A Tale of Golden Heiress: Lady Wanjin - Chapter 11

Sure enough, Old Master Wen’s expression softened considerably. “It’s nothing serious.”

The eldest aunt then turned to Wen Wan, taking her hand like a kindly elder. “Wanniang, these days… you’ve had it hard.”

Wen Wan showed a shy smile. “It’s not hard at all. It’s what I should do.”

The eldest aunt’s eldest daughter-in-law, Li Shi, stepped forward to greet them and said, “With esteemed guests at our door, why stand here? Second Uncle and younger sister must have had a long journey and probably haven’t had dinner yet. Perfect timing—I’ll go to the kitchen and quickly prepare a few dishes. Let’s all sit together as a family and enjoy a lively meal.”

The eldest aunt then escorted Wen Wan and Old Master Wen into the main hall, one on each side.

Country folk didn’t stand on ceremony when eating, and there was no separation of men and women. Seven or eight people gathered around a round table in the main hall. Wen Wan glanced around but didn’t see her uncle or Qi Guili.

Perhaps sensing Wen Wan’s thoughts, Li Shi explained while arranging the dishes, “A few days ago, heavy rain broke the river embankment. Father-in-law was worried the water would flood the fields, so he took your eldest cousin and the villagers to repair it. They’ve been staying there these past few days. I apologize for the poor hospitality, Second Uncle.”

Wen Weiming quickly replied, “If they have important matters to attend to, there’s no need to disturb them. I came mainly because I heard Guili was seriously ill. As his uncle, I wanted to check on him.”

Wen Wan picked up food with her chopsticks while pricking up her ears to listen.

The eldest aunt wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “You’re the elder, and you’re also ill. How could we trouble you to visit? Hearing you say that makes me feel utterly ashamed.”

Wen Wan continued eating.

“Right after spring began, we heard you were critically ill, and the whole family was frantic with worry. It’s my fault—I insisted on traveling at night. The third son slipped and fell into the river, caught a chill, and now he’s so sick he can’t get out of bed. He needs constant care.”

How touching.

A nephew so eager to see his uncle that he accidentally falls into the river and falls ill.

How could Old Master Wen, as the person involved, not be moved?

Sure enough, Wen Weiming’s expression softened. Just as Wen Wan thought her father had forgotten the purpose of their visit and was fully immersed in the warmth of sibling affection, Wen Weiming said, “He’s that seriously ill? Wanniang, go quickly and check on your third cousin—”

Then, with a weary expression, Old Master Wen added, “I won’t go. I wouldn’t want to risk passing my illness to Guili.”

Wen Wan immediately stood up. With a glance from Wen Yue, Li Shi quickly followed, warmly linking arms with Wen Wan. “I’ll show you the way, younger sister.”

Wen Weiming motioned with his chin to Physician Yan, who promptly followed Wen Wan.

The Qi family’s residence wasn’t particularly large. It was about a hundred steps from the main hall to the side courtyard where Qi San lived. Wen Wan had visited the Qi home several times and knew her way around, so she didn’t really need Li Shi to guide her.

In just a few steps, Li Shi had fallen behind.

Li Shi and Wen Wan weren’t close.

Although the Qi family was considered well-off in the countryside, they couldn’t compare to the Wen family, who were merchants.

Because of this, Li Shi couldn’t get close to Wen Wan either.

As she watched Wen Wan walking ahead, Li Shi noted her outfit: a narrow-sleeved cross-collared blouse, popular among city girls nowadays, paired with a cherry-pink sheer silk shawl. Her hair was styled in playful double buns, adorned with a gold hairpin inlaid with jade. As she moved, the butterfly on the hairpin seemed to flutter its wings, vivid and lifelike.

The whole effect was indescribably charming and lively.

Li Shi felt that her own attire was no different from that of Hongmei, the maid beside Wen Wan.

Sigh.

The same person, different fate.

But if Wen Wan could marry into the Qi family with a cartload of generous dowry, Li Shi might also benefit. Clothes and jewelry like these would be within her reach in the future.

Staring at that gold hairpin, Li Shi’s eyes burned with envy, and her tone inevitably turned sour. “Younger sister, your outfit is truly beautiful. Especially this hairpin—it must be worth quite a bit, right?”

Wen Wan smiled slightly but said nothing.

This only annoyed Li Shi further.

Was she looking down on her?

Li Shi came from an ordinary background; marrying into the Qi family was already considered climbing the social ladder.

Li Shi was aware of her father-in-law and mother-in-law’s plans, so she had long assumed that Wen Wan would eventually marry into the Qi family and become her sister-in-law.

With the Wen family’s wealth, if she really entered this household, the whole family would have to tread carefully around Wen Wan.

Feeling both bitter and resentful, Li Shi couldn’t help but wallow in self-pity. “Ah, I simply can’t compare to you, younger sister. A hairpin like this is far beyond my means.”

She then smiled at Wen Wan, her tone hinting at something more. “If I could wear such a beautiful hairpin just once, I’d die happy.”

Hearing this, a faint crack finally appeared in Wen Wan’s composure.

Sister, are you okay?

Begging from her?

Forget it—her words were unpleasant, so she wouldn’t engage.

Adhering to the virtue of “if I have no morals, no one can morally blackmail me,” Wen Wan continued walking in silence.

Let’s see who breaks first.

Li Shi did break first.

In the past, whenever Li Shi said something like this, no matter how valuable the item, Wen Wan would readily give it to her if she asked.

Wen Wan had feelings for the third young master, so she naturally spared no effort to curry favor with her elder sister-in-law.

But now, though the person was the same, her attitude had clearly become distant. Li Shi felt uneasy about it.

She pursed her lips, perhaps feeling too awkward from being ignored, and started another conversation. “Younger sister, why are you so quiet tonight?”

Wen Wan turned to her with a smile and spoke her first words of the evening. “Sister-in-law, we’re here.”

They had arrived at Qi San’s courtyard in the blink of an eye. Li Shi couldn’t bring up the hairpin again and only called out from the outer room, “Third Brother, Cousin Wen is here to see you.”

There was no response from inside for a long time.

Wen Wan looked anxious and said to Physician Yan behind her, “Uncle Yan, since you’re a man, please go in quickly and check on my third cousin.”

Physician Yan promptly entered the room.

Wen Wan then asked Li Shi, “Is Third Cousin really this seriously ill?”

Li Shi avoided her gaze, also putting on a worried expression. “He has good days and bad days.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“He said it’s a chill. He’s been taking medicine, but there’s no improvement!”

Soon, a cough came from inside the room. Li Shi said happily, “Third Brother is awake.”

With Physician Yan inside, the two women felt it appropriate to enter. As soon as Wen Wan stepped into the room, she carefully observed her surroundings.

Li Shi had claimed Qi Guili was gravely ill, yet there was no smell of medicine in the room.

Old Master Wen’s room was thick with the scent of medicine, soaked into the floorboards and impossible to disperse.

But Qi Guili’s room only carried the scent of ink.

On the windowsill and desk were scattered sheets of rice paper, the characters written with forceful strokes, the ink not yet fully dry.

The entire room conveyed one message: Hehe, I’m sick—just pretending.

Looking at the room full of flaws, Wen Wan couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly.

Brother.

Could you at least have some professionalism?

You’re pretending to be sick—

I mean, even if you don’t powder your face ghostly pale, you shouldn’t be lying in bed with a rosy complexion, right?

Li Shi brought over a stool.

Wen Wan sat down, her face already switching to an anxious expression. “Third Cousin, how did you get so seriously ill?”

Don’t tell me you’re about to die.

I was counting on borrowing your… assets.

Qi Guili had just turned seventeen this year. With fair skin, clear, bright eyes, and a scholarly, frail build, he was the type of handsome first-love senior that would appeal in later generations—no wonder the original host had fallen for him.

Qi Guili half-reclined, speaking weakly. “I’ve made you worry, cousin. I should have been the one to visit Second Uncle. I never expected something like this to happen… Did Uncle come today? How is his health?”

(End of chapter)