Chapter 33
The First Madam had a fiery temper, which Wen Tao was already used to. Upon hearing this, he put down his chopsticks, and instantly lost his appetite for the exquisite delicacies on the table.
"What did I do wrong? It was wrong of Wenxi to slander Shuer. Besides, didn't Shuer kneel in the ancestral hall all night? Can't we just buy more of the jewelry she paid for?"
The First Madam looked at him coldly and sneered, "That sounds nice. What kind of lowly girl is Wen Shu? Her mother is a shameless woman who seduces men. It's her who's hiding a man at the medicine shop. I, Xi'er, am only trying to protect the Wen family's reputation. Is it her fault?"
Wen Tao frowned, his face dark as he stood up. "Madam! I'll stay at Cen Niang's courtyard tonight."
After saying that, he strode away under the first wife's reproachful gaze.
The empty main room suddenly became quiet and deserted, with only a silent woman sitting at the table.
Not long after Wen Tao left, a new person suddenly appeared in the room; it was Wen Xi, who had never shown his face before.
"Mother...why doesn't Father like me? He never allows me to marry the man I want or the marriage I desire. Isn't betrothing Wen Shu to Brother Qi like tearing my heart out?!"
"Stop talking!" The First Madam slammed her hand on the table and stood up, angrily scolding, "Look at your pathetic state! What kind of well-bred young lady behaves like this?! Who is Qi Chengxuan? He's just a mere scholar! He hasn't even participated in next year's imperial examinations yet!"
Wenxi cried with tears streaming down her face, "So what? Brother Qi is so talented, it's only a matter of time before he becomes the emperor's disciple."
The First Madam gave a very light scoff, "Xi'er, how many years will it be before he achieves success and is worthy of you? Can you afford to wait that long?!"
She said with exasperation, "The husband your father chose for you comes from a distinguished family. After you marry him, you will naturally be the mistress of the house, and your life will be destined to be one of wealth, honor, peace, and prosperity!"
“Yes…” Wenxi said blankly, “Just like my mother, I’ll have wealth, honor, peace and good fortune… Hahahaha!”
Wenxi gave a weak, bitter laugh: "What good is all this? If I can't be with the person I love forever, what's the point of this life?! Mother!"
The painful sound startled several crows and sparrows on the eaves, who flapped their wings and flew into the dark sky.
In a secluded courtyard not far away, the air was quiet and still. Wen Shu stared at the betrothal gift list in front of her, her feelings complicated and indescribable.
"The Qi family sent over the betrothal gift list and invitation today, and also sent a copy to the First Madam's courtyard. If both families have no objections, then the engagement should be formally arranged."
Wen Shu gave a blank "oh," her expression revealing neither joy nor dissatisfaction.
Seeing that she didn't show any joy on her face, and recalling the recent turmoil, Zhou Yun couldn't help but say, "A grand-nephew of the old lady has recently moved into the manor. He's quite handsome. Shu'er, you wouldn't happen to be...?"
Realizing what Zhou Yun was about to say, Wen Shu quickly looked up and said, "Mother! What are you saying?"
Zhou Yun felt relieved. "At first, I thought you had some other intention in secretly placing him at the medicine shop."
Wen Shu pursed her lips and remained silent.
Zhou Yun was indeed her biological mother. In her previous life, when she saved the seriously injured Pei Lingjun, she did have different intentions.
Now that her personality has changed so much, she is no longer the innocent girl she once was.
Even if Pei Lingjun tried to seduce her again, she would never be swayed and would give in to his wishes.
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