Chapter 42: Duke Feng’s Family Invites
The next day, after Gong Xu left, Zhang Ma brought Granny Gao and He Hua over to Rui Xiang Residence.
“Madam heard that Concubine Song is pregnant and worried that there wouldn’t be enough servants, so she sent me to bring these two over. Will they still be working in this courtyard?” Zhang Ma stood in the garden, not entering the room.
Her voice was loud, and Song Shi could hear her clearly from inside the room.
As expected, Granny Yang immediately came out, smiling falsely and declining, “That won’t do. Madam cannot be without someone to serve her!”
“You don’t need to worry about that,” Zhang Ma said. “This is Madam’s intention, so please don’t refuse.”
Granny Yang had long been resentful of Zhang Ma, and with Concubine Song’s pregnancy, she felt her position was stronger. She hummed and said, “That’s true, our Little Madam is a noble lady now. Master has repeatedly instructed everyone below to serve her well. For a woman, the most important thing is to have descendants for her husband’s family; that’s what’s called having good fortune! The mansion will soon have more joy.
I told them to be careful, not to be tactless or break the rules. If you serve well, everyone will benefit! If anything goes wrong, do you think Master will let anyone off?!”
Zhang Ma was not one to be outdone with words. She immediately rolled her dead fish eyes, pouted her toad lips, and jabbed her thick fingers at Granny Yang’s face: “You can say that to others, but you can’t say it in front of Madam’s people. Bearing children is her duty, so why flaunt it like it’s some golden treasure?
Even if you buy a sow or a hen, they are only considered to have repaid their master’s kindness if they can give birth and raise offspring.
I think you’re senile and talking nonsense that deserves a slap. Anyone who didn’t know would think Concubine Song is putting on airs, acting as if she’s captured a great enemy or rebel by being pregnant, who knows what she’s up to. Even if I know you’re just talking nonsense, you shouldn’t jinx the unborn child’s fortune!”
Granny Yang was thoroughly scolded by Zhang Ma’s airtight words. Just as she was about to retort, Song Shi called out from the window.
“Granny Yang, Madam kindly sent Granny Zhang with people, how can you offend her? Hurry and apologize.”
Firstly, Song Shi had spoken, and secondly, Granny Yang pondered that she really couldn’t win an argument with Zhang Ma. Helplessly, she mumbled, “I was momentarily foolish, Elder Sister, please don’t take offense!”
Zhang Ma snorted coldly, ignored her, and turned to leave.
Granny Yang went inside to complain to Song Shi, who said, “Knowing her temper, why did you provoke her? I just want peace now, everyone be quiet!”
Hearing her say this, Granny Yang dared not speak further.
As Zhang Ma walked back, a young servant boy who had just come of age entered with a calling card. He hurried forward a few steps and said, “Granny Zhang, someone from Duke Feng’s Family has sent a calling card for Madam. Please take it in!”
“I know. Have the Feng family left?” Zhang Ma asked as she took the calling card.
“They are still waiting at the entrance,” the servant boy said as he walked back. “They repeatedly instructed me to give the calling card to Madam and said they are waiting for a reply.”
Zhang Ma returned to Lingyue Pavilion and handed the calling card to Wen Mingqian. “The Feng family is inviting Miss to visit. Should we send a reply?”
“To show sincerity, let’s send one,” Wen Mingqian said, then picked up her brush and replied, stating she would definitely go tomorrow.
The card stated that Wen Mingqian and her son Gong Changan were both invited to Duke Feng’s Family, and that they would send a horse carriage to pick them up.
“The Feng family is truly thoughtful,” Zhang Ma said. “It’s a pity their Young Heir has such an illness.”
“Tell Changan to prepare himself,” Wen Mingqian said. “He gets along well with the Feng family’s child. If this can be an opportunity to help him change his illness, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Feng Tianzhu was clearly spoiled. Such a temperament, even if he didn’t have an episode, would be a disaster in the long run.
It’s just that the Feng family has too many concerns, only thinking of preserving the child’s life and neglecting everything else.
“I just came around from the west and heard that the Old Madam is about to return home,” Zhang Ma, who always kept her eyes and ears open, said. “That surnamed Song has been waiting for the Old Madam to return! She wants to use her to drive us out.”
“It’s good that we know what’s in our hearts,” Wen Mingqian said as she made incense, Mixing Huicao leaves and Lingbaiinto a sachet. “Since we have returned, even the Old Madam cannot drive us out without reason. Everything needs a pretext, and this time we must seize the initiative.”
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day, and the Feng family had sent a carriage early.
Wen Mingqian got into the carriage with her son, leaving Zhang Ma to guard the house.
The Feng family’s reception was indeed warm. Their Little Madam, Wu Shi, had been waiting at the second gate early. As soon as Wen Mingqian and her son arrived, she took Wen Mingqian’s hand and led her inside.
Feng Tianzhu also ran out from inside, grabbing Gong Changan and saying, “Good brother, I’ve missed you so much! You don’t know how many times I’ve argued with Master and Madam these past few days, and I finally got them to write a post to invite you.”
“Actually, it’s because our Madam’s niece got engaged recently, and we didn’t have time,” Wu Shi explained with a smile. “Otherwise, we would have invited you long ago.”
They went to the main house and met Madam Feng.
Madam Feng was nearly sixty years old. She was very fond of Gong Changan and said, “This child is indeed good. No wonder Tianzhu always talks about him.”
Feng Tianzhu could not wait any longer and immediately pulled Gong Changan to his courtyard to play.
Madam Feng then said, “Make sure the servants follow closely and don’t mistreat the young guest.”
After the two children left, Wen Mingqian chatted with Madam Feng and Wu Shi.
Wu Shi praised Wen Mingqian profusely but never mentioned Song Shi. Madam Feng, however, asked, “How is your Little Madam? I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
Wen Mingqian replied, “She’s pregnant and feeling lazy, so she doesn’t go out much.”
“Oh, I see. That’s truly good news,” Madam Feng said. She envied families with new additions the most, as the Feng family’s population was too sparse.
Wu Shi said coldly from the side, “She’s quite capable of giving birth.”
Her resentment towards Song Shi had not diminished in the slightest, but she couldn’t openly express it.
Madam Feng then said, “We’ve invited the Second Madam and the Fourth Young Master today, and we have a small request.”
“Please speak, Madam,” Wen Mingqian replied with a smile.
“Tianzhu has no brothers and is quite lonely and pitiful. Although he has relatives with children of similar age, he can’t get along with anyone.
Ever since he visited your mansion that day and met your Fourth Young Master, he has been talking about him every day. It’s clear they are very compatible, and he has repeatedly asked to become sworn brothers with your Fourth Young Master. We thought this would be a good thing.
Therefore, we wanted to ask for your Fourth Young Master’s birth date to have a master look and see if it’s suitable?”
“What’s there to refuse?” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “My Changan also misses the Young Heir dearly. It’s just that he hasn’t seen much of the world since he was young, so please don’t mind.”
