Chapter 77: Arousing Suspicion
After the ritual was completed, Consort Song’s spirits visibly improved.
Every day, she dressed neatly and came to pay respects to Old Madam Gong.
The Old Madam was also happy to see that she was no longer so sickly, and couldn’t help but comfort her a few words: “I see your complexion has improved a lot. The weather is hot now, so you must take good care of yourself.
The date for the Second Master to take a concubine has been set, but May is an inauspicious month, so it will be held on the second day of next month. In total, it’s just over half a month. When your pregnancy is safely delivered, it will be a double celebration.”
“Yes, it is a joy for the Master to take a concubine, and it is also a joy for this pregnancy to be safely delivered. It’s just that it’s been hard work for Madam to manage everything.” Consort Song showed no displeasure and instead felt somewhat apologetic towards Wen Mingqian.
Old Madam Gong said, “Indeed! You’ve worked hard all these years. Now that she has returned, you should just focus on nurturing your fetus with peace of mind!”
“My only thought now is to pray day and night, hoping to give birth to this child safely. I don’t want to think about anything else.” Consort Song placed her hands on her lower abdomen, her face filled with loving affection.
“You are thinking correctly. No matter how capable that woman is, she can never compare to having more children.” Old Madam Gong was very pleased with Consort Song’s demeanor.
She did not wish to see a scene of wives and concubines fighting; everyone being well and in their proper place was better than anything.
Consort Song lowered her gaze and smiled, then said with a hint of hesitation, “This concubine wishes to ask for a reward from the Old Madam.”
“Oh? What do you want?” Old Madam Gong asked her.
“The Old Madam is a devout Buddhist. Could you bestow a string of prayer beads upon me?”
“I have plenty of those. What do you want them for? Do you also intend to chant scriptures?”
“I dare not hide it from the Old Madam. This concubine truly wishes to pray sincerely before the Buddha, to beg for Kang’an’s return, so that we may renew our mother-son bond.” Consort Song’s voice choked up towards the end, as if she could not control herself.
Everyone present felt awkward. In fact, no one in this household wished to mention Gong Kang’an’s name again.
Only Wen Mingqian picked up her words, “Indeed! That child suffered too much in his past life. If he could return, we would certainly dote on him.”
During lunch, there were not many people in the back courtyard.
At the corner gate of the Gong Family’s second branch, Sang Er looked around for a while before walking over to the gatekeeper, Granny Li, and saying, “Granny Li, please…”
As she spoke, she slipped a silk pouch into Granny Li’s hand.
“Miss is going out again?” Granny Li hastily tucked the silk pouch into her waistband, her old face creasing into a smile like a walnut.
However, Sang Er clearly did not wish to talk to her further and urged in a low voice, “Granny, please open the door quickly!”
“Alright, alright!” Granny Li said as she opened the corner gate, “Miss, please be careful.”
“I’ll be back soon. Remember to open the door for me, and absolutely do not tell anyone,” Sang Er instructed as she walked out.
“Don’t worry! Don’t worry! I won’t tell a soul,” Granny Li promised readily.
After Sang Er left, she re-bolted the door. Looking around to ensure no one was watching, she took out the silk pouch and carefully counted the copper coins inside.
Meanwhile, Sang Er, upon leaving the mansion, put on her veiled hat to cover her face. She walked quickly along the wall, turned the corner, and slipped into the alley to the north.
“Little Madam, this is what Zhao Song’s wife, who manages the woodshed in the back courtyard, told me. That Sang Er is definitely up to no good, otherwise why would she be acting so sneakily? She doesn’t lack for food or clothing in this mansion; if she wanted to buy something, she could just send a granny or maid out to do it.
Moreover, she’s been going out several times these past few days, clearly up to no good.”
Consort Song still had quite a few informants in the mansion. Although Wen Mingqian was in charge now, there were still some who were secretly resentful.
These people were originally Consort Song’s trusted confidantes. After Wen Mingqian took over the management, they lost their influence, and naturally harbored resentment.
Sang Er was Wen Mingqian’s person. When she acted unusually, Consort Song’s people noticed and naturally reported it.
“That Sang Er has a seductive aura about her, she’s just a bit young,” Consort Song’s teeth itched whenever she thought of the two maids Wen Mingqian had brought into the mansion. “She will surely cause trouble sooner or later.”
Originally, Consort Song had Gong Xu all to herself. Although her status was still that of a concubine, their interactions were like those of a married couple.
Now, seeing Yun Ying about to be elevated to the status of a concubine, with a banquet to be held and a separate courtyard assigned, it was quite a grand affair.
More importantly, she clearly felt that Gong Xu had developed a preference for the new and a weariness of the old.
Even though he still tried hard to act as considerate and caring towards her as before, some things, once changed, were changed. No amount of pretense could make them seem the same.
Consort Song appeared gentle and magnanimous, but in reality, her jealousy was extremely strong, and she could not stand to see others do well.
“That maid clearly isn’t a well-behaved one,” Granny Yang hated young and beautiful maids the most. “Who knows what illicit business she’s out doing.”
“Find someone to follow her quietly,” Consort Song was like a fly; as soon as she smelled a hint of blood, she would immediately pounce. “See what exactly she’s doing out there.”
“I’ll have my daughter-in-law keep an eye on her later,” Granny Yang said.
The weather grew hotter, and most people couldn’t bear it, stealing time for a nap.
Sang Er knocked for a long time before Granny Li finally woke up. She climbed up from the carrying stool, rubbed her eyes, and opened the door.
Sang Er was a little displeased, “Granny, you’re sleeping too soundly, aren’t you? I’ve been knocking for quite a while.”
“I’m sorry, Miss. As I’m getting older, my hearing has become poor, and my legs and feet are not as nimble,” Granny Li said with a smile. ” Hurry inside! No one is around now; everyone is sleeping!”
Sang Er said no more and hurried forward.
Wen Mingqian had just woken from her nap. Liu Er brought her tea, “Madam, have some tea to moisten your throat!”
Wen Mingqian took the tea, took a sip, and asked, “Where has that maid Sang Er gone?”
“Most likely she’s gone to play in the back garden. There’s nothing for her to do in the room anyway,” Liu Er said with a smile. “Besides, Madam is napping now, so it’s better to let her go out and play, so as not to disturb you.”
“This maid is too lazy,” Wen Mingqian put down her teacup. “Although she’s still young, she should learn some rules.”
As she was speaking, Sang Er entered the room, slightly out of breath from walking so quickly.
“Madam is awake,” Sang Er walked up to Wen Mingqian. “Do you want to wash your face?”
“If I waited for you to bring me water to wash my face, I’d probably have to wait until dark,” Wen Mingqian was clearly displeased. “I was just talking about you, why can’t I ever find you? Even though I don’t have much work to assign you, you should still have some awareness.”
“Your servant was in the back garden and lost track of time. Madam, please forgive me, I won’t do it again.” Sang Er stood there honestly admitting her mistake.
“You’re not that young anymore, and our household is very strict with rules. If this continues, even if I don’t say anything, others will laugh at you,” Wen Mingqian admonished her. “You need to have some sense of propriety; don’t just fool around all day.”
