A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Testing the Waters

There were eight or nine people who rode with Song Shang to Golden Bridge Town.

But they were basically all men.

Song Tao was very “tactful”. Seeing Wen Yu go upstairs…

While Song Shang was being flattered by the shop owner…

…he pulled the rest of them along, “Come on, let’s eat on the platform. It’s refreshing, and you can see the lake!”

Several people went with him excitedly.

Song Shang saw this and felt even more that this seventh brother was thoughtful and observant!

Upstairs, Wen Yu and Yan Zhu sat at the table drinking tea, their two heads huddled together, whispering about something…

Whenever Wen Yu came to the Song family, she would definitely come to this restaurant. And, as long as there were no outsiders, Yan Zhu would join her at the table.

Song Shang sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, crossed his legs, and waited for the fish to be served.

The two stunning beauties in front of him kept talking and laughing.

He couldn’t even describe his mood at the moment. How many men in the world could have such “blessings”?

Not to mention, Princess Wu and Prince Wu’s Consort, their appearances were also very ordinary…

And, he also owned that kind of place. Occasionally, he would see a great beauty, but two of them together, and so lively…

He severely despised himself!

What was he even thinking…

“We didn’t finish talking about yesterday’s matter. What about the teahouse?” he asked.

Wen Yu said, “Hmm? Oh right, we only started talking about it yesterday. What I meant was: Although the teahouse’s business is very good, there are special reasons for it.

One is that it’s located in the jurisdiction of my father’s good friend, and a lot of business comes from that friend. Another is that the tea supply channel is also my father’s. The price is much lower than others. I looked at the contract, and it’s about to expire. There’s no way to renew it at that price.”

“You don’t have to worry about this. My channels can get you even lower prices and better quality.”

“But what about the customers? My father and Madam didn’t mention it, and I won’t ask. But I can’t handle it on my own. You can’t take care of everything! And it’s so far away from me, it would take half a month to inspect it once. Not to mention the trouble, the cost wouldn’t be low either. It’s better to sell it while the business is good and the shop is popular.”

“Heh, you’ve got it all figured out, who did you learn that from?”

“With such a brilliant cousin like you, how could I not pick up a thing or two?”

“You don’t mean that!” Song Shang lightly scolded, pretending to hit her with his folding fan.

He didn’t believe what she said, but it didn’t stop him from feeling good about it.

Wen Yu laughed and dodged, “There are also two smaller properties, I’ll sell them all. The things in the warehouse that are unwanted will also be dealt with. I’ll get some silver back, and when there’s a good opportunity, I can use the silver directly.”

“Hmm, actually, my suggestion is to buy some good properties and live off the rent. If you, this rich little lady, have too much silver and don’t know what to do with it, just give it to your cousin. I’ll give you some interest every year, and you won’t have to do anything! Just eat, drink, and be merry all day long!”

If it could really be like this, it would be wonderful.

“I still want to do something I like. For example, I like beautiful clothes, so I can open an embroidery workshop or something!” Thinking of Wei Shi, she giggled, “Actually, I’m quite talented in this area!”

This mischievous smile made Song Shang’s face turn pale with anger!

When did this girl become like this?

Wen Yu didn’t dare to provoke him too much and decisively changed the topic, “Cousin, let me tell you about Zhu Zhu…”

Hearing her own name mentioned, Yan Zhu’s beautiful eyes glanced over, but before she could figure out what was going on…

…someone knocked on the door. It turned out that the food had arrived.

“Ah! The food is here, the food is here!” Yan Zhu immediately forgot about what was going to be said about her, staring at what was on the wooden trays carried by the waiters.

Various appetizers, marinated chicken, vegetarian duck, hawthorn berries, iced sweet fermented rice, pickled lotus root tips, and so on, each in small portions, beautifully arranged. As soon as these dishes were served, their appetites were whetted.

“Fifth Master, would you like some wine?” the waiter asked.

Song Shang was about to shake his head…

…when Wen Yu said, “Cousin doesn’t drink, Zhu Zhu and I will drink!”

Yan Zhu nodded vigorously, “This fish today needs to be paired with some wine.”

“Hehe, warm up a pot then, let the two of them share.” Song Shang said.

The waiter had already warmed the wine. Hearing the order, he directly poured it into the cups. The rich aroma filled the air, even tempting Song Shang.

✿✿✿

The three picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

While eating, Wen Yu told Song Shang about Yan Zhu’s situation. “If it goes well, we’ll find a small courtyard and let her move out.”

Yan Zhu ate a wine-soaked plum, spat out the pit, and shook her head vigorously, “Zhu Zhu won’t move out, Zhu Zhu wants to stay with you!”

Song Shang said, “The identity issue is easy to handle! If that fatty Zhang can’t do it, leave it to me!”

What fatty Zhang… Listen to his tone!

Wen Yu glared at him, but before she could say anything, the fish arrived…

Oh my, it’s so beautiful!

Fried small fish, braised big fish, steamed medium-sized fish, grilled white fish, and fatty fish for hot pot.

The hot pot was cooked with a local pickled root, the root was sour and spicy, the fish was fatty and flavorful, it was so delicious that they wished they could even drink the soup.

The two girls were so engrossed in drinking and eating fish that they stopped talking.

But after eating and drinking, they felt tired, sitting there dazed and sleepy.

Song Shang shook his head and told the waiter to clear the table. “You two can just take a nap on the table. When you wake up, we’ll go back.”

He instructed a female guard to watch over them.

He went downstairs to chat with the others on the platform.

Song Tao’s eyes lit up when he saw him coming, sticking close to him like a little fanboy.

✿✿✿

After a short nap, the two girls’ eyes were bright. On the way back, they even let the horses trot for a while.

But after they returned to their room, they were like they had fallen apart. After washing up, they collapsed on the bed and fell fast asleep.

Wen Jiao didn’t get to ride a horse after all, and went to complain to Old Madam Wen, even crying.

Old Madam Wen sent someone to call Wen Yu for questioning.

But the maid came back shortly, saying that Eldest Miss was sleeping soundly and couldn’t be woken up.

✿✿✿

The next day was the actual birthday celebration.

The main courtyard was extremely lively.

On such a day, Wei Shi still hadn’t appeared, which naturally attracted attention!

However, Old Madam Wen and Madam Song cooperated seamlessly.

Although they didn’t say anything, people who tried to probe for information came to a conclusion: Wei Shi was pregnant! The fetus wasn’t stable yet, so it couldn’t be announced publicly!

After Zhang Shi, from the Song family’s second branch, heard this, she didn’t even have the heart to cause trouble, just sat there with a changing expression.

Although she knew this was inevitable, it didn’t stop her from fantasizing!

What if the first branch couldn’t have a son? What if something happened to Song Shang…

Unfortunately, no one paid any attention to her disappointment. The birthday banquet proceeded smoothly.

There was also a lion dance arranged for today, and the sound of gongs and drums pushed the atmosphere to a climax again and again.

At noon, there were good food and wine, everyone ate and drank well, and returned home satisfied.

That evening, Old Madam Wen told Madam Song that she wanted to go back the next day and discuss something with Song Shang.

Song Shang wanted them to stay for a few more days, but Old Madam Wen said, “There are a lot of things to take care of at home! There’s a lot to do before going to the capital. We need to sort out the properties, the gifts to be sent need to be checked again and again, and sent out in batches. Also…”

Old Madam Wen paused, then said, “Wen Yu is also of age. When I go back, I’ll make some plans. I want to take advantage of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Dharma Assembly, when there will be many people, to find her a good marriage…”

She slipped this sentence in among the serious matters, just to see Song Shang’s expression and attitude…