Chapter 154: Getting in the Carriage
Wen Mingqian, dressed neatly, walked out of her room and saw the courtyard filled with people.
Sun Xiucai, Ma Ping’an, Granny Zhu, Liu Er…
“Madam…” Ma Ping’an, a grown man, could only utter two words before choking up.
Wen Mingqian had only been the butler for less than half a year, yet everyone was convinced by her. She treated the servants with kindness and generosity, always understanding their difficulties.
Moreover, she was fair and reasonable; whether it was a reward or a punishment, everyone was convinced.
“Madam, we are all reluctant to see you go,” Granny Zhu said, wiping away tears.
“A tent pitched for a thousand miles will eventually be dismantled. Everyone, don’t be sad about my departure,” Wen Mingqian suppressed the sadness in her heart. “During my time in the mansion, I have received much help from all of you. You are all diligent and upright people, and you will surely have smooth sailing in the future.”
Wen Mingqian had handed over all the affairs of the mansion one by one. She came with innocence and would leave with innocence.
It was early winter, yet the sun was exceptionally good.
Wen Mingqian looked up and saw the sky was a clear azure, without a trace of clouds.
“Mother, let’s go!” Sang Er said softly.
“Alright.” Wen Mingqian took her hand and walked out of the courtyard.
A large group of people saw them off from behind.
Further ahead, Gong Rang and his wife, as well as Gong Jing’an and Gong Yu’an, were waiting at the second gate.
“Mingqian, we’ve come to see you off. Old Madam isn’t feeling well, so she won’t come out,” Gong Rang said with a look of regret on his face, but he did not try to keep Wen Mingqian any longer.
“Thank you. I hope you will all take good care of yourselves in the future,” Wen Mingqian said sincerely.
“Mingqian, if you ever face any difficulties, don’t hesitate to speak up. Our friendship will always be there, no matter what,” Wei Shi said with red eyes.
“Elder Sister, you must take good care of yourself.” By this time, Wen Mingqian had already divorced Gong Xu, so she no longer addressed Wei Shi as Eldest Sister-in-law, but as Elder Sister.
The last box was loaded onto the carriage, which Sang Er had hired.
Wen Mingqian turned to the crowd and said, “Thank you all for seeing me off. It’s quite cold, please go back quickly!”
“Younger Sister, this is Old Madam’s token of regard. Please accept it. She said you wouldn’t accept anything too much, but you must accept this,” Wei Shi stepped forward and handed a sachet to Wen Mingqian.
Previously, Wen Mingqian had already bid farewell to Old Madam. Old Madam could see that her mind was made up. Although she was sad, she did not insist further.
Instead, she lamented her past foolishness, saying she had indulged her youngest son in keeping a mistress and bringing back that troublemaker, Consort Song.
Wen Mingqian comforted her for a long time, urging her to take good care of herself and relax.
Wen Mingqian squeezed the sachet, knowing it contained banknotes, but the amount was likely not large. Therefore, she did not refuse: “Then please thank Old Madam for me.”
“And this, it’s a small token from your Elder Brother and me. Please accept it, or you won’t be leaving today,” Wei Shi said, pressing another sachet into Wen Mingqian’s hand. “Take care of yourself, and speak up if you need anything.”
The scene before her reminded Wen Mingqian of when she was wrongly accused and left the capital. It was also Wei Shi who had slipped her money.
She knew Wei Shi’s character and integrity. If she insisted on refusing, it would be too ungracious.
“Thank you, Elder Sister. Please take good care of yourself too! If there’s anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to ask,” Wen Mingqian clasped Wei Shi’s hand, her heart filled with emotion.
The carriage curtain was lowered, and the coachman urged the horses forward. The carriage wheels rolled on the ground with a creaking sound.
The carriage moved slowly, but everyone knew that once Wen Mingqian left, she would not turn back.
Gong Xu stood inside the second gate, supported by a servant. His foot injury had not yet healed.
Wen Mingqian had left, and he didn’t even have the courage to see her off.
“Master, it’s too cold outside. I should help you back,” the servant said cautiously.
“Let’s go back!” Gong Xu’s voice seemed to sigh from his chest. From the moment Wen Mingqian spoke of divorce, his heart felt like a lead block, sinking heavily.
It felt as if all his bones were shattered. He had no strength to stand upright, and even speaking felt weak.
“I’ll help you back to Concubine Yun’s room,” the servant said.
“To the study,” Gong Xu said stiffly.
The servant dared not disobey and helped him to the study.
After finally helping him sit down, the servant asked, “Does Master want some tea?”
“Go get me some wine,” Gong Xu said. “Tell them to hurry.”
“Master, your foot injury hasn’t healed yet, so drinking alcohol is not advisable,” the servant couldn’t help but advise.
“Are you going to make decisions for me?!” Gong Xu suddenly became furious, sweeping everything on the desk to the floor. The brush washer shattered, and the books and papers were soaked.
“Do as you’re told quickly! Do you think I can’t command you anymore?!” Gong Xu’s eyes were wide open, looking terrifying.
The servant quickly said, “Master, please calm your anger. I dare not. I will go and get you wine now.”
He knew that Gong Xu was in a bad mood and decided it was best not to disobey him further. He quickly tidied up the things on the floor and hurried out.
Yun Ying returned after seeing Wen Mingqian off and sat silently by the bed, lost in thought for a long time.
“Concubine, I just heard that Master was angry in the study. Do you want to go and see him?” Granny Bai, who followed Yun Ying, said as she entered.
“Master is annoyed with everyone right now,” Yun Ying said. “It’s better to wait a while before going!”
It wasn’t until half a day later that Yun Ying went to the study.
By then, Gong Xu was already drunk.
“Master, it’s cold in the study. Why don’t you come to my place!” Yun Ying knew her status and what she should do. She only needed to take care of Gong Xu and raise her child.
She was no different from Consort Song in her dealings with Gong Xu, except that she harbored no ill intentions.
“Wuwu…” Gong Xu hugged her tightly and burst into tears. “Why is her heart so hard? Why can’t she give me another chance? Even the Sage said that there is no improvement too great to be made. Why is she so heartless?!”
Even now, Gong Xu was unwilling to accept it. When he was not drunk, he could still pretend, but now he was like a puddle of mud, decadent and weak.
“Master, please stop grieving,” Yun Ying said, trying to comfort him, but she felt no sympathy in her heart. “Perhaps your fate with Madam was just this much! If you blame anyone, blame the matchmaker for not tying the knot tightly enough back then.”
“I only made a mistake unintentionally. Why is she so petty? Other wives have suffered no less grievances than she has, yet they can still carry on,” Gong Xu poured out his dissatisfaction.
“Master is drunk and cannot drink anymore. Granny Bai, quickly call a few people to carry Master back to his room to rest.” Yun Ying rubbed her sore waist, not wanting to stand there listening to drunken ramblings.
A few people then entered and carried Gong Xu back to the bedroom.
For the next half month, Gong Xu kept wine company every day, getting drunk and waking up, then getting drunk again. He didn’t even go to the yamen.
He became completely dejected and decadent, as if he had aged ten years overnight.
