Chapter 57: Unwilling
Old Madam Gong listened to Wen Mingqian’s words and quickly said, “That is natural, that is natural. Don’t worry, who would want to give up their own child?
Our Gong Family has not fallen to the point of selling children. A good child should naturally be sent to study and take the imperial examinations to bring glory to the family.”
“Sister-in-law, you have rendered a great service to our family this time. When Second Master returns, I will definitely make him abandon all past grievances with you,” Gong Rang said with great joy. “He should understand your painstaking efforts.”
“Thank you, First Master. I dare not hope for that. As long as my master can return safely, it will be my wish fulfilled,” Wen Mingqian said, lowering her eyebrows.
Gong Rang listened and sighed softly, nodding without saying anything further.
He knew that the rift between Wen Mingqian and Gong Xu was too deep, and seven years had passed in between, only making them more distant and indifferent.
Wen Mingqian returned to Lingyue Pavilion.
Consort Song, however, peeked her head over towards the Main House. She did not dare to see Old Madam Gong directly, so she first came to gauge Wei Shi’s reaction.
“I wonder what wonderful method our Madam has devised?” Consort Song said with a smile.
“Didn’t you go ask Sister-in-law?” Wei Shi asked with a smile. She had always been gentle with people and had gotten along very well with Consort Song over the years.
“I didn’t dare to bother her,” Consort Song put on a timid appearance. “A few days ago, I was too anxious and already displeased Madam.”
“It’s right for you to think that way,” Wei Shi said. “Running a household is all about harmony, especially in our inner chambers. With Second Master still in the Ministry of Justice, we must not be noisy and disorderly.”
“First Madam, you are right to admonish me,” Consort Song said with a look of shame. “I also know that I was wrong.”
“You were just worried and flustered. I believe Mingqian will understand,” Wei Shi said with a smile and a nod. “However, Mingqian also said earlier that she has already handled the matter, and Lord Zhu has agreed. We just need to wait for Second Master to return. The details cannot be disclosed, and this is for the greater good.”
Consort Song was naturally displeased upon hearing this. She did not believe that Wen Mingqian could truly persuade Zhu Hui.
Even if Zhu Hui agreed, she truly wanted to know what underhanded methods Wen Mingqian had used.
But she could not show these thoughts to Wei Shi, otherwise, she would appear too petty.
So she put on a look of overjoyed surprise and said, “Really?! Madam truly has a way!”
“Yes! Mingqian has really put in a lot of effort this time,” Wei Shi then said. “Concubine Song, I am not advising you to forget past grievances, but now that Mingqian and her child have returned, you should still find a way to live together harmoniously.”
“First Madam, please rest assured. As long as Madam does not trouble me and allows us mother and child a place, I will still be as law-abiding as before,” Concubine Song’s heart was bleeding with hatred, but on the surface, she maintained her gentle and virtuous demeanor.
“That’s good. You should go back and rest! I see your complexion has improved slightly these past few days, so you must be careful. Once the first three months pass, things will get better,” Wei Shi said. “I also need to go to Old Madam’s room. Old Madam will need some dim sum in the morning and evening.”
Consort Song then got up to take her leave. As she walked towards the west, she happened to meet Gong Changan.
She knew that Wen Mingqian had brought Gong Changan with her when she went to see Zhu Hui. Thinking that she couldn’t get information from others, she might be able to trick the child, Gong Changan, into revealing something.
So she put on a kind expression and said, “Fourth Young Master, aren’t you studying right now? Why are you here playing by yourself?”
“It’s Concubine Song! My mother is resting in the room, and I came over here to play because I was afraid of disturbing her,” Gong Changan said with great composure.
“Bao’an has been feeling unwell these past two days and took leave from school. He’s been staying at home! He’s been saying he wants to play with you. If you have some free time now, why don’t you go see him?” Consort Song originally did not want her son to play with Gong Changan, but now, in order to trick Gong Changan into talking, she couldn’t afford to be so particular.
“I haven’t seen Bao’an in quite some time. I heard he wasn’t feeling well, but Mother said that you also needed to rest these days, so I didn’t come to disturb you for now,” Gong Changan said.
“Then let’s go together! I just had the kitchen make a few kinds of dim sum that children like. My brother sent over some novel playthings a few days ago. Bao’an is young and doesn’t understand them very well. Why don’t you go take a look? If you know how to play with them, they’re all yours!” Consort Song, this smiling fox, thought that children were only interested in food and play, and that enticing Gong Changan with these two things would be irresistible.
Gong Changan, however, sneered inwardly. He had long seen through Consort Song’s intentions. What kind of dim sum had he not eaten? With Zhang Ma’s skilled hands, no dish or dim sum from all over the country was not made authentically.
As for those playthings, no matter how novel, what could they be? He was no longer qualified to be a child.
However, he still appeared very interested and said, “Then thank you, Concubine.”
He followed Consort Song to Rui Xiang Residence, and Gong Bao’an was overjoyed to see him.
“Fourth Brother, why are you here? I was thinking of coming to find you in a few days.” Gong Bao’an had repeatedly expressed his desire to find Gong Changan to Consort Song, but Consort Song had stopped him with various excuses.
“I ran into Concubine outside and followed her here. How are you feeling now? Are you still taking medicine?” Gong Changan stepped forward and asked him.
“That medicine is really hard to swallow, it’s so bitter. After one sip, my mouth tastes bitter all day,” Gong Bao’an complained. “I’ve really had enough.”
As they spoke, Consort Song had already ordered the maids to bring out dim sum and fruits.
“You two young brothers can eat dim sum and talk,” Consort Song said with a smile. “Fourth Young Master, I heard that Lord Zhu has a face as black as iron. Did you see him today?”
“I did. It’s not like that,” Gong Changan smiled. “He’s just a thin old man. His official robes are a bit torn, and his boots even have patches!”
“Oh my! That’s no way for an official to look!” Consort Song covered her mouth. “Doesn’t he have a salary? Even if he’s extremely incorruptible, he shouldn’t be wearing ragged clothes, should he?”
“Does Concubine not know? Lord Zhu’s usual salary is used to help the poor,” Gong Changan said. “He is truly a good official.”
“Yes, yes, yes, I misspoke,” Consort Song casually changed her tune. “To be able to persuade Lord Zhu, Fourth Young Master, you must have put in a lot of effort too, right?”
Unexpectedly, after she asked this question, Gong Changan just smiled, said nothing, and turned to continue playing with Gong Bao’an.
Consort Song was naturally unwilling to give up and asked a few more probing questions.
Gong Changan, however, simply did not engage, making her anxious and furious.
“Little Madam, Aunt-in-law is here,” Granny Yang announced.
“Tell Sister-in-law to wait for me in the small study at the front. I’ll be there shortly,” Consort Song did not want her conversation with her sister-in-law to be overheard by Gong Changan, nor did she want to drive Gong Changan away. She thought she might find another opportunity to trick him later.
