Chapter 10: Favors and Debts Expired
This day Gong Xu returned to the mansion earlier than usual and happened to see the butler escorting people from the real estate agency out.
The people from the real estate agency quickly paid their respects upon seeing Gong Xu.
Gong Xu then asked the butler, “Are we short of people in the mansion?”
“Replying to Master, it is our mansion that is selling people,” the butler said.
“Ridiculous, our mansion has always bought people, what reason is there to sell them off?” Gong Xu said with a slight frown, “Whose idea was this?”
The people from the real estate agency, being sharper than ghosts, saw the situation and quickly left.
The butler then showed a troubled expression and said, “It’s the two maids who served Madam. Madam found their service lacking and caused a huge scene in the mansion this morning.”
Gong Xu’s face darkened further upon hearing that it was related to Wen Mingqian. As he walked inside, he said, “She wants them sold, so they’re sold? This household is not hers to command!”
Upon entering the second gate, he saw the two maids kneeling by the corridor, their faces bruised and swollen, looking terrible.
Seeing Gong Xu, they both knelt and kowtowed, saying nothing but crying.
“Who hit you?” Gong Xu asked, frowning.
“It was Zhang Ma from Madam’s side,” Hong Xing said, covering her face. “She said we two intentionally slacked off and wouldn’t let us explain, just raised her hand and hit us.
Later, she forced the Little Madam to sell us both, saying that if we weren’t sold, it would ruin the Little Madam’s reputation for virtue.”
Gong Xu was already very angry, how could he bear to hear these two maids mention Wen Mingqian forcing Consort Song.
So he said, “You two get up and go to the back. Apply medicine and rest for two days, no need to do any work for now.”
“Master, this… this might not be good, right?” the butler stammered. “The Little Madam has already agreed with Madam to sell these two maids.”
“One moment Madam, the next Madam, who do you think you are to her?!” Gong Xu questioned the butler with angry eyes. “She bullies the Little Madam, and you don’t protect the Little Madam, but instead indulge her!”
“Master, please calm your anger. We had no choice. The Little Madam is ill, and that side is making trouble repeatedly. How can the Little Madam recover from her illness? We are also trying to make peace.” The butler sighed.
Gong Xu said nothing more; his anger was not directed at the servants.
Arriving at Consort Song’s courtyard, Granny Yang came out from the inner room.
“Master is back, let’s have someone serve you food first,” Granny Yang’s voice was low. “The Little Madam’s illness has worsened, and she has finally fallen asleep after taking her medicine.”
“How long has she been asleep?” Gong Xu’s voice was also soft.
“Almost half an hour,” Granny Yang said.
“Let her sleep! We’ll eat together when she wakes up,” Gong Xu said, turning to leave.
Granny Yang followed him out, took a peek, and returned with a pleased expression.
“Little Madam, Master has gone to find that one surnamed Wen. This is their own bad luck!”
Consort Song smiled faintly upon hearing this. She hadn’t been asleep at all; all of this was for Gong Xu to see.
The courtyard of Yun Feng Zhai was not large. The most eye-catching feature was the Chinese pistache tree, which was as tall as a room, with its branches covered in lovely, drooping flowers.
The setting sun was just right at this moment, filtering through the gaps in the leaves and flowers, casting a shower of golden light across the courtyard.
Wen Mingqian and her son were reading a book together under the tree. On the stone table beside them lay a woven basket for needlework.
Wen Mingqian was dressed in plain clothes, her dark hair like silk. As she lowered her head, only her smooth forehead was visible.
And Gong Changan, nestled beside her, though still young, possessed a captivating beauty.
Especially when he raised his head, his eyes were like ink drops, exuding an irrepressible intelligence.
Immediately, Wen Mingqian also sensed someone’s arrival. She calmly raised her head and met Gong Xu’s gaze.
Seven years had passed since their last meeting. Wen Mingqian had long since transformed her inner grievances and injustices into a calm and composed demeanor.
She slowly stood up, pulled her son forward, bowed to Gong Xu, and then said to Gong Changan, “Quickly pay your respects to Master.”
“Changan pays his respects to Daddy,” Gong Changan said, performing the bow stiffly.
This child, meeting his father for the first time since birth, showed no awkwardness or shyness, nor was he overly affectionate or fawning.
He was poised and dignified, with appropriate manners, appearing to be exceptionally well-raised. Even though he had grown up in a remote border region, he showed no trace of inferiority or timidity.
Gong Xu looked at him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
But he would not allow himself to dwell on it for too long. He simply nodded slightly and, in a detached tone, ordered, “Go play to the side.”
Gong Changan, being sensible, left the courtyard but did not go far.
“Why have you returned?” Gong Xu asked Wen Mingqian in a low voice.
“Has Master finally remembered to ask me?” Wen Mingqian met Gong Xu’s gaze throughout. “This is my home, why can’t I return?”
“Have you forgotten why you left in the first place?” Gong Xu sneered. “Do I need to remind you again?”
“Of course I remember,” Wen Mingqian said, looking at the enraged Gong Xu, her eyes shifting from calm to cold. “At the time, I was wronged and not allowed to report to the authorities for investigation, so I had no choice but to return to Shuangxi.”
“Heh!” Gong Xu couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Are you relying on the passage of time to try and twist the truth?”
“Master believed I was the murderer from the very beginning and had already convicted me in his heart,” Wen Mingqian’s lips curved into a mocking smile. “But I never admitted guilt from beginning to end, and I’m not saying this only because time has passed.”
“I must have misjudged you. Back then, I only thought you had a bit of arrogance and a stubborn streak. Now it seems you are utterly shameless and unrepentant!” Gong Xu looked at Wen Mingqian with disgust, feeling nauseous.
Wen Mingqian was not hurt by his words or expression. The suffering and humiliation she had endured over the years had long since washed away any marital affection between her and Gong Xu, leaving nothing behind.
The less one cares, the less one gets hurt.
She took a step forward, her head slightly raised, her eyes becoming colder and more spirited, meeting Gong Xu’s gaze without blinking. “Master thinks I am despicable, but are you so noble and pure?”
“What do you mean? You still have the nerve to question me?! You killed my son! Our Gong Family has already treated you with utmost benevolence. I advise you not to push your luck!” Gong Xu was completely enraged by Wen Mingqian, the veins on his forehead subtly bulging.
“Your so-called utmost benevolence was merely not divorcing me, allowing me to continue as the Gong Family’s nominal second wife,” Wen Mingqian chuckled. “But in the end, it wasn’t for me, but for your own future and reputation.”
“You vicious woman!” Gong Xu clenched his fists. “You are utterly heartless! If I had known this would happen, back then…”
“Back then what?” Wen Mingqian took another half step forward, standing close to Gong Xu. “Should you have killed me then, to eliminate future trouble? Or issued a letter of divorce and parted ways with me?
Your repeated considerations led to me returning to Shuangxi, all to preserve the Gong Family’s dignity to the greatest extent.
I was alone and powerless to prove my innocence, so I had no choice but to swallow this half-cooked meal.”
To Gong Xu, Wen Mingqian’s accusations were pure sophistry.
But there was one point he could not deny: they had indeed acted that way to consider the Gong Family’s reputation.
“Master, the seven years in Shuangxi, the torment and suffering I endured were no less than anyone else’s.
You were the ones who refused to investigate thoroughly back then, and now it’s even more impossible to reopen the case. As you said, time has passed, and nothing can be traced.
I have not returned this time to seek justice, nor do I cling to this place. It is simply that Changan has grown up, and you have neglected him for so many years. If I didn’t bring him back, wouldn’t it hinder his future?” Wen Mingqian’s tone softened, showing a desire for peace and a willingness to compromise.
