Chapter 33: Competing for a Wife with Third Uncle

At the Wen residence

Little Wen Yu woke up early that morning. His mother had promised him the day before that she would take him to visit the “beautiful sister,” who lived in the General’s mansion. His mother had explained that the beautiful sister’s father was the General, so that was where she lived.

When Little Wen Yu went to his mother’s courtyard, the nanny told him his mother was still asleep and suggested he wait for a while, but Little Wenyu refused. He asked the nanny to wake his mother up, then went straight to Third Uncle’s courtyard.

When he reached Wen Jing’s courtyard, Wen Jing had just woken up. Seeing his little nephew who had come so early, Wen Jing immediately noticed the little boy’s intentions and decided to tease him.

“Yu Er, why are you up so early today, and dressed so nicely?” Wen Jing asked with a smile.

“Because I’m going to visit the beautiful sister today, of course I had to get up early. Otherwise, she’d be sad if I kept her waiting. Third Uncle, you promised to go with me, so hurry up and get ready!” Little Wenyu looked at his Third Uncle, who was still getting ready, and felt a bit anxious. He wondered why neither his mother nor Third Uncle seemed in a hurry.

“Third Uncle’s already up. Go have breakfast and wait for me. Once Auntie finishes getting ready, we can leave,” Wen Jing replied, trying to suppress a laugh at how impatient Little Wen Yu was.

“Yu Er, let’s eat breakfast together. Also, Third Uncle, do you think my clothes look good? Do you think they make me look cuter?” Little Wenyu asked, still uncertain about his outfit.

He knew his Third Uncle had a good sense of style and was worried that the beautiful sister might not like his clothes, so he asked again for reassurance.

“Yu Er is the best-looking boy, no matter what he wears. Didn’t you and Auntie pick these clothes yesterday afternoon? Why worry about it now?” Wen Jing said, trying to ease his nephew’s concerns.

“I’m not worried!” Little Wen Yu felt a little embarrassed.

“Then, do you think my clothes look good? Will the beautiful sister like them?” Wen Jing, who usually didn’t care about clothes, couldn’t help but ask the question himself.

Little Wen Yu looked at his Third Uncle, seriously examined his attire, and then decisively said, “This outfit is too plain. The beautiful sister won’t like it.”

Wen Jing was momentarily stunned. He had impulsively asked his little nephew to help him pick out his clothes, but he hadn’t expected such a straightforward opinion from him.

However, curiosity took hold, and Wen Jing couldn’t help but ask, “Yu Er, how can you tell the beautiful sister wouldn’t like this outfit?”

“Because of the color. The beautiful sister likes bright colors. Two days ago, when we were on the mountain, she said the brightly-colored flowers looked good. So, I think she wouldn’t like this color,” Little Wen Yu explained confidently.

His reasoning made sense, and Wen Jing found himself starting to question his outfit. When the servants were about to button up his shirt, he suddenly changed his mind. “Go bring me the moon cloud brocade robe, I’ll wear that instead.”

The servant was momentarily stunned but quickly complied and fetched the new clothes.

When Wen Jing changed into the moon cloud brocade robe, Little Wen Yu’s eyes lit up. “Third Uncle, you look so much better in this! The beautiful sister will definitely like it.”

Since he was constantly praised, Wen Jing wasn’t easily impressed by compliments, but today, hearing his little nephew’s praise and thinking of the beautiful sister’s approval made him the happiest he had ever been.

Thinking of Mu Rong Shu, Wen Jing felt his heart warm. He was filled with excitement for their visit to the General’s mansion. Just being closer to her made him feel less afraid and uncertain.

After breakfast, the steward came to inform them that they could leave. Little Wen Yu was overjoyed.

The Wen family had three carriages: one with Wen Jing, Second Brother Wen Ye, and Little Wen Yu, another with Madam Wen and Second Madam, and the last one carrying the gift for Mu Rong Shu.

Whether it was for Mu Rong Shu treating Second Madam, helping at the Hui Shan Temple, or breaking the Wen family’s curse, they had to give a thank-you gift. If not for fearing that it might scare Mu Rong Shu, the Wen family might have emptied their treasury for the gift.

When they arrived at the General’s mansion, they ran into the Liu family. The General’s mansion had already sent people to wait at the entrance. After greetings with Madam Wen, Second Madam, and Madam Liu, the group proceeded toward the main courtyard.

“Beautiful sister, you and Yu Er arrived just as early as we did!” Little Wen Yu, who was more familiar with Liu Ru Yan, immediately ran over to greet her, holding her hand.

“It’s not that early. We’re the last ones to arrive, your sister Song and the others have already been here for a while,” Liu Ru Yan teased.

“Big Sister is lying! Yu Er woke up really early today, so I definitely didn’t arrive later than Sister Song,” Little Wen Yu said, making everyone laugh.

As they were chatting happily, Xiao Tao hurried over and, after greeting everyone, said, “Miss said, if Miss Liu has arrived, you can go to Gui Ning Courtyard to help Third Master. The Eldest Master, Second Master, and the young masters are already there.”

When Madam Wen heard this, she immediately understood and said to Wen Ye, “Second Brother, take Third Brother and Yu Er to find General Mu and the others. I’ll go with Second Madam and Madam Liu to speak with Mrs. Mu.”

“Understood, Big Sister-in-law. I’ll take good care of Third Brother and Yu Er,” Wen Ye replied. His usual carefree attitude only showed when dealing with Mu Si, he was typically quite responsible.

“Rest assured, Big Sister-in-law. I’ll look after Yu Er,” Liu Ru Yan assured her.

“Don’t worry, Mother. Yu Er will be good,” Little Wen Yu chimed in confidently.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I won’t cause any trouble,” Liu Ru Yan, thinking her mother was worried about her, quickly reassured her.

Madam Liu couldn’t help but laugh. Her silly daughter, she thought. What she had meant to say was that Ru Yan should help Mu Rong Shu more, but she gave up. Let her daughter do as she pleased.

The children, not understanding the adults’ concerns, became excited when they heard they could go see the “beautiful sister.” Little Wen Yu eagerly urged, “Liu Sister, let’s go quickly!”

“Alright, alright. Do you want me to carry you?” Liu Ru Yan asked, worried the little boy might tire.

“No need, Liu Sister. Yu Er can walk fast! But do you know the way? Don’t take the wrong route!” Little Wen Yu was afraid Liu Ru Yan might get lost and delay his meeting with the beautiful sister.

“Of course I know the way. I come here often!” Liu Ru Yan replied, teasing Little Wen Yu.

“This isn’t Liu Sister’s house. Why can you come every day? Third Uncle, I want to come here every day too!” Little Wen Yu reasoned, looking expectantly at his Third Uncle.

“Yu Er, this is your Rong Sister’s home. You should ask her,” Wen Jing cleared his throat, trying to cover his embarrassment.

“Father said once you’re married, you can live together every day. So when I grow up and marry Rong Sister, I’ll be able to see her every day,” Little Wen Yu innocently declared.

His words left everyone speechless. Wen Ye almost tripped over himself, his mind screaming, “Kid, your second uncle admires your courage, but if everything goes as planned, that’ll be your third aunt you’re competing for! Are you trying to get yourself into trouble?”