Chapter 104: Chapter 103: Returning to the Wen Family
The next day, two figures appeared at the Wen Family gate bright and early.
Even though she wore a veil, Zhang Xiaoyun was incredibly nervous, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Husband, I’m so nervous," Zhang Xiaoyun said, her voice trembling as she clutched Wen Qingye’s arm.
Wen Qingye smiled. "What’s there to be nervous about? My mother is very kind. Besides, I’m here with you."
After saying this, Wen Qingye walked up and began to knock on the door.
"KNOCK, KNOCK!"
After a moment, the door opened.
"Wen... Young Master!" a young servant exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Wen Qingye.
Wen Qingye had grown up in the Wen Family and was quite familiar with its people. The servant before him was one of the family stewards.
Wen Qingye nodded, then took Zhang Xiaoyun by the hand and walked inside.
The servant’s jaw dropped as he watched Wen Qingye head toward the rear courtyard, a look of utter disbelief in his eyes. ’Heavens, Wen Qingye is actually back! This is huge. I have to report this immediately!’
Wen Qingye led Zhang Xiaoyun toward the west side of the rear courtyard. The Wen Family estate was vast, and though he didn’t encounter any other Wen Clan Members along the way, he saw plenty of servants.
When the Wen Family servants saw Wen Qingye, they reacted as if they’d seen a ghost, dodging out of his path without a single word. Seeing this, Wen Qingye couldn’t help but frown.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wen Qingye arrived at a private courtyard on the west side of the estate. He smiled at Zhang Xiaoyun and said, "This is where I lived when I was growing up. Let’s go in."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoyun carefully scanned their surroundings, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Wen Qingye’s childhood within its walls.
As Wen Qingye and Zhang Xiaoyun stepped inside, he suddenly frowned. He remembered this courtyard having a flower garden, his mother’s favorite, but it was gone. The entire area was in a state of disarray. He knew his mother was a very neat and tidy person. ’How could she let it get this messy?’
"Mmm... you’re awful."
A flirtatious woman’s voice drifted out.
"Heh heh, next time I’ll show you just how bad I can be."
A man and a woman emerged from one of the rooms, their behavior licentious and their words rather explicit.
Wen Qingye recognized them at a glance. The man was the Wen Family’s head steward. He wasn’t born into the family but had been granted the surname, and was called Wen Zhong. Wen Qingye didn’t have a strong impression of the woman, but he thought she was a female steward in charge of the laundry.
The female steward was in her thirties, with pleasant features and a graceful bearing that still remained. Her eyes held a hint of amorous satisfaction.
Their clothes were disheveled, and they continued to flirt as they straightened them out. It was obvious what they had been doing inside; Wen Qingye would have to be a fool not to realize it.
Wen Qingye’s voice was grim. "What are you two doing here?"
Wen Zhong flinched at the sound of a voice. But when he saw it was Wen Qingye, he let out a sigh of relief and laughed heartily. "And here I was wondering who it could be! So, the Eldest Young Master has returned."
The female steward had also been terrified, her face pale. The Wen Family’s rules were exceedingly strict. If they were discovered, Wen Zhong had powerful people protecting him; the family wouldn’t get rid of a loyal steward who had served for so many years over a mere affair. She, on the other hand, would be the one to face severe punishment. But upon seeing it was Wen Qingye, she too breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone knew the Eldest Young Master was a weakling. Besides, his branch of the family was being suppressed by the Yao Clan. She felt much more at ease.
Wen Qingye’s brow furrowed. "Answer me," he said coldly. "Why are you here? And where is my mother?"
Wen Qingye’s gaze fell on Wen Zhong, and the steward suddenly felt as if he had been plunged from the blistering heat of summer into the freezing snows of deep winter. His heart turned to ice.
After a moment, Wen Zhong snapped out of it, startled. ’Am I actually afraid of Wen Qingye?’
Immediately, Wen Zhong gritted his teeth and sneered, "Are you questioning me, Wen Qingye? Let me tell you something. Ever since you married into the Zhang Family, this Wen Family residence is no longer a place you can come and go as you please and run wild. You’re not the Eldest Young Master anymore. I have no obligation to answer your questions."
Hearing this, Wen Qingye’s heart sank. He knew that ever since Wen Tongyu had displayed his extraordinary talent, everyone in the Wen Family, from the servants to the Wen Clan Members, had been siding with the Yao Clan. He thought of how everyone had reacted on his way here.
"WHOOSH!"
The female steward heard a gust of wind, and when she opened her eyes again, Wen Qingye was standing right in front of her.
Wen Qingye’s hand was wrapped around Wen Zhong’s throat, a murderous glint in his eyes.
The disdain in Wen Zhong’s eyes instantly turned to sheer terror. He was a master at the Refining Essence Third Layer Heaven, yet Wen Qingye had subdued him before he could even react. How could he not be shocked?
"So you won’t talk? Fine."
As Wen Qingye’s eyes grew colder, the pressure from his hand increased. It felt as though Wen Zhong’s neck was about to snap. Wen Zhong’s eyes bulged as he felt the chill of death creeping over him. Soon, his face turned purplish-red from lack of air.
In that instant, Wen Zhong was consumed by terror. The will to survive immediately made him abandon all pretense.
Wen Zhong pleaded through a strangled throat, "N-no... don’t... I’ll... talk... I’ll talk..."
Wen Qingye abruptly released his grip. Wen Zhong collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. It felt as if he had just taken a trip to the Ghost Gate and back. He looked at his own hands with lingering fear.
"Speak!"
Wen Zhong shuddered at the sound of Wen Qingye’s voice and hurriedly said, "I’ll talk, I’ll talk! The Second Madam has already awarded this courtyard to three of the Wen Family’s stewards to live in. As for the First Madam... the Second Madam arranged for her to be moved to the courtyard next to the Old Madam’s."
Wen Qingye’s brow furrowed at this. The ’Old Madam’ was Wen Xu’s mother, his own grandmother. Her courtyards had been built because she wished not to be disturbed. Though part of the Wen Family estate, they were in the most remote and desolate corner.
Ever since Wen Qingye’s grandfather died in battle against the Divine Wind Country, an enemy of the Celestial Martial Country, his grandmother had moved there to live in seclusion. Since growing up, Wen Qingye had rarely seen her; her reclusiveness had reached an astonishing degree.
For the Yao Clan to arrange for his mother to be sent there... the implication was obvious. It was akin to being cast into the ’Cold Palace.’
Wen Qingye let out a derisive laugh. "It seems the Yao Clan can truly do whatever they want in the Wen Family."
Wen Zhong and the female steward stood to the side with their heads bowed, not daring to even breathe too loudly.
A cold light flashed in Wen Qingye’s eyes as he looked at Wen Zhong. "What else has the Yao Clan done to my mother? Tell me every single thing."
Feeling the chill emanating from Wen Qingye, Wen Zhong finally gritted his teeth and said, "The Second Madam also cut the First Madam’s monthly allowance, transferred away all of her personal maids, and has forbidden any servant from visiting the First Madam’s residence without permission."
With every word, the fury in Wen Qingye’s heart grew more intense.
Wen Qingye spun around abruptly, took Zhang Xiaoyun’s hand, and strode out of the courtyard.
After Wen Qingye was gone, Wen Zhong’s body went limp. Only then did he realize he was completely drenched in sweat.
"When did Wen Qingye become so terrifying?" Wen Zhong muttered, his heart still pounding with fear.
After a moment, Wen Zhong seemed to think of something. He turned to the female steward and said sternly, "Regarding what happened today, you saw nothing and you heard nothing. Understand?"
The female steward nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, of course. Don’t worry, Head Steward. I saw nothing and heard nothing."
