Hearing "Come in", the pink figure beside the door curtain suddenly stopped, hesitated for a long time, and then timidly lifted the heavy curtain little by little with her fingertips.
Miss Wang lowered her eyes, her gaze just falling on the back of the desk.
The man was lowering his head, holding the document in his hand with well-defined knuckles. He had a focused expression and a cold air about him that kept strangers away.
She tightened her grip on the tray, which contained two plates of freshly made dim sum, delicate and exquisite.
Yesterday she had been busy in the small kitchen for half a day and received praise from the old lady for her "good cooking skills". The old lady then asked her to deliver it to the master. She thought she would be turned away, but she was actually delivered. The maid replied that the master had accepted it.
Grandpa liked it, so Miss Wang made two more portions at noon today, one for Grandpa and one for Grandma.
Qin Gong's eyes did not leave the document, but he saw the pink figure standing stiffly in place.
If it were in the past, if he showed any sign of unhappiness, she would have spoken softly, offered him a cup of tea, and sat down next to him.
Today he just stood there motionless.
Miss Wang finally plucked up the courage to move two steps forward and gently placed the food box on the corner of the table. An overly sweet aroma filled the air.
Qin Gong raised his eyes suddenly.
In front of me was a flushed face.
He has always disliked the presence of strangers in his study.
Miss Wang lowered her head when the master of the Qin residence glanced at her. "Master, this is a freshly made snack. It's light and refreshing, just like the one delivered last night. Would you like to try it?"
The woman's voice, deliberately lowered in a flattering tone, mixed with the strong scent of perfume, rushed straight into Qin Gong's nose.
His face suddenly darkened.
At this time, the servant on duty outside ran in panting, with cold sweat on his forehead. When he saw the master's face, he knew that he had caused a big disaster and complained in his heart, but it was the old lady who asked Miss Wang to send it in!
"Uncle, please try it. The old lady also praised it." She bravely raised her eyes slightly.
"Get out." These two words were spoken without any emotion, and he didn't even look at her.
Miss Wang's raised hand froze in mid-air as she watched the servant come over with a dark face and ask her to leave without any explanation.
She stared blankly at the motionless Qin Gong, then at the pastries she had carefully made all morning. After all, she was still a girl, and being kicked out so ruthlessly, her eyes became hot and her vision blurred in an instant.
The servant had no time to comfort her. He was in great trouble already, and he should have regretted it like he did last night, taking the snacks and eating them himself!
When the maidservant beside Concubine Yun rushed over, she happened to see Miss Wang hiding behind the pillar wiping her tears, with the handle of the food box tightly grasped in her hand. She pulled her away with a look of disappointment.
When Aunt Yun saw her, she naturally started to scold her and said she was useless.
After lecturing her for a few words, Qin Changkun walked in in a dashing manner, waving a golden fan. He had just had lunch with Su Yi and now came to see Aunt Yun, mainly to see the baby in Aunt Yun's belly.
Miss Wang was sobbing, her frail body trembling slightly, with tears still on her face. When she saw Qin Changkun coming in and met his playful and inquiring eyes, she hurriedly lowered her head, wiped her face roughly, and ran out crying.
"Hey, what's wrong with you today? Why are you so angry?" Qin Changkun withdrew his gaze from the running figure and teased Aunt Yun with a smile.
"That girl got burned while making pastries, and she came to me crying. I told her off," Aunt Yun said lightly, covering it up. She casually brought out some warm pastries from the side and said, "Second Master, you came at the right time. Try some. They're freshly baked."
She didn't want Qin Changkun's thoughts to fall on others, so she immediately grabbed his hand and pressed it on her bulging belly, saying in a soft voice, "Second Master, listen quickly! Your son is having a great time playing football today!"
--
After lunch at noon,
Wen Tang was about to take a nap, and Mrs. Zhou came over and carefully spread the mattress on the couch.
Wen Tang had let his hair down, letting it fall down like a waterfall. Just as he lay down and closed his eyes, someone at the door called out "Uncle". Wen Tang opened his eyes again and looked towards the door, only to find that no one had come in. He must have gone straight to the compartment to see the child.
Wen Tang lay down again and prepared to go to sleep, but the sound of two children babbling next door and Xia Jie'er giggling could be heard.
Wen Tang turned over, but the sound still came from next door.
A little later, Baochun came in and replied, "Master has seen the brothers and sisters and has gone to the government office." She paused, a look of annoyance on her face. "Just now I saw the cousin from the next yard come out of Master's study with red eyes, holding a box of snacks in her hands. It seems she took it back with her."
Wen Tang nodded sleepily, "Come out from the master's study?"
Baochun knew more or less why the old lady had pushed this girl into the courtyard. She looked unhappy and said, "I specifically asked the servant on duty in the study, and I'm afraid she's gone to Concubine Yun's place again. The old lady likes her, but her behavior makes her seem restless! Grandma, should we inform the Second Madam?"
The Second Mistress seemed to be less concerned with the affairs of her own courtyard recently, letting Concubine Yun do whatever she wanted and asking for everything. The small kitchen there almost became Concubine Yun's alone.
Mrs. Zhou came in, sent Baochun away, and whispered, "The fourth lady invited Wen Zhiyi here, and she is drinking tea and talking in the garden right now."
--
Qin Ruoyue stood in the yard with a smug look on her face.
She had just spent a long time in the house carefully choosing her clothes, making sure she was dressed in bright colors and looked more beautiful than flowers, before she came out gracefully.
Seeing Wen Zhiyi in plain clothes from afar, Qin Ruoyue subconsciously looked down at her own complicated and bright clothes.
As Wen Zhiyi approached, Qin Ruoyue held her hand affectionately and shook it gently. Qin Ruoyue said with regret, "Sister Wen, why have you lost weight again? You can't be so thin. Your health is more important. You should use more."
Wen Zhiyi's figure embodies the kind of fragile beauty that all the ladies in the capital vie to emulate. She has a small face the size of a palm, a waist that is so slender that it can't be grasped in one hand, and her skin, due to her frailty, has an almost transparent whiteness that easily arouses pity from others.
She pulled her hand back and said, "Sister Ruoyue is thoughtful. I will pay attention to it. Don't talk about me. It's you who have the good news. It's your good news that should be discussed."
Qin Ruoyue's smile instantly brightened and she talked about her husband.
Wen Zhiyi clearly saw the radiant joy on her face. Her gaze swept over the heavy makeup and overly gorgeous clothes she wore. If it were someone else standing next to Qin Ruoyue, their plain appearance would have been overshadowed. Unfortunately, Wen Zhiyi's beauty was so stunning that Qin Ruoyue's subtle scheming and trickery were no match for her. Instead, her unadorned, cool, and ethereal aura made her look even more vulgar.
Since she cannot compare with her in looks or talent, she now wants to find a superior one in her husband.
Wen Zhiyi understood her little thoughts, but when Qin Ruoyue proudly said that name, Wen Zhiyi was still surprised.
"Sister Wen, do you think this is a marriage sent by heaven?" Qin Ruoyue put her arm around him affectionately again.
Wen Zhiyi said softly, "Congratulations, sister."
"Is your husband Jiang Dao's foundation in the capital stable?" After sharing the good news, Qin Ruoyue changed the subject and inquired.
She said, "After all, we are a family of merchants. We have to rely on officials for everything, so we have to manage it carefully."
On the surface, this sounds like concern, but the underlying meaning is that businessmen are the lowest class.
Wen Zhiyi was too lazy to argue with her about such shallow views. Thinking of Jiang Dao, she was in a good mood. Although the second prince was under house arrest, he had already established contact with the third prince. He was doing well in both the official and business circles, and his dealings were all with dignitaries, including many former officials.
"Come, serve tea and snacks." Qin Ruoyue ordered loudly.
Before Yinzhu went down, he glanced at Wen Zhiyi.
While Qin Ruoyue was changing clothes,
Yinzhu stopped Wen Zhiyi and said, "The young lady is about to meet someone. You were the one who suggested that last time. What will she do if she finds out that the man she's been thinking about, Master Zhang, didn't receive the sachet at all, but instead gave it to someone who has nothing to do with her?"
Wen Zhiyi, "What nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever give you such an idea?"
Yinzhu hurriedly told Wen Zhiyi about the last time the maidservant had mistakenly given her the sachet. She was in a panic and wanted to report it but was caught by her. Wen Zhiyi said it was a small matter and there was no need to disturb the young lady, and it should be treated as if nothing had happened.
Wen Zhiyi looked at Yinzhu, who was sweating profusely from anxiety, and said, "You little girl, you messed up and implicated your master, and now you're saying these foolish things to blame me. If this gets out, it will damage your reputation. Can you bear the consequences?"
Yinzhu didn't expect that she would simply deny it. At this time, Qin Ruoyue came over.
Wen Zhiyi looked confused. "Sister Ruoyue, your maid just said that your sachet seemed to be given to the wrong person? It wasn't Master Zhang."
Qin Ruoyue's gaze instantly fixed on Yinzhu, and Yinzhu's knees went weak when she looked at her.
Qin Ruoyue said to Wen Zhiyi, "My good sister-in-law is just talking nonsense."
Then Qin Ruoyue looked at Yinzhu again, "Now even the stupid maids below are following suit. I really don't know who in this mansion feeds you and gives you money to spend."
Wen Zhiyi glanced at Yinzhu, who was about to cry, and then looked at Qin Ruoyue, who was full of complacency. Suddenly, he didn't know where Qin Ruoyue got her confidence from.
She smiled and said, "Your sister-in-law is cautious and worried that you will suffer a loss."
Qin Ruoyue ate the orange segments that the maidservant beside her had peeled and passed to her mouth. "She doesn't like me." As she spoke, she caught a glimpse of Wen Zhiyi's plainly dressed yet elegant face. Subconsciously, she stroked her heavily powdered cheeks and said, "It's fine if she doesn't like me, but at the last palace banquet, didn't she humiliate you in public and leave without saying anything? What a disappointment."
"Hey, come to think of it, it was you that my eldest brother was attracted to at first, so how come he chose the wrong marriage?"
Wen Zhiyi's heart trembled suddenly.
"You must come tomorrow." Qin Ruoyue acted coquettishly.
"Of course." Wen Zhiyi came back to his senses.
Outside the garden, Mrs. Zhou and Baochun heard every word of the conversation between the two.
Mrs. Zhou spat fiercely in that direction, then turned and spoke to Wen Tang.
"Grandma, you'd better not remind her. The fourth girl thinks this is a good match sent by heaven. If we try to dissuade her, it will be against the will of heaven."
Wen Tang held her chin in her hand. She had no interest in meddling in other people's affairs. Zhang Yao might not have the best character for marriage, but he had a promising career, and the girl's family liked him.
In the evening, Qin Gong came back and ate at the table.
Wen Tang knew that he had a day off tomorrow, so he asked, "Sir, can you have dinner with me tomorrow?"
Since they are colleagues, there is no guarantee that Qin Gong will not be interested in visiting.
Wen Tang casually mentioned as he picked up a piece of food for him, "Mr. Zhang is indeed handsome and talented. No wonder the girls in the boudoir like him so much."
Qin Gong lifted his eyelids and slowly looked up at her. Wen Tang continued, "His appearance and talent are excellent, but I wonder what his character is like."
"When you marry a wife, you should marry a virtuous one. When you choose a husband, you should also choose a virtuous one."
"The girls in the boudoir may only be attracted by his good looks. The last time I went to the palace, I saw his fair skin at the banquet. Although he is tall, he is already in his twenties and has not yet been successfully engaged. Is his health okay?"
Qin Gong put down his chopsticks and looked up at her.
Meeting his deep and unfathomable gaze, Wen Tang realized that her criticism of Zhang Yaoming seemed a bit excessive, so she changed the subject, "Husband, please continue eating. I won't say anything more."
Qin Gong picked up the warm, wet handkerchief handed to him by the maid next to him and wiped his mouth. "You just need to make arrangements for tomorrow's meeting."
The implication is that other matters have nothing to do with her.
Wen Tang had nothing to say.
Qin Gong stood up, walked around her and went to the inner room to take a bath.
--
The candlelight was dim and a faint fragrance was floating in the tent.
Qin Gong raised his head, his Adam's apple rolling, and he calmed down.
He held her with one arm.
Wen Tang leaned over him and said, "Grandpa, grandma always says that you lack someone who understands your feelings and is considerate and thoughtful."
Qin Gong's life was now in Wen Tang's hands. He said "Hmm?" vaguely, tightened his arms, and didn't hear what she said at all.
Wen Tang took the opportunity to push him with her hand and kicked him under the quilt, just as revenge for his sudden cold look at her during the day.
"Say it again." His voice was hoarse.
"Didn't you hear clearly?" Wen Tang muttered softly.
Qin Gong easily grabbed her hand and said, "Yes."
She simply changed the subject, wanting to take advantage of Qin Gong's rare moment of confusion to give Zhang Yao some eye drops.
"Master, you said that Master Zhang..."
As soon as she started to speak, she saw Qin Gong open his eyes. He lowered his head to look at her, and the haziness and laziness just now disappeared. His eyes were sharp and clear, and his brows were furrowed.
"Why do you keep bringing this up?"
He studied her.