Chapter 126: A Change of Circumstances
After seeing off the sisters-in-law from the Zhong family, Madam Wei said, “Let’s all have lunch at Old Madam’s place today! We originally planned to entertain guests, so the kitchen prepared ten dishes!”
“Indeed,” Old Madam Gong said, “It’s hot now, and the food won’t keep. I’ll have someone pick out two dishes that Second Master likes and send them over; his legs are inconvenient.”
Gong Xu was still at home recovering from his injury and could not get out of bed.
“I’m truly blessed today. Old Madam originally planned to entertain distinguished guests, but I got to enjoy it instead,” Gong Yu’an said with a giggle.
“In less than ten days, the imperial examinations will be held, and you’re still so unserious,” Madam Wei said. “You’re still grinning like an idiot when you meet guests. I wonder when you’ll grow up.”
“Isn’t having Elder Brother, who is so steady, enough? I’m truly wronged! I’m willing to be the supporting role and still get scolded,” Gong Yu’an made a funny face and said. “With me to contrast him, won’t Miss Zhong find Elder Brother even more handsome and talented?”
After speaking, he asked Gong Changan, “Fourth Brother, do you think Elder Brother and Miss Zhong are a good match?”
Gong Jing’an blushed slightly upon hearing this and said, “Don’t talk nonsense. Are young ladies from respectable families something you can joke about?”
Gong Changan blinked his eyes and said, “Grandmother’s judgment is always right.”
This made everyone laugh, “You little imp, you’ve taken all the brains!”
After having lunch here, Gong Changan followed Wen Mingqian back to Lingyue Pavilion.
“Mother, today I played with the Young Duke Qiao at school. He said their family has many Kunlun slaves playing the kick ball game, and they invited us to watch,” Gong Changan said while fiddling with the slingshot in his hand.
“I advise you to be more well-behaved. Go from home to school, and from school back home. Don’t go to other people’s houses for no reason,” Wen Mingqian said.
“It’s not like I wanted to go; it was Heir Apparent Qiao who insisted we go. We were playing together, and it would be rude to refuse his enthusiastic invitation. Besides, Brother Feng is also going,” Gong Changan said. “There are also several close classmates who said they were going. If only I didn’t go, it would seem out of place.”
“Miss, what the Young Master says makes sense,” Zhang Ma, who was following behind, couldn’t help but interject.
Just as Wen Mingqian was about to say something, Granny Zhu ran over in a hurry.
She stopped and asked, “What is it?”
“Madam, didn’t you send this old servant to deliver dim sum to First Madam Zhou?” Granny Zhu said, panting. “When I got there, I heard that something had happened at their mansion.”
“What happened? What about Cuiyi?” Wen Mingqian couldn’t help but worry.
“I heard it from Granny Zhao. She said that ever since their young lady became pregnant, the several concubines in the mansion have been squabbling like chickens and geese every day.
Today, Concubine Sun and Concubine Zheng quarreled again over some trivial matter, and then they even resorted to fighting. The maids and old women accompanying them went to break up the fight, but they didn’t realize that Concubine Sun’s son, who is only three years old and at a mischievous and ignorant age, ran off to the well by himself.
After everyone finally managed to pull them apart, they realized the child was missing and went to look for him. The child had already fallen into the well and drowned.”
“Oh my! This is truly terrible!” Zhang Ma couldn’t help but lament. “They only have this one grandson in their family.”
“Concubine Sun, relying on having a son, was usually arrogant. Although Concubine Zheng doesn’t have a son to rely on, she is favored since she just entered the mansion, so she wouldn’t back down either,” Wen Mingqian usually heard Liu Cuiyi talk about the concubines in their family. “Now that something like this has happened, it will sow more discord.”
“I heard about what happened and didn’t dare to go in. I gave the dim sum to Granny Zhao and asked her to tell their young lady. Madam originally instructed me to go personally the day after tomorrow, but seeing the situation, I didn’t say anything,” Granny Zhu said.
“I understand. You can go back and rest,” Wen Mingqian said. “I hope this incident doesn’t affect Cuiyi. I’ll go and see for myself in the next two days; otherwise, I really can’t rest assured.”
As they were speaking, someone from Duke Qiao’s Mansion arrived. It was their butler and a companion, Granny Hu.
“Second Madam, our Madam sent this old servant. Our Heir Apparent insists on inviting your Fourth Young Master over, saying he wants to watch the Kunlun slaves play the kick ball game.
Our Madam says to please rest assured. There will be no mistakes, guaranteed. Our Heir Apparent and your Fourth Young Master are the best of friends among their classmates. The young gentlemen have played together since childhood and are like brothers as they grew up, looking out for each other.” This Granny Hu was Duke Qiao’s wife’s most trusted confidante; she would not leave the mansion unless it was for a very important matter.
“Madam is being too polite. We are the ones who are fortunate. Since Heir Apparent Qiao wants him to go, then let him go! However, this child is mischievous, so please keep a close eye on him and don’t indulge him,” Wen Mingqian said politely.
“For Second Madam to say that is truly humble. Who doesn’t know that your Fourth Young Master is intelligent and well-mannered, and most loved by elders?” Granny Hu said with a smile. “Our Madam said she wants Fourth Young Master and the young gentlemen to stay at our mansion for a while longer! You know, we have few children in our mansion, and Madam and Duke wish for more children to liven things up!”
Gong Changan, listening from the side, just pursed his lips and smiled without speaking. Qiao Ziyu really knew how to get things done; he did exactly what I told him immediately, without even waiting until noon.
In reality, whether it was Qiao Ziyu or Feng Tianzhu, they were both little tyrants in their respective mansions and always had their way.
Let alone inviting a few close classmates to play, even if they made more outrageous requests, their families would still comply.
“Then Granny Hu, please wait a moment. Have a cup of tea, and I’ll have someone pack some things for him to take,” Wen Mingqian said.
“Mother, we often stay in the inner chambers. Just bringing a young servant isn’t enough. Let’s bring a maid too! Let Sister Sang Er accompany me,” Gong Changan said.
Wen Mingqian thought for a moment. It was indeed necessary to send a reliable person to serve him closely, so she said, “Alright, let Sang Er accompany you! When you’re outside, you must listen to her and not cause trouble.”
“Don’t worry, Mother,” Gong Changan readily agreed. “Your son will definitely not cause any trouble.”
Here, Zhang Ma and Sang Er packed things for Gong Changan, and Gong Changan then got into the Qi family’s horse carriage.
“Look at him, he’s so young, and he’s already often away from home,” Wen Mingqian said, watching the departing horse carriage and shaking her head helplessly.
“Boys aren’t meant to be kept indoors,” Zhang Ma said, her tone filled with unconcealed pride. “When their wings are strong, they’ll fly all over the sky.”
“When Changan and the others returned today, did you see the expression on Miss Zhong’s face when she saw Jing’an?” Wen Mingqian said as she walked back.
“It seemed like she was very pleased,” Zhang Ma said. “This marriage has hope.”
“They are both good children,” Wen Mingqian said. “It’s just that I don’t know if Jing’an can pass the exam this time. If he can, I might subtly hint at it to the Zhong family.”
