MSBCH Chapter 6.1

Su Yiniang’s smile grew even more strained, and the handkerchief in her hand shifted from the corner of her eye to her forehead.

She was truly sweating now.

“Thank you for your concern, Miss.”

Although the concern didn’t sound like anything particularly good.

If Wen Ninghan had grown up under her care, Su Yiniang was confident she could have kept the young girl under control. But unfortunately, she was taken away by the Qin family at an early age.

Su Yiniang wasn’t sure how the Qin family had raised her, but given their disdain for her, there was no doubt that Wen Ninghan’s impression of her would be far from favorable.

Naturally, she saw the Qin family and Wen Ninghan as thorns in her side, neither of them would come out unscathed.

“You must be tired from your journey, miss. Please come with me to rest in the courtyard. Ah, it’s my fault. After all these years, I still don’t know your preferences. I wonder if tonight’s welcome banquet will be to your liking.”

Su Yiniang looked at Wen Ninghan with expectation, hoping she would quickly enter the gate instead of lingering outside. Even though she couldn’t see the looks of those around her clearly, she could still feel their prying stares.

After today, the people of the city will probably gossip about the Wen family again. If Wen Congyan finds out, he’ll be furious.

“Naturally, Ninghan would like to return home as soon as possible, to see what became of the courtyard that once belonged to me. But since the main gate hasn’t been opened, I truly don’t know if I should step down from the cart…”

Su Yiniang screamed inwardly, “Then are you going to step out of the cart or not!”

From the moment she appeared at the gate of the Wen residence until now, this young lady had stayed in that shabby cart without showing herself. Her posture and attitude were quite imposing, which made Su Yiniang feel completely out of place.

This, of course, is exactly what Wen Ninghan intended. In a situation like this, whoever is in a hurry will be the one to lose.

Qin Rongxi smiled with narrowed eyes, his expression dangerous. Though his thoughts were complicated, he was partly looking forward to Su Yiniang causing a scene.

That way, his Xiao Jiu would have a valid reason not to return to the Wen family, and he would have the chance to bring her back to the Qin family.

Of course, he also secretly hoped the Wen family would repent and truly care for Xiao Jiu, so she wouldn’t have to suffer anymore. But that would also mean she might never return to the Qin family.

At that moment, the gate of the Marquis’s residence suddenly swung open. Even Su Yiniang was startled. In order to appear sincere, she had walked out from the side gate earlier, but now, the person who could open the main gate—

It could only be Wen Congyan.

The person who arrived was none other than Wen Congyan himself, his face as dark as iron as he stood at the entrance, gazing at Wen Ninghan through the cart window, locked in a distant with silent confrontation.

Wen Congyan gritted his teeth, and the word “ungrateful daughter” nearly slipped out. Su Yiniang quickly stepped forward, clutching her handkerchief, moving so swiftly that even the maid supporting her struggled to keep up.

“Marquis!” Su Yiniang hurriedly called out, just in time to interrupt Wen Congyan’s words.

Su Yiniang knew very well Wen Congyan’s temperament. Once he flew into a rage, no one in the family would be spared from his fury. And if he were to argue with Wen Ninghan out here on the street, it would be nothing less than a public disgrace for the Marquis. She had to assert her influence now to avoid him later venting that anger on her.

It would be better to stop things now and take a little grievance, as once Wen Congyan calms down, perhaps he will remember her favor.

“Marquis, what brings you here? Have you finished with your official duties? The young miss must be overjoyed to receive such a warm welcome from you after such a long time!” Su Yiniang subtly reminded Wen Congyan while covertly throwing a jab at Wen Ninghan.

The double meaning in her words made Wen Ninghan almost laugh.

At this moment, Zhi Xin, being quite sensible, understood that with Wen Congyan’s arrival, there was no longer any chance for Wen Ninghan to remain seated in the cart. While Su Yiniang might not be a true elder, this person before her certainly was her own miss’s true elder.

Even though she was unwilling, Wen Congyan was still Wen Ninghan’s father!

Zhi Xin stepped to the side of the carriage, expertly reaching out to assist her young miss down.

Su Yiniang looked at Wen Ninghan, who appeared like a delicate willow swaying in the wind, and her eyes twitched. Yes, it was this very demeanor, and those brows and eyes, they resembled Qin Xi so much, making her heart ache.

Indeed, like mother, like daughter. She found it utterly displeasing, just as she had when she first looked at that young child all those years ago. She could hardly suppress the urge to get rid of them once and for all.

Wen Ninghan stood gracefully, her face adorned with a gentle smile, showing no discomfort from the years of separation. She called out in a calm, composed manner, “Father.”

For a moment, Wen Congyan was taken aback. The anger that had been simmering within him seemed to be doused by a bucket of cold water, and it vanished without a sound.

Wen Ninghan’s resemblance to Qin Xi was so striking that it felt like an old acquaintance had suddenly appeared before him, crossing the boundaries of time and bringing memories of his younger years rushing back.

Although the marriage alliance with the Qin family had never been something Wen Congyan desired, for a period, he couldn’t deny that Qin Xi’s presence had quietly settled in his heart, even as he tried to suppress it.

But sadly, that beautiful, gentle, yet ruthless woman, in the end, still died.

At this very moment, it felt as though Qin Xi had suddenly come back to life, standing before him with traces of the past.

No, it was still different. The young girl before him had eyes that were bright and full of vitality—something Qin Xi never had. At least, when Wen Congyan had known Qin Xi, her eyes had never carried that kind of sparkle.

Perhaps, when they first met, her eyes might have once shone with a different light, but he had never paid attention to it.

Wen Congyan cleared his throat, his face returning to a more composed expression. He snorted coldly and said, “It’s good that you’re back, but what are you all doing blocking the gate here? Aren’t you tired after traveling such a long distance?”

To be honest, Wen Ninghan wasn’t tired at all. She had been walking leisurely on the road, taking her time every day to rest well. She even had a good sleep last night, and felt full of energy.

“Thank you for your concern, Father. I am not tired. It’s my fault for making you worry. It’s just that I haven’t quite adjusted to being back home yet. Concubine Su Yiniang cares for me, so she arranged for the side gate to be opened, thinking that my carriage could directly enter the manor. But my cousin thought that since I’ve traveled such a long way, it would be more proper to enter through the main gate, so that’s why we were delayed. Please don’t blame my cousin. He has been considerate of me. I also understand that Concubine Su arranged it this way, so that I wouldn’t feel the ten-plus years of separation, as if it were just a casual return from a trip. I understand Concubine Su’s good intentions…”

As she spoke, Wen Ninghan pretended to dab the corner of her eye with the white embroidered handkerchief in her hand, her posture perfectly controlled.

Qin Rongxi couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking to himself that it had been a long time since he had seen Wen Ninghan speak like this.

What was it called again? Oh yes, Wen Ninghan had said it was the “tea flavor¹“Tea flavor” might not be the most accurate translation in this context. The term “茶味” (chá wèi) used by Wen Ninghan seems to refer to a particular tone or manner of speaking, often associated with a refined, somewhat affected or deliberate style..”

Although he had no idea why, if she said so, then that’s just how it was! In fact, back at the Qin family, Wen Ninghan had even performed this little act for him and his brothers so they could recognize it.

As for Su Yiniang, who saw this scene, she couldn’t help but feel that Wen Ninghan’s behavior was a direct mockery of her, because just moments before, this tone and posture had been something Su Yiniang herself had just used!

If she have to say, Su Yiniang considered herself to know Wen Congyan well. After all, they had been together for many years, growing up side by side, and Wen Congyan understood Su Yiniang to some extent as well.

Whatever intentions Su Yiniang might have, Wen Congyan could see right through her. He gave Su Yiniang a harsh glare before saying to Wen Ninghan, “Alright, just know it. Hurry up and come inside. Standing out there, aren’t you embarrass…”

He had originally intended to say “embarrassing,” but realizing the eyes on them, Wen Congyan snorted coldly and turned to walk into the main gate.

Wen Ninghan smiled nonchalantly.

Anyway, there was no hope for this useless father. Whatever Su Yiniang could do, it was all with Wen Congyan’s indulgence and encouragement. The two of them were like partners in crime, a match made in heaven. As long as they stayed locked away and didn’t cause trouble for others, that would be fine.

Although Su Yiniang didn’t like Wen Ninghan, she still put on a good front, and this was something she had in common with Wen Congyan. At least, as she had mentioned, she had already arranged for Wen Ninghan’s courtyard to be ready.

This courtyard was where the late Madame Wen, Wen Ninghan’s mother, had lived, and where Qin Xi had passed away.

Wen Ninghan still had memories of this place.

Qin Xi and Wen Congyan’s relationship was never good. At first, Qin Xi had hoped to live a peaceful life with Wen Congyan, but his behavior—wanting everything while trying to control Qin Xi, yet maintaining the appearance of true love with Su Yiniang—disgusted her.

After becoming pregnant with Wen Ninghan, Qin Xi moved into this courtyard, a secluded place away from Wen Congyan, where she could live quietly on her own.

Unfortunately—

Wen Ninghan lowered her gaze, appearing docile and obedient, but there was a slight flicker in her eyes.

Unfortunately, at that time, she was still very young, having just entered this world. Her memory and thought processes were all limited by her small infant body.

Not to mention her physical abilities—what she could understand and do was far too limited. She couldn’t dare to reveal her uniqueness too much, fearing that any accident might result in her being labeled a monster and burnt at the stake.

But she truly regarded that gentle and beautiful woman as her mother in this life, as if filling the regret of being alone in her past life.

As for taking Wen Ninghan back to the courtyard, Wen Congyan naturally wouldn’t get involved. He preferred to leave everything aside and retreat to his study to contemplate life’s major matters. But there was still Qin Rongxi here—after all, a member of the Qin family. As an elder, Wen Congyan couldn’t refuse to at least speak a few words to give face.

Apart from Zhixin, the only people around Wen Ninghan were Su Yiniang and her maid.

Su Yiniang saw Wen Ninghan take a few steps into the courtyard, seemingly lost in thought, and she also calmed down.

She took a moment to appraise Wen Ninghan, as well as Zhixin. She hadn’t forgotten what had happened at the gate earlier—Wen Ninghan had not given her any face, and this little maid had almost pointed at her nose and scolded her.

If she couldn’t deal with Wen Ninghan, could she not handle a little maid?

“Miss only has this one maid by her side? The rules here in the Marquis’s residence might be different from the Qin family’s. This is the capital, any small mistake could cause trouble for the Marquis. Given the Miss’s status, she should have at least four senior maids, and then, based on the needs of the courtyard, we can arrange for junior maids and nannys. Since we didn’t know how many people the Miss would bring back, we only arranged a few cleaning maids for now. But don’t worry, the others are ready. I’ll call them over immediately, and the Miss can choose herself! As for this maid, let her settle in first and learn the rules of the Marquis’s residence. Once she’s properly taught, she can return. We wouldn’t want her to damage the Marquis’s reputation or the Miss’s name.”

Hearing Su Yiniang’s words, Zhi Xin immediately panicked. She didn’t want to leave Miss Wen’s side. The safest place in the world was right next to her, and she didn’t want to go anywhere else.

From the look on Su Yiniang’s face, it was clear she had no good intentions, and Zhi Xin had a feeling that if she left now, she’d probably end up in a lot of trouble.

Although she was just a junior maid, she hadn’t really suffered much hardship since she was taken in by the Qin family and sent to serve Miss Wen—if the hardship of learning could even be counted.

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  “Tea flavor” might not be the most accurate translation in this context. The term “茶味” (chá wèi) used by Wen Ninghan seems to refer to a particular tone or manner of speaking, often associated with a refined, somewhat affected or deliberate style.