun Pavilion.

Xiangyun Pavilion?

That was the place where her husband met with his friends! Neither the people from the inner courtyard nor the outer courtyard went there, it was very quiet!!

Moreover, her husband had gone in earlier…

After a while, news came: “Madam, they went in, they went in. She went in!”

As expected…