Chapter 140: Morning Breeze
Waking up early, the morning breeze was cool and the ground was covered with fallen leaves.
“It’s getting cold, Madam, please put on another piece of clothing!” Liu Er walked over and added a garment to Wen Mingqian.
“It’s cold, and so many leaves have fallen all at once,” Wen Mingqian said, looking at the ground. “There weren’t any fallen leaves when the Old Madam had her birthday not long ago.”
“It seems colder this year than in previous years,” Granny Zhu said, entering from outside. “The kitchen is already preparing for charcoal.”
“This charcoal should be sent from the manor. I wonder how much they’ve burned,” Wen Mingqian asked. “When it’s delivered, don’t forget to send more of the best charcoal to the Old Madam’s side.”
As they were speaking, Zhang Ma came from the east, rubbing her hands and saying, “It’s really cool this morning. The Young Master will need to wear padded clothes to go to school.”
“Have you prepared breakfast for the Old Madam? Is she feeling any better? I was just about to go and see her,” Wen Mingqian asked Zhang Ma.
“It’s nothing serious, she just needs to rest well and eat more soft, easily digestible food,” Zhang Ma said. “From the Mid-Autumn Festival to the Eldest Young Master’s marriage proposal, and then the Old Madam’s birthday, these days have been quite busy and tiring. Older people can’t handle too much stress, and with the autumn chill setting in, it’s easy to catch a cold.”
“Is Eldest Sister-in-law already there? Then I’ll go after breakfast.” Wen Mingqian returned to the room, and Gong Changan had also gotten up.
“Where is Sang Er? Why isn’t she dressing you warmly?” Zhang Ma said immediately upon seeing Gong Changan run over in only his undergarment.
“My little ancestor, what did I tell you? If you don’t wear it, I’ll get scolded,” Sang Er followed in, holding clothes in her hand.
“Liu Er, go to the baking cylinder and get the breakfast. There’s nourishing soup in there that I made for Madam and the Young Master. Drinking a bowl of it in the morning will guarantee you won’t get sick all autumn and winter,” Zhang Ma said.
“Since Sister Zhang arrived, the Masters have been drinking nourishing soup, and the doctor has come less often than in previous years,” Granny Zhu said. “She’s truly a great contributor!”
“What contribution? It’s just a small matter,” Zhang Ma said indifferently. “The First Master needs to attend the morning court, so he got up early. First Madam also got up early and is going to serve the Old Madam.
We don’t need to rush here; only the Young Master getting up early for school is considered early.”
As they were speaking, Gong Bao’an and his maid also arrived.
“Eldest Brother and Second Brother have both gone to be officials and can’t accompany me to school anymore,” Gong Changan sighed. “Fortunately, I still have Bao’an.”
Gong Bao’an stepped forward to pay respects to Wen Mingqian. Wen Mingqian reached out and felt him all over, saying, “You’re dressed warmly enough. If anything happens at school, find your brother and let him look after you.”
Gong Bao’an was now also studying at Gong Changan’s academy. Wen Mingqian had mentioned this to Gong Xu before, but Gong Xu had never made arrangements for it.
A few days ago, he sprained his ankle and couldn’t go out. Wen Mingqian then simply spoke to Gong Rang and his wife about it, and it was Gong Rang who took the initiative to handle the matter.
Gong Xu was a typical person who loved those close to him. In the past, his heart and eyes were only for Consort Song, so he treated Gong Bao’an as his own, regardless of whether he was legitimate or illegitimate.
Later, he felt that Wen Mingqian was truly a rare virtuous wife in the world, so he cherished Gong Changan as a treasure and cast Gong Bao’an aside.
However, Wen Mingqian believed that regardless of legitimacy, Gong Bao’an was a descendant of the Gong Family and should be raised well.
Moreover, Consort Song was dead, and no one was instigating him to be bad anymore. He should be encouraged to read Sage’s Teachings and stand upright.
“Second Madam, Fifth Young Master says he wants to have breakfast with Fourth Young Master and then go to the academy,” the maid accompanying Gong Bao’an said cautiously. “Actually, the Old Madam has also prepared breakfast for him.”
“What’s the big deal? He can eat wherever he likes,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “It’s lively when there are more people eating. Besides, they travel to school in the same carriage, and the Old Madam is ill and doesn’t like noise.”
“See, I told you Madam wouldn’t dislike me,” Gong Bao’an said with a smile to the maid.
The maid’s expression became very reserved, wanting to explain but not knowing how to start. Wen Mingqian just smiled faintly and paid her no further attention.
Gong Bao’an now liked to be around Wen Mingqian because he felt that Madam treated him kindly and gave him the same food, clothes, and daily necessities as his Fourth Brother.
Of course, if he made a mistake, she would reprimand him sternly, but she never hit or scolded him. After reprimanding him, she would switch to a gentle tone and explain the reasoning clearly.
Unlike Daddy, he felt that his father no longer looked at him the way he used to. His eyes had become cold and distant, as if he could no longer be approached.
Although Gong Bao’an was just a child, he understood in his heart that Daddy was no longer the same Daddy as before.
However, besides this, Gong Bao’an also noticed something else: Madam didn’t like Daddy. She wasn’t like his own Mother, who would smile at Daddy’s face every time and busy herself for him.
Madam also smiled, but there was no hint of flattery in it.
Every time she spoke to Daddy, she would leave after no more than three sentences.
On the other hand, Daddy seemed eager to please, yet he was still not favored.
“What are you spacing out about?” Wen Mingqian poked his nose. “Are you not awake yet?”
Gong Bao’an snapped back to attention: “I’ve slept enough. I can wake up early every day.”
By then, breakfast had been laid out on the table, and Wen Mingqian took the two children to eat breakfast together.
Zhang Ma, not feeling at ease, asked the attendant to bring Gong Changan’s school bag over and carefully checked it again, adding a few more items.
While packing the bag, she instructed the servant on what else to pay attention to. Then she also looked at Gong Bao’an’s bag and put a hand warmer inside.
“The rooms at school are large and empty, the stools and tables are hard, and you have to write calligraphy. It won’t be good if your hands get stiff,” Zhang Ma said. “Fifth Young Master is still young, so you must not let him get cold.”
After breakfast, Wen Mingqian held the hands of the two children, one on each side, and saw them off in the horse carriage. She only turned back to the mansion after the carriage had departed.
Gong Changan and the others arrived at the academy and alighted from the carriage. As soon as they entered, they saw many people gathered together, discussing something.
“What’s all the excitement about?” Gong Changan laughed. “I’m afraid there won’t be any peace today.”
“Changan!” Qiao Ziyu shouted from within the crowd. “Come here quickly!”
Then Feng Tianzhu came up from behind, pulling Gong Changan into the throng.
“We were just talking! The tutor from San Jing Academy has come down the mountain,” Qiao Ziyu said. “So many people from the Imperial Academy are lining up to wait. Let’s go too! Don’t waste time here.”
“What’s the point of us going? We won’t be chosen anyway. The tall people are blocking the view of the excitement,” Xu Mang said. “Besides, will the tutor allow us to go out?”
“The tutor himself has gone to watch the excitement, leaving only two young attendants to guard the place. Can they stop us?” Qiao Ziyu smiled. “This kind of excitement only happens once every few years. Why shouldn’t we go? Don’t you think so, Changan?”
“I think it’s good to go and see,” Gong Changan said after thinking for a moment. “It’s just for broadening my horizons.”
