Chapter 3

Lady Lu explained carefully, “A talented scholar, guided a bit by her father, may well achieve fame and success in the future. A merchant with an established family business will not suffer hardship by marrying in, as she will have a share in the family estate.”

Most importantly, these two come from modest backgrounds, both families beneath the Wen family in status. If Wen Yan marries into them, even if she bears no children in the future, or even if she were to wield power and influence, they would still have to cater to her.

Lady Lu and Master Wen both believed they had thoroughly considered Wen Yan’s marriage prospects.

Suddenly, Lady Lu looked up at Aunt Wen and asked, “If it were you, which of these two paths would you choose?”

Aunt Wen was momentarily taken aback by the question but quickly composed herself and replied, “Marriage is a matter decided by parents and matchmakers. Third Miss is still young and inexperienced. How she should choose is best left to you. You are her real mother, and in this world, you are the one who always protects her.”

Lady Lu smiled gently. “As her mother, I would never harm her.”

Though she said this, Lady Lu knew Wen Yan’s marriage prospects were indeed somewhat lacking. Thinking back to when Wen Yan was just born, she sighed, “If she were as talented as Xu Ruo or as good at making money as Qing Hui, or as adept at coaxing others as Ning He and Chang Ning, and if she could learn even half from her elder brothers and sisters, I wouldn’t have to choose such a humble match for her.”

Aunt Wen said softly, “You have the best interests of Third Miss at heart, and she will understand that.”

Now that Lady Lu had spoken of Wen Yan’s marriage, Aunt Wen understood that unless some unforeseen event occurred, this decision was final.

Aunt Wen followed her lead.

Having served together for many years, Aunt Wen knew Lady Lu well, and Lady Lu was no stranger to Aunt Wen’s nature.

Lady Lu was not truly seeking advice from her; rather, having no close confidantes in this Western River city, she simply needed someone to share her thoughts with.

Now that everything had been said, it was time to act.

Lady Lu said to Aunt Wen, “I need you to do something for me.”

Aunt Wen responded respectfully, “Please command, Madam.”

Having resolved to arrange a marriage for Wen Yan, Lady Lu was determined to see it through diligently.

Meanwhile, Wen Yan had long dismissed Lady Lu’s words from her mind.

Returning to Cuihua Courtyard, she first busied herself with another hearty breakfast.

Satisfied, she retreated to her room to play dice with a few maids.

She grabbed a handful of specially prepared silver melon seeds and played a game of chance with them.

By the time the silver seeds before her were all lost, half the morning had slipped by.

After lunch, she took a nap.

Upon waking, Qing Yun came to report that the people from Qiluo Workshop and Treasure Pavilion had arrived.

Wen Yan sat on the soft couch, taking a moment to recall the situation.

“Weren’t they supposed to arrive by the hour of the Snake?”

Just waking up, Wen Yan felt sluggish and lazy.

Qing Yun offered a bowl of freshly boiled milk, which Wen Yan accepted and sipped slowly to revive herself.

The milk was sweetened generously with sugar and steaming hot, releasing a comforting fragrance that alone was soothing.

As she drank, Qing Yun reported, “Fifth Miss intercepted them and just released them now.”

Wen Yan handed back the empty bowl, rinsed her mouth with water boiled with mint leaves, and after a maid helped her put on her shoes, she said,

“Let’s go see what my fifth sister has left for me.”

The people from Qiluo Workshop and Treasure Pavilion were settled in the west wing. As Wen Yan entered, they immediately stood respectfully and greeted her.

Wen Yan gave a brief hum in response and sat down quietly in a chair.

A maid brought tea, and she sipped it leisurely, her relaxed demeanor revealing no hint of emotion to those from Qiluo Workshop and Treasure Pavilion.

This Miss Wen Yan was somewhat different from the rumors circulating outside.

The Wen family’s three young ladies were well known.

The second Miss was famous among the merchants of Western River City, as they frequently dealt with her.

Though the fifth Miss was not as prominent as the second, she was amiable and often went out, well acquainted with many young ladies in the city.

Only the third Miss was reputed to be frail, timid, and shy, afraid of strangers.

She rarely left the house and was the least noticeable among the sisters.

But today, judging by the keen eyes of the stewardess from Treasure Pavilion and the embroiderer from Qiluo Workshop, Wen Yan seemed unlike the stories they had heard.

This meant they had to be cautious in dealing with her.

The stewardess from Treasure Pavilion stepped forward to explain the events of the day, but Wen Yan cut her off, saying, “Bring out the items so I can see.”

The stewardess hurriedly complied. She signaled, and boxes containing jewelry were brought before Wen Yan in neat rows.

“Third Miss, take a look. Is there anything you like?” the stewardess asked eagerly.

Wen Yan glanced briefly and then looked away, seemingly dissatisfied.

The stewardess maintained her smile and said, “If Third Miss doesn’t like these, Treasure Pavilion has other styles. I brought the catalog; would you like to browse it?”

The few pieces brought today were all fine, but the stewardess always liked to keep something in reserve, and fortunately, she had done so this time.

Wen Yan put down her teacup and said, “Alright.”

The stewardess placed a thick catalog before her, and Wen Yan slowly flipped through the pages, though her attention appeared elsewhere.

The stewardess, slightly anxious, worried that her tardiness had angered Wen Yan, quietly began to explain.

The embroiderer from Qiluo Workshop chimed in as well.

Both parties knew well the reason for the delay; their repeated apologies were merely a formality.

Though it was not their fault, they dared not provoke the fifth Miss.

After listening, Wen Yan asked a seemingly unrelated question, “Has Wen Changning gone out?”

She recalled that since the day she asked for fabric, Wen Changning had not left the house for several days.

Wasn’t she the one who loved to go out and play with her sisters?

The stewardess from Treasure Pavilion was momentarily stunned, then cautiously replied, “Perhaps the city hasn’t been peaceful recently.”

The embroiderer added, “Third Miss may not know, but many refugees have come to the city lately. These refugees roam about, begging for money and food, causing quite a disturbance. Some ladies have been frightened and fallen ill. Gradually, the young ladies and their mothers stopped going out, ordering everything through us instead.”

Wen Yan paused, “Refugees?”

Seeing her interest, the embroiderer carefully explained, “I heard that the south suffered a disaster last year. Many starved to death, and the survivors have been begging and wandering everywhere.”

The stewardess added, “It’s strange. The south produces grain, and in our parts, grain is scarce, so we all buy from the south. They should have plenty to sell, so how could so many starve?”

The embroiderer replied, “Who knows? Perhaps they just wanted the money. Year after year, they collect and sell grain without storing any. When disaster struck and the harvest failed, many starved.”

The stewardess sighed, “If the south runs out of grain, what will we do if our supply falls short this year?”

The embroiderer smiled confidently, “What is there to fear? With the magistrate in charge, no one will starve.”

After saying this, she looked at Wen Yan with an earnest smile.

The stewardess quickly chimed in, “Indeed, if it weren’t for the magistrate’s efforts in repairing the docks and benefiting the people, we wouldn’t be living such good lives.”

Wen Yan rested her chin on her hand, listening as they shifted from talking about refugees fleeing the south to praising Master Wen, nodding with a faint smile.

After all, what they said was true.

Western River City, far from the capital, had poor soil and relied on water rather than mountains.

The Western River itself was swift and treacherous; those who were not strong swimmers risked being swept away.

Before Master Wen took office as magistrate, the city was desperately poor. Each year, many died of starvation or drowning, leaving only two or three hundred households.

Later, Master Wen discovered the extensive water networks of the Western River. Many boats passed through the city to save time and effort.

Realizing this, he united the townspeople and spent years building the city’s docks.

To fund this, Master Wen personally borrowed from surrounding prefectures in the name of the city and himself.

This was a bold gamble for both the city and Master Wen.

If it had failed, not only would the city have suffered, but Master Wen, who had been demoted to this post, would likely have faced death along with his family.

Fortunately, he succeeded.

In some ways, Master Wen seemed to have great fortune.

Otherwise, Western River City would not have become the prosperous place it was today, nor would Wen Yan exist.

Though Wen Yan had failed her own tribulation, she believed the fault was not hers.

Otherwise, she would not be sitting here in perfect health.

The heavenly thunder of the Ascension Cloud was certainly a trick played by the cruel heavens themselves.

That cruel force owed her a debt of karmic justice, and debts must be repaid.

In other words, as long as Wen Yan remained in the Wen family, it was as if she had the heavens’ protection, guaranteeing a life of wealth and honor.

Perhaps in response to her thoughts, the sky suddenly brightened outside.

The group, engrossed in conversation, looked out. The little maid by the door saw more clearly and could not help but exclaim, “What a beautiful sky, such bright sunshine!”

Those inside rose and stepped outside, seeing for themselves the truth of the maid’s words.

What had been a gloomy afternoon now revealed a cloudless sky, the sun dazzlingly bright, as if painted with colorful clouds, splendid and magnificent—truly breathtaking.

This extraordinary scene was witnessed by everyone in Western River City, who paused their work, staring at the sky in awe.

Leaning against the doorframe, Wen Yan smiled with a knowing expression.

After a long while, several drifting clouds partially veiled the sun, and the strange spectacle slowly faded.

The stewardess from Treasure Pavilion, reluctant to look away, caught sight of Wen Yan standing by the door and chuckled, “Surely the heavens have heard us praising the magistrate’s deeds and are showing their blessing.”

The embroiderer from Qiluo Workshop nodded eagerly, “Yes, yes, that must be it.”

Wen Yan laughed to herself; these two were quite amusing and helped pass the remaining time.

She also responded casually, “You’re right.”

Hearing this, the two were overjoyed, thinking they must spread the word of this event.

With idle talk concluded, the stewardess remembered the matter at hand and hurried back inside to ask if Wen Yan had found anything she liked.

Wen Yan closed the catalog with a snap. “I don’t like any of these.”

The stewardess’s eyelids twitched. “Third Miss…”

“I want only the very best,” Wen Yan declared. “Bring your most prized treasures to me tomorrow.”