A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 80

Chapter 80

While Wen Yu was talking to Madam Qi, she kept secretly looking around, wondering, “Why hasn’t he come yet?”

He hasn’t appeared at all, sigh. 

Madam Qi, having a plan in mind, “coincidentally” ran into Old Madam Wen. 

Then, someone introduced the two parties to each other. 

Old Madam Wen, of course, knew of the Qi family from Zanquan Mountain Estate and was exceptionally warm to Madam Qi. 

Madam Qi had a plan in mind but didn’t show it, remaining very polite.

Finally, she said, “The Qi family has been in the capital for many years and rarely returns to our hometown. This time, we originally intended to connect with everyone. However, there were too many things to attend to. Now that most matters are settled, we plan to invite everyone to the estate for a couple of days after this Dharma assembly! I hope everyone will do us the honor!?” 

She spoke with humor, and everyone around, including Old Madam Wen, happily agreed. 

✿✿✿ 

After Qin Lianyue separated from Qi Wu, she didn’t go to find her mother. 

Her maids, A Qin and A Qi, had been waiting at the temple gate. Seeing her come out with unsteady steps and swollen eyelids, they didn’t dare to ask too many questions. 

They went forward to help her, but she didn’t speak, going directly back to her lodgings. 

After washing up, Qin Lianyue lay on the bed, exhausted both physically and mentally. 

A Qin carefully asked, “Miss, did you see Fifth Young Master?” 

Qin Lianyue nodded silently. 

This maid had grown up with her since childhood, and their relationship was close. 

A Qin was very sweet-looking and had some talents. Such a maid would typically accompany her mistress when she got married. Ultimately, she would either be taken as a concubine by the master or married to a steward. Her status wouldn’t be low. 

This time, when the Qin family broke off the engagement, A Qin was the one who opposed it the most. 

That was Qi Wu, after all!

Even if Second Young Master Jiang had a high family status and was charming, how could he compare to him!?

The Madam and Miss usually had such high standards, why were they confused now?! 

However, she could only worry and be sad in her heart, as there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t show her feelings, nor could she advise her mistress. 

Her mistress, seemingly innocent and weak, was actually very petty and loved to play tricks. 

If she thought and spoke too much, it would only bring disaster. 

“Young Master, he must be very heartbroken, right?!” 

A Qin’s question made Qin Lianyue feel a little better. 

Thinking of Qi Wu’s dejected appearance just now, her nose turned sour, and her heart ached. 

“He’s grown so much taller… He’s become an adult.” Her slender hand held a handkerchief, gently wiping her nose. 

To be honest, the moment she saw him, she regretted the engagement with the Jiang family. 

She hadn’t seen him for two years, and he had become so heroic and sharp. 

He was supposed to be her husband! She would have married him in the capital next year and become his wife… 

If she hadn’t met Second Young Master Jiang… 

It was winter last year… Several young men came from the capital to study at the Qin family school for a month. 

The Qin family had an open-minded family tradition, and girls could also attend the academy in the front yard. The young ladies, hearing that people had come from the capital, were very curious and made plans to go and see them. Bored, she went with them. 

Then, she saw Second Young Master Jiang. 

Even now, she still remembered the amazement in Second Young Master Jiang’s eyes when he first saw her… 

At first, although she was secretly pleased with the admiration and flattery from this young master from a prestigious family, she was not moved. 

Because… She had Fifth Brother Qi! 

But she quickly discovered that Second Young Master Jiang was… a completely different person from Fifth Brother Qi. 

Fifth Brother, he… 

Madam Qi had high expectations for him and was extremely strict. Every three days, a letter would arrive, urging him to study. 

In addition to the coursework at the Qin family school, he also hired several martial arts masters. So, he not only studied literature but also practiced swordsmanship, archery, and even read military strategy books. Almost all his time was spent diligently studying. 

Sometimes, he would even be reading while she was by his side… 

Although they had a deep affection for each other… He was a very boring person! 

He couldn’t say sweet words or do anything to please a girl. The only interesting thing was when she deliberately got angry, he would look worried and not know what to do… 

And also… he was very generous to her.

✿✿✿ 

If one were to talk about their affection, it was true and real. 

But it was also true that their time together was plain and without much excitement… 

As for that Second Young Master Jiang… Thinking of him, Qin Lianyue’s lips curled up… 

He was so charming and unrestrained, full of life and energy. When he smiled, it felt like even the wind around them became warmer!

Plus, he was eloquent and knowledgeable. 

He also frequently visited the palace… and was familiar with the princes and princesses! 

He talked about things… that she had never known before! 

And he was so much fun! Every day was a new adventure, and he had a strong charisma. As long as he was there, there would be laughter and joy! 

She had never met anyone like him!

And then, her gaze followed him, unable to look away. 

He was also obviously different towards her compared to others. He would even leave his companions behind, just to do a small thing for her… 

It was a night with a full moon, and she was playing the guqin in the garden. 

Not long after, he also came and stood outside the garden wall, playing the flute in harmony with her. 

It was their first time playing together, yet they were so in sync… 

She couldn’t describe how wonderful it felt, but it was an unprecedented experience… 

She remembered how her heart was in turmoil at that time. 

When she was with Qi Wu, she was like an unripe plum, innocent and naive. 

But at this moment, she was a flower that had just bloomed… 

At the best age, at the most romantic time, she met him… 

Although he only stayed at the Qin family for a month, they felt like they had known each other for many years. 

When he was finally leaving, she saw the reluctance in his eyes. 

And she felt even more heartbroken. 

After he left, she fell ill and truly realized how boring life could be without him. 

Not long after, Madam Qi wrote to say that she was returning to their hometown and would discuss the marriage between Qi Wu and her with her mother. 

It was as if she had returned to earth from mid-air. It took her ten days to compose herself and prepare to continue her original life. 

But she didn’t expect… the Jiang family to send a matchmaker. 

Let’s not even talk about how surprised her grandfather, grandmother, and parents were. She herself immediately agreed without hesitation. 

Only joy, no hesitation!

She was going to marry into the Duke of Jingguo’s residence in the capital! She was going to marry Second Young Master Jiang!

And there was a high possibility that she would become the Duchess of Jingguo in the future! 

Thinking of all this, she was ecstatic! 

It was just… what about her aunt and Fifth Brother? Her mother told her not to think about it, that she would handle Madam Qi. 

She agreed and stopped thinking about it!

She focused on her own marriage, striving for perfection in every aspect!

But just now… she saw Qi Wu, as tall and straight as a pine tree. 

The childhood affection they shared came flooding back. The pain was so intense that she wanted to tear herself in half. 

The tears she shed just now weren’t entirely an act. She was truly in pain!

At this moment, the image of her cousin’s cold and handsome face appeared in her mind, and her heart still felt like it was being pricked by needles! She thought again about how she had wished him to have a good wife in the future… the tremor in her voice and the unwillingness in her heart. 

Tears once again streamed down her face uncontrollably. 

Taking a few deep breaths, she turned and looked at herself in the mirror… 

With such beauty, she shouldn’t waste her youth! 

Cousin… Your family status is not as good as his, your abilities are not as good as his, so don’t blame me for being heartless. 

She had completely calmed down. 

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