Chapter 7: I, Young Master, Shift the Field

Chapter 7: I, Young Master, Shift the Field

Wen Ruan didn’t think that the banquet was the Old Lady’s idea. After all, she hadn’t been particularly enthusiastic about his return. But since Mother Wang was her confidante, she wouldn’t misinterpret the Old Lady’s intentions. It seemed that his skills were indeed crucial to the Duke’s Mansion.

In the crowd, he spotted a familiar-looking servant from the Duke’s Mansion, skulking around. With so many of them here, they couldn’t have come just for him. So what was this setup…

He looked at the cheap brother and sister from the main branch. Who had orchestrated this?

Mother Wang announced the banquet and bowed to everyone present. "The Duke’s Mansion will send out invitations soon. If you’re free, please do attend."

Everyone present was influential in their circles, and most of them knew Mother Wang. In recent years, as the Old Lady of the Duke’s Mansion had been unwell, Mother Wang often acted on her behalf, conveying messages. They all respected her and agreed.

Fang Rui finally softened his expression. He lightly tapped Wen Ruan’s arm with his horsewhip. "I guess you have matters to attend to at your mansion. Since it’s inconvenient today, I’ll come find you another day."

Wen Ruan nodded. "Alright."

Young Marquis Fang remounted his horse and left, but this time not in such a hurry. He wasn’t rushing as much.

Wen Yu and Wen Ru’s faces were terrible.

What Mother Wang said represented the Old Lady’s wishes, which were essentially non-negotiable orders from the Duke’s Mansion… They had lost face today.

Especially Wen Ru, her face alternated between white and red, she was furious. Not only had she failed to gain any advantage, but she had also made a fool of herself in front of everyone! She glanced sideways in blame—

Was Xue mute? Why wasn’t he saying anything! Hadn’t he always been trying to protect her!

She couldn’t see him.

Where was he? Where could such a big person have gone?

Upon searching again, she found him being lectured by his younger sister, who had rushed over, pulling his ear!

Wen Ru’s expression worsened. Not only had Young Marquis Fang not spared her a glance, but even Xue Gonglin, who had been defending her, was useless!

Unable to bear it, she wiped her tears and ran away.

Wen Yu hurried after her.

After that, they couldn’t care less about how the osmanthus soap from the Huo family shop would be bid on, who would end up owning it, or how long this spectacle would be discussed.

Mother Sun hid behind the crowd, regretting her actions—she had been careless! The fabric of the clothes Little Master had worn that day was truly high-quality! It wasn’t cheap ramie, but expensive Huo ramie, which was hard to buy!

She immediately returned to the mansion through the side gate to report to her master. Knowing that her master was in the main courtyard of the second branch, she rushed over.

"Let her in."

In the main courtyard of the second branch, Second Madam Lu, who managed the household affairs, gently rubbed her temple. Her niece and daughter-in-law, Little Madam Lu, was giving her a shoulder massage. Upon Mother Sun’s entrance and bow, she saw Little Madam Lu nodding and stood respectfully, recounting everything that had happened.

Apart from the events that had just occurred, she also mentioned Wen Ruan’s first day back in the mansion, detailing every observation she had made.

After finishing, she dared not speak further and waited respectfully. Seeing that her master had no questions, she bowed again and left.

"The main branch…"

Madam Lu snorted softly. "They really know how to lose face."

Little Madam Lu also laughed. "Fortunately, our people weren’t impulsive. If they had rushed in, we would have lost face together. Mother is wise to see things clearly."

The aunt and niece shared some similarities in appearance, both having round faces and willow-leaf eyebrows. Their demeanors were gentle and compliant, though the former seemed more harmonious, calm, and steady, with fine lines at the corners of her eyes reflecting the passage of time. The latter seemed more submissive, obedient, and filial, with her sharply defined lips always curved upwards, always smiling.

"I’m not necessarily wise," Madam Lu patted Little Madam Lu’s hand, signaling her to stop. "Some things can’t be rushed. Slow and steady wins the race. The main branch doesn’t understand this principle. If a concubine-born son isn’t raised well, no one will criticize you much. A woman of low birth lacks perspective. But if a legitimate daughter isn’t raised well, her marriage prospects… won’t be good."

Little Madam Lu served her mother-in-law a cup of tea but didn’t sit down, instead standing by her side. "Regardless, she’s still the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s Mansion’s main branch. I heard several families have already inquired?"

Madam Lu was unperturbed, taking a sip of tea. "Do you think the Pan family’s proposal was because they truly favored Wen Ru?"

Little Madam Lu: "Didn’t they say that the youngest son of the Pan family was interested…"

Madam Lu shook her head. "It’s fortunate that they only sought to marry a girl from the Duke’s Mansion, not to marry their daughter into the Duke’s Mansion. Otherwise…"

She didn’t elaborate, and the room fell silent. Little Madam Lu then said, "Mother Wang mentioned a banquet. Is the Old Lady returning?"

"If she doesn’t return now, when will she?" Madam Lu put down her teacup. "What Mother Wang says is what the Old Lady says."

Little Madam Lu: "So what should we…"

"We’ll host it," Madam Lu smiled kindly. "When the matriarch of the mansion says there will be a banquet, it must be done properly, and on a grand scale. As the ones managing the household, we must ensure everything is in order and pay attention to every detail… They’re probably coming back. As an elder, I shouldn’t let the younger generation lose face. Will you go in my stead?"

Little Madam Lu also smiled and curtsied. "Yes, I’ll go right away."

Madam Lu: "Wait—since it’s our first meeting, bring a gift."

Little Madam Lu: "Yes."

…

How could this be… How could it be like this!

In the main branch’s courtyard, Zhou was regretting not seeing through Wen Ruan’s scheming. She resented her two children for being inexperienced. Her daughter had run home in a daze, crying until her knees were wet. Outside, Mother Wang was about to bring Wen Ruan back, making it hard for her not to feel anxious.

But seeing her daughter cry like this, she couldn’t bear to scold her. She narrowed her eyes at her illegitimate son, Wen Yu, who had been standing here respectfully without a word since earlier. "Take your sister downstairs first and comfort her. Come back later to see me!"

Wen Yu stiffened. "Yes."

Just as he had coaxed his sister away, Little Madam Lu arrived.

"I must congratulate you, Big Sister, for gaining a wonderful nephew!" Little Madam Lu smiled warmly. "I just returned to the mansion and had to serve my mother-in-law. That’s why I came over now. Don’t blame me for being lazy, Big Sister."

Madam Zhou swiftly adjusted her skirt to cover the damp spot on her knee, combed her hair with her fingers, and composed herself gracefully. "It's also a blessing for our Duke Wen Manor. The eldest legitimate branch should bear this heavy responsibility and bring glory to our family name—the Second Aunt is also getting on in years, how has the journey been on your health?"

In an attempt to flaunt and insinuate, Madam Little Lu remained unperturbed, still gentle and soft-spoken. "Mother-in-law's health is fine, but managing household affairs inevitably worries her over the younger generation. It's good that the children are promising, but they're young and can be impulsive. Such a significant matter..."

She glanced out the window, lowering her voice meaningfully. "You, as the elder aunt, will have to help guide them along."

Madam Zhou's eyes sharpened instantly.

Madam Little Lu smiled faintly, as if the previous glance was just an illusion. She spoke of her own fortune. "Our family can bask in the glory too, can't we? In the future, when we can buy and afford that soap, it'll make others envious."

"Who could disagree?"

Under normal circumstances, Madam Zhou would be delighted by such flattery, especially from the second branch. But things were different now. They had mistaken pearls for fish eyes, and Wen Yu and Wen Ru had offended people deeply. She herself had been punished to kneel. How... could she mend this situation and win them over?

Of course, she wouldn't lose the verbal battle. "As his aunt, I'll have to put in more effort. You help the Second Aunt manage household affairs, so remember to look after them more. The child has just returned and is still shy."

"That's true, Elder Sister."

Madam Little Lu smiled gently, appearing incredibly obedient. Madam Zhou's mood didn't improve; she didn't believe Madam Little Lu wasn't jealous!

"He's back! Young Master is back!"

Mama Wang accompanied Wen Ruan back to the manor all the way, and everyone followed to watch the spectacle. The atmosphere was jubilant. As for the disgraced brother and sister, no one paid attention to them for the moment. Amidst praise and applause, Wen Ruan walked to the main residence, bowed to acknowledge his elders, and everywhere he went, he was met with smiles.

Madam Zhou and Madam Little Lu sat on the main and side seats respectively. Mama Wang, whose words carried weight, was still a servant and stood to the side.

Although everyone was curious about Wen Ruan's abilities, according to protocol, they had to greet their elders first. As the elder sister, Madam Zhou naturally took the lead. "The past two days have been hotter. How is Grandmother's health? Is she sleeping well? Does she have a good appetite?"

Mama Wang smiled broadly. "Good, good, everything is good. Before I was assigned to return, she was ready to set off, but considering her health, the carriage won't travel too fast. I can't say exactly when she'll arrive at the manor. We'll just have to send more people to welcome her."

Of course, that wasn't the case. She guessed Grandmother's intentions—this was how things should be handled. If news of the banquet reached her, Grandmother would definitely set off. If she left later, the carriage would travel slower, and no one would know exactly when she'd return.

"She's worried about the manor and sent me to take a look. Now that the young master has returned, the grand banquet must be held. Unexpectedly, the young master is so capable that he even knows how to make that soap. Our Duke Wen Manor is experiencing double happiness!"

Madam Zhou smiled and beckoned Wen Ruan closer. "That soap, can you really make it?"

Wen Ruan's smile shone through his eyes. "Yes."

Madam Zhou: "Then why not make more of it? It would be perfect for guests to use during the banquet..."

"It might be too late," Wen Ruan shook his head lightly. "That soap isn't easy to make; it takes time and effort. The estate given by the Eldest Aunt is excellent, but it's not very large. I finished planting in less than two days. I'm thinking of acquiring more land. I've heard that land in the capital is expensive. I need to find a few real estate agents to look around and choose carefully. I really don't have the time."

Actually, it wasn't that laborious, but... who knew?

After hearing this, everyone only clicked their tongues. Buying land was nothing major; making soap could earn big money. Look at the recent trend in the capital—it was a huge opportunity that couldn't be missed!

"What kind of issue is this?" Mama Wang spoke up first, smiling warmly. "Does the manor lack land for the young master? Whatever plots he fancies, transferring them under his name should do it, right?"

Madam Zhou's face stiffened.

Mama Wang's words represented Grandmother's intentions. With such a reminder, how could she not comply?

Before Madam Little Lu could say some polite words, Mama Wang continued gently. "The household affairs are currently managed by the second branch. Your Second Maternal Grandmother is a good person, always loving and caring for the younger generation. She won't be stingy."

Madam Little Lu: ...

Madam Zhou covered her mouth with her handkerchief, hiding her smile.

Although she was unhappy about her own misfortune, seeing others suffer... especially those who wanted to see her fail, was quite satisfying.

"As his elder aunt, I must set an example," Madam Zhou quickly calculated which lands she could part with without much heartache and which ones she should keep for her daughter's dowry. "I guarantee I'll pick the best for my nephew."

Madam Zhou also smiled gently and stated her position. "Before I came here, Mother-in-law instructed me to prepare a meeting gift for the young master."

It might have to be a bit more substantial.