Wen Qing nodded, leaning against the young lady for a moment longer before sitting up to put on her shoes.
Being able to slip out for this brief time was already due to Jiaofang Si turning a blind eye, but she couldn’t stay long. She had to be sensible—only then would she not be stopped the next time she wanted to come out.
“Never touch the two undercover agents in Jiaofang Si, no matter what. They are there to protect your life. Don’t tell me that some opportunities, once missed, are gone forever. This one may not come again, but I can wait for the next. If you lack even this much patience, you’ll only ruin my plans. Remember?”
Wen Qing nodded gently, tilting her body to embrace her once more.
The first time she heard such a warning, she could hardly believe it. But now she was utterly convinced that the young lady had truly left her a way out. When using those around her, the young lady never hesitated, yet from beginning to end, she treated their lives as lives.
“Don’t underestimate Chen Wei,” Lan Jin reminded her again. “Those nurtured with the finest resources from great families may not be good people, but they are never mindless fools. Standing on the shoulders of their families’ support, they naturally see farther and understand more than ordinary people.”
Wen Qing fell silent for a moment before responding in agreement.
Chen Wei’s recent behavior had indeed led her to look down on him somewhat. The young lady’s reminder was timely.
“After you arrive in the capital, is there anything more you need me to do?”
Lan Jin shook her head. “For now, just continue as before.”
Wen Qing lowered her gaze. “Does the young lady think I’m not capable of helping?”
“Once ‘Feng Deng’ establishes itself firmly, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to contribute.” Lan Jin pulled her up and ushered her out the door. “You’ve been out too long. Hurry back, and don’t bring unnecessary trouble upon yourself.”
Wen Qing’s eyes were full of reluctance. Though it was her first time here, she felt completely at ease.
“If I want to come see the young lady…”
“As long as you don’t bring any tails with you, you may come anytime.”
Wen Qing’s shoulders relaxed, sinking with relief. It felt so good to have every word answered.
Watching the figure descend the stairs and leave, Lan Jin returned to the room, propping the window half-open as she listened to the sound of carriage wheels gradually fading into the distance.
Aunt Chang entered with tea, waiting until the sound of the wheels could no longer be heard before speaking. “Is the young lady worried about Miss Wen Qing?”
“Chen Wei’s actions have disgusted her, and she’s struggling to suppress her hatred now.” Lan Jin walked back to the table and sat down, picking up the tea to blow on it gently. The fragrance of the tea wafted up.
“Anyone would hate him in her place. Choosing self-preservation at such a time could be forgiven; avoiding her could be understood. But he had just made all those promises to Wen Qing, only to turn around and kill the nursemaid who came seeking help. How could anyone not hate him? Not to mention Wen Qing later learned that it was the Chen family who dealt the final blow to her father. Without that memorial from the Chen family, the Wen family might not have fallen to such a state.”
Aunt Chang walked behind the young lady and began massaging the acupoints on her head. The young lady had always struggled with sleep, and now, having moved to a new place, her complexion looked so poor—she likely hadn’t slept soundly all night.
Lan Jin closed her eyes to ease her headache, listening as Aunt Chang continued her tirade.
“Chen Wei is probably still trying to deceive Wen Qing, claiming he knew nothing at the time! Even if he truly didn’t know, isn’t it true that he didn’t help her? Wasn’t it him who quickly became engaged to another family? If he was unwilling and truly devoted to Wen Qing, who could have forced him into the wedding chamber? Now his wife is pregnant, and he still has the nerve to seek out Wen Qing.”
It was precisely because the sincerity she had once offered had been trampled upon time and again that Wen Qing harbored such deep hatred—it was the most beautiful thing from her youth.
Lan Jin leaned back against Aunt Chang’s chest. "Chen Wei is arrogant, thinking he can deceive her, so he still brings up their old feelings. He doesn’t realize that the more he mentions the past, the more Wen Qing despises him."
"With Miss Wen Qing’s looks, it’s no wonder he can’t forget her."
"His inability to forget is real, and so is his desire to use their past to win her over." Lan Jin opened her eyes. "Wen Qing is now surrounded by admirers, seemingly flourishing, but in reality, she’s walking on thin ice. Being able to preserve her innocence for two years is already nearing its limit."
"So that’s his plan—what a despicable man." Aunt Chang also worried for Miss Wen Qing. "Do you have a plan, Miss?"
"As long as the Wu Family isn’t aligned with the Fourth Prince, Wu Er’s status could shield her for a while. If Wu Er can’t be used, I’ll find someone willing to make a deal with me." Lan Jin closed her eyes again. "As long as the price can be paid, there will always be someone who can protect her."
Aunt Chang lowered her gaze to look at the young lady. "You aren’t usually soft-hearted, but you seem different toward Miss Wen Qing."
"When I was young, I preferred following my grandfather and rarely accompanied my mother to social gatherings. On one rare occasion, my mother coaxed me into going, and I saw her. At the time, she was being mocked by noble ladies less beautiful than her, accused of using her looks to benefit her family and likely to be sent off as a concubine someday. Though clearly frightened, she didn’t back down, saying that if her existence was to profit her family, how were they any different? The distinction was that she could fetch a good price, while some might end up worthless."
Lan Jin smiled. "That day, she was beaten, and if I hadn’t caused a commotion, her face might have been scarred."
Aunt Chang, already wearing a smile, beamed even brighter. "No wonder you like her—she’s just as charming with her words as you are."
Charming? Even Lan Jin, long accustomed to Aunt Chang’s favoritism, found this a bit too far-fetched.
Yet it was precisely these words that made her remember, years later, that little girl who trembled with fear but still straightened her back.
"When the family prospered, she was used for marriage alliances to bring benefits. When the family fell, she was demoted to the Jiaofang Si. Even if the family could rise again, she was already ruined."
A mocking curve lifted the corner of Lan Jin’s lips. "She is clearly a person, yet she seems like nothing more than an object to the Wen Family, molded and manipulated at will, with no one caring whether she lived or died, or what she wanted. In the final moments before the Wen Family’s collapse, they were still thinking about who to send Wen Qing to in hopes of saving their family. I even suspect that her demotion to the Jiaofang Si might have been intentional, someone coveting her beauty."
An offhand remark, but it made Lan Jin open her eyes. Could this really be possible?
"When it’s convenient, tell Wen Qing about this possibility and have her recall if anyone who visited her at the Jiaofang Si over the past two years seemed suspicious."
Aunt Chang was somewhat worried. "If Miss Wen Qing learns of this possibility, she might—"
"If there really is such a person, what could she do?" Lan Jin reached back to grasp her hand, signaling her not to continue. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and added, "Even if she goes mad, she’ll keep it behind closed doors. She knows that only by finding the person can she think about how to seek revenge."
"Yes, I will convey the young lady's meaning to her."
"Send someone to ask Wen Xi about the situation of the Wu Family. If it is not detailed, have him investigate further, especially regarding Wu Er."
"Yes." Aunt Chang took the teacup from her hand: "You seem a bit weary, young lady. Would you like to rest a little longer?"
"No, if I sleep during the day, I'll be even more restless at night." Lan Jin stood up and said: "If Zhao Tang returns with that little girl, have them come here. I will spend the day here sorting through things and won't be going to the shop."
"Understood."