Chapter 2141: The Alluring Lady Hou (Patreon)

Chapter 2141: The Alluring Lady Hou

As Shu Yu listened, she welcomed Hou Shi into the house.

She had been in the capital for five or six days now. Apart from the first day when she had visited Aunt Hong with Xiao Song Le, she had also paid visits to several familiar families such as the Yao and Qi families.

However, she hadn't visited the Wan family. Mainly because she wasn't very familiar with Minister Wan, and they didn't have much of a relationship. Visiting them without a proper reason might cause trouble.

Instead, she had someone relay a message to Hou Shi. She informed Hou Shi that she had arrived in the capital and was staying at the Southern City Courtyard. She provided the address, and if Hou Shi had the time, she could come over and visit.

In the past few days, Hou Shi hadn't come, and Shu Yu assumed it might be inconvenient for her. However, it turned out that Hou Shi had been avoiding to avoid disturbing Meng Yunzheng's studies.

Shu Yu led Hou Shi into the main hall, had Ying Xi pour a cup of tea, and then said, "It's been over four years since we last met. I didn't expect you to come to the capital. It's a good thing; otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to meet today. Did you receive the letter I sent you before the New Year?"

"I did. Congratulations! You've been engaged for several years, and you finally decided to get married." Hou Shi teased, "I mentioned it to my family's master. When he heard that you were getting married, he didn't object and said that since I wanted to return to my hometown, it would be a good opportunity. He just can't leave the capital, so he'll have someone send me back to Dong'an Prefecture when the time comes."

"It seems that Minister Wan treats you well."

Speaking of this, Hou Shi lowered her head slightly and smiled gently.

Shu Yu was surprised as she looked at Lady Hou's alluring demeanor, which had become much more intense than before, compared to her time at the Shu family. It was as if Lady Hou, who was inherently beautiful, had now begun to display her beauty without restraint.

It was as if... she had fewer concerns now.

Indeed, Hou Shi said in a low voice, "Minister Wan treats me very well. I'm living a comfortable life now, much better than at the Shu family. They treated me as a concubine, and in the eyes of others, I was just a plaything to satisfy their desires."

She had been wronged several times at the Shu family. When she gave birth, her daughter was almost killed. To protect herself and her daughter, she had to keep a low profile and dress plainly, avoiding attention as much as possible.

However, such actions led to her husband's displeasure, as he felt she lacked charm.

So no matter what Hou Shi did, it was wrong. If she was too beautiful, it would upset the lady of the house, but if she wasn't attractive enough, her husband would lose interest. It was a struggle to survive in such a situation.

However, things were completely different in the Wan family.

"The backyard of the Wan family is very quiet. After Minister Wan's primary wife passed away, he never remarried. There are only two concubines in the backyard, both of whom have honest and obedient personalities. They've been with Minister Wan for a long time. Now that they're older, they stay in their own small courtyards, tending to their gardens and occasionally going out shopping. They rarely bother Minister Wan."

Shu Yu asked, "So, are you in charge of the household finances in the Wan family now?"

"Not exactly." Hou Shi shook her head. "There's a steward and a capable nanny in the house who handle such matters. However, Minister Wan has taught me how to manage the accounts, and he occasionally asks me to check them."