Chapter 260: Coming Straight to the Door
Lady Liu had never imagined in her wildest dreams that all these events had actually transpired after her departure.
“That’s impossible… Since when did Yao Yao know how to cook? Master, could the people you sent have made a mistake in their investigation?” Lady Liu was deeply shocked.
Her eldest son was studying medicine and could already treat patients after just two years—she accepted that, considering his teacher was the former Imperial Physician Jin.
Her youngest son was exceptionally clever, adored by both his teacher and classmates at the academy—she accepted that too.
But her daughter… the daughter she had raised to do nothing more than embroidery and basic reading. Even if Wen Yao had occasionally joined her in the kitchen to whip up simple dishes back then, there was no way it could have led to such a massive commotion!
During the two years she had been away from home, what on earth had happened? How was it that the Wen family was still the same Wen family, yet every single person had changed beyond recognition?
Meng De also wished his investigation had been flawed, but the reality was stark and undeniable: it truly was those three children belonging to Wen Xiuyi and Lady Liu.
If it were before, Lady Liu could have taken Datou with her and he wouldn’t have minded. But now, he would probably have to weigh the matter with utmost caution.
A few days passed. Just as Wen Xiuyi and Wen Yao thought that Lady Liu and Meng De had given up on the idea of taking Datou away, Lady Liu actually brought a retinue and arrived at the Wen household with great fanfare.
This time, Lady Liu no longer hid or snuck around. Instead, she rode openly into Gutong Village in a carriage, even greeting acquaintances warmly whenever she spotted anyone she recognized.
This time, the carriage pulled up directly right in front of Wen Yao’s house.
The elderly housekeeper by Lady Liu’s side was about to order the coachman to knock on the door, but Lady Liu stopped them.
“Help me down,” Lady Liu instructed.
The elderly housekeeper looked at her. “Madam, knocking on the door is a minor chore. Please let this servant handle it. Why must Madam step down in person?”
Lady Liu cast a cool glance at her, and the old housekeeper immediately shut her mouth, helping Lady Liu down from the carriage.
Looking upon the two grand compounds of the Wen family, Lady Liu was overcome with a tangle of mixed emotions. In a daze, she recalled the year they were implicated by Wen Xiuyi and forced to divide the family estate. Her family of five had been crammed into that dilapidated, broken little courtyard, where she had to endure Wen Xiuyi’s degenerate, gambling ways day after day.
Facing three young children, Lady Liu had never ceased complaining about the unfairness of fate. Datou’s birth in particular had shattered her last glimmers of hope. Such a tiny child was at his most demanding age; many times, she simply left Datou there to cry on his own, only going over to soothe him when his crying finally drove her mad.
Two years passed like this. Just as she was completely losing hope in life, Meng De returned and sought her out.
That day, Meng De had secretly delivered a letter to her. Using the excuse of visiting her late father’s grave, she had dropped Datou off at the old house and quietly went to meet Meng De.
Yet, seeing Meng De still carrying himself with dignified, gentle elegance—and then looking at herself, caked in grime without even a single presentable piece of clothing—Lady Liu was instantly consumed by deep inadequacy. She had even turned around, intending to flee.
Unexpectedly, Meng De suddenly rushed forward and pulled her into his embrace. In that single moment, all the grievances Lady Liu had endured over the years found an outlet to spill over. She buried her face in Meng De’s chest and wept until she had no strength left.
And somehow, in their bewildered state, they ended up in bed together.
Meng De told her that he had already investigated the life she was living. He had come this time specifically to take her away. As long as she obtained a divorce from Wen Xiuyi, he would immediately take her back to the capital, making her his legitimate wife in every sense.
Lady Liu’s heart had wavered. Meng De bought her many fine clothes, rouge, and face powders, none of which she dared bring home. After that, they met several more times. Meng De’s gentle tenderness and lingering passion made her despise Wen Xiuyi all the more.
Ultimately, Lady Liu hardened her heart and traded twenty taels of silver for a divorce letter.
Scenes from the past surged back into her mind. Looking at the broken little house that had now transformed beyond recognition, it felt like a world away.
Taking a deep breath, Lady Liu stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Before long, a response came from inside the courtyard: “Who is it?”
Immediately after, the front door swung open. Seeing Lady Liu standing outside, Nanny Shi’s expression remained indifferent.
“Mrs. Meng has arrived,” Nanny Shi offered a subtle curtsy.
Lady Liu nodded faintly and asked, “Is Yao Yao home?”
“Nanny, who is it?” Wen Yao was indeed home, currently lounging on a reclining chair in the courtyard while gnawing on a pear. It had been harvested from the pear tree behind Great-Aunt’s house—exceedingly sweet—and just delivered to her that morning.
Nanny Shi had no choice but to reply, “Miss, it’s Mrs. Meng.”
Swaying on the reclining chair, Wen Yao paused and sat upright. She devoured the rest of the pear in three bites and tossed the core aside.
“Please invite her in.” Wen Yao straightened herself up a bit, only to realize there wasn’t much to tidy up. She was like this every day anyway; there was no need to go out of her way to dress up just to meet Lady Liu. Absolutely unnecessary.
Nanny Shi led Lady Liu inside. Ever since the new house at the old compound was built, everyone from the old compound had moved back. Meanwhile, the Lu family members had to work at the fish pond, the fields, and the duck shed. During the day, only she and her young mistress were home. At this moment, there wasn’t even anyone around to run and inform the old lady.
Had she known earlier, she would have urged her young mistress to buy a few maidservants back, so they wouldn’t be left without even a messenger when something came up.
Wen Yao sat by the stone table in the courtyard, with the reclining chair beside her still gently swaying. Seeing Lady Liu enter, she had no choice but to stand up. No matter what, this woman was the mother of this body; as a junior, she ought to rise and greet her.
“Yao Yao…” The moment she laid eyes on Wen Yao, Lady Liu let go of the old housekeeper’s hand. Sobbing softly, she ran toward Wen Yao and pulled her tightly into her arms, speaking in a voice filled with guilt and tears: “Yao Yao, mother’s good child, let mother look at you.”
Saying this, she pushed Wen Yao back out of her embrace, looking her up and down repeatedly. Her eyes were red, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Had Wen Yao not known the original plot, she might have actually been moved by this performance.
Lady Liu patted her all over, finally placing her hand on Wen Yao’s face and choking out, “Child, you’ve suffered so much all these years.”
Wen Yao: “…”
“Have a seat.” Seeing that her crying and motherly devotion were about done, Wen Yao pointed to the stool beside them, inviting Lady Liu to sit down while instructing Nanny Shi to brew some tea.
Noticing Wen Yao’s cold and distant demeanor, Lady Liu’s heart sank slightly. Yet her face maintained that distressed, gentle expression as she looked at Wen Yao, reluctant to let go of her hand even as she sat down.
“Yao Yao, these past few years, mother hasn’t stopped thinking about you, Jun’er, and Datou for even a single moment.” Tears poured down Lady Liu’s face as she held one of Wen Yao’s hands tightly with both of hers, refusing to let go.
Wen Yao silently pulled her hand free and calmly handed Lady Liu a handkerchief. “Wipe your tears.”
Lady Liu took it and dabbed at her eyes.
“Yao Yao, have you been doing well these past two years? Has your father… hit you again?” Lady Liu choked out.
Wen Yao thought: Professor Wen wouldn’t have the heart to hit me.
Still, Wen Yao said, “No. Father is doing very well now.”
Though showing nothing on her face, Lady Liu’s heart burned with extreme hatred toward Wen Xiuyi. In just two short years, all three children had grown distant from her. It had to be Wen Xiuyi’s doing! No matter how much he claimed to have changed now, it couldn’t alter the fact that he was once an absolute scoundrel.
As the saying goes, easier to change rivers and mountains than a person’s nature. She was now fully capable of taking care of her three children and providing them with a far better future, so there was no need to consider a useless waste like Wen Xiuyi anymore.
At this thought, Lady Liu wiped her tears and quickly called out to the old housekeeper beside her: “Nanny, hurry up and bring out the gifts for the young mistress to see!”
Then, reaching back out to hold Wen Yao’s hand, she added, “Yao Yao, mother bought you so many beautiful pieces of jewelry and clothes. Try them on in a bit and show mother, alright?”
She knew this daughter of hers better than anyone. From a young age, the girl had a meek and weak personality. While she had no leverage over Wen Jun’s distant attitude, she was confident she could easily handle this daughter.
