Chapter 11: Invitation to Meet
Gong Xu looked at Wen Mingqian and was stunned for a moment, feeling that her appearance had changed beyond recognition.
Previously, he had at most considered Wen Mingqian wicked, but now, she seemed not only wicked but utterly shameless.
Wen Mingqian clearly saw the expression in his eyes. If it were seven years ago, facing such a look, she would have been heartbroken.
Now, she no longer cared.
Compared to these grudges and entanglements, she had more important matters to attend to.
“Master, as you said, time has passed. Why don’t we let go of the past grudges? For the sake of the child, allow my son and me a place in this home.” Wen Mingqian’s tone softened further.
Having lived in the borderlands for so long, she had to find a way to establish herself upon returning to the Capital City.
Therefore, she needed to employ both soft and hard tactics with the Gong Family.
“You want to stay, but you refuse to be well-behaved. I fear this home still cannot accommodate you,” Gong Xu frowned. “You’ve only been back a few days, and you’re already hitting and scolding servants, even wanting to sell them off. What kind of propriety is this?”
“Master also knows that we intend to stay, so how could we possibly oppress people without reason?” Wen Mingqian smiled. “What you see is not always true, let alone what you hear?”
“I’m too lazy to argue with you,” Gong Xu waved his sleeve, unable to muster any patience for Wen Mingqian. “In any case, your staying or leaving will be decided after Old Madam returns. Until then, you will stay here honestly and stop having wishful thinking!”
Wen Mingqian’s lips curved into a smile as she watched Gong Xu’s retreating back.
So many years had passed, and he had still made no progress.
He was easily swayed by hearsay and was self-righteous.
Gong Xu returned to Consort Song’s courtyard. Consort Song was already awake and standing under the corridor, watching the maids water the flowers.
“Why are you up? Get some more sleep.” Gong Xu walked up to Consort Song and carefully examined her complexion. “You still look very tired.”
“I’m much better, Master, you don’t need to worry.” Consort Song said softly. “It’s Master who has been busy all day; please sit down and rest! I’ve already asked them to brew some tea.”
The maids, having finished watering the flowers, tactfully withdrew. Gong Xu looked at Consort Song and said, “Don’t worry.”
Consort Song was startled by his words, then smiled, “What is there for me not to worry about?”
“I know what’s on your mind, but you always can’t bear to trouble others, which is too self-sacrificing,” Gong Xu sighed lightly. “Although she has the title of Madam, it’s an empty one. No one in this mansion, from top to bottom, acknowledges her. You don’t need to be so respectful to her; she doesn’t deserve it.”
“Master, have you met Madam?” Consort Song asked.
“I went to warn her not to act high and mighty and to know her place,” Gong Xu said. “I didn’t expect her to be even more shameless now, desperately wanting to cling to this mansion.”
Consort Song lowered her head, and after a while, raised it again. “Actually, I’ve always wanted to say that if she could mend her ways and prioritize the bigger picture, I wouldn’t…”
“Xiu Lian,” Gong Xu interrupted her. “A vicious woman like her is not worth pity.”
“But Master, outsiders don’t know the inside story. Now that she has returned, how can we push her out without reason?” Consort Song gently shook her head, her tone filled with helplessness. “The reason we didn’t punish her back then was also for the sake of the bigger picture, and it remains the same now.”
“You don’t know, seeing her makes me feel as disgusted as swallowing a fly!” Gong Xu said with disgust. “When Old Madam returns, find a way to send her to a temple, or somewhere else. In any case, this scourge cannot remain in the home.”
Consort Song stepped forward and gently hugged Gong Xu’s arm, saying with concern, “Master, don’t worry about household matters. Today is the fifteenth, and I’ve prepared a table of delicious dishes. Let’s wait for the moon to rise, with the fragrance of flowers and the shadows of bamboo, fine food and clear wine. Put aside worldly affairs for now and please enjoy yourself.”
“You are truly my understanding flower,” Gong Xu embraced her. “You can help me resolve any sorrow.”
The next day, as Consort Song was arranging for someone to serve Wen Mingqian, a young maid came in and said, “Little Madam, Yongqing Earl’s Mansion has sent someone to deliver dim sum.”
Consort Song then asked, “Who did they send?”
“It’s Granny Zhao,” the young maid replied.
Consort Song smiled slightly upon hearing this. Granny Yang, standing nearby, asked, “Little Madam, what are you smiling about?”
“I’m smiling because this dim sum is likely not for me,” Consort Song said as she got up. “Please invite her in.”
“This old servant understands. Granny Zhao is the companion of their First Madam,” Granny Yang said, diligently dusting a stray hair from Consort Song’s shoulder. “Previously, their First Madam was very close to our Madam, so they are likely trying to reconnect.”
Indeed, Granny Zhao entered with a young maid and paid her respects to Consort Song, saying, “A few days ago, our Old Master celebrated his birthday. Thank you, Little Madam, for sending someone to deliver gifts. We only managed to find time to return the favor these past few days. Please forgive us.”
“Please sit, Granny. Our two families are always in contact, there’s no need to be so formal,” Consort Song said with a smile. “Please have a cup of tea.”
“No need for tea, Little Madam. But this old woman would like to see your Madam. It’s nothing else; our young lady specifically instructed me to deliver this box of dim sum. After all, it’s been many years since we last met, and propriety dictates we be thorough,” Granny Zhao said with a smile.
“Coincidentally, we are just sending someone to serve our Madam. You can go along with them,” Consort Song said. “Granny Yang, please escort her personally!”
Granny Yang led the way with her people. Zhang Ma came out and said, “Granny Zhao is a guest, please come in. Elder Sister Yang, let’s instruct these two newcomers outside for now.”
Granny Zhao entered and paid her respects to Wen Mingqian. Wen Mingqian held her arm to prevent her from bowing. “It’s been many years since I last saw you. Are you in good health?”
“Thanks to Madam’s blessings, I am well, though a bit older,” Granny Zhao said. “Madam has suffered these past years.”
“I can’t say I suffered,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “I just missed your young lady very much.”
“Alas, alas, our young lady misses you too! But after sending so many letters over the years, you never replied,” Granny Zhao said. “She misses you, but she can’t help.”
“Now that I’m back, I’ll have to meet her when I have time. But I’m afraid she’ll be too busy and dare not make a hasty appointment,” Wen Mingqian knew that Yongqing Earl’s Mansion had strict family rules, and Liu Shi’s mother-in-law was particularly severe.
If her reputation was bad, and she associated with Liu Shi privately, it might cause trouble for her if her family found out.
“That’s why, a few days ago, our Old Master’s birthday was celebrated, and the entire family was busy for many days. We couldn’t find any free time.
Our young lady has been thinking of you since she saw you at this mansion that day.
She sent me here to tell you to go to Wu Qiu Nunnery in the South of the City the day after tomorrow morning to meet there,” Granny Zhao said. “It’s a quiet place, where no one will disturb us.”
“Alright, I understand. I will definitely go the day after tomorrow,” Wen Mingqian said.
Liu Shi was her close friend from when she first arrived in the Capital City. They had both been unmarried then. Their interactions continued after marriage, and their affection deepened.
However, after Wen Mingqian went to Shuangxi, she proactively cut off all contact with friends and family. Liu Shi did not blame her for this, otherwise, she would not have proactively arranged a meeting.
“This box of dim sum was made by our young lady herself. Please have a taste with your son,” Granny Zhao said. “I can’t stay too long, so I must be going back now.”
