freenovelworld Chapter 17 Outside the Study
Chapter 17 Outside the Study
After dinner, Wen Ruohuan reluctantly went to Ninghui Hall.
Wen Jiayue gently instructed, "When you get there, don't say much, just take care of the old lady."
The old lady was a nitpicker, and would scold anyone who displeased her. After serving her for four years, she learned a thing or two about how to handle the situation, and the scolding gradually decreased.
However, I was scolded at the beginning and I don't know how many times I held back my tears.
Wen Ruohuan wants to marry her brother-in-law, so let her get used to life after marriage in advance.
Whether she can marry into the family, or whether she still wants to marry into the family, depends on her own abilities.
"I see."
Wen Ruohuan looked listless, like a frostbitten eggplant.
She never served anyone in the Wen family, and her parents doted on her, never letting her suffer any grievances.
However, upon arriving at the Marquis's residence, she was required to serve others. Although she was serving her brother-in-law's grandmother, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Wen Jiayue didn't look at her expression and asked again, "Have you learned what Ruyi taught you?"
"I've learned it, don't worry, sister, I'll do it well."
Wen Ruohuan thought to herself, if she could win her grandmother's favor and gain her support, wouldn't she have a better chance of marrying into the Marquis's family?
Thinking of this, she was immediately filled with confidence.
"Sister, I'm going now, I'll come back to find you later."
Wen Jiayue responded gently, and watching her disappear outside the door, she immediately stopped smiling and looked at Ruyi.
Ruyi immediately reported, "Madam, the Marquis is in his study."
“Who asked him?” Wen Jiayue frowned. “I wanted you to pour me a cup of tea.”
Ruyi hurriedly went to pour tea, but she had some doubts in her heart.
In the past, whenever the Marquis was in the manor, the Madam would ask where he was. Over time, she understood with just a glance and would report back on her own initiative.
These past few days, the lady seems to have paid less attention to the Marquis's movements, perhaps because she just gave birth to the young lady?
Ruyi stopped speculating and respectfully served hot tea.
Half an hour later, Wen Ruohuan returned in a rage.
Wen Jiayue had expected this, but she pretended not to know and asked in confusion, "What's wrong with you?"
"The old lady is really going too far!"
Wen Ruohuan gritted her teeth and said, "The handkerchief was just a little hot, and she said it burned her and cursed at me. What kind of person is that!"
"Also, I accidentally kicked the wooden basin, and some water spilled out. She said I was clumsy, even though it was clearly the maid who put it in the wrong place!"
"After rinsing her mouth, she spat on my hand. It was disgusting, she definitely did it on purpose!"
Wen Jiayue listened quietly, unsurprised.
However, she did not expect that the old lady would be so disrespectful, treating her granddaughter-in-law's sister as a maid when she came to serve her.
Wen Jiayue thought for a moment before speaking: "I've always been like this. I've experienced everything you're talking about."
She lamented, "Everyone wants to take my place, but they don't know how hard I've been living in the Marquis's mansion."
Wen Ruohuan's expression froze instantly. She glanced cautiously at her sister, sensing that her words had a hidden meaning.
Did she figure it out?
Wen Ruohuan bit her lip, remaining silent.
She scoffed inwardly, thinking, "What hardship is this? Serving my grandmother is nothing. As long as I can marry my brother-in-law, I'll serve my sister-in-law too!"
In her opinion, Wen Jiayue has had too many good days and doesn't know how lucky she is.
With the titles of "Lady of the Top Scholar" and "Lady of the Marquis of Jing'an" revealed, which woman wouldn't be envious?
Moreover, my brother-in-law is so handsome and tall, and he is also very capable. He will surely achieve great things in the future, and who knows, he might even become the wife of a prime minister.
Thinking of this, she offered a perfunctory consolation: "Yes, others don't understand your hardships, but Huan'er does."
Wen Jiayue smiled gently: "Alright, you've had a long day, go to sleep."
"No rush, there's still plenty of time," Wen Ruohuan asked casually. "Where's my brother-in-law?"
Wen Jiayue lowered her eyes, concealing the sarcasm in them, before speaking: "He's in his study; he must have something to do."
Wen Ruohuan was overjoyed to hear this. Her brother-in-law had come home so early tonight, had dinner, and then went to his study to continue working. Wasn't that all so he could see her?
Wen Ruohuan rolled her eyes, her face full of anger.
“My sister is still waiting. How can my brother-in-law go to the study? I’ll go and call him back to his room, and I’ll pick some osmanthus flowers while I’m at it.”
Without waiting for Wen Jiayue's reply, she turned and left, forgetting even to take the basket that was on the table.
Ruyi stamped her foot and said anxiously, "Madam, shall I go and stop the Third Miss?"
“No need,” Wen Jiayue said calmly, “Let her be.”
Ruyi was somewhat puzzled: "If the Third Miss were to barge into the study, things could get complicated."
"Then the Marquis will have to let her in first."
The study was a sensitive place, and Wen Jiayue was only allowed to enter twice in four years. Most of the time, she would just send messages or deliver things through guards.
If Wen Ruohuan had the ability to enter and leave the study, she would immediately hand over her position as the Marquis's wife to someone else.
Seeing that the lady was so calm, Ruyi was no longer flustered and focused on serving her as she washed and dressed.
Outside the study, Wen Ruohuan walked in with her head held high and chest puffed out.
She hadn't taken two steps when two guards stopped her.
"Who is coming?"
The guard was so imposing that Wen Ruohuan was startled and stammered, "I...I am the younger sister of your Marquis's wife...My sister asked me to come and find my brother-in-law."
The guards exchanged a glance and asked, "What are your orders, Madam?"
"Of course I can't tell you. My sister told me to tell my brother-in-law myself, please let me in!"
Wen Ruohuan became more and more composed as she spoke, and she could easily come up with lies.
The guards were not to be trifled with; one guard stopped her while the other headed towards the study.
Wen Ruohuan said urgently, "Hey, let me in!"
The guards showed her no respect and reprimanded her, "This is a serious place; no noise is allowed!"
Another guard stepped up the stairs, knocked on the door, and respectfully explained his purpose.
A detached voice came from inside: "Let her go."
The guard clasped his hands in acknowledgment, but since it concerned the lady, he repeated, "The Third Miss says the lady has something to discuss with you."
There was no further sound from inside, and the guard returned after a short while.
Wen Ruohuan quickly asked, "What did my brother-in-law say?"
"Please leave, Miss. You are not to come near the study again."
Wen Ruohuan was stunned.
Seeing that she wouldn't leave, the guard said, "If you don't leave soon, Miss, I'll have to kick you out."
Wen Ruohuan left in anger, but when she turned around, she saw Ruyi coming over with a basket, having been standing there for who knows how long.
"Third Miss, Madam has asked me to bring your basket over."
Wen Ruohuan was annoyed just looking at it, but she didn't know what to say, so she reluctantly took the basket.
"Tell my sister I'm going back to sleep."
Seeing that she hadn't gone into the study, Ruyi returned in a good mood and vividly recounted the incident to Wen Jiayue.
As she got excited, Ruyi quickly covered her mouth, afraid of waking the sleeping young lady.
Wen Jiayue stopped Ruyi from speaking, as she vaguely heard Shen Fuhan's footsteps outside.
His steps were steady and powerful, unlike anyone else's; she couldn't have misheard him.
Not long after, Shen Fuhan indeed came in.
Wen Jiayue said politely, "Your Excellency, you've finished your work so quickly?"
Shen Fuhan replied indifferently, "No."
Wen Jiayue glanced at him, puzzled. What was he doing back here?
Neither of them spoke again.
After a pause, Shen Fuhan asked, "What do you want with me?"