Chapter 17: Watching from the Sidelines
“Naturally, she cannot be tolerated. Then can she be divorced?” Granny Yang asked hurriedly.
Consort Song slowly shook her head: “The Gong Family has too much face to divorce her outright, but it’s impossible for her to remain here.”
“Then how will she be dealt with?” Granny Yang was very curious.
“I think she will be sent to a temple, after all, she has been in pure cultivation for so many years. We will simply say to the outside world that she couldn’t adapt to the mortal world and has completely converted to Buddhism,” Consort Song said. “You know, our family values face so much, we always need a plausible excuse.”
“That’s true, but it’s still letting her off too easy,” Granny Yang was somewhat indignant. “Even if she goes to a temple, won’t she still hold the Madam’s title? In my opinion, it would be cleaner to divorce her.”
“One cannot be too hasty. Driving her out is just the first step,” Consort Song said confidently. “Once she’s in the temple, we can easily accuse her of adultery. Then the Master won’t hesitate to deal with her!”
“Little Madam means to frame her again?” Granny Yang expressed some concern. “But will she admit to it?”
“She doesn’t need to admit it,” Consort Song said, lightly tapping the table with her fan handle. “She already has a bad reputation. Who will give her a chance to argue? Naturally, she will be dealt with quickly to avoid disgracing the family name.”
“That’s right, that’s right.” Granny Yang rubbed her hands together with joy. “The Master already detests her to the extreme. How can he tolerate her making mistake after mistake? It’s better to just kill her cleanly.”
“Yes, then we can just say she died of illness, and who will investigate further?” Consort Song said with a smile. “After all, it’s not just us who wish for her death.”
“Once she dies, it will be your turn to be officially recognized. It’s only a matter of time,” Granny Yang squinted, a venomous glint in her eyes. “It’s not our fault; she brought it upon herself.”
Afterward, the mistress and servant looked at each other and smiled. Their laughter was triumphant and mysterious, startling the birds in the trees outside the window, causing them to cry out and fly away in a flurry.
The news of Wen Mingqian’s return stirred a ripple, not too big, not too small, within the inner chambers of the Capital City.
Hearing that she was going to host a banquet, many people wanted to come and join the fun, not for any other reason than to see what the Second Madam, who hadn’t appeared in public for many years, looked like now.
As soon as the date was set, Consort Song discussed with Gong Xu: “In a few days, my sister-in-law will be in labor. She has been sending people to ask me to accompany her recently. The Master knows that she has no one else from her maternal home.”
“Logically, when Madam hosts a banquet, I should stay home to help. But I’m afraid of making her suspicious. Because I have been managing the household for so many years, Madam repeatedly showed displeasure when she returned to the mansion.
If I stay home this time and do everything with my heart, Madam might think I have ill intentions.
If I don’t put in my full effort, I’m afraid I’ll be accused of harboring malice and taking advantage.
Therefore, it’s better for me to step aside temporarily and avoid causing trouble.”
Gong Xu listened and said: “That’s fine. Giving birth is a major event, and besides, they have asked you repeatedly. It wouldn’t be good if you didn’t go. As for the banquet at home, let her handle it. It’s better than you working hard and still getting blamed.”
“Thank you, Master, for your understanding. Then I will simply take Bao’er to my brother’s house for a few days and return after my sister-in-law has safely given birth,” Consort Song knew that Gong Xu would agree as long as she asked.
“What’s there to say? You are already in a difficult position. Do you think I would make things even harder for you?”
Gong Xu had not agreed with Wen Mingqian hosting the banquet in the first place, thinking it was unnecessary. But unfortunately, Wen Mingqian had announced it publicly on the day of her return, so there was no way to go back on her word.
Their Gong Family could not afford to lose face like that.
Therefore, two days later, Consort Song packed her belongings, informed Wen Mingqian, and left the mansion with her son and a few servants, including Granny Yang.
“This vixen Song is busy distancing herself!” Zhang Ma sneered. “If anything happens during the banquet, she’ll be able to stand aside with clean hands.”
“Then we must be vigilant,” Wen Mingqian was not surprised by Consort Song’s actions at all. “She wouldn’t not try to trip us up on this.”
“Yes, although she’s gone, which of the servants in this mansion hasn’t been brought down by her?” Zhang Ma twisted her sturdy waist. “She’s already set up her traps and arranged her troops.”
“Then it’s a good opportunity for us to practice,” Wen Mingqian said with a light smile. “Let’s catch a few minor demons first.”
The mansion was busy preparing for the banquet, naturally more so than usual.
Consort Song was not at home, and Granny Yang had gone with her.
Steward Chen asked Wen Mingqian for instructions on everything. Ostensibly showing respect, he was actually creating difficulties and watching for amusement.
“Steward Chen, you have been the steward in this mansion for six or seven years and have handled many affairs. This banquet is neither too big nor too small, and there must have been precedents. Just follow the usual procedures. If I have other plans, I will inform you in advance. There’s no need to ask me about everything,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile.
“Madam’s teachings are correct. However, I was thinking that this is Madam’s first banquet since returning to the Capital City, and everything must be done according to your wishes, so I have been asking for more instructions,” Steward Chen said, lowering his head slightly. “We servants must obey the master’s commands. Although I have been a steward for several years, I ultimately do not understand Madam’s preferences and fear I might not handle the task properly.”
Steward Chen had always been of one mind with Consort Song and naturally would not help Wen Mingqian. He was very adept at dealing with people verbally.
Wen Mingqian gave Zhang Ma a look, and Zhang Ma immediately said: “I know Madam’s preferences. You just need to ask me.”
Steward Chen agreed and left. Unexpectedly, in the afternoon, he twisted his ankle, claiming he couldn’t walk and needed to rest, using this opportunity to shirk his duties.
The other servants were gloating.
One said: “Steward Chen isn’t managing things this time. Let them scramble!”
Another said: “Madam wanted some excitement, didn’t she? Now they’ll have something to watch.”
Even more said: “Forget it, everyone be careful! Haven’t you seen what happened to Hong Xing and Zhui Zi before?”
Someone immediately retorted: “Heh, don’t try to scare us with that. The law doesn’t punish the masses, unless she plans to punish all the servants in this mansion!”
In short, everyone had ulterior motives, wanting to see Wen Mingqian make a fool of herself.
As they were discussing, Zhang Ma arrived and announced to everyone: “Steward Chen has twisted his ankle. Madam has said that I will temporarily take over management. You all know my temper. If you don’t want to lose face, then pull yourselves together and do your jobs properly.”
Hearing her say this, everyone exchanged glances and snickered.
A country bumpkin, who had never even witnessed a banquet in a proper noble household, was brazenly claiming to be the manager.
It seemed this banquet was going to be a huge embarrassment.
It wasn’t that these people were unreasonable. Wen Mingqian had neither prestige nor manpower in this mansion, so she naturally couldn’t command obedience.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Ma’s next words silenced them: “Let’s be clear from the start. Although Steward Chen is injured and cannot manage things, none of you are three-year-old children. You all know what you should and shouldn’t do.
If I am managing, I will clearly assign the tasks. If I fail to assign them clearly, it will be my fault.
But if the tasks have been clearly assigned, and you fail to do your part, then you can’t blame me.”
