A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Mission Accomplished

“Mission accomplished!”

At Five Blessings Teahouse, Zhang Jiangqing entered and sat directly opposite Wen Yu and Yan Zhu.

He had been very busy recently and had lost a lot of weight.

His waistline had emerged, the contours of his face were clearer, and he carried an air of vigour and vitality. He was handsome!

Wen Yu smiled as she looked him over, and Yan Zhu quickly poured him a cup of tea.

“First!” Zhang Jiangqing eagerly reported his success, glancing at Yan Zhu, “It’s about Yan Zhu’s identity. Because Uncle Chen is currently not here, there were some complications. I had to find a few people, and I also acted as a guarantor. Look, I got it!”

He placed a piece of paper in front of Wen Yu.

Wen Yu took it, genuinely excited. “Brother Jiangqing makes it sound easy, but I know it definitely wasn’t. Especially… you even acted as a guarantor!”

If there were any problems with Yan Zhu’s identity, he would be implicated as well.

After reading it, Wen Yu handed the paper to Yan Zhu.

Yan Zhu took it and looked at it curiously. Actually, she didn’t care much, but seeing the two of them so excited, she had to show some enthusiasm.

Zhang Jiangqing smiled brightly. “It was just a bit complicated and… cost quite a bit of silver.”

He was a little embarrassed. If he hadn’t received the silver from Ah Yu, he would have had to ask his parents for it. Alas, a young man just starting his career is so poor.

“From now on, Miss Yan Zhu is a commoner.”

“Words cannot express my gratitude!” Wen Yu said sincerely.

Zhang Jiangqing basked in the moment for a while, then suddenly said in a low voice, “Also, I’ve inquired about Lan Fang’s matter…”

Wen Yu knew the situation wasn’t good just by looking at him. “Don’t try to hide it from me, just tell me.”

“Her elder aunt’s nephew is actually a distant relative. His name is Wang Dewen. He’s already twenty-one this year. He studied for two years, but nothing came of it… oh, I mean…” He blushed, realizing he himself hadn’t achieved much either.

“I mean… he didn’t even pass the Tongsheng exam. And he has no proper occupation. The most important thing is, he was married before.”

“Ah?” Wen Yu was shocked.

“He divorced his wife. I heard that he used to be abusive, and his family was very chaotic. He even divorced his wife after having a son! He’s really bad. Perhaps he’s specifically targeting Ah Fang’s marriage prospects.”

After being reborn, Wen Yu had become indifferent to human nature, but hearing this, she was still very angry. “Her elder aunt is also terrible!”

“Yes. She just wants to find someone who can control Ah Fang!”

Wen Yu tapped her fingers on the table. “But wouldn’t the woman’s family cause trouble?”

“At first, she didn’t want to leave, making a big fuss, and her family wouldn’t agree either. But then, Ah Fang’s elder uncle stepped in! He’s an official after all, no one dares to offend him.”

“It seems this elder uncle is aware of the situation too.”

Yan Zhu sighed. “Lan Fang and Lan Zhou’s fate is truly bitter.”

Wen Yu smiled inwardly. In the past, we were worse off than those siblings. Even now, we still have to be careful everywhere!

“Yes.” Zhang Jiangqing nodded. “I contacted Ah Fang, but I didn’t tell her about this matter.”

“Hmm, I’ll think about how to tell her later!”

“I also went to see the place where her mother hid the things. To move them out without alerting the people on the estate, we need to come up with a plan!”

“I actually have someone on hand, Master Sun, who’s quite skilled.”

“We don’t need him for now. I know someone who said they would find a way.”

After saying that, she took out a package and handed it to Wen Yu. “You gave me some silver last time, and I did use some of it. The details are recorded on the paper inside. This is what’s left…”

“Brother Jiangqing, not only will I not take it back, but I’ll also give you some more.” She took out an envelope. “There’s a thousand taels of silver here, keep it with you. Also, I have something else I need you to do!”

“Just tell me what you want me to do! No need for silver. This time, it was a bit urgent, so the expenses were a little higher. For normal matters, I can handle it.” Zhang Jiangqing blushed.

“Listen to me, Ah Fang’s matter will require people and carriages. We don’t know what we might encounter, but one thing’s for sure, we’ll need silver!”

Hearing this, Zhang Jiangqing couldn’t help but sigh again. I really am poor!

“You’ve just started your career and have no official position. If you want people to help, you definitely need to spend money to smooth things over. And if you’re running around outside all the time, you need a few reliable helpers. Although Magistrate Zhang will be thinking of you, it’s definitely not as convenient as having silver on hand. So, really, don’t be polite! Take it, this is for my sake too!”

These words made it feel like the two of them were a unit, which made Zhang Jiangqing’s heart bloom with joy!

“Alright. Then I’ll keep it. This is the list of expenses from last time. Hmm… my father is trying to secure an official position for me… It should be settled by the second half of the year. Things will be better then.” Then, I’ll ask my mother to formally propose marriage.

“By then, Brother Jiangqing will also be an official?” Wen Yu and Yan Zhu both teased him.

“Hehe. Oh, Ah Yu, you mentioned that Master Qing. I’ve also made some inquiries. She’s Boss Liu’s concubine at Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion.”

“Oh?”

In her past life, she wasn’t very familiar with Master Qing. She had a dress made once… and then, not long after, something seemed to have happened.

She didn’t know the specifics.

She only heard that Master Qing had desperately sought help from Madam Wei.

And Madam Wei, who was still upset about being married into the Song family, only listened to the beginning before interrupting and saying it couldn’t be done, directly having her escorted out.

Then, the next time she wanted to have clothes made, she heard that Master Qing had passed away.

Without her, Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion’s business gradually declined.

“I found out that Master Qing was bought by Boss Liu from Jiang Yi Cui Lou. But many years ago, the owner of Yi Cui Lou passed away, and the place closed down. There’s no information available. Then I went to the household registration office to check her background, and something seemed off… It looks like it was secretly altered!”

✿✿✿

“So complicated?!”

“Hmm, now she’s just an ordinary person of low status. Oh, Ah Yu, you might not know, some people of low status can’t buy their freedom.”

“Those punished by the court?”

“Right. Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion was originally just a small shop, now it’s such a big embroidery house. They say she built it up!”

“Does she have any children?”

“No. I heard that Boss Liu’s wife and two sons are all envious of Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion and always want to get involved. But Boss Liu is quite formidable, they don’t dare!”

“She’s a servant, she doesn’t get paid, nor does she get dividends. And it’s even more impossible for her to secretly own property. What’s there for the Liu family to be envious of!”

“The elder and second branches of the Liu family are also fighting over it. Hehe, I guess they looked down on it at the beginning. The prosperity of that street is also built upon those few thriving shops!”

“Yes, shops change, people change… If you have someone, keep an eye on them for me. If they want to harm Master Qing, bring her over.”

“Okay, I’ve also found someone. If the Liu family wants to sell her, I’ll know immediately!”

“You’re so capable! And about Ah Fang’s matter, I’m also counting on you.”

“It’s just a small matter, don’t worry!”

“How about I have Sun Ying go with you? Just in case things get rough!”

She’s really interesting, such a beautiful young girl, yet so meticulous. “Hehe, okay!”

“After bringing her back, she can come directly to the Wen residence. But you…”

“I understand, I understand!” Zhang Jiangqing chuckled. He couldn’t just enter the Wen residence directly.

✿✿✿

After their discussion, Wen Yu took Yan Zhu out of the teahouse. “Zhuzhu, how about I take you to Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion?”

“Ah? Really?! That’s great!”

“It’s truly wonderful!” She could finally go out on her own.

Li He drove the carriage, Old Sun followed behind, and they only took Yan Zhu. They could drink tea, eat, and visit shops outside…

Happiness came so easily!

Originally, she thought Wen Jiao would have complained to Wu Shi, and Wu Shi would cause trouble.

But unexpectedly, Wu Shi had been rushing around these past two days, her face pale, and she hadn’t had the time to bother with them.

Old Madam was also meeting people and discussing matters, sometimes they didn’t even need to pay their respects.

So, Wen Yu took the opportunity.

The carriage swayed and soon arrived at Rainbow Phoenix Pavilion.

The staff at the door were excellent at recognizing people. Even though Wen Yu had only been there once, they could accurately identify her.

“Miss Wen!” As soon as they entered, Steward Liu greeted them.

“Steward Liu, I was just passing by and came in to have a look. I didn’t make an appointment.”

“Miss Wen is welcome to come anytime! However, Master Qing has a guest at the moment. Would you like me to arrange another master for you?”

“That’s not necessary, I just want to see if there are any fabrics I like.”

“In that case… please feel free to browse, Miss. Call me if you need any assistance.”

There were a few female customers in the store looking at fabrics.

At the tea table furthest inside, two elegantly dressed women were seated, and a master was whispering something to them. Steward Liu returned there after greeting Wen Yu.

Wen Yu said to Yan Zhu, “Take a good look at the fabrics. I’ll give you a dress for your birthday!”

“Okay!” Yan Zhu was thrilled. A custom-made dress for her! There were so many dazzling choices, she couldn’t even look at them all.

At this moment, Master Qing appeared on the stairs.

Then, a woman, her skirt swaying slightly, came down the stairs…

After discussing with the editor, the title of the book has been changed.

As the writer, I feel that I’m decent at making up stories, but when it comes to titling books…

I scratched my head for two days before settling on this one, whatever!

I don’t want to waste any more energy on this, it’s too much…

The title may not be good, but the story is decent, really.

Also, some dear readers mentioned that the pace is a bit slow and are eager to see the interactions between the male and female leads…

It will happen, it will happen! I promise.

It’s just that I want to write about the love and hate from their past lives thoroughly.

But I will definitely consider the suggestions from my dear readers!