“Madam, if you do not comply, once the matter of the ledger is discovered by the Second Young Mistress, just think of the Master…” Wet Nurse Xu trailed off, watching Madam Wen.

Just as Madam Wen was caught in indecision, a maidservant arrived from outside to announce that Miss Ning Nuo was here to pay respects.

Madam Wen frowned, deeply troubled. Seeing her state, Wet Nurse Xu dismissed the maidservant, asking her to have Miss Ning Nuo wait in the main hall, and inform her that Madam Wen would be there momentarily.

After the maidservant left, Wet Nurse Xu turned to Madam Wen and spoke in a low voice, “Madam, regarding Miss Ning Nuo, how do you plan to address this? Originally, you promised her the position of a co-wife, and now it is only a concubine. Are you afraid she will truly cause a scene and bring our affairs before the Master?”

Madam Wen did not answer Wet Nurse Xu. She sat silently for a while, then abruptly stood up, a fierce look crossing her face. “You need not worry about Ning Nuo. Proceed with the ledger exactly as you planned. Be extremely cautious, do not leave a trace, and ensure it is done cleanly.”

With that, Madam Wen walked toward the hall. Upon entering, she saw Ning Nuo leisurely sipping tea in a chair. Ning Nuo did not rise immediately upon seeing Madam Wen approach, but waited until Madam Wen was beside her before slowly standing up to offer her respects.

Madam Wen did not immediately tell her to sit. She walked past Ning Nuo to take the seat of honor in the hall, picked up the tea beside the table, took a sip, and then spoke, “You may rise. As family, there is no need for such formality.”

Hearing Madam Wen’s words, Ning Nuo also smiled and took a seat in the chair positioned below. “Thank you, Adoptive Mother.”

Madam Wen offered a gentle smile without speaking, observing Ning Nuo before her. A chill suddenly settled in her heart. Although she had brought Ning Nuo into the Wen household with ulterior motives, she had treated her well for so long—perhaps no better than her own flesh and blood.

But now they had arrived at this impasse. Although Ning Nuo was outwardly courteous, inwardly she must harbor immense hatred. Just by looking at her eyes and her previous actions, it was clear she had forgotten all the kindness shown to her.

Seeing Madam Wen sigh, Ning Nuo raised her eyes to look at her. She remained silent. Her purpose for visiting today was learning that Master Wen had returned yesterday and that he had already dealt with Wen Ning Chen. Therefore, the promise Madam Wen had made to her should now be fulfilled.

She had initially thought that since Master Wen was aware of the situation, he would certainly provide her with an explanation. Ning Nuo had waited in her courtyard all day, expecting someone from the Wen family to notify her. After all, if the Wen family were to take a new Young Mistress, someone would surely be sent to announce it, or at the very least, someone from Madam Wen’s side would pass on the news.

However, Ning Nuo waited nearly the entire morning without any movement. She even sent her maidservant out to check. There seemed to be no activity in the Wen household, and Madam Wen had certainly not sent anyone with a message. Ning Nuo grew anxious. She could no longer sit still in her room, so she came to find Madam Wen.

Yet, even after she had been there for some time, Madam Wen had not brought up the matter. Finally, Ning Nuo could not hold back and spoke first: “Adoptive Mother, I heard the maids say that Master Wen returned yesterday?”

“Yes, he returned last night,” Madam Wen replied calmly.

Seeing Madam Wen still maintaining that composure, Ning Nuo, though unable to fathom her intentions, believed that since she held leverage over Madam Wen, she had nothing to fear. A sardonic smile touched her lips as she dropped the pretense. “Oh? Is Master Wen currently in the Cai Die Xuan? As it happens, I need to purchase some things from the shops there. I might as well go and pay my respects; I haven’t seen Master Wen since he returned.”

Madam Wen instantly recognized the threat in Ning Nuo’s words, but she remained unruffled, smiling as she replied, “It is proper for you to pay your respects, but the Master dislikes attending to private matters while he is at the shops. You should wait until he returns this evening.”

Ning Nuo’s heart fluttered with a sudden panic. Observing the change in Madam Wen’s expression—so different from when she had been threatened before—she wondered if Madam Wen had hatched some new scheme. A hint of disquiet crossed Ning Nuo’s face as she looked at Madam Wen.

Madam Wen noticed Ning Nuo’s agitation and inwardly chuckled. No matter how formidable you think you are, you are merely a young girl. I have lived decades longer than you; you are too inexperienced for my games.

Still, she had failed to keep the promise she made, so she needed to soothe her properly. Madam Wen rose from the seat of honor and walked over to the chair beside Ning Nuo, taking Ning Nuo’s hand gently. She spoke in a soft voice, “Silly girl, your Adoptive Mother was just teasing you. Master returned yesterday and has already settled the matter concerning you and Ning Chen. Preparations for the household will begin in the next couple of days.”

Upon hearing this, the displeasure in Ning Nuo’s heart vanished instantly, replaced by elation. “Adoptive Mother, are you serious? Master Wen really agreed to the matter concerning Ning Chen and me?”

Madam Wen nodded. “Would your Adoptive Mother lie to you? I will go speak with the Old Madam this afternoon to discuss which date would be auspicious soon, and we will set a day for your wedding.”

“Soon? Adoptive Mother, won’t that be too rushed? My parents don’t know yet, and the dowry hasn’t been arranged. These things cannot be settled in such a short time,” Ning Nuo asked with a trace of confusion.

At this point, the matter could no longer be concealed. Madam Wen decided to speak plainly. “Ning Nuo, those matters are not urgent. It’s fine if they are handled slowly after you are married. Yesterday, the Master’s decision was that you cannot be Ning Chen’s principal wife; if you are to marry in, it can only be as a concubine.”

“A concubine? Adoptive Mother, you promised me the position of the principal wife. Later, you conceded the rank of co-wife. At the time, I grudgingly agreed, thinking you had treated me well recently, but now you tell me I must be a concubine. Do you expect me to agree to that?” As Madam Wen finished speaking, the happiness drained from Ning Nuo’s face, replaced by an icy expression.

“Ning Nuo, I know that being a concubine is truly unfair to you, but this is the Master’s command, and I have no other recourse. Even this arrangement was only achieved after Ning Chen and I pleaded your case extensively in front of the entire household yesterday. Chen’er is still kneeling in the ancestral hall, and only then did the Master relent and permit the position of a concubine. Ning Nuo, your Adoptive Mother truly did her utmost. I hope you will not make things difficult for me anymore.” Madam Wen looked at Ning Nuo, feigning exhaustion.