Chapter 27: Wen Nianshu Visits the Chen Manor, the Arrogant Master and Servant

Chang'an.

Wen Fu.

Before the dressing table.

Wen Nianshu today deliberately wore a purple silk robe, noble and elegant; her hair was styled by the listening rain comb into a dignified flying-cloud bun, with a light-purple gemstone tassel hairpin.

The personal maid Qiu Lan stood to the left, wanting to speak but hesitating for a long time, before finally asking: "Miss, do you really intend to lower your status and dress up to see that Chen Yan?"

Her words were full of dislike.

If it were another noble young master from a prestigious family, Qiu Lan would definitely not say such words.

But that Chen Yan is merely a dog that fawns over Miss's pomegranate skirt; what virtue or ability does he have?

Is he even worthy of Miss's careful dressing to meet?

"Hmm." Wen Nianshu painted her dark brows and replied.

Qiu Lan pouted, then continued: "Given his obsession with you, Miss, sending a servant with a verbal message would have him come running in a hurry...."

"Why bother to lower yourself and go in person?"

Everyone in Chang'an knows that Chen Yan is Miss's number one sycophant, utterly devoted.

Relying on a single marriage contract, he constantly lingers by Miss's side, trying every way to please her; even if you beat him with a stick, he wouldn't leave....

But now the situation has reversed?

I really don't know what Miss is thinking!

"Things are different now...."

Wen Nianshu's eyes flashed with a strange color; she picked up the lip balm on the table, lightly applied it, and ordered: "Hurry and prepare the carriage!"

"Yes." Qiu Lan replied unwillingly.

After the personal maid left, Wen Nianshu let out a long sigh.

Do you really think she wants to lower her status?

It's all done out of necessity.....

Wen Nianshu drifted off a bit, inevitably recalling yesterday's conversation with her father.

The previous night. (Handling Daxi Ju same night)

Wen Nianshu had just finished bathing, planning to go to bed early to rest and gather energy, so she could visit the Wei clan's Third Gongzi tomorrow.

But she was suddenly summoned by her father, who sent someone to fetch her to the study; as soon as she entered, she heard her father Wen Shang say in an unquestionable tone: "Shu Er, these days find an opportunity to meet Chen Yan...."

"Let's renegotiate the timing of your marriage!"

Wen Shang's attitude was utterly unlike before, extremely stern.

Wen Nianshu stared, then after briefly gauging his expression, she cautiously asked: "Father, has something happened?"

"You previously looked down on him extremely, didn't you?"

"How did you change your mind again?"

From Wen Shang's expression, Wen Nianshu keenly sensed that something major must have happened here....

Had it not been for the influence of Chen Lao Zhuguo and the Wei Duke's mansion earlier, this marriage would have been even less likely to succeed.

Especially this divorce, it was arranged at Wen Shang's direction; her father is certainly not someone who changes orders from morning to evening.

"Shu Er, you may not know in your inner chambers...."

Wen Shang narrowed his eyes, face grave, spoke in a low voice: "This kid Chen Yan, who knows what luck he stumbled into; entering the Tianlao Heavenly Prison Death Prison he not only turned danger into safety, but also gained the favor and patronage of the Grand Chancellor...."

"His future prospects are limitless!"

The rumors perhaps haven't yet spread throughout the Chang'an elite circles, but Wen Shang, as a high official of the Great Zhou court, has nonetheless learned many of the inner details....

Wen Shang keenly judged that the position of Deputy Vermilion Bird Mirror Master is merely a starting point; Chen Yan, favored by the Grand Chancellor, will rise to the heights—it's only a matter of time....

After all, as long as he aligns himself correctly, high office and generous stipends are already waiting for him.

Once his son-in-law rises, he can lift the Wen family and his own sons.

In a few decades, the Wen clan will be a top-tier prestigious family in Chang'an!

Wen Nianshu watched Wen Shang's daydreaming expression, lightly bit her red lip, showed a hint of difficulty, and whispered: "On the day of the divorce, we had already torn apart our faces...."

"Wanting to reconcile as before and fulfill the marriage contract—perhaps it won't be that easy?"

Even though several days have passed, that scene remains vivid in Wen Nianshu's mind.

That day Chen Yan acted like a completely different person, pointing at her and scolding her harshly, with an extremely awful attitude, no longer the formerly obedient self....

Reconciling will not be easy.

"No need to worry!"

Wen Shang heard her, waved his hand, gave a contemptuous smile, and declared confidently: "You still don't know what kind of person that kid has been these years?"

"All you have to do is crook your finger, and he'll come running back?"

His words were full of contempt.

In Wen Shang's view, that day was purely because Chen Yan was thrown into the Tianlao Heavenly Prison Death Prison, suffered a great shock, leading to insanity, which caused him to speak harshly to his precious daughter.

Now he has mostly calmed down; likely he wants to find Shu Er to apologize, but finds no excuse, so he hasn't come to the door....

Even if we concede ten thousand steps, even if Chen Yan still isn't appeased, at worst we let Shu Er give him more benefits, take more advantages, and he'll surely change his heart immediately.

All these years, that kid has been a contemptible wretch!

"Father is right!"

Wen Nianshu nodded, deeply agreed, smiled, and said: "If the daughter says a few kind words, acts coquettish, Chen Yan will surely soften his heart and not hold past grudges...."

Having said that, Wen Nianshu had already begun to enjoy the life of becoming a noble lady in the future.

Right, Chen Yan is still the heir of the Duke of Wei; after inheriting the title, she would become the Grand Duke's Lady.

"Correct!"

The Wen merchant laughed loudly, clenched his fists, 'As long as we get through Chen Yan and cozy up to the Grand Minister, our Wen family will surely rise to great heights, and the future official paths of your brothers will be an open expanse of blue clouds!'

With the Grand Minister's patronage, not only would the family rise, but I myself could advance even further, perhaps several steps, into the core circle of power's center—this would not be a big problem.

The position of Grand Minister of Granary—he has sat there for far too long....

'The daughter understands.'

Wen Nianshu gave a faint, graceful smile, 'Tomorrow I'll go see Chen Yan....'

Her thoughts drifted, and not long after, the sound of Qiu Lan's voice came from outside the carriage.

'Miss, Chen Yan's lodging has arrived....'

'This manor is truly magnificent and splendid!'

'It's even bigger than our Wen Fu....'

His words were full of sighs.

Wen Nianshu lifted the curtain and stepped down from the carriage; the moment she laid eyes on Chen Fu, she was startled by its grandeur, but she quickly composed herself, put on a stern face, and scolded, 'Look at your useless appearance.'

'In the future, won't this manor all belong to our family?'

Although she said that with her mouth, her heart had already blossomed with joy.

So large, so magnificent, so luxurious—it was fitting for the esteemed young lady of the Wen family as her future residence.

Especially this location, it's right on the edge of Huangcheng....

That Chen Yan, after all, does have some talent!

'What the miss says is correct!'

Qiu Lan helped Wen Nianshu down from the carriage, and obediently echoed, 'As long as the miss desires it, Chen Yan will surely offer it with both hands....'

In her eyes, laughter could not be hidden.

Once the miss marries in, she will become the mistress of the house, and she will be the head maid of the household....

'Go knock on the door!' Wen Nianshu said with a light smile.

'Bang bang bang!'

Qiu Lan quickly stepped forward, grabbed the door knocker, and knocked heavily.

'Who is it?'

Jin Se poked her head out from a side door and asked, 'Who are you?'

'Is there something you need?'

Jin Se, one of the maids newly bought by Qingyu from the servant broker yesterday to serve the household.

'Our miss is the future mistress of Chen Fu; hurry and call Chen Yan to come out and greet her!'

Qiu Lan lifted her head, arrogant and haughty, and commanded.

'Sorry!'

Jin Se looked at Qiu Lan doubtfully, shook her head, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, 'Our Young Master is not in the manor....'

Although we've only been at Chen Fu for a few days, Qingyu has already taught us the rules.

Nor have we ever heard of there being any mistress, present or future, in the household....

No matter how Jin Se looked at it, she felt these two strange women were nothing but swindlers!

'Not here?'

Qiu Lan furrowed her brows, instantly displeased, and, putting on airs, commanded, 'Why not first invite our miss inside, then send someone to call him back?'

'If you slight our miss, you'll have something unpleasant to eat!'

Having said that, she glared at them fiercely several times.

'Sorry!'

Jin Se remained unmoved, still polite and proper, saying, 'I cannot make this decision; I must report to the household steward....'

'Please wait a moment!'

'Why not go quickly then?' Qiu Lan, a bit impatient, urged, 'If you keep our miss waiting, when Chen Yan returns he'll demand your head!'

Jin Se remained expressionless, gave no further reply, and quickly turned and left.

The inner court.

'Mingyue, can you still keep the accounts?'

'Really impressive!'

Qingyu ate her pastry, gazing at the focused Dantai Mingyue beside her, her eyes full of admiration.

She could read, but she was not good at arithmetic, and certainly could not keep accounts.

Just as she was at a loss over the household's miscellaneous expenses, her savior appeared.

'I studied a bit before....'

Dantai Mingyue nodded, flipping through the ledger where she recorded and summed up the accounts.

Lady Da Xi Jue only loved primping and dressing; she was inept at managing affairs, so all major and minor matters in the household had to go through her.

She could be considered the mistress of the house in substance but not in name.

Jin Se came from outside, quickly stepped forward, and said, 'Qingyu Jiejie, outside there is a master-servant pair who call themselves the Young Master's fiancée, naming themselves and demanding to see the Young Master....'

'Their attitude is extremely arrogant!'

Having said that, she then gave a brief rundown of what had just happened.

'Fiancée?'

'Wen Nianshu?'

Qingyu set down her pastry, raised her eyebrows, guessed who had come, and sneered, 'Does she really have the nerve to show up?'

'Come on, let's go meet her!'