Chapter 105: Isn’t This Just Manipulation?

“I’ll have Nanny Jiang escort you,” Qiu Rongrong said.

Wen Yao did not refuse. After bidding her farewell, she followed Nanny Jiang, who had come to fetch her earlier. Before leaving, she informed Qiu Rongrong that she had taught the manor’s cooks the recipes for the four dishes she made previously. If the Old Madam still wished to eat them, they could be prepared at any time.

Especially the soup—it was excellent for stimulating the appetite. If the Old Madam truly had no desire to eat, they could make it a few more times.

Qiu Rongrong was moved by Wen Yao’s thoughtfulness and felt that the money in the purse she’d given her was too little. Unfortunately, the purse had already been handed over, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to add more. So she instructed Nanny Jiang to be careful and not return until she had seen Wen Yao safely meet her father and brother at the Hall of Benevolence.

———

In the carriage, Wen Yao fiddled with the purse in her hand, her expression radiant with joy. Sitting across from her, however, Nanny Jiang showed no trace of greed.

After a moment’s hesitation, Nanny Jiang spoke, “Miss, if you have time in the future, please visit our lady more often.”

Wen Yao looked up, puzzled by these words.

With no third party in the carriage, Nanny Jiang no longer concealed her feelings. She sighed deeply. “Ever since our lady married into the Xie family, she rarely goes out. The Old Madam is strict, and except for necessary social occasions, she seldom allows her out. She always says that since the Xie family is a reputable clan, and our lady comes from a merchant background, she ought to keep a low profile.

Our lady wanted to protest, but the master always pressed her with filial piety. Over time, here in Misty Town, our lady has not a single friend.

This is the first time I’ve seen her interact so freely with someone. You’re the first, Miss.”

Having said this, Nanny Jiang smiled gratefully at Wen Yao.

Wen Yao noticed the change in Nanny Jiang’s address—two words, but the difference in intimacy was clear.

And what Nanny Jiang described—wasn’t it essentially a form of manipulation?

“If it weren’t for the merchants of the Qiu family recognizing only our lady, the dowry she brought would long have been absorbed by the Xie family,” Nanny Jiang said, her eyes unguardedly mocking. She seemed unconcerned about whether her words were appropriate in front of Wen Yao.

Suddenly inspired, Wen Yao asked, “Nanny, is the Xie family now relying on Sister Qiu for support?”

Nanny Jiang opened her mouth, then closed it, hesitant to speak.

Wen Yao laughed. Not only manipulation, but freeloading too? And they call themselves a prestigious clan—back in her day, this would be a classic case of the “phoenix man.”

Tsk, how distasteful.

———

What a pity for Sister Qiu, such a beautiful woman with abundant wealth, only to end up benefiting others.

Seeing Wen Yao’s changing expression, Nanny Jiang spoke with a hint of pleading, “Please, Miss, don’t let this slip.”

Wen Yao tucked the purse securely at her waist. “Don’t worry, Nanny. If I have any virtue, it’s that I can keep my mouth shut.” She finished with a playful gesture, miming zipping her lips.

Although Nanny Jiang didn’t understand, she grasped the intent. Wen Yao’s quirky manner made her laugh, and her gaze softened further. Such a genuine, straightforward girl—it’s no wonder their lady liked her.

After escorting Wen Yao back to the Hall of Benevolence and handing her directly to Wen Xiuyi, Nanny Jiang finally returned by carriage.

Wen Yao tossed the purse onto the table. “Today’s earnings: twenty-five taels.”

Aside from Qiu the shopkeeper and Big Head, who were still in the backyard, everyone else gathered around.

“Did you rob someone?” Wen Xiuyi stared at her in shock. Was Wen Yao this bold?

Wen Yao’s mouth twitched, and she shot him a glare. “Father, mind your words. I earned this myself.” She then explained the Xie family’s situation to everyone.

Doctor Jin stroked his beard and said, “That does sound like something the Old Madam of the Xie family would do.”

“Oh?” Four faces hungry for gossip immediately widened their eyes. “Doctor Jin, details, please.”

Hong Hai, ever attentive, poured Doctor Jin a cup of tea. “Doctor Jin, have some tea and take your time.”

With no patients visiting, idle chatter was all they had.

Doctor Jin rolled his eyes at them, then took a sip of tea and said, “The Old Madam of the Xie family is not easy to deal with. She’s quite a handful. They say that Qiu’s daughter married up, but in reality—tsk…”

Not inclined to gossip behind people’s backs, Doctor Jin could only express his disdain with a sound, a look, and a gesture.

Just then, Qiu the shopkeeper led Big Head out from the backyard, glanced at the group, and instructed Hong Hai, “Close up, post a notice. The clinic’s closed—patients should come back after the third day of the new year.”

“Got it.” Hong Hai immediately went behind the counter, wrote out a notice, posted it on the door, and began to close up.

They could still hear vendors outside asking why the clinic was closing so early this year. Hong Hai simply replied they were going home to celebrate the new year and said no more, closing the door before returning to his spot, eager for more gossip.

Qiu the shopkeeper, unlike Doctor Jin, had no qualms about speaking his mind. “The Xie family is all glitter on the outside, rotten within. Their assets have long been squandered. If they hadn’t married into the Qiu family, they’d never be this prosperous now. Hmph.”

———

Such scornful, proud words made Wen Yao suspect that Qiu the shopkeeper harbored a grudge against the Xie family.

Thinking this, she voiced it: “So, do you have a feud with the Xie family? Otherwise, why are you so gleeful at their misfortune?”

Doctor Jin explained, “Not with this branch of the Xie family, but they’re all kin.”

Everyone understood—just displaced resentment.

Qiu the shopkeeper was from the capital, so if there was a grudge, it was likely with the main Xie family.

“I see. Then I won’t cook for that old lady anymore. This money isn’t worth earning,” Wen Yao declared, righteous and resolute.

But Qiu the shopkeeper shot her a glare. “Are you stupid? Why not earn money? Just don’t get too entangled with the Xie family. That lot is more scheming than a sieve.”

He would say no more.

———

Leaving the Hall of Benevolence to meet up with the rest of the Wen family at the dock, the four walked side by side, and Wen Yao shared her suspicions.

“They send the eldest son to the clan’s academy, claiming it’s for the younger son’s sake, to keep him close. Yet they won’t let Sister Qiu and Xie Anyi see each other often.

The old lady, when she doesn’t get money from Sister Qiu, throws fits about fasting and losing her appetite, even threatening her with Xie Anyi. Father, Brother, consider it carefully, really think about it. Tsk tsk tsk. No wonder Qiu the shopkeeper says the Xie family is full of schemers.”

Wen Jun and Wen Xiuyi finally realized, “So they’re using the Xie boy to control the lady of the Xie family and make her spend for them?”

Goodness, they’d seen shamelessness before, but never on this scale.

“But didn’t you say that someone—later on—did something?” Wen Xiuyi winked at Wen Yao, mouthing “wealthiest man.”

Wen Yao spread her hands. “Exactly. Undermining the maternal clan, strengthening the paternal side.” She pointed to her head, and shrugged. “Must’ve been brainwashed from a young age.”

Wen Xiuyi and Wen Jun stared, speechless. It seemed among all these so-called male leads, only their Big Head had a sound mind.

“Big Head, you’d better live up to expectations,” Wen Xiuyi couldn’t help but ruffle his youngest son’s hair with a sigh.