Chapter 139: Settling the Grudge
“Madam, Song Xiang is dead. As soon as the funeral arrangements were completed, his wife took their children and left the Capital City.” Ma Ping’an entered early that day to report to Wen Mingqian.
“I know,” Wen Mingqian nodded. “With his death, one of my hidden worries has also been resolved.”
“Heh heh, with his death, Ma Daguang actually feels wronged, saying he was instigated by Song Xiang back then. But with no one alive to testify, he should still stay in prison.” Ma Ping’an chuckled.
“The two of them were birds of a feather. The reason Ma Daguang kept his mouth shut before was because Song Xiang held leverage over him that could cost him his life. Otherwise, why would he have done that?” Wen Mingqian said indifferently.
“Madam is right. Song Xiang was truly wicked to the core, and deserved to die.”
“You may go down now! The Old Madam wants me to go over, and I shouldn’t be too late.” Wen Mingqian said as she got up.
“I still have something to ask Madam’s instruction on,” Ma Ping’an said quickly. “The festival is approaching, and it’s the Cui Family Master’s birthday. What kind of birthday gift should we send?”
Ma Ping’an was referring to Cui Baozhu’s father. In previous years, this matter was handled by Consort Song, who was very close to Cui Baozhu, but the gifts she sent were usually ordinary.
Now that Wen Mingqian was in charge, and considering recent events, the birthday gift would likely be different from previous years.
“Tell Zhang Ma to prepare it later,” Wen Mingqian said as she walked out. “Your wife is due to give birth soon, isn’t she? I’ve already asked Zhang Ma to arrange for two reliable midwives, and along with Granny Zhu, they will both go to your home these next few days. All the necessary items for the child’s birth have also been prepared.”
Ma Ping’an said with immense gratitude, “Madam is busy with matters upstairs and downstairs every day, yet you still think of things concerning my humble home.”
“It’s only right. Neither of your parents are around anymore, and this is your first child. You are a man, after all, and there are some things you might not think of,” Wen Mingqian said. “A woman giving birth is a major event. I’ve helped you settle things at home, so you can be at ease in the mansion, can’t you?”
Wen Mingqian was always very generous to those under her, and she always thought ahead for important matters.
Only in this way could those who followed her be loyal. However, the most important thing was to first identify the right people.
If they were loyal and knew how to be grateful, the master’s kindness would only earn their devotion. If they were insatiable and greedy, the better you treated them, the more they would push their luck.
Afterwards, Wen Mingqian arrived at Old Madam Gong’s room. Wei Shi and her maternal home sister-in-law were also there.
Wen Mingqian greeted them with a smile. Old Madam Gong said, “We were just discussing the marriage proposal for Jing’an, and you should offer your thoughts too.”
Wei Shi’s sister-in-law, Yao Shi, said, “I’ve heard all about it. It’s all thanks to Sister Mingqian. If she hadn’t been on good terms with Changrong and his Madam, and if she hadn’t gotten along well with their Fourth Miss, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”
“I was merely a matchmaker. Ultimately, it’s up to the two children to have fate. It’s not boasting, but Jing’an, whether in appearance, talent, or character, is he not one in a hundred?” Wen Mingqian said with a smile.
“Sister-in-law, please don’t say that. There are many people better than him,” Wei Shi said.
“It’s you who is too modest,” Wen Mingqian said. “If Jing’an weren’t outstanding, why would the Zhong Family be willing to betroth their precious daughter to us?”
“Indeed! It’s time to choose a good day to go and propose,” Old Madam Gong said. “Jing’an has already been assigned a position in the Ministry of Revenue Yamen, so he has a stable future.”
“Old Madam is right, this is the perfect time to propose,” Yao Shi also said. “Besides, Sister, haven’t you already conveyed our intentions?”
“I wonder who Old Madam plans to send to propose?” Wen Mingqian asked with a smile. “This is the first marriage for our younger generation, so it must be grand.”
“You’re right. I plan for your Elder Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law, along with you and the second son, to go propose. It will show our sincerity,” Old Madam Gong had been preoccupied with this matter these past few days. “We mustn’t make them feel slighted.”
“Besides our family members, we’ll need to find two official matchmakers,” Wei Shi said. “On the day of the proposal, I want to wear all my finery. The betrothal gifts are also mostly prepared, we just need to add a bit more then.”
“Don’t worry, if anything is missing, just take it from me. I will put in the same effort for the marriages of all these grandsons,” Old Madam Gong said happily.
“Old Madam truly dotes on her grandsons. After Jing’an’s marriage, it will be Yu’an’s turn to be arranged,” Yao Shi chuckled.
“Yu’an has been assigned to Wu County, which is over two hundred li from the Capital City, not too far. We can find ways to transfer him back to the Capital City later.”
“He’s still young, so there’s no need to rush. It won’t be too late to wait a year or two,” Wei Shi said. “In my opinion, keeping some distance is also good. If we were to arrange their marriages consecutively, it would be too exhausting.”
“What’s exhausting about that?” Old Madam Gong disagreed. “Once your children’s lifelong matters are settled, you’ll be truly at ease. Otherwise, it’s always a lingering concern.”
“Jing’an’s marriage was chosen by you, Old Madam. For Yu’an’s, you must use your discerning eye to help choose,” Wei Shi said. “I can’t do it alone.”
“You can rest assured about that. They say ginger gets spicier with age, and my eyes are quite good at recognizing people. By using Jing’an’s happy occasion to interact more with these noble families, we can also get a look at the unmarried daughters from each household,” Old Madam Gong said happily.
“With Jing’an’s marriage as a precedent, choosing a spouse for Yu’an will only be better,” Wen Mingqian said. “Even for families who previously had reservations due to our connections, now that we are allied with the Changrong Marquis Mansion, they will have fewer scruples.”
“That’s exactly right,” Yao Shi clapped her hands. “As the saying goes, when the water rises, the boat floats higher. Why else would they say brothers are like branches of the same tree, connected and sharing prosperity and adversity?”
“With Aunt-in-law’s help in discussing these matters, I am even more at ease,” Old Madam Gong said. “Today, I’m in a good mood. Have them prepare a table of good food, and warm two pots of wine. Let us women have a good chat.”
While giving instructions for the meal to be prepared, someone brought out the almanac to choose a date, and they also discussed the gifts to be brought, and who should write the betrothal letter. These were all meticulous and trivial matters, but not a single one could afford to be mistaken.
Wen Mingqian, having been in a flurry over there for a long time, finally returned to her own courtyard.
Zhang Ma greeted her, “How did the discussion go over there, Miss?”
“The important matters have been decided, but there are still some minor details to finalize. Tomorrow, we’ll invite the official matchmakers and ask them what else we need to pay attention to,” Wen Mingqian said. “There are many families proposing now, and the official matchmakers have to queue up. The two official matchmakers Eldest Sister-in-law favored are currently unavailable. Old Madam feels we can’t wait and is looking for matchmakers. I’ll go to the Jiangxia Marquis Mansion tomorrow to ask if they can help find some.”
“Miss has been very dedicated to the Gong Family’s affairs this time, contributing a lot,” Zhang Ma said, serving tea to Wen Mingqian.
“There are affinities in gathering and parting, and emotions in farewell. Every time I help them with something, it’s like resolving one of my hidden worries,” Wen Mingqian smiled. “Even if it’s for no other reason, it’s to repay Old Master’s kindness.”
