Chapter 5 – Who’s Making a Fool of Themselves

Chapter 5 - Who's Making a Fool of Themselves

At dusk, in the Wen Marquisate.

Zhou was informed that Wen Ruan hadn't returned to the estate and was farming on the manor instead.

"I thought he was just shallow, but I didn't expect him to genuinely enjoy farming?" Zhou nearly spat out her tea, dabbing at the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. "A peasant is a peasant; they can never ascend to the proper stage."

Mama Liu swiftly replaced her tea cup. "Indeed so."

"If he doesn't want to return, then let him not," Zhou's eyes flickered. "Has the second branch written? When are they coming back?"

Mama Liu: "Old Lady is still unwell, so it's uncertain when they'll return. But Young Master from the second branch has come back, and this standoff isn't proper. Tomorrow, Lady Lu from the second branch and Little Lady Lu should at least return one of them..."

Zhou: "What about Sister Ru? Why hasn't she come for dinner yet?"

Mama Liu: "She said she's going out with Eldest Young Master tomorrow to shop for clothes, so she's busy picking outfits and can't spare the time. She asked for her meal to be brought to her courtyard."

"It's acceptable," Zhou was pleased with her illegitimate son's obedience. "He can still be useful."

Mama Liu gauged her mistress's mood. "Should we call him over to give him some instructions?"

"There's no need. He should know his place."

But her daughter... really needs to step up her game.

Zhou lowered her gaze. "Set the table for dinner."

Wen Yu also heard the news that Wen Ruan wasn't returning to the estate.

"Good that he's not coming back..."

He stood by the window with his hands behind his back, watching as the night sky deepened.

One of the two new Gardenia soaps from the Huo family's branch store would be stolen tonight, leaving only one to sell tomorrow. With only one soap available, it wouldn't be easy to snatch it. If Wen Ru went, she would surely try her best. Other buyers would also bid, and if money wasn't enough, other means would be used. If Wen Ruan were to embarrass himself now, Wen Ru would inevitably feel awkward, and if Wen Ru wasn't comfortable, she wouldn't let those who upset her off easily...

With Wen Ruan not returning tonight, he wouldn't hear any rumors or movements. Wen Yu didn't need to be too cautious; it was the perfect opportunity to push things further, ensuring everyone inside and outside the family knew about this matter.

How could it be lively with just a few people fighting over the flower soap? The fewer people there were to watch, the less face would be lost?

He had to invite everyone over to share in the spectacle.

Regardless of how busy and exciting others' nights might have been, Wen Ruan was unaware. He only knew that he was exhausted, sleeping deeply and soundly, only to rise again the next morning.

Don't be fooled by Nanxing's obedient and good-tempered demeanor in front of him; she was actually very smart, not someone to be trifled with, and quite resourceful. She was full of energy. Yesterday, while farming, she had the manor's staff running around in circles. In the evening, she found faults to assert her authority and resolved issues with rewards, tightening the strings on everyone. By morning, the people here already knew their place and showed great respect to Wen Ruan, their new master.

At least, that's how it seemed on the surface.

Wen Ruan led everyone in continuing the planting, first sowing all the seeds. After that, things could be sorted out gradually.

Fortunately, the land on the manor was good, having been tilled and fertilized according to the seasons, and it just happened that no crops had been planted. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. All they needed to do now was sow the seeds and water them sufficiently.

Doing just that, the work progressed quickly. Most of yesterday's tasks were already completed, and by mid-morning today, everything was basically done.

Yesterday, they had rushed over without returning home, which was akin to acting first and seeking forgiveness later, not very polite. Today, he had to go back and take a look. Wen Ruan tidied himself up simply and set off with Nanxing in a rented carriage.

"Hoo—Gee!"

It must be said that some carriages were different from others.

Other carriages arrived with a roar, stirring up gusts of wind and dust that could envelop them, making the horses pulling their own carriage cower and tuck their tails, not daring to shake their heads.

Wen Ruan: ...

"It seems to be coming from the Sixth Prince's manor..." Nanxing found it hard not to be intimidated. "Nobles are proud and arrogant; it's inevitable."

They couldn't afford to provoke them.

Wen Ruan didn't intend to provoke them; he merely watched enviously as the distance between them widened instantly, craving that carriage.

"We still need to make money..."

Wen Ruan considered whether to borrow the current trend in the capital.

"Bring me the set of crystal flasks I tried using to make strong liquor before the New Year, and the roses... Hmm, I remember that before we came to the capital, Huo Xuning said he had a vast rose garden, and all the flowers could be picked and given to me?"

"He just wants to coax Young Master into working harder and quickly creating new products for him," Nanxing recalled the cunning merchant, feeling conflicted. He was generous with money and profit sharing, but he was too loud and clingy. "Young Master is thinking of..."

Wen Ruan: "Something new, something that smells better than the flower soap."

Nanxing understood. "Riding on this trend to spread the word?"

Wen Ruan: "It might be a bit late, but we can start preparing and wait for the right moment."

The market in the capital was excellent. If flower soap could sell at such prices, something with a fresher scent, longer-lasting, and with a lingering aroma would surely be well-received as well.

Nanxing was indignant. "Isn't that just benefiting that Huo fellow again..."

Wen Ruan was generous. "Don't worry, your Young Master has plenty of ideas. He won't run out."

Nanxing fell silent.

Young Master was originally the legitimate grandson of the marquisate, destined for a life of greater wealth and nobility, rather than spending his days rooted in the fields, being called a peasant and a bumpkin, looked down upon by others...

In Sizhou, Young Master was a treasure, the savior of the common folk, the god of fortune for merchants, and the tax official for grain wished he could place him on a high pedestal. The shortsightedness of the Marquisate House might not bode well for its future.

He had originally thought that once Young Master found his true identity and his family, it would be like adding flowers to brocade. Young Master deserved to be respected and admired by more people. With the support of the marquisate, whatever he wanted to do in the future would be smooth sailing. Who knew it would turn out to be a den of tigers and dragons... Young Master returning to the estate in this manner, one could imagine the kind of words those people would spew.

They did need to earn some money to avoid being scolded for freeloading in the future.

"…Have you remembered what I taught you?"

Nanxing suddenly felt a chill down her back. "Young Master, what are you referring to?"

"What else could it be other than your homework," Wen Ruan smiled, "Good child, come, tell me, have you solved the problems I assigned you last time?"

Nanxing: …

"I remember there's something I haven't instructed you properly—"

As she was about to jump off the carriage and return to the manor, she was grabbed by the collar at the back of her neck.

Wen Ruan: "The punishment for skipping class is doubled."

Nanxing continued to struggle. "The person who mooched off our meal yesterday said they would come to thank us, asking us to wait…"

Wen Ruan: "Homework doubled."

Nanxing's head drooped. "…Yes, Teacher."

By the end of the morning hour, Fang Rui arrived at the place where he had mooched off a meal. Where was the person?

He inquired all the way to the Wen Duke Manor's country estate, but the servants said that Wen Ruan had returned to the main residence?

Didn't they agree to wait for him to come and express his gratitude! That wasn't an ordinary meal that anyone could afford! His reputation as Little Marquis Fang didn't seem to hold any sway this time; he hadn't intentionally sought a favor or expected repayment, yet they didn't even care about a simple thank you!

No, he wouldn't allow it!

Fang Rui's sharp gaze turned towards the direction of the city gate, urging his horse to gallop—

"Yah!"

Inside the city, at the branch shop of the Huo family, the store was small, yet crowded with people, making everyone feel restless and agitated.

Wen Ru's headache intensified. "Are all these people here to buy the gardenia soap?"

With so many people, she didn't know what price they would bid, nor did she know if she could buy it.

Wen Yu stood in front of her, shielding her from the crowd. "I don't know why so many people heard the news, but it seems like today's flower soap will be hard to buy... Let's go west, once we reach the elegant hall, there won't be so many people pushing around. Later, let's take a look first. If there's a chance, we'll buy it, but if we can't get it, don't force it. Others like you, sister, not because of what you have, but because of who you are."

Wen Ru gave a perfunctory hum, but she didn't really believe it.

If she wasn't the daughter of the Duke Manor, and her mother didn't have a rich dowry, how could she be liked by the elders in the noble circle and befriend the younger generation? Look at those who used to be in the limelight in their social circles but were now demoted and had their homes confiscated, where were they now?

Everyone was good at saying nice things, but in reality, they respected one's attire before respecting the person. The higher and more valuable you were, the more respect others showed you. Being able to handle affairs smoothly, character was just a facade.

Her mother had told her that if you weren't a noble yourself, you needed to possess a noble. She wasn't born lowly, so why couldn't she take a step further? The manor was declining day by day. In front of outsiders who didn't know the truth, she could still put on airs, but in reality, even using good things required calculations. Last time she went out, even the young lady of the imperial merchant's family dared to mock her. She didn't want to marry just any man; she wanted to live better than everyone else! She wouldn't let anyone look down on her!

"Isn't this Sister Ru? You're here too?"

Upon arriving at the elegant hall, a girl in a yellow dress walked over, her words seemingly solicitous. "Even you want this flower soap? I'm afraid I won't be able to snatch it away."

"It's true, the daughter of the Duke Manor. What will happen if you can't outbid the price today?"

Where there were some who were eager to please, there were others who wanted to see a joke. A girl in a pink skirt suddenly spoke up.

They were all acquaintances. Zhang Mijun in the yellow dress, and Ge Lingchun in the pink dress. The former was cunning, coming from a lowly background, and was best at saying flattering words, trying to curry favor with everyone. The latter was the daughter of the Viscount Manor and had never gotten along with Wen Ru since childhood. Whenever they met, they would clash, and if she caught a single point, she could stir up trouble…

It was truly unlucky.

"It's just a piece of flower soap, why are you making such a fuss?" A young master holding a fan stepped forward, blocking in front of Wen Ru. "If Second Miss Wen doesn't bid, it can only mean she doesn't want to buy it, not that she can't. If Second Miss Wen doesn't like being in the spotlight, just give a casual response. It's no big deal for me to buy it and send it to you."

It was Xue Gonglin.

The Xue from the maternal uncle's family of the Second Prince, also the Xue family's junior who had inquired about Wen Ru after the Shangsi Festival.

Before Wen Yu could speak up to protect his sister, and before Wen Ru could retaliate herself, he stood in front of her and spoke in this manner. The meaning was as clear as it could be.

The problem was that he really had the confidence to do so. The Xue family was involved in maritime trade, and their wealth was abundant. Who would dare say that he couldn't afford this flower soap today? That would truly be blind.

Wen Ru looked down on the Xue family, but being protected like this…

Her face flushed red, and she raised her chin proudly. "Who asked you to help!"

Xue Gonglin closed his fan and bowed, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Yes, yes, it was all my fault for causing trouble for Second Miss Wen."

Wen Ru snorted and walked past him, sitting down at an elegant seat by the window.

…

On the journey, Wen Ruan touched his stomach; he was hungry. He decided not to deprive himself and to eat something first.

Nanxing quickly recommended and found a wonton shop located in an alleyway. It was cheap and delicious. Of course, the price wasn't important; expensive food wasn't unaffordable, but this wonton shop was particularly authentic, praised by the locals. Young Master Wen had yet to properly taste the local cuisine since arriving in the capital.

Wen Ruan had no objections. He was both hungry and thirsty, and indeed wanted to eat something with soup. He beckoned Nanxing to sit down and eat together.

The relationship between master and servant was very casual, especially when there were no outsiders. Sitting together for a meal was completely normal.

But someone didn't like it.

"Eh… That young master is having his servant sit and eat with him? How disrespectful is that?"

"Ugh, two or three copper coins for a bowl of wontons, why eat here and disgust people?"

"Saying he's a young master, why are there mud stains on his trouser legs? Is he pretending?"

"He looks decent enough, and his demeanor is proper, doesn't seem like a fraudster…"

"Hmm? This belt buckle, it seems to be the emblem of the Wen Duke's family…"

"Make way—"

Upon hearing the commotion, Ge Lingchun squeezed through the crowd for a look, nearly bursting into laughter. "Oh, it's someone from the Duke Wen's estate in Jiang Nan. Look at that attire and demeanor—it must be the long-lost legitimate young master, Wen Ru's brother! How unexpected."

In high society, there were no secrets, especially when one made a point of gathering information. The Earl of Laiyuan had been aware of the Duke Wen's estate finding their legitimate young master, but they hadn't met him yet. Who would have thought that today's encounter would bring such a surprise.

Of course, she did this on purpose, her voice loud and drawn out, ensuring everyone in the elegant hall could hear.

Wen Ru walked to the window and saw that it was indeed Wen Ruan! He had returned and done nothing but cause embarrassment everywhere!

Ge Lingchun tutted. "Sitting on a small stool, eating wontons in secret, how hungry, poor, and unrefined must one be? Even if the Duke Wen's estate isn't known for its etiquette, surely they wouldn't mistreat their legitimate young master like this? Wen Ru, your brother has come to fetch you. Why don't you go over, pay your respects, and help settle the bill?"

Wen Ru's face flushed with anger, forgetting all the words Madam Zhou had instructed her to say. She shouted directly out the window at Wen Ruan, "Hurry up and leave! This is not a place for you!"

Wen Ruan, seeing the person who suddenly appeared by the side window of the shop next door, looked down at the bowl with half of his wontons left—

Was it forbidden to eat small wontons in the capital?

Seeing him unmoved, staring blankly at the unfinished wontons as if he had never eaten before, Wen Ru grew even angrier. "Do you know what's happening here! The Huo family's Jiang Nan branch finally received their gardenia soap, and it's going to be auctioned off today! Is this something you can participate in!"

Wen Ruan replied, "I didn't intend to buy anything."

Wen Ru snapped, "But you're distracting everyone! Now scram!"