tallest building

Chapter 359 A Guest Arrives

The Wen family now rents two adjacent courtyards in Peach Blossom Alley in the east of the city. Both are small courtyards with three rooms, but the rent is not cheap.

Even though the two Wen brothers had not yet taken office, they were frequently visited by people who brought them money and gifts.

The two families were so frightened that they kept their doors tightly shut all day long, not daring to solicit business.

Another carriage arrived that day, and a maid helped a beautiful woman down from it, accompanied by an old woman holding a baby in her arms.

The coachman stepped forward and knocked on the door: "Excuse me, is this the residence of Master Wen?"

Upon hearing this, the servants of the Wen family did not open the door immediately, but instead asked from inside, "Who is it? Our master is not home."

"We are from the Yongqing Marquis's residence. Our lady and Consort Wen are very close friends," Zhou Hu's wet nurse said with a smile as she stepped forward. "Please open the door!"

Upon hearing this, Li Ma, the old woman who served the First Madam, hurriedly said, "Open the door quickly, this is not an outsider."

The door opened, and Madam Liang, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Wen family, came out to greet them personally, smiling and apologizing: "I didn't know it was my sister and nephew who had come. Please forgive my rudeness."

"Sister-in-law, you're being too polite. It's my fault for not informing you beforehand," Liu Cuiyi said, warmly holding Liang's hand. "Actually, I should have come earlier, but I had some things to do at home a few days ago and couldn't get away, so it was delayed until now."

"Quick, come inside! It's sunny outside!" said Madam Liang. "Oh my, what a handsome child! How old is he?"

“She’s almost two years old,” the wet nurse said. “It was Consort Wen who accompanied our mistress during childbirth; we are so grateful to her.”

Madam Liang ushered Liu Cuiyi and the others into the house. She told the maid to quickly make tea and serve snacks, and also instructed someone to go next door to invite the Second Madam over.

"It's been quite a few years since we last saw each other. When we left the capital, you were just a little girl of eleven or twelve." The Liang family had only stayed in the capital for a short time, less than a year in total.

“Who can argue with that? It’s been more than a decade since we parted ways.” Liu Cuiyi sighed, “Just like with Sister Mingqian, when we met again after she came back from Shuangxi, I felt a mix of emotions.”

Although Wen Mingqian is now a respected figure, Liu Cuiyi still habitually calls her "elder sister".

Madam Liang knew that Liu Cuiyi's husband had died and her son was still young, and that she was now the sole breadwinner of the Yongqing Earl's Mansion.

Associating with their family doesn't bother anyone, especially with Wen Mingqian involved.

“Sigh, it’s been more than ten years since we last saw our little sister. We don’t know when we’ll see her again.” Liang’s smile was tinged with bitterness. “She has had the hardest time all these years. We, as her older brother and sister-in-law, have not been able to help her at all. We feel really ashamed.”

"Sister-in-law, don't say that. You live so far apart, how can you possibly take care of her? Besides, when Sister Wen went to Shuangxi, I wrote to her repeatedly, but she wouldn't reply to a single one. At that time, she had made up her mind to cut off ties with relatives and friends. She didn't want to implicate us."

Liu Cuiyi knew Wen Mingqian's difficulties. Because she couldn't give birth to a son, she was often looked down upon and ridiculed in the Zhou family.

Wen Mingqian was initially accused of poisoning her illegitimate son. The Gong family believed she was wicked and disgraced the family, which is why they sent her to Shuangxi.

“Who can argue with that? She’s just too strong-willed. All the Wen family members are like that; they seem easygoing, but they’re actually the most aloof.” Madam Liang shook her head with a smile. At this moment, Madam Lu, the second wife of the Wen family, also arrived, and they naturally exchanged pleasantries.

"Come here, let your aunt hold you." Madam Lu reached out to hug Zhou Hu. "What a good child! Sister, with this child, you'll have someone to rely on for life."

“Yes, these three children are my only concern now,” Liu Cuiyi said. “With them around, I can’t worry about anything else.”

"Why didn't you bring your two nieces with you?" both Mrs. Wen asked.

“They’re both grown up now, and they’re learning to read and write from their female tutor.” Liu Cuiyi’s two daughters are nine and seven years old, respectively.

She specially hired someone to teach them, and both children loved learning and never missed a day of lessons.

"Oh my, this is truly rare. This is the first time we've heard of a little girl needing a tutor," said Madam Liang and Madam Lu with a smile.

“I myself didn’t get much education, and I’ve lived a muddled life. I’m also soft-hearted and have suffered a lot. I think Sister Wen is well-educated and knows a lot of principles, and she can always turn her life around on her own. I admire her and want my two daughters to be like her.” Liu Cuiyi spoke from the heart.

If it weren't for Wen Mingqian returning to the capital and helping him time and time again, he would probably be buried deep in the earth long ago.

Logically speaking, Wen Mingqian's situation was originally worse than hers, but in the end, she was able to rise step by step, which is inseparable from her character and insight.

Although Liu Cuiyi longed for a son, she didn't mistreat her two daughters, loving them just as much as she loved them. She knew that life was inherently harder for women than for men, so she tried every means to plan for her daughters' future.

Although Zhou Jingsan died and her mother-in-law suffered a stroke, her life was more comfortable than ever before.

She made all the decisions, both at home and outside, and never had to worry about money, as Sang Sanyang always took care of it.

She only needs to take good care of herself and her three children, and then she will have nothing to worry about.

"That's true, this daughter is really thoughtful! Even though she'll eventually marry into another family, we should still plan ahead for them. Being someone else's daughter-in-law isn't easy, especially for high-ranking families like yours, where there are so many strict rules." Madam Lu said with deep feeling.

She also has a daughter who is almost of marriageable age, so naturally she has to consider marriage.

“I know Sister Wen’s temperament, and you all know her well. She would never do anything out of line while she’s in the palace, nor would she send anything out that would give people cause for gossip.” Liu Cuiyi said, gesturing for the maid to hand over the box. “You’ve just arrived in the capital, and you need money for everything. Your two elder brothers haven’t taken up their posts yet, so they naturally don’t receive any salary. I’ve received a lot of help from Sister Wen in the past; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’m indebted to her.”

Here are some banknotes, please take them and use them! Don't refuse them; I've come so openly because I consider you family. If you refuse to accept them, it means you're treating me like an outsider. I wouldn't dare visit again then.”

“But your life isn’t easy either, with such a large family to support,” Madam Liang said. “The children are still young, and you have no one to rely on. Although we’re not wealthy, we manage to get by. The Empress has already given you a reward; you should keep this for yourself.”

They were already very touched by Liu Cuiyi's kind intentions. But considering that she was a widow and unemployed, her situation was actually more difficult than their own.

“I’ve taken it and I’m never taking it back. You don’t need to think I’m having a hard time. I can take it because I can afford it, and I won’t starve myself to save money to help you,” Liu Cuiyi said with a smile.

Madam Liang and Madam Lu knew that if they refused too much, they would hurt Liu Cuiyi's feelings. They decided to remember her kindness and find a way to repay her later.