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A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Testing the Waters

Wen Qian had been handsome and talented since he was a child, the greatest pride of Old Madam Wen. Therefore, she felt that Yuan Shi was not worthy of him at all!

Moreover, her son had taken such a big risk for her, regardless of the consequences! Her heart was filled with even more hatred and disgust for Yuan Shi.

But she couldn’t help but love her son!

Now, she had even given birth to three healthy children for her son.

There was nothing she could do! Old Madam Wen couldn’t be vague about the necessary formalities and the respect that should be given. After Yuan Shi greeted her, she also replied gently.

Both of them were smiling, their voices soft, making this pair of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law appear very harmonious.

Wen Yu knew that it was her turn to enter the stage.

She lifted her skirt and walked to the front.

When the excitement subsided a bit, she stood in front of Wen Qian and Yuan Shi, knelt down, and bowed: “Wen Yu greets Father, greets Madam.”

Wen Qian finally saw his eldest daughter.

When she lowered her head, he saw a head of thick black hair. When she raised her head, he saw that small, snow-white face.

Two beautiful long eyebrows, a pair of cool eyes. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, her eyelashes covering half of them, so her expression was not very clear.

Extremely thin.

Kneeling posture, demeanor, and tone of voice… dignified and poised.

But there was no overly sweet smile on her face, nor any obvious affection, just a certain distance.

Ah, she had actually become a well-behaved and well-mannered young lady!

Wen Qian’s heartbeat quickened slightly. It was true, if he hadn’t come home to see her, he wouldn’t have remembered having such a daughter.

But… didn’t she used to call Xijun “Mother”? Ignoring the doubts in his heart, he gave a cold “hmm” in response.

Yuan Xi Jun carefully examined Wen Yu, her beautiful eyes also narrowing in surprise! But she immediately smiled and said, “It’s Yu’er, quickly get up!”

Wen Yu didn’t speak again, rising gracefully and stepping aside.

Yuan Shi carefully observed her movements and posture, truly stunned.

Where was that gaudily dressed, shallowly smiling yellow-haired girl? Then she quickly glanced at her own daughter… secretly comparing them.

She saw that her daughter was also staring at this elder sister, her small face tense, her mouth pursed. In her eyes, there was disgust, defiance, competitiveness, anger…

Yuan Shi quickly glanced at her husband again… and saw that he was also clearly surprised, silently watching his eldest daughter… for a longer time and with more attention than ever before.

A sour feeling welled up in her heart. “Husband, it’s been more than two years since we last saw Yu’er, she’s grown a lot taller! She’s a big girl now!”

Wen Qian nodded, not speaking.

Wen Huan carefully scrutinized her “elder sister,” feelings of jealousy, hatred, and pain surging through her heart. Suddenly, she said in a delicate and coquettish voice, “Yes, Father! More than two years! It’s been so long! Elder Sister has indeed grown much taller! If we weren’t at home, I wouldn’t have recognized her!”

After speaking, she smiled and walked up to Wen Yu, reaching out to take her hand.

Wen Yu didn’t move, letting Wen Huan take her hand.

“Seeing Elder Sister, I just wanted to get closer!” Wen Huan wanted to pinch her hard, she just happened to have long nails!

But before she could make a move, Wen Yu smiled, turned her hand over, and held Wen Huan’s hand, looking her up and down: “Grandmother, it’s really strange! Since we were little, I could never catch up to Second Sister in height! Back then, Madam Jiang hadn’t moved away with Lord Jiang yet, and she and Pinting would always get confused about which of us was the elder sister and which was the younger sister!

In the past six months, I’ve grown quite a bit taller! I thought I would finally be taller than Second Sister! But I didn’t expect… I still couldn’t catch up.”

Wen Yu gave a slight, condescending smile, narrowing her long eyes, “It seems that people will always misunderstand who is the elder and who is the younger sister between us!”

After speaking, she playfully glanced around at everyone.

She clearly felt Wen Huan’s hand tremble, her small face turning pale.

Old Madam Wen’s face also stiffened, she twitched her mouth but didn’t speak.

Yuan Shi’s originally jade-like face flushed red.

“Wen Yu! What nonsense are you talking about?” Wen Qian’s heart skipped a beat, and angry words burst out of his mouth.

“Ah?! Father?” Wen Yu looked genuinely startled, immediately letting go of Wen Huan’s hand. She looked at her father in confusion, then at her grandmother, and then at everyone else.

Her expression seemed to say: What did I say wrong?

Old Madam Wen frowned, looking at her eldest son.

“Daughter… Daughter just said, said… that Younger Sister looks like my elder sister! What, can’t I say that?!” Wen Yu looked cautious and a little wronged.

✿✿✿

“Still so out of line!” Wen Qian’s eyes were filled with anger, his fury evident.

Heh! He’s really climbed the ladder! Look at that imposing authority! Wen Yu scoffed inwardly…

However, everyone was confused by the sudden and strange outburst of anger from the eldest master who had just returned home. They looked at each other…

Jiao Jie’er even tugged at Wu Shi’s sleeve, silently asking, “What’s going on?!”

Wu Shi was also puzzled, but she didn’t speak, just shook her head slightly.

“Alright, alright!” Old Madam Wen quickly intervened, “Wen Yu, you haven’t seen your father for two years, why are you provoking him the moment you see him?! Eldest, you and your family should go back to your room and freshen up. Mother still has something to discuss with you later.”

Yuan Shi’s face regained its composure, secretly delighted: No matter what, her husband was always on her side!

Wen Qian retreated with his family.

The people in the room looked at Wen Yu as if watching a play.

And Wen Yu, looking at her father’s back, then at her grandmother, then at everyone else, had a bewildered expression on her face.

The strange feeling in Old Madam’s heart resurfaced, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She gave Wen Yu a gloomy look.

“Alright, you all may leave.”

Wen Yu returned to her own courtyard, thinking, I’ll test the waters first and see how everyone reacts…

She carefully recalled: It seemed Old Madam really knew about that incident back then. Second Uncle didn’t show much emotion, so it was hard to tell, but Second Aunt… didn’t seem to know.

But Wen Huan’s reaction was a bit strange. Could it be that she already knew?

But this wasn’t something to be proud of, why would Father and Yuan Shi tell her?

In her past life, Wen Huan had a good marriage, but she was still dissatisfied and got involved in the power struggle between the princes, even taking the initiative to offer plans to seize the Song family’s property. Including what she said in prison… The status of an illegitimate daughter probably bothered her a lot, right?

Thinking about this “father” again, Wen Yu felt a bit sorry for him.

Grandfather, in order to compete with Grandmother, didn’t care about the consequences. He wasn’t very good to this eldest son either! Therefore, his journey of studying, taking exams, passing the imperial examinations, and becoming an official was very difficult!

Everything he had worked so hard for, he had risked for that vile woman, Yuan Shi, even staining his hands with the blood of his first wife…

He was truly a crazy and infatuated man!

Hehe, let’s see if you ever regret it!

Don’t worry, I will use my entire life to make sure that day comes!

At that time, I wonder what your expression will be… Wen Yu became cheerful, humming a tune, her steps light.

And Hong Xing, who was following behind her, kept rolling her eyes! The moment the eldest master came home, Miss offended him. This was truly baffling!

She didn’t get any reward at all… Was it all for nothing now?

Hmm… Although the eldest master and his wife haven’t returned for more than two years, Madam’s Nurse Xu has sent things back a few times. Every time, she would come to me separately to ask questions and secretly give me rewards of silver and goods… This time, if she calls me again… what should I say, what shouldn’t I say, in order to get more rewards?

As for Wen Qian, he returned to his courtyard with his wife and children, his originally happy mood somewhat dampened.

But he didn’t stop, after sending Yuan Shi back to their room, he went to the study at the front to talk to the steward and his second brother about matters outside.

Yuan Shi was organizing her belongings.

Nurse Xu, who was beside her, asked, “Madam, the eldest miss seemed a little different today. Do you think we should ask Hong Xing about it?”

Yuan Shi was doing the work herself, her movements graceful, her expression gentle, but her voice was cold: “Ask, we definitely have to ask! But not now. We’ll be staying home for a few days! Let’s observe the situation first. Since she’s different now, we shouldn’t always use the old methods.”

“Yes, Madam is very thoughtful.”

“You think about it too, don’t let Hong Xing just keep an eye on her, at the right time, she has to do something too. It doesn’t matter if some things are never used, just don’t be caught unprepared when you need them!”

“… Yes, this old servant understands!” Nurse Xu was stunned for a moment, then understood her meaning.

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(🇨🇳)A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart

🇨🇳)A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart

国公夫人她人美心黑
Score 8.6
Status: Ongoing Author: Released: 2023 Native Language: Chinese
In the capital's elite social circles, rumors abound about Wen Yu's ruthlessness. Even the Emperor, upon hearing these tales, has repeatedly nodded in agreement! Wen Yu, upon learning of this, responded with a cold smile: From a young age, her mother was murdered, her grandmother showed no affection, and her father offered no love. She was the target of envy and constantly schemed against. After much hardship, she finally secured a good husband, only to find her marital home a chaotic mess! Should she play the innocent fool? If so, would a husband of exceptional talent and beauty, intelligent and considerate children, a devoted mother-in-law, and the title of Duchess simply fall from the sky?! In her past life, the Duchess met a miserable end! Our protagonist first sets her sights on the male lead, unceremoniously claiming him as her own. After marriage, she employs every tactic imaginable: throwing herself into his arms, playing hard to get, alternating between gentle affection and playful dominance, expressing care while subtly tormenting… From then on, the exceptionally handsome, ruthless, yet capable Fifth Young Master Qi, whose emotional intelligence borders on naive innocence, is repeatedly berated by the Emperor, who points a finger at him and scolds, "You spineless fool! What kind of life is this?! Divorce her immediately! Don't be afraid, I will support you!" Fifth Young Master Qi blushes slightly: Actually, this life… isn't so bad… This story portrays a strong female lead who makes every effort to achieve happiness. *** Overlooked and undervalued, Wen Yu, the legitimate daughter of the Wen family, endures a life of quiet suffering. On her fifteenth birthday, tragedy strikes, setting in motion a chain of events that culminates in her agonizing death. Miraculously reborn, Wen Yu returns to the day it all began, armed with the bitter memories of her past life and a steely resolve to change her fate. This time, she won't be a pawn in her family's games. She will reclaim what is rightfully hers, expose the hypocrisy and cruelty of those who wronged her, and forge a new path for herself. But as she navigates the treacherous landscape of family politics and builds her own power, she must confront not only her past enemies but also the unexpected attention of powerful figures who see her as a valuable asset in their own games. Will Wen Yu succumb to her thirst for revenge, or can she find a way to break free from the cycle of pain and create a different future for herself?

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