The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 116
She had nothing to be dissatisfied with. Since her parents had agreed, they must already have examined Young Master Wen’s character on her behalf. She was also someone with self-awareness. Mixian Tower was one of the top restaurants in the Eastern Capital. The Wen family was wealthy and solid, with enough to eat for several lifetimes, and behind them stood the Xie family. Marrying into such a family would be a blessing beyond compare.
After Madam Yu exposed what was on her mind, her cheeks flushed red, and she shyly answered, “Daughter is satisfied.”
As long as she was satisfied, that was good. Madam Yu let out a breath of relief.
Thinking of the Fourth Young Lady in the family, back then, she had refused to listen to her and her father. Her eyes had been deceived by that beast in human skin from the Li family, and in the end, she had fallen to that state. She had been divorced, yes, but the two children were still being held tightly by the Li family, becoming a dead knot in Fourth Young Lady’s heart.
Though she was about to marry a second time, her heart still had not let go. Recently, the Yu family had also been thinking of every possible way to negotiate with the Li family, seeing whether they could bring the two children over to raise for a few years.
One Fourth Young Lady was enough. If the marriage matters of the other young ladies could be less troublesome, that could be counted as the Yu ancestors showing their blessing.
On the first day, the Wen family’s matchmaker came. On the second day, Madam Yu sent a matchmaker to the Wen family. She did not drag her feet in the slightest, agreeing very readily.
—
After receiving Madam Yu’s reply, Old Madam Wen had people prepare a live goose and personally went to visit.
Wen Huai helped Old Madam into the carriage and reminded her, “Grandmother, take your time. I will send someone to pick you up in the afternoon.”
“You get busy yourself. Aunt Cao is here. There is no need for you to worry.” She looked at him and added with a sigh, “This time, you agreed readily.”
Before going to the Yu family to propose marriage, Old Madam Wen had first asked Wen Huai. Hearing that it was Sixth Young Lady Yu, Wen Huai did not ask a single question and agreed at once. “Everything is for Grandmother to decide.”
She could decide, but her children and grandchildren still had to be satisfied. It was rare that he did not act like that stubborn donkey, Eldest Young Lady. Old Madam Wen chattered, “Once the marriage is settled, you can start your family earlier. Of the Wen family’s three young masters, you are the latest.”
Wen Huai nodded. “Grandmother has worked hard.”
Only after Old Madam Wen’s carriage left did Wen Huai head to Mixian Tower.
After Second Master Wen came to the Eastern Capital, his whole person became lazy and relaxed. He said he had been too tired all these years, and now that his son and daughter had both grown up, it was time for him to enjoy life and retire. He became a hands-off owner, spending his days gathered with a crowd of old men in the Eastern Capital, teasing birds. He threw all matters of Mixian Tower to Wen Huai.
Ever since Mixian Tower presented dishes at the Crown Prince’s palace banquet, its reputation had soared. Business was even more prosperous than before, and Wen Huai was so busy his feet barely touched the ground.
As soon as he arrived at Mixian Tower, the young waiter whom Wen Shuse had promoted to manager came forward and whispered, “Young Master, this little one has followed your instructions and prepared all the dishes Sixth Young Lady Yu wanted. Once she comes, they can be put in the wok immediately.”
Wen Huai, however, said, “She is busy today and cannot come. Put the things aside for now.”
The young waiter froze. Sure enough, Sixth Young Lady Yu did not come that day. She only appeared two days later.
By then, everyone in Mixian Tower already knew that their Young Master had become engaged to Sixth Young Lady Yu.
Sixth Young Lady Yu came at dusk. When she arrived, she wore a veiled hat and did not reveal her face. She asked the waiter at the door, “Is that little brother here today?”
Which little brother?
The young waiter at the door did not know whom she was asking about and looked puzzled. Then he heard Sixth Young Lady say, “That tallest one, the one with a somewhat dark face.”
Sixth Young Lady was also very vexed. Last time, the little brother had told her his name, but who knew she would forget it in the blink of an eye? At the Yang family estate, she had been too embarrassed to ask again.
The young waiter was baffled, but still did not understand whom she meant.
A somewhat dark face. There was indeed one person who fit that description. But he was not a waiter. He was their Young Master.
The young waiter had just shaken his head when he saw the Young Master walking over from behind her.
Wen Huai called from behind Sixth Young Lady Yu, “Sixth Young Lady?”
Sixth Young Lady froze. Turning around and seeing the person she had wanted to find, she hurriedly lifted her skirt and walked over. Knowing that he had heard what she said, she apologized, “I am truly sorry. My memory is poor, and I forgot Little Brother’s name.”
“No matter.” Wen Huai smiled and did not mind. But he also did not tell her again. He asked, “One portion of clams?”
Sixth Young Lady nodded. “I will have to trouble Little Brother.”
There were many people coming and going in the main hall. Wen Huai glanced at the small private room upstairs. “Sixth Young Lady, please go upstairs first and wait a moment.”
This was exactly what she wanted.
Two days ago, she had already been betrothed to the young master of this restaurant. To avoid being recognized, she had specially worn a veiled hat.
Wen Huai led her upstairs. Sixth Young Lady followed behind him. Mixian Tower was expensive to build, and the things it sold were expensive too. This was her first time going to one of the small private rooms upstairs. She had heard people say that without a hundred taels, one could not come down.
Today, thanks to Little Brother, she was able to come.
When they reached the door, she finally came back to herself and stopped walking inside. Troubled, she said, “Little Brother, the silver on me is only enough to buy one portion of clams. If I enter the private room, I cannot afford to order wine and dishes. Later, please help me pack it in a box. I will wait here.”
There were fewer people coming and going upstairs. It was fine if she stood for a while.
Wen Huai had already entered. Seeing her like this, he suddenly smiled. “Sixth Young Lady need not be so distant. Today, the clams will not cost you money.”
Sixth Young Lady understood the meaning in his words.
Her engagement with the Young Master of Mixian Tower was probably already known to everyone. She hurriedly shook her head and stepped forward, her expression panicked. “Little Brother must not reveal my identity. I am not here for a free meal.”
Wen Huai was silent for a while, then nodded cooperatively. “No one has reserved the private room today. Come in first. There is no charge. There are many people outside.”
Sixth Young Lady let out a breath of relief and only then stepped inside.
Wen Huai saw that she had sat down, then turned and went downstairs. A while later, he personally came in carrying a teapot and poured her a cup of tea. He stood beside her and did not sit, seeming ready at any moment to await her instructions.
She had only come to buy one portion of clams, spending just a few taels of silver in total. She could not bear such service. Turning back, she said embarrassedly, “Little Brother need not look after me. Go busy yourself.”
Wen Huai said, “I am not busy.”
That made sense. He already knew her identity, so he likely did not dare neglect her.
Sixth Young Lady did not insist anymore. Clams had to be cooked fresh, so they would not be served immediately. She would have to wait a while. After sipping half a cup of tea, she really could not hold back and softly asked Wen Huai beside her, “Little Brother, is your Young Master here today?”
Wen Huai did not reveal anything on his face. “Sixth Young Lady wants to see him?”
Sixth Young Lady shook her head fiercely. “No.”
After a pause, she said softly again, “I am only a little curious…”
Once engaged, who would not be curious about the appearance of their future other half?
Wen Huai’s eyes dodged slightly, and he answered, “He is busy.”
“That makes sense. Managing such a large restaurant must be very tiring.” Sixth Young Lady said this considerately, then sipped a mouthful of tea and suddenly asked, “I heard people say that your Young Master is also somewhat dark.”
She had heard this from her mother.
Wen Huai froze. He did not answer her, instead asking in return, “Sixth Young Lady does not like dark skin?”
The moment Sixth Young Lady said those words, she regretted them. The little brother before her was also quite dark.
Moreover, she was already engaged to the Young Master. In front of his subordinate, she absolutely could not judge people by appearance. Sincerely, she said, “Being a little dark is quite good. Compared to those with pale skin, it looks healthier.”
Wen Huai glanced over and saw Sixth Young Lady’s lowered eyelids in a row. Even she herself sounded guilty saying this.
The clams were soon brought up. They had already been packed into a box. The waiter handed them to Wen Huai. “Young…”
“Go busy yourself.”
Wen Huai cut him off, turned, and handed the food box to Sixth Young Lady. “Eat them while they are hot. If they cool, just heat them again in the wok.”
Sixth Young Lady nodded. “How much silver?”
“One tael.”
Sixth Young Lady froze. So cheap?
Wen Huai smiled and explained, “There is a discount today.”
—
These past few days, while Old Madam Wen was discussing Wen Huai’s marriage, Wen Shuse had been staying at the Wen residence.
When the sun was sinking westward, Wen Huai packed a few dishes from Mixian Tower and brought them to the door. Wen Shuse had only just risen from her afternoon nap. After washing her face, she sat before the dressing table, applying snow-skin cream.
Xiangyun stood at the side. “Boss Wen said this is the newest autumn style. Not only can it moisturize the skin, but it can also whiten it. Madam has used it for several days. How does it feel…”
“It is not bad.”
Hearing movement, Wen Shuse saw Wen Huai’s figure in the bronze mirror. She happened to be hungry. “Elder Brother, what are we eating today?”
Wen Huai handed the food box to Aunt Qing. His gaze flicked toward the face cream on her dressing table. “Are you eating here or with Grandmother?”
At noon, Wen Shuse was very sleepy. When Old Madam called her to eat, she had no energy. She could even doze off while holding the bowl. Seeing her like that, Old Madam Wen thought she had been worn out by Wen Huai’s marriage matters and quickly sent her back to her room. Now that she had slept, her spirits were a little better.
“I will go keep Grandmother company.”
Wen Huai had already eaten and did not follow her over.
One moment before, Wen Shuse’s stomach had been growling with hunger. Yet once Aunt Cao finished setting the table, and Wen Shuse saw the food, she did not have much appetite. The dishes had been chosen by Wen Huai according to her tastes. This should not have been the case.
Old Madam Wen also noticed. “What is wrong today? Are none of the dishes to your liking?”
Wen Shuse thought for a moment. “The weather has turned cooler these past few days. Perhaps I kicked off the quilt last night and caught a chill. Grandmother must be careful too. Do not catch a cold.”
Old Madam Wen felt a burst of heartache and instructed Aunt Cao to make a bowl of ginger soup. With her husband away, who would keep her warm at night? She asked Wen Shuse quietly, “Has Third Young Master sent any letters recently?”
Wen Shuse shook her head. “No.”
There truly had been none.
Before entering Hexi, he had still entrusted someone to bring back a letter reporting that he was safe, saying he had already reached the pass into Hexi. After that, there had been no further news.
He was walking a hidden path to begin with. Presumably, he also would not beat the grass and frighten the snake, leaving others a handle. The only thing she could do was wait. Whether she waited until next summer or autumn would depend entirely on her husband’s ability.
Seeing her spirits low, Old Madam Wen advised, “Third Young Master is not like before. He is clever, considers matters thoroughly, and acts steadily. Just wait in peace. If you cannot bear waiting, then come to Grandmother more often and keep Grandmother company.”
Before outsiders, Wen Shuse never showed sorrow. Smiling, she nodded. “Mm.”
She was lowering her head and struggling to pick at the rice in her bowl when Old Madam Wen said again, “Today, the Wei family came to propose marriage.”
Previously, Eldest Madam had ruined the Wei family’s marriage, and Eldest Young Lady still had not recovered from it. Now that they had come to the door again, it was a good thing.
Wen Shuse didn’t think much of it. The Wei family had been interested in the Eldest Lady before. But the Old Madam continued, “The one Madam Wei has taken a liking to is Third Young Lady.”
Wen Shuse was stunned.
Old Madam Wen gave a long sigh. “It truly is fate. According to Madam Wei, that day at the Yang family estate, Young Master Wei and your Third Younger Sister met once and found each other pleasing. If not for your elder brother currently discussing marriage, the Wei family would have come to the door long ago…”
Aside from surprise, Wen Shuse could not help feeling somewhat emotional.
That day, Madam Wei had brought Young Master Wei specially to see Eldest Young Lady. Who would have thought he did not see Eldest Young Lady, but instead took a liking to Third Young Lady?
Wen Suying was timid and easily blushed, but at crucial moments, she could distinguish righteousness and knew how to protect her own people. Her appearance was also not poor. Setting aside status and judging only the person, she was indeed a good match for Young Master Wei.
But everyone in the Wen family knew that Wen Suning had long taken a liking to the Wei family. With her pride, would the family not be turned upside down now?
Sure enough, Old Madam Wen said, “Your Eldest Sister has not eaten for an entire day.”
How could she eat?
Among the Wen family’s three young ladies, since childhood, Wen Suning had always been the smartest. During those years in Fengcheng, who did not praise her when they saw her?
Previously, she had even advised Wen Shuse to come to the Eastern Capital and seek a place for herself. Now, not only Wen Shuse, but even her younger concubine-born sister had surpassed her. How could someone as strong-willed as she swallow this breath?
Eldest Master Wen also knew she felt awful inside. Early this morning, he had stood outside her door and advised her, “Father knows you feel terrible, but with Father here, you will not be treated unfairly in this lifetime…”
Wen Suning did not speak for a long time.
After Concubine Xue heard the news, she also wanted to go over and offer a few words of comfort, but Third Young Lady pulled her back. “At a time like this, Aunt should not go and add fuel to the fire. If we go, Eldest Sister will only be angrier.”
Concubine Xue was helpless and could only wait. Turning back to glance at Third Young Lady, she asked softly, “What do you think? Do you want to marry?”
Third Young Lady was a concubine-born daughter of the Wen family. To marry into a household like the Wei family was a good thing one could hardly beg for. But if she truly married, that would mean making a lifelong enemy of Eldest Young Lady. In the future, this family would likely have no peace.
Only when the Wei family came to propose today did Wen Suying learn that the unfamiliar man she had seen at the estate that day was Young Master Wei, whom Eldest Sister had wholeheartedly wanted to marry.
If she only considered Wen Suning, she should not agree to this marriage. But in this lifetime, why did she have to consider Eldest Young Lady?
The first time the Wei family came to propose marriage, Eldest Madam had already refused them. Eldest Sister had not even met Young Master Wei once. There was no affection between them at all.
Although Third Young Lady was born of Concubine Xue, she had been raised since childhood beside Eldest Madam. All these years, she had grown up under the pressure of the Eldest Madam and Eldest Young Lady. That fear of them had already been carved into her bones and could not be walked out of in one lifetime.
Precisely because of this, she wanted to break free. She could not, merely for the sake of making Wen Suning feel better, cut off her own future. If Father did not agree and would not let her marry, then she would not marry.
But if they asked her own meaning, Third Young Lady said softly, “Aunt, I am willing. I want to marry.”
Concubine Xue froze. After half a moment, she sighed. “Then let us stay here. We will not go over.”
After Eldest Master Wen tried advising her for a while and still got no response, he went to Second Master’s house in the afternoon and came to find Old Madam Wen, asking for her opinion.
Old Madam knew that Eldest Master had always valued Eldest Young Lady. Perhaps he also felt some injustice in his heart, which was why he had not hurried to agree to this marriage that was so rare and hard to find for Third Young Lady, but instead came running to ask her meaning.
Old Madam Wen already had a scale in her heart and replied to Eldest Master Wen, “Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. Since ancient times, marriage has always depended on fate. Eldest Young Lady’s fate is likely not with the Wei family.”
Eldest Master Wen understood. After a moment of silence, he said, “Mother’s words are reasonable.”
Having obtained Old Madam Wen’s words, Eldest Master Wen would likely reply to the Wei family tomorrow. Once the marriage was settled, this breath in the Eldest Young Lady’s heart would probably never smooth out for the rest of her life.
The more forceful a person was, the greater their pride.
She was also her granddaughter, and Old Madam Wen felt some heartache for her too. Unable to feel at ease, Old Madam sent Wen Shuse away. “Tomorrow, I will go to your eldest uncle’s house. You should rest early. There is nothing else on the Wen family’s side, so go back and properly accompany that old thing in the Xie family. Her grandson is absent, and now her granddaughter-in-law has been abducted too. Who knows how she is cursing me in her heart?”
—
The Xie and Wen families were not far apart. Wen Shuse slept until the sun was high before rising in the morning. After washing and cleansing her face, she sat before the dressing table and had Xiangyun bring over the snow-skin cream.
But the moment she twisted open the lid, she discovered that a large lump was missing. Wen Shuse stared at the face cream with a large scoop taken out of it. After freezing for a moment, she cried out, “Who stole my face cream?”
Aunt Qing and Xiangyun were equally confused. They recalled that when the young lady used this same cream at the Xie house, a bit would often go missing. They had all been puzzled until she smelled it on the young master. He had been secretly using it on his injured shoulder. After the others found out, no one exposed him.
But now Young Master was not by her side. Who would dare steal it?