A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Not Yet Gone

When they returned yesterday, Wen Jiao tearfully complained, which made Old Madam Wen suspicious.

Even though she usually doesn’t care about love or anything like that, she felt that Song Shang seemed to treat Wen Yu differently.

And, that’s perfectly normal!

In the past two days, there have been countless people inquiring about that girl Wen Yu!

Could there really be something going on between them?

If there is, it’s no small matter!

She looked at Song Shang expressionlessly, trying to discern something.

After hearing this, Song Shang smiled and casually nodded, not responding.

He currently has neither the qualifications nor the standing, so he can’t express anything to prevent the situation from going awry.

Anyway, he has people within the Song family, so he can be informed of any developments.

Engagement? Heh heh, there are always ways to delay it.

Seeing no unusual reaction from Song Shang, Old Madam Wen didn’t know whether to be happy or slightly disappointed.

After she went to the capital, matters here would rely even more on Song Shang. When she discussed it with Wen Qian before, his opinion was to wait until he had established himself before deciding. If things went smoothly and it benefited Song Shang, it would be a win-win situation.

If his progress wasn’t smooth, they would offer further advantages to Song Shang.

But regardless, Song Shang was very important to the Wen family.

An idea had occurred to her last night. Although she couldn’t give Wen Yu to him as a concubine, what if he truly had feelings for her… wouldn’t that be a tie as well?

Since she couldn’t probe further at the moment, she didn’t bring it up again and instead started talking about serious matters.

✿✿✿

Upon returning to their lodging, Old Madam Wen called all the young ladies and instructed, “Get your things ready. We’ll be heading back early tomorrow morning.”

Wen Jiao looked at Wen Yu with a sneer, “Eldest Sister, what about your white horse? Aren’t you taking it back?”

“If Second Sister hadn’t mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten! Grandmother, can I take the white horse back with me?”

Old Madam Wen’s heart skipped a beat again, “That’s your cousin’s possession. How would I know?!”

Hearing this, Wen Yu walked to the door, “Xiao Ji, go to the Bamboo Garden and find Madam Xu. Ask her to inquire with Cousin on my behalf if it’s alright for me to take the white horse back.”

“How shameless of you!” Wen Jiao shouted loudly.

“Second Sister, do you actually want me to take the white horse back or not!?” Wen Yu was bewildered.

“What does it have to do with me?”

“But… you just asked me!”

Wen Jiao was speechless.

Old Madam Wen frowned, “What’s all the commotion about? Go back and pack!”

✿✿✿

Early the next morning, the young ladies dressed and gathered at the second gate, ready to board the carriages.

And then, Wen Jiao actually saw that little white horse, being led by the old man who rode a donkey alongside Wen Yu.

Bodyguard Sun Ying had traveled far and wide throughout his life and had seen his fair share of good horses.

However, this was the only one whose reins he had ever held in his own hands.

Looking at the beautiful horse, his face was full of smiles, absolutely adoring it. Although he couldn’t ride it, even leading it made him feel proud!

Wen Jiao’s face immediately darkened.

Madam Song and Song Shang personally came to see them off, even providing two carriages from their household and sending them back with many gifts.

Old Madam Wen shook her head and laughed, “Oh, you! What have you done? It’s as if I came here to sponge off you~”

“What are you saying! I originally wanted you to stay for a few more days, but you’re in such a hurry to go back!”

“We’ll see each other again in a couple of days at the Heavenly Dragon Temple Dharma Assembly.”

They said their goodbyes. Song Shang watched as Wen Yu, bundled up tightly, boarded the small carriage, which swayed as it headed into the distance…

But the beautiful feelings she had brought him had not yet gone…

✿✿✿

Upon returning to the Wen family residence, Wu Shi came out to greet Old Madam Wen.

Li Shi and the maids helped Old Madam Wen get off the carriage, and Wu Shi quickly stepped forward to curtsy.

“Mother, you must be tired from the journey. Is Madam Song well? Your stay must have been very lively?”

Old Madam Wen was truly exhausted from this trip and nodded, “Everything is fine. Is everything alright at home?”

“Everything is fine at home…” Wu Shi had something on her mind but couldn’t voice it, her expression slightly troubled.

“I’m really tired from the journey. I’ll rest for a while. You can go attend to your matters.” She turned to Li Shi and said, “You’ve been taking care of me these past few days. Go back and rest as well!”

Li Shi acknowledged her instructions.

✿✿✿

The young ladies also returned to their respective rooms.

Wen Jiao, fuming with anger, wanted Wu Shi to notice and ask her about it.

However, after Old Madam Wen left, Wu Shi’s smile also faded, “You all go back and rest.”

After saying that, she turned and left.

“…” Wen Jiao became even angrier!

✿✿✿

Wen Yu returned to her courtyard and entered her room. Seeing it clean both inside and out, with even flowers in the vase, she couldn’t help but be overjoyed. “Everything inside and out is so clean and beautiful. It’s truly different with Qing He and Xiang Shu here! I shall reward you both handsomely!”

Hearing this, Hong Xing’s face became even more unsightly.

Wen Yu distributed the gifts she had brought back to them and then sent them off.

Xiao Ji Niang said, “Miss, there are a few matters…” Her demeanor had undergone a significant transformation these days, her movements and mannerisms now resembling those of a capable steward.

“Young Master Zhang Jiangqing sent news. He said the matter you entrusted to him has mostly been taken care of. He requests that you contact him as soon as you return, as the matter may be rather urgent. The other matter is that Hong Xing went home the other day. I took Li Tan with me and retrieved the things she had hidden on top of the Peony Pavilion…”

Wen Yu’s expression turned serious.

“What things?”

“It was some powder. At the time, I couldn’t tell what it was, so I took it to a pharmacy and asked. The young doctor couldn’t figure it out either. Later, we consulted his master, and only then did we identify it. It’s… a powder made from dried mushrooms that grow in the southwest. We don’t have them here. If ingested by mistake… death comes swiftly.”

Wen Yu wasn’t too surprised. Hong Xing had met with Nurse Xu and was secretly hiding things outside, so it couldn’t have been anything good.

Yet she still hadn’t expected it to be this!

If she hadn’t put Xiao Ji in charge in time, they might never have discovered it!

A cold sweat broke out on her back.

She had been riding a wave of success lately and had become somewhat complacent!

In reality, danger had always been lurking nearby, never truly gone!

Xiao Ji Niang continued, “The old doctor said that this type of mushroom has a particularly delicious taste. If added to soup, it would greatly enhance the flavor. But death comes quickly, and the symptoms aren’t very obvious.”

Yuan Shi… truly meticulous and farsighted!

She had set a trap long ago. Even if Wen Yu had died, no one would have suspected her.

“What happened to that powder?!”

“I thought, this thing is too dangerous, it’s not safe to just leave it lying around. If something were to go wrong, it would be disastrous. So I took the liberty of replacing it with ordinary mushroom powder and putting it back where it was.”

Wen Yu nodded repeatedly, that was for the best.

“I took the original mushroom powder to the courtyard that Xiao Ji’s father rents and hid it on the rafters using a ladder.”

“Mm, you did very well in handling this.” Wen Yu was quite relieved, she hadn’t chosen the wrong person after all.

“Would you like to see it, Miss? I can bring it here.”

“No rush, leave it there for now. Don’t throw it away either… just be careful, don’t ingest it by mistake.”

“It’s wrapped up securely, ordinary people can’t reach it. Don’t worry, Miss.”

“Mm. We still need to keep an eye on Hong Xing.”

“Yes.”

“Have Li Tan find Zhang Jiangqing. Now that I’m back, it depends on when he’s free.”

“Yes. Oh… there’s another matter at home.”

“What is it?” Wen Yu noticed a hint of awkwardness in Xiao Ji Niang’s smile.

“It’s about Second Master…” She didn’t know how to explain this to a young lady.

“Tell me, we’re in our own room.”

“Second Master has taken a fancy to a widow outside. She has a seven or eight-year-old son. Her family has fields and shops, quite well-off. She’s beautiful, not to mention capable. It’s said that Second Master is quite smitten, but she’s not interested in him!” Xiao Ji Niang chuckled.

“Second Madam probably knows about it. She hasn’t been in a good mood these days.”

“Oh…” Wen Yu’s mind raced, this was the type that Wu Shi feared, wasn’t it?!

She wasn’t afraid of Second Uncle finding maids or prostitutes. It was this kind of woman, with wealth, talent, and beauty, that worried her the most. “Go and find out more details.”

“Yes.”