Chapter 103: Something Goes Wrong
The summer heat had arrived, and the academy had also closed for vacation.
Gong Changan spent his days at home, getting into mischief with Gong Bao’an, which prompted Wen Mingqian to scold him, “Don’t you want to enter the Imperial Academy sooner? You’re just causing trouble every day, how can this be acceptable?”
Gong Changan chuckled and said, “Mother, don’t worry, I won’t neglect my studies. It’s just that I feel Bao’an is too pitiful, and I’m playing with him to make him less sad.”
“You can’t just play all the time, and besides, it’s hot now. He’s still young, be careful not to let him suffer from heatstroke,” Wen Mingqian said.
“I know. Didn’t someone from the Feng family come yesterday saying they wanted me to visit them today?” Gong Changan replied. “I expect my sworn brother will ask me to stay for a few more days, so I won’t take Bao’an with me.”
“It’s good that you’re not taking him. The Young Duke of the Feng Family has a bad temper; it’s best not to cause any unpleasantness,” Wen Mingqian thought that since she wasn’t Gong Bao’an’s biological mother, it wouldn’t be good if he caused trouble at someone else’s home.
If nothing else, Feng Tianzhu’s wife deeply resented Consort Song. If she were to take her anger out on Gong Bao’an because of this, it would be better not to let him go.
“Miss, aren’t you going out today?” Zhang Ma walked in and asked. “Didn’t the Marchioness Changrong ask you to go boating together?”
“I remember. I’ll be going out shortly,” Wen Mingqian said. “I also need to find a way for her to introduce me to the Grand Princess.”
“The Grand Princess has a peculiar temperament, and the number of people who can enter her residence has become very few over the years,” Zhang Ma clicked her tongue and shook her head. “It’s truly difficult to get an audience with her.”
“Who says it isn’t! Fortunately, the Marchioness Changrong is adept at social graces and can get along with anyone,” Wen Mingqian said. “As long as there’s a sliver of hope, we can’t give up.”
“In the current Da Qi, the Grand Tutor is always held in high regard. The Dong family is truly exceptionally powerful!” Zhang Ma said. “These past few days, the street has been abuzz with news that the Emperor has again bestowed ten thousand guan of cosmetic funds upon each of the Empress’s two younger sisters. What a generous reward!”
“The Dong family’s influence is too great; even the Emperor cannot help but be wary. After all, Grand Tutor Dong has twice enthroned and twice deposed emperors, surpassing even Huo Guang of the Han Dynasty,” Wen Mingqian took out a pair of red coral earrings and put them on.
In the mirror, her eyes were clear and cold, remaining so even with the red on either side.
“Have Sang Er accompany Miss!” Zhang Ma said. “This girl is also restless at home.”
“It’s fine for her to go with me, but I still need to arrange for two people to accompany Changan when he goes out,” Wen Mingqian said.
“I think bringing one attendant is enough,” Gong Changan quickly said. “The Feng family has servants, why bring so many?”
“As you wish,” Wen Mingqian did not stop him. “Zhang Ma is old, and the weather is hot; don’t trouble yourself further. Besides, he visits the Feng family often, it’s not like other households.”
After everything was arranged, Wen Mingqian finally left.
As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw Ma Ping’an walking over with an old woman.
Wen Mingqian had no choice but to stop and ask him, “Is there something you need from me?”
Ma Ping’an, with a face full of smiles, said, “Master sent someone to deliver something to Madam.”
The old woman who followed Ma Ping’an also stepped forward obsequiously and said, “Master saw someone selling water chestnut cake on the street and bought some to send back. He remembered Madam likes this, and it’s still warm!”
Wen Mingqian glanced at the water chestnut cake wrapped in fresh lotus leaves. She remembered that the first time Gong Xu bought her dim sum, it was this.
At that time, they were newly married and went to admire flowers on Chunfeng Bridge. There happened to be someone selling this at the bridgehead.
Originally, Wen Mingqian did like water chestnut cake very much; her mother’s most skilled dim sum was this. Perhaps it was for this reason that Wen Mingqian had a particular fondness for water chestnut cake.
However, no matter how much she liked something, if Gong Xu bought it, she lost her appetite.
“I’m not hungry, and I’m in a hurry to go out. It would be a waste to leave this here, so share it among yourselves!” Wen Mingqian said, and then left.
The old woman held the cake, not knowing what to say. Ma Ping’an saw Zhang Ma and said, “Give this to Zhang Ma, and let the people in Madam’s courtyard share it.”
Unexpectedly, Zhang Ma refused to accept it after learning its origin, saying only, “Take it and eat it quickly! No one in this courtyard wants it.”
Not long after Wen Mingqian left, a servant from the second gate delivered a message: “The Feng family’s carriage has arrived to pick up the Fourth Young Master.”
Gong Changan had already finished getting ready and rushed out like lightning. Zhang Ma couldn’t catch up from behind.
“My little ancestor, slow down! Be careful you don’t fall and break your teeth,” Zhang Ma shouted from behind.
“Zhang Ma,” Gong Bao’an tugged at Zhang Ma’s collar from behind. “Fourth Brother has left, will you play with me?”
“What can I play with you?!” Zhang Ma said irritably. “Go away! Do you really think I care about you?!”
She was already fierce-looking, and with that tone, Gong Bao’an was so scared he trembled and ran away.
Although Zhang Ma didn’t like him, she had to consider Wen Mingqian’s feelings, so she instructed Mei Er, “Follow him carefully, and don’t let him get hurt.”
At this moment, someone from the Old Madam’s side arrived and told Zhang Ma that the Old Madam had not been eating well these days and asked her to find a way to stew some nourishing soup for her.
Zhang Ma then began to make arrangements, busy for about an hour.
Ma Ping’an suddenly rushed back in a panic.
“Zhang Ma, has the Fourth Young Master left?” Ma Ping’an panted, running.
“Didn’t he leave? He took the Feng family’s carriage,” Zhang Ma stopped her work. “Why are you asking?”
“Something’s not right!” Ma Ping’an said. “The Feng family’s carriage is still waiting outside the gate!”
“What did you say?!” Zhang Ma’s eyes widened. “Then whose carriage was it before?”
Without waiting for Ma Ping’an’s reply, she ran towards the gate, taking two steps at a time.
Ma Ping’an, a strong young man, couldn’t outrun her.
The Feng family’s carriage was indeed parked outside the gate, and Zhang Ma recognized the coachman; he was indeed from the Feng family.
“It’s Zhang Ma!” the coachman said with a smile and bowed. “I was ordered by Madam to pick up your Fourth Young Master. A message was delivered to your mansion yesterday.”
“Our Fourth Young Master has already been picked up by you!” Ma Ping’an said. “Did your household get confused? Did you send two groups of people?”
“That won’t happen. I was the one who delivered the message yesterday. Madam entrusted this matter solely to me, precisely to avoid any mistakes,” the coachman said with a friendly smile.
“Old Huang, you were there when the Fourth Young Master got into the carriage, tell them!” Ma Ping’an called to the servant in the gatehouse.
“I was there! It should have been Duke Feng’s carriage, and the coachman looked familiar. He also told me he was from Duke Feng’s household, which is why I sent someone to inform you,” Old Huang’s tone was extremely certain.
