Chapter 136: Planned Long Ago
Gong Changan happily returned home, but Wen Mingqian was not there.
He then went to Old Madam Gong’s room.
Old Madam Gong was very happy to see him and held him in her arms, asking, “Did you go to Prince Zhao’s Mansion today? Your uncle said you were the center of attention!”
“Uncle also went, why didn’t I see him?” Gong Changan asked.
“He was arranged in the West Flower Hall, not with you,” Old Madam Gong said, stroking his head. “But he saw you when you were playing Cuju Ball.”
“I even received a reward!” Gong Changan smiled and took out a string of white jade prayer beads from his embrace. “This is for Grandmother.”
“Oh my, this is something you worked hard to get, quickly give it to your mother,” Old Madam Gong said.
“There is an order of seniority. I specifically chose this for Grandmother. As for my mother, I will give her that plate of gold ingots,” Gong Changan said.
At this, Granny Xu, who was by their side, said, “This is the young master’s filial piety. Old Madam, please don’t refuse, accept it! It will also be something to show off in front of others later.”
“Hehe, you are right. There is nothing more enviable than something given to me by my good grandson,” Old Madam Gong said with a smile. “Everyone says I dote on him, and this child is indeed worthy of doting.”
“Who says otherwise? Not to mention Old Madam is his closest grandmother, even we bystanders would be delighted to see him,” Granny Xu said. “This child truly has a heart that evokes pity.”
“I heard the Fourth Young Master returned, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. So he came to Old Madam’s place,” Sang Er said, entering with a smile.
“This child is used to staying by my side and often comes over,” Old Madam Gong said with a smile. “His mother went to the Zhou Family and should be back soon.”
“Yesterday, it was thanks to Old Madam going to the Zhou Family that the First Madam of their household was saved,” Sang Er said. “Our Madam went today with Zhang Ma to teach the people in their mansion how to make medicinal cuisine, to help the First Madam of the Zhou Family nourish her body.”
“Grandmother, I still have homework to finish. I’ll go back now and come back to accompany you at dinner,” Gong Changan said.
“Alright, you go! Sang Er, follow him carefully, don’t let him fall or get hurt,” Old Madam Gong said hurriedly. “Also, take some dim sum for him, in case he gets hungry and needs something to tide him over.”
Gong Changan followed Sang Er out, saying with a grin, “Elder Sister Sang Er, I actually don’t have any homework.”
“You, you’re becoming more and more of a liar, I’ll tell Mother,” Sang Er said sternly.
“No! I just want to have a good chat with you!” Gong Changan said. “I got valuable items at Prince Zhao’s Mansion today, this is for you.”
Saying this, he took out a handful of gold ingots and stuffed them into Sang Er’s hand.
“I don’t want it,” Sang Er quickly pushed it back. “Keep it for Madam!”
“The rest is for my mother. This is what I got, and I want to share it with you. Moreover, even my mother would agree,” Gong Changan said.
“Even if Mother agrees, I still won’t take it,” Sang Er said. “What would I do with this?”
“Then consider it as you keeping it for me, okay?” Gong Changan said. “I’ll ask for it when I need it. Good elder sister, please, just keep it for me! You also know I have friends outside, and I might have some expenses. I can’t always ask my mother for money.”
“You have so many ideas, I’ll tell Mother,” Sang Er threatened him.
“Hehe, let me tell you something else. Today I taught Song Xiang a good lesson, and he’s lost favor with Prince Zhao from now on,” Gong Changan said.
“Really? How did you teach him a lesson? Tell me quickly!” Sang Er urged.
“Then take these gold ingots and I’ll tell you in detail,” Gong Changan said with his arms crossed, looking smug. “Otherwise, I won’t tell you.”
“Alright then,” Sang Er said helplessly, as she was too eager to know what had happened to Song Xiang.
At this time, Wen Mingqian was at the Zhou Family, talking with Liu Cuiyi.
“Don’t worry! Your mother-in-law and the others have agreed to give you another two years. As long as you handle things well during these two years, it shouldn’t be difficult to get through it.”
“I hope so! But some things still depend on heaven’s will.”
“Don’t be so discouraged, cheer up. Human effort is key.”
“I know, elder sister. I won’t give up until the last moment.”
“That’s good. Since you’re already at the edge of a cliff, you must strive forward, not retreat.”
In the kitchen, Zhang Ma was teaching Granny Zhao how to stew nourishing medicinal cuisine.
There was also a young maid helping out nearby.
“Young lady, go outside and finely chop some firewood. Make sure it’s only as thick as your finger,” Zhang Ma sent the young maid out.
“Elder sister, is this soup to be drunk morning and night, or just for one meal?” Granny Zhao asked, carefully watching the soup pot.
“This is for the morning. I’ll teach you how to stew the evening one later,” Zhang Ma said, carefully skimming the foam from the edge of the pot with a spoon, and steered the conversation towards Liu Cuiyi. “There’s something that strikes me as odd. Logically speaking, your young lady has been eating my medicinal cuisine for over half a year and her body should be quite nourished. Why is this pregnancy still unstable?”
Granny Zhao also sighed, “Who says it isn’t? We’ve been carefully nurturing her for over half a year. Several times when the doctor took her pulse, they said the young lady’s body was already well-nourished and there would be no worries if she were to get pregnant again.
Although this time the two concubines’ ferocity played a role, before that, our young lady’s fetal condition was already unstable, and she was already taking anti-miscarriage medicine.”
“Exactly. Since that’s the case, the problem shouldn’t be with your young lady,” Zhang Ma lowered her voice. “It’s most likely your son-in-law.”
Granny Zhao was stunned for a moment, then sighed, “That’s what they say, but who would believe it? The Zhou family wouldn’t listen to us. If we say this again, I’m afraid it will lead to even more arguments.”
“Whether you say it or not, it’s the same thing. Your son-in-law is constantly whoring and gambling, his body has long been depleted. If the seed is bad, it won’t grow into a good sprout no matter how fertile the land is,” Zhang Ma said. “Don’t you understand this principle?”
“Oh my, elder sister, what’s the use if I understand! I’m just a servant, I can’t even protect our young lady,” Granny Zhao said helplessly. “You don’t know us, the son-in-law most dislikes people talking about these things.”
“Hmph! If he avoids the issue, you must make up your minds. It was only through connections that your young lady was allowed another two years. If she doesn’t give birth to a son to secure her position within these two years, how will she stand in this home?” Zhang Ma said. “Your young lady has a soft nature and can’t make decisions, so the people around her must exert themselves.”
“Elder sister, what do you think we should do? Although our young lady has stayed for now, she is still living in constant fear and worrying endlessly about the future.”
“What’s there to worry about?” Zhang Ma smiled. “The Zhou family is unjust and unrighteous towards you, why should you still talk about righteousness? If one doesn’t look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them. You should make plans early.”
