Wen Kui, who had been accompanying nearby, also reacted. He blinked repeatedly and quietly looked at Wen Xin. The girl before him did not match his memory of someone who blushed at the slightest thing, even though he had been watching the whole time.
“Qin Jue from Chilan Pavilion? Two days ago…”
You Lingluo was stunned by this news, but it was not entirely unexpected. Now that the news of the Tanhua’s presence here was public, it was reasonable that others would come looking. After muttering a reminder to herself, she grew anxious, afraid someone might get there first. She quickly cupped her hands in thanks and took her leave.
Butler Wen Kui went to see the guest off. On his way back, he met Ren Tianjiang, the sect leader of Qinglian Mountain.
He greeted him with a salute, but Ren Tianjiang remained silent and thoughtful. The former looked at the latter, unsure what it meant.
After quite a while, Ren Tianjiang finally spoke. “The burial is tomorrow. Have all the Wen clan members been notified? Will they come?”
Wen Kui replied, “All have been notified. Each branch will likely send representatives. Those from nearby have already arrived. Some are still on the way.”
Ren Tianjiang fell silent again. Then he slowly said, “Once the Wen branch clan members arrive, I will formally announce on behalf of Qinglian Mountain that Wen Xin is the recognised contemporary head of the Wen clan. Keep this in mind and make preparations.”
Wen Kui was startled, then overjoyed. He cupped his hands and said, “Yes, I will make preparations immediately. Once ready, I will inform the sect leader in advance.”
Ren Tianjiang grunted in acknowledgement, then turned and left directly.
Wen Kui bowed to send him off, bending so low he nearly touched the ground. When he straightened up again, his face was flushed with excitement.
He had been worried about what would happen after tomorrow’s funeral. When the Wen clan members gathered, they would surely ask about the new family head. Having a young woman in charge would cause an uproar and fierce opposition. If Qinglian Mountain made a public statement, everything would be settled.
Qinglian Mountain’s attitude had been unclear before, which worried him greatly. Would they really have to follow the late master’s plan, where a master would appear and send the young lady to the Yuwen family for refuge, to live out her days?
A heavy stone had been lifted from his heart.
Good news! He immediately trotted off to bring the happy tidings to Wen Xin.
The maid Xiao Hong jumped for joy upon hearing the news. Wen Xin, however, remained calm. With more than ten bodies still in the house awaiting burial, she truly could not feel happy.
The bodies of the Wen daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren had been collected by their respective husbands’ families. Married daughters had become members of other families and would be buried in their husbands’ homes.
Apart from these reasons, Xiao Hong still noticed her young lady had changed. Not only was there no smile on her face, there seemed to be no expression at all. Sometimes she wondered if the things she said in front of her young lady were too childish.
Facing the good news, Wen Xin only gave one instruction. Move.
This time she would not yield. She would move directly into the main courtyard.
Wen Kui immediately arranged for people to move all the items from Jade Garden.
Inside the family head’s study, after redecorating, Wen Xin entered to inspect personally and see if anything else needed preparation.
She wandered around. Her gaze touched a metal cylinder on the bookshelf, stirring memories. She reached for it, opened it, and pulled out two sheets of paper inside.
After reading the contents, she handed Xiao Hong the calligraphy piece that Wen Yan’an had bought at great expense during his lifetime. She instructed, “Give this to Grandpa Kui. Have him follow the late master’s instructions to mount it and hang it in Wenshu Pavilion.”
“Yes.” Xiao Hong held it with both hands and left.
Wen Xin unfolded the other piece of writing in her hand. It was something Yu Qing had written while practicing calligraphy in the miscellaneous courtyard. A complex expression of letting go appeared on her face. Finally, she rolled it up, touched one end to the oil lamp flame, lit it, and threw it into the brazier. She watched it burn to ashes with her own eyes.
She did not stay long in the study. She was very busy now, with many matters to handle each day and many things to learn.
The biggest problem she currently faced was filling the vacant positions left after the purge within the Wen family’s various businesses. Every day, Wen Kui explained all sorts of relevant matters to her. Personnel, accounts, business structure, and so on were all things she needed to learn about and even make final decisions on.
Her entire being, body and mind, had completely crossed from one world into another.
The next day, white banners filled the Wen residence inside and out like clouds. The funeral was conducted with utmost solemnity and honour.
Representatives of the Wen clan gathered from all directions. Representatives from various industries converged. Business associates from everywhere came in droves. Even the Ningzhou Prefect came personally to offer a stick of incense. Though he did not stay long, it gave the Wen family tremendous face.
Wan Qingtao, the Wan clan head who had always been at odds with the Wen family, also came to offer incense. He did not come to cause trouble. He truly came to offer incense. Of course, he also wanted to see Wen Xin. He had already received news that on his deathbed, Wen Mao seemed to have passed the position of Wen family head to a young girl.
This made him extremely curious. He did not know if Wen Mao had grown senile or if the little girl truly possessed extraordinary abilities. Thus he came to see for himself.
When he saw Wen Xin herself, Wan Qingtao secretly marvelled. He found no one in the descendants’ seats for the Wen family. No one from the second branch who survived showed their face either. Only Wen Xin alone represented the family in receiving condolences from guests and expressing thanks on their behalf.
After sitting down in the guest seats, Wan Qingtao muttered to the butler beside him. “This girl is no soft touch. She has seen blood. If this old man’s eyes do not deceive me, there is a good chance she has personally taken a life.”
His butler was surprised. He raised his eyes to observe. Looking at Wen Xin’s appearance, he found it somewhat hard to believe.
Suddenly, the gathered guests at the entrance stirred slightly. Everyone looked over. A family of four appeared. Those with knowledge immediately recognised the distinguished elderly man leading them as the venerable literary elder, Old Master Yuwen.
Following behind were his son and daughter-in-law. Then came their youngest son, who was also Wen Xin’s fiance, Yuwen Yuan.
Yuwen Yuan had older brothers and such, but they did not come this time.
After the family offered incense to the deceased, they came before Wen Xin one by one and asked her to restrain her grief.
When Yuwen Yuan walked before Wen Xin, upon seeing her barefaced and dressed in mourning hemp, he was somewhat dazed on the spot. It was a pure, icy figure that instantly entered his heart. This first sight alone would remain in his memory forever.
He had heard of his fiancee. He heard she was quite pretty. He was told she was a talented lady proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. People said she could match him and would not disgrace him. He had heard such things many times, but he had never imagined she would be so beautiful.
Seeing his loss of composure, Wen Kui beside him had to remind him. “Young Master Yuwen.”
Yuwen Yuan suddenly came to his senses. Somewhat embarrassed, he hurriedly said, “Please accept my condolences.”
Wen Xin, meeting his gaze, remained calm. She bowed slightly to express her thanks.
A servant nearby led the Yuwen family to sit and rest to one side. Yuwen Yuan’s heart was still fluttering. He felt a sense of unexpected joy.
At this moment, besides her beauty, Wen Xin possessed an additional unique temperament forged through the ordeal of sudden calamity, mixed with the grace of a noble lady. She was natural and poised. No matter the guest’s status or position, she could maintain a calm and neither servile nor overbearing manner. A young girl at such a grand occasion actually had an air that could command the room.
Though Yuwen Yuan was quite experienced, where had he seen a woman with such temperament? Not to mention she also possessed beauty. He was instantly secretly enchanted.
His mother, however, had a different worry. She whispered in her husband’s ear, afraid her son would not be able to control her in the future. Just now, when she faced her future daughter-in-law and met her gaze, she had subconsciously and inexplicably lowered her waist.
Once the main guests had mostly arrived, the Qinglian Mountain group finally made their entrance.
Sect Leader Ren Tianjiang took the lead, personally bringing everyone to offer incense before the spirit tablet. After turning around, he tilted his head to signal. Someone beside him immediately went to invite Wen Xin.
After she came to pay respects, Ren Tianjiang took out from a tray held by someone beside him the ring that represented the family head’s token. He showed it to everyone publicly. He spoke clearly, his voice carrying to all. “When your grandfather Wen Mao brought you to Qinglian Mountain, he had already decided to pass the position of family head to you. I, together with the senior elders in the sect, after careful consideration, also agreed. Thus we gave you a spirit pet at that time to show our regard. Who says women are inferior to men? Today, I represent Qinglian Mountain in recognising you, Wen Xin, as the contemporary head of the Wen clan. May the Wen family and Qinglian Mountain maintain sincere cooperation and continue our thousand-year legend.”
Having spoken, he personally handed the ring to Wen Xin under the watchful eyes of all.
Wen Xin bowed, then turned to face everyone and put the ring on her finger.
“Ah, a female family head?”
The scene immediately exploded like a pot. The Wen clan members looked at each other in dismay.
Old Master Yuwen, seated among the guests, frowned. His son and daughter-in-law were speechless. Did they want their son to marry the Wen family head?
Yuwen Yuan was also somewhat stunned. His fiancee was the head of the Wen family, one of the three great families in southern Jin Kingdom?
The explosive scene did not hinder the ceremony from continuing.
When the auspicious hour arrived, the funeral procession proceeded as normal.
The process was so grand that it shook the entire city. Countless commoners watched from both sides of the streets. Countless paper coins flew all along the way.
After all the coffins were buried in the family cemetery, Wen Xin returned to the Wen residence. It was already evening.
In the main hall, after offering a stick of incense before her grandfather’s spirit tablet, Wen Xin went out and met Wen Kui. “Grandpa Kui, there is something I hope you can help me with.”
Wen Kui replied, “Just give your instructions.”
“I saw Yuwen Yuan in the mourning hall today.”
“Ah, yes. What does the young lady wish to do?”
“He must go to the capital to take the imperial examination in two years. Even if he passes, returning to complete the wedding would take three years. That is too long. I cannot wait. I wish to marry as soon as possible.”
“This…” Wen Kui nearly blushed at her words. What did she mean by cannot wait? What woman spoke like this? However, seeing her reaction, she seemed to have another purpose. He immediately asked in confusion, “What does the young lady mean?”
“There are too many matters in the Wen family to handle. With my unmarried status, coming and going and conducting affairs is quite inconvenient. Help me discuss with the Yuwen family and see if we can marry earlier.
Actually, I can tell Old Master Yuwen seems dissatisfied with me becoming Wen family head. I can understand. Having one’s own daughter-in-law be another family’s head is unprecedented and rather absurd. I think the Yuwen family may already regret this engagement. Since that is the case, there is no need to delay. Convey my wish for an early marriage.
By early, I mean Yuwen Yuan need not go to the capital for the examination. He already has the status of a provincial graduate. He can certainly obtain some official post here in the Ningzhou prefectural capital. If they agree, even if Yuwen Yuan takes more wives and concubines in the future, I will certainly not interfere. The Wen family will also give corresponding gifts and wealth each year in thanks.
If they do not agree, if the Yuwen family truly feels this marriage is unsuitable, then there is no need to force it. Breaking the engagement is breaking the engagement. After severing the engagement with the Yuwen family, help me find a suitable man to marry into the Wen family as my husband. In short, marry as soon as possible.”
Xiao Hong beside her was stunned.
Wen Kui’s eyes reddened. His voice trembled. “Young lady, why must you wrong yourself so?”
“Grandpa Kui, do you think someone in my current situation can still be a normal woman, attending to her husband and teaching her children to live out her days?”