Chapter 6: Who’s the Big Treasure?

Chapter 6: Who's the Big Treasure?

The elegant hall suddenly fell silent.

A group of young masters and misses from high society had gathered at the Huo family's shop in Jiang Nan, eager to bid on the latest Gardenia soap. They thought they had exclusive information about this auction, but were surprised by the large crowd, fearing they might not gain much from this venture. However, just as their spirits were waning, an unexpected spectacle unfolded!

The newly found youngest legitimate son of the Duke's Mansion? In conflict with his eldest legitimate sister?

Everyone was familiar with Wen Ru; living in the capital, they would inevitably bump into each other at various banquets. But Wen Ruan was indeed a novelty.

The young man had fair skin and exquisite features. His long eyebrows framed his lively eyes, and his smile seemed innate, evoking joy and a sudden desire for closeness.

The sun shone brightly, and the wind was gentle. Despite his slightly disheveled attire, the young man's charm remained undiminished, like the breeze through a bamboo forest or the moon emerging from behind clouds.

Wen Yu tugged at Wen Ru's sleeve, whispering a reminder, "Don't do that. We're in public."

Only then did Wen Ru notice the surrounding gazes, her face flushing even redder. How embarrassing! This was mortifying!

Wen Yu maintained his composure, smiling politely as he looked out the window. "I didn't expect my younger brother to be here too. Would you like to come in and take a look together? It's alright if you don't understand; you can learn."

He knew full well that Wen Ruan would be eating wontons here today, and he was aware that the Huo family hadn't displayed the Gardenia soap because one piece was missing. Although he didn't know the details, could he not sow some confusion?

Wen Ruan understood that Wen Yu was hinting at him. With the 'fake soap' incident at their first meeting, it seemed unlikely that today's encounter would end amicably. He continued to eat his small wontons, saying, "No, I think the fake one I have is good enough."

Fake? Could something have happened in the Duke's Mansion? The newly returned youngest legitimate son wanted to make a statement but failed, ending up with a counterfeit product?

"Bad news—the shop hasn't taken out the Gardenia soap because one piece was lost. There were supposed to be two pieces, but now there's only one!" someone shouted, having just arrived from the back of the shop, panicking as they shared the new information.

At this critical moment...

Suddenly, a figure appeared outside the window.

Someone in the crowd blurted out without thinking, "Could it be that you stole it?"

Everyone present could afford the soap and had come to bid on it. Only the one eating wontons outside knew the value of the item but couldn't afford it, having even used a fake version before.

...

"How bold!"

In the Duke's Mansion, Lady Zhou slammed her hand on the table fiercely. "I knew he wasn't easy to deal with; he's here to bring us misfortune. Count how many despicable things he's done since he came back, how much shame he's brought upon us! Now even my daughter is suffering because of him, Mother Liu—go yourself and bring that ungrateful son back for me!"

Mother Liu bowed solemnly, "Yes!"

At the main gate, just as the carriage pulled in, Second Lady Xiao Lu of the second branch happened to hear about the incident. "…Oh? Not only did he buy fake flower soap, but he also stole from the Huo family's shop? How interesting…"

She lowered her brows in thought before saying, "My elder sister will surely take action. Since I'm back, I can't pretend I don't know. Mother Sun, why don't you go take a look?"

Mother Sun smiled. "Yes."

At the city gate, Lady Lu, Xiao Lu's mother-in-law and the true backbone of the second branch who managed household affairs, soon heard about the incident as well. She looked at Mother Wang, who was by the matriarch's side, and said, "Sigh, such antics from the younger generation are truly inappropriate. I hope no trouble arises. Mother Wang, what do you think? Should we go take a look?"

Mother Wang also showed concern on her face. "We should keep an eye on things. Children can be undisciplined sometimes. The matriarch hasn't seen this great-grandson in thirteen years; she'd want everything to appear proper."

Apart from the Duke's Mansion, various places that had been subtly influenced beforehand all seized the opportunity to act, fearful of missing this chance to suppress and teach a lesson, hoping to be the first to strike.

At a teahouse on the second floor, diagonally across from the Huo family's shop.

The man in dark robes watched the unfolding drama below, his thin lips curling slightly. "…Xiong Ding risked his life to escape, just to steal a flower soap?"

Shi Muyun lazily waved his jade-bone fan with gold inlay. "This isn't strange at all. Nowadays in the capital, flower soap is the most sincere token of affection a man can offer his beloved. Everyone knows—oh, you don't know."

The man in dark robes stared at him, his eyes cold and sharp.

Shi Muyun cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his fan. "About four months ago, flower soap suddenly appeared. It first became popular in Jiang Nan before spreading to the capital. Its color was as smooth as jade, its texture as delicate as fat, and its fragrance filled with floral notes. It left the skin clean and refreshed, quickly gaining the favor of the wealthy. However, production was limited, and merchants had their ways of doing business. Now, whether in Jiang Nan or the capital, only the rich and noble can enjoy it."

The product was indeed excellent, and the sales tactics were effective, leading to the current situation.

However, most people wouldn't ponder these aspects. Seeing everyone else vying for it, they naturally desired it as well.

"The praise and admiration have given it its current value—if your beloved receives it, they'll certainly be delighted."

"Beloved…"

The man in dark robes scoffed in a dignified tone. "His life is almost gone."

Shi Muyun pointed downstairs with his fan. "Look at these people; aren't they fighting over a piece of soap too?"

Wen Yu's eyes flickered as he picked up where Wen Ruan left off. "It reminds me…"

"What does it remind you of?" Wen Ru's gaze suddenly sharpened, sensing an opportunity to salvage her dignity.

Wen Yu hesitated. "Perhaps I shouldn't say…"

As if considering Wen Ruan's feelings.

Wen Ru insisted, "Say it if I tell you to!"

Wen Yu reluctantly explained, "On the day we brought my younger brother back, a piece of flower soap fell out of his bag. I thought my brother was being polite, preparing a gift. But upon closer inspection, I realized something was off. The floral engraving was different, indicating it was likely a fake. My brother was sensible and didn't bring it out, keeping it for personal use. Today's incident might just be a coincidence. Perhaps…perhaps everyone misunderstood my brother."

"How could it be such a coincidence?"

"Why is it always a misunderstanding when it comes to him?"

"I heard that your youngest son was brought back from the countryside. Where would he get the money to buy such an expensive item? It must have been stolen!"

"The shop has just released the news. That Gardenia soap probably hasn't been missing for long. Maybe it's still on the thief right now. If it's a misunderstanding, dare you let everyone search?"

Even an ordinary person wouldn't willingly submit to a body search, let alone the youngest son of the Duke's Mansion. Where was his dignity?

If they really searched him, this young master would likely lose face in the capital from now on.

On the teahouse, Shi Muyun covered half his face with his fan, somewhat unable to bear watching: "This kid is about to have bad luck."

The man in black still had frost in his eyes, but his gaze shifted to the waist of the bullied youth.

Shi Muyun noticed and snapped his fan shut, his face full of interest: "You finally feel sympathy for someone..."

Man in black: "He's very lucky."

Shi Muyun: "To catch your eye, it's not just that..."

Man in black: "His waist is as slender as a bamboo, his constitution isn't good, he'll die quickly, suffering less than most people."

Shi Muyun: ...

"I'll see who dares."

Nanxing flicked her robe and stood beside Wen Ruan.

Her presence wasn't strong before, and she didn't raise her voice when speaking now, yet the sudden burst of aura was astonishing. A hint of ferocity rose in her eyes, her shoulders and waist exuded strength—clearly slim, yet she conveyed a blood-soaked air of solemn killing intent—

She wasn't an ordinary servant.

"Hmph, just a servant, how dare you be disrespectful in front of the Marquis' legitimate daughter!" Xue Gonglin sneered, standing beside Wen Ru when others were intimidated by the aura.

Wen Ru instantly lifted her head.

That's right, she was the legitimate eldest branch of the Wen Marquisate. If she were born a man, what would this Wen Ruan be?

"Should Second Miss Wen make a decision for everyone and give us an explanation?"

"The young master has only returned to the estate, he might not know many rules. Second Miss Wen knows better, clearing her brother's suspicion. She wouldn't even dare to make such a decision, would she?"

"The flower soap today wasn't bought by Second Miss Wen alone, everyone wanted to buy it. If something happened, we can't just let it pass without clarity, can we?"

"Stealing, and the marquisate doesn't care?"

One sentence after another, almost putting Wen Ru on the spot.

Wen Ru rarely experienced such scenes. At home, her mother instructed her on how to handle things, where she did poorly, and she never received any face in front of the second house. Everyone praised her sister, no one sincerely complimented her or looked up to her. For others, being pushed like this might be uncomfortable, but she became unusually excited, feeling she should take charge. Among everyone, she was the most suitable and should take charge—

"Guards! Why haven't you arrested him yet—"

"I'll see who dares!"

Suddenly, a person on horseback galloped from afar, reining the horse to block in front of Wen Ruan. In brocade robes, jade-faced and golden-crowned, with high-raised eyebrows and fierce eyes, the whip in his hand cracked crisply, his posture couldn't be more flamboyant—it was none other than the notorious young master, the Little Marquis Fang Rui, whose name made people step back in the capital!

Upon his appearance, the scene suddenly fell silent, people revealing pained expressions.

Wen Ru was stunned, first blushing. How could she not be shy seeing the person she liked? Soon, her face turned pale. The person she liked came, but wasn't helping her...helping that country bumpkin instead!

Xue Gonglin, beside Wen Ru, naturally saw this change. Others feared Fang Rui, but he wasn't afraid: "What authority are you showing off—"

But Fang Rui ignored him, dismounting directly and walking to Wen Ruan: "Are you alright? Did you get scared?"

Wen Ruan: ...

Handsome guy, who are you?

Although they met yesterday, it didn't seem so luxurious then?

Fang Rui's face was a bit sour: "I told you to wait for me, but you insisted on leaving first. Dare you look down on me?"

Causing him to eat dust all the way, his butt was sore from the ride.

Wen Ruan: ...

"My friends under the protection of Little Marquis Fang, bullied to the point of speechlessness," Fang Rui swept a cold glance around, then landed back on Wen Ruan, frustrated, "How useless!"

Wen Ruan silently turned to Nanxing...

We, friends?

Did something I don't know about happen yesterday?

Nanxing was silent for a moment, but soon accepted, bowing to Fang Rui, respectfully and a little warmly, smoothing over the situation for her young master: "Greetings, Little Marquis."

Since others had given their titles, why not use them? He was the Little Marquis, losing face wouldn't be good. Moreover, he seemed easy to deceive...had a righteous spirit, straightforward and honest. Making friends with him wouldn't be a loss; the young master could handle it.

Fang Rui secretly winked at Wen Ruan, pretending to cough: "Why are you staring at me, don't tell me you want to deny it? Yesterday, I said my grandmother and mother both liked that flower soap, you promised it to me!"

Wen Ruan: ...

From an angle others couldn't see, Fang Rui silently mouthed: Pay up.

Then, before others could react, he widened his eyes: "Don't think of lying to me saying you don't have it! With the way you casually use and discard it, even servants can use it, how could you not have a way to obtain it? And the engraving on your soap is different from what's sold in the capital, clearly the most authentic style of the Jiang Nan Hu family. You had it as soon as it came out. You either have connections...or you can make it yourself!"

The scene suddenly fell silent.

Hiss, servants use it casually!

...So just now, did they really misunderstand someone else? Someone with such connections, how could they covet a small gardenia soap? They might have it themselves, maybe not just gardenia soap, but even the Twelve Flower Deity soaps!

So was Wen Yu, the illegitimate son of the Wen Marquisate, mistaken? It couldn't be that Little Marquis Fang was also mistaken, could it? Little Marquis Fang was a famous ruffian in the capital, rich, what hadn't he played with? It was impossible for him to make a mistake.

They just embarrassed themselves greatly...but it didn't matter. The most embarrassing ones weren't them, but this pair of siblings from the Marquisate!

Hiss, not to mention anything else, if this found young master really knew how to make flower soap, wouldn't the Marquisate be set for life? An unimaginable fortune...they'd quietly sold land before, thinking others didn't know they were short on money. Now, with such a cash cow, they might truly not lack money anymore...

Not protecting such a precious gem properly and allowing others to bully him, the Duke's Mansion was truly blind.

Nanxing, observing the shift in atmosphere, retreated.

Wen Ruan wasn't actually at a loss for words due to being bullied; he could handle it. But the situation developed like a tornado, so swiftly that he didn't even have room to maneuver...

He glanced at Fang Rui, having seen people stage accidents for compensation, but never someone who deliberately sought to cling on as a protector.

This child was truly sincere.

The sincere child, Fang Rui, glared at the crowd, still berating them: "Without understanding anything, you spew filth and bully others. Did he offend you?" He then coolly glanced at Wen Yu and Wen Ru, "I don't meddle in other people's affairs, let siblings quarrel however they wish, but whoever dares to bully my friend, Fang Rui—think twice!"

Wen Ru, her face pale, looked at Wen Ruan. "You really..."

Wen Ruan couldn't let those who stood up for him lose face, besides, this was the truth: "Yes, I can make this soap."

Fang Rui immediately puffed out his chest even higher. "What did I say! Such a fine young master, just found and treated like this, doesn't your Duke's Mansion care?"

The people from the Duke's Mansion were left speechless.

Several maids and a crowd of people, ready to participate or watch the spectacle, had just arrived. They hadn't even had the chance to rush to scold the 'disgraceful' young master when they heard about this...

How could they scold now? How could they bring themselves to berate?

It was Lady Wang, always by the Dowager's side, experienced and quick-witted, her white hair not hindering her thought process. She immediately put on a smile, round and joyous, and came forward to take Wen Ruan's hand—

"You, why didn't you say so earlier? The Dowager has been yearning for you, her heart aching with longing, waiting to see you, and she didn't even know you were being bullied!"

Wen Ruan didn't recognize her, but from the situation, he could deduce that this maid must be one of the Dowager's confidants, a spokesperson, someone whose words carried weight.

He glanced at Wen Yu, smiling obediently: "I do want to be filial to Great-Grandmother, but Eldest Brother reminded me not to bring it out."

Lady Wang looked warmly at Wen Yu.

Wen Yu suddenly felt a chill down his spine. "It was my fault, my eyesight failed me, I didn't recognize it."

In front of so many people, Lady Wang, merely a servant, wouldn't speak ill of her master. She simply said it was no big deal, just a small misunderstanding, and looked back at Wen Ruan affectionately: "The Dowager is already much better, she's on her way back, and sent me ahead to prepare. She wants to celebrate the return of the young master, to have a feast in the mansion and introduce the young master to everyone."

Of course, it wasn't true, but what could she say since the young master had now made a name for himself?

Her gaze swept past the sign of the Huo family shop, almost imperceptibly—

Some matters needed to be calculated and planned.