Chapter 3: Old Acquaintance Returns
Wen Mingqian sat in the carriage, the curtains drawn.
She could hear waves of guests arriving outside, some voices unchanged even after many years.
“Mother, I dreamt of Hui Niang again last night.” Her son, Gong Changan, leaned over and rested his head on Wen Mingqian’s shoulder, speaking in a low voice.
“A Hui always wanted to return to the Capital City, but sadly, she couldn’t wait any longer.” Wen Mingqian squeezed her son’s hand. “However, she would surely be happy to know we’ve returned.”
A Hui was Wen Mingqian’s dowry maidservant, who had served her closely since childhood.
Later, when Wen Mingqian went to Shuangxi, she accompanied her. It was a pity that last year she contracted a seasonal illness and fell gravely ill, passing away at a young age.
“Mother, will we be meeting many people later?” Gong Changan asked again.
“Yes, we will be meeting many people. Are you afraid?” Wen Mingqian asked her son softly.
Gong Changan shook his little head. “We’re barefoot, why should we be afraid of those who wear shoes? Besides, there’s Zhang Ma; she alone can fight a million.”
Zhang Ma was the old woman driving the carriage outside, and their only servant.
Wen Mingqian smiled and stroked her son’s cheek. The faint sound of footsteps made her expression shift slightly, and she then smiled, “It’s Concubine Song.”
She had lived with Consort Song for nearly two years. At that time, Consort Song had shown great respect to her as the Matriarch, attending to her daily for a long time.
Wen Mingqian at that time was quite proud and had never taken this concubine seriously, accepting her solicitous attentions as a matter of course, and had never made things difficult for her.
Yet, she never expected to fall into her hands later.
Consort Song had already seen the dilapidated carriage and the rough, clumsy Zhang Ma, as well as the crowds gathered at the street corner to watch.
Suppressing her disdain, she walked up and said softly, “I didn’t know Madam was returning, and I have been remiss in my duties. Please forgive me.”
“Concubine Song, there’s no need for such formalities. We are family, so there’s no need for such politeness.” Wen Mingqian alighted from the carriage with the help of Zhang Ma.
She wore a moon-white dress with a dark gauze cloak over it, her black hair tied up with a wooden hairpin. There were no superfluous decorations on her person, truly a picture of pure cultivation.
When Consort Song’s gaze met hers, she felt a chill run through her.
Seven years had passed, and Wen Mingqian’s appearance had not changed much. She was only a little thinner than before, but her complexion was excellent, showing no signs of hardship or bitterness.
However, her eyes had completely changed. They were no longer the clear and bright eyes of the past, nor did they hold their former arrogance and aloofness. They were more like an ancient well under the moonlight, deep and still, unfathomable.
And in Wen Mingqian’s eyes, Concubine Song had become much more plump. Her attire was luxurious and elegant, and her every movement was more dignified and proper. Anyone unfamiliar would have mistaken her for the Matriarch.
At this moment, Granny Yang said with a fawning smile, “Madam’s return was sudden, and the household was unaware. Otherwise, we would not have been so remiss; we would have at least gone out of the city to welcome you.”
Zhang Ma immediately retorted, “What nonsense is that? What do you mean Madam’s return was sudden? Shouldn’t you say Madam should have returned long ago? Madam hasn’t found fault with you, yet you, old hag, are showing off your tongue!”
Granny Yang was stunned by her scolding. Servants in noble households considered throwing tantrums shameful and were skilled at veiled insults and speaking with hidden meanings.
When confronted with such unrestrained behavior, they were at a loss for how to respond.
Steward Chen gave her a look, signaling her to shut up. Zhang Ma, that old shrew, didn’t care about the occasion or her reputation. She just shouted and cursed loudly, truly lacking any rules.
Such a person was like dog excrement; it was best to avoid her and never step on her.
“Zhang Ma, control your temper. We have guests at the mansion today, don’t let people laugh at us.” Wen Mingqian said to Zhang Ma, but her tone held no blame, purely a perfunctory remark.
Zhang Ma responded smoothly and then lifted Gong Changan down from the carriage.
In the sunlight, everyone could finally see that the child was truly well-behaved and lovable.
Even though his attire was unremarkable, people couldn’t help but look at him twice.
“Changan, this is Concubine Song.” Wen Mingqian said to her son. “While we were away from the Capital City, it was thanks to her serving Master.”
“Concubine, you’ve worked hard.” Gong Changan looked at Consort Song with his innocent bright eyes, his smile sweet.
Looking at his face, Consort Song had a moment of daze.
At that time, Wen Mingqian was already seven months pregnant. The Old Madam and the Eldest and Second Masters had already decided that she would return to her hometown after giving birth.
However, Wen Mingqian was unusually stubborn, insisting on leaving immediately or going to court to have the matter handled by officials. This was because she refused to admit to the crime of poisoning the son born to a concubine.
But Gong Xu had already decided she was the murderer, and the Gong Family would in no way escalate the matter. Therefore, they had no choice but to agree, allowing her to depart with her seven-month pregnancy.
Concubine Song believed that Wen Mingqian would surely have a premature birth due to the nearly three thousand li of bumpy travel.
With inadequate medical care on the road, it was possible she might lose both mother and child.
Even if the child miraculously survived, how could they raise him in Shuangxi, a place of bitter cold?
She never expected that although Wen Mingqian had a premature birth and endured hardships, she still managed to raise the child so well. This truly made her resentful.
“Little Madam, all the guests have arrived.” The butler reminded her. “Let’s go inside quickly!”
The remark reminded Concubine Song. She quickly put on a dignified, gentle smile and said, “Madam, Fourth Young Master, please come back to the mansion! Master is attending to official business at the Yamen and will not return until evening.”
As she spoke, she extended her hand, attempting to help Wen Mingqian.
Wen Mingqian’s expression remained unchanged. She naturally extended her hand, gently grasped it, and returned a smile. “Thank you for managing the household affairs and assisting Master these past years.”
“I truly have no merit to speak of, but to receive Madam’s praise today makes me feel greatly honored.” Consort Song also naturally responded.
Upon entering, Consort Song asked again, “Where would Madam like to stay? By rights, it should be the Main House, but Master has converted half of it into a study room, making the bedroom rather cramped. Therefore, I wish to seek Madam’s instructions.”
“In that case, please prepare Lingyue Pavilion. Before this, except for the winter months when I stayed in the Main House, I resided there. Moreover, as the weather is gradually warming up, staying there would be most suitable.” Wen Mingqian answered casually, but those present who knew the truth couldn’t help but feel a chill.
Lingyue Pavilion had been unoccupied for years, with only the night watchmen occasionally staying there.
This was because seven years ago, Wen Mingqian’s dowry maidservant, A Shou, had hanged herself there.
She was Wen Mingqian’s confidante and had accompanied her as a dowry along with A Hui.
Consort Song’s son, Gong Kang’an, had been poisoned to death on his first birthday.
Someone accused A Shou of giving him a Rose Cake. The cake was not finished, and the leftovers were thrown to a dog, which also died shortly after eating it.
It was clear the cake contained a potent poison.
When everyone searched for A Shou, they found she had hanged herself in her own bedroom.
It was obvious she had committed suicide out of guilt.
Everyone then understood that Wen Mingqian, as the Matriarch, both resented Consort Song’s favor and was jealous that she had given birth to the eldest son.
Therefore, she had ordered her trusted maidservant to administer poison and kill the son born to a concubine.
A Shou dared not disobey her mistress and could only comply. But after committing murder, she was inevitably filled with fear and guilt, and chose to end her life.
