Chapter 170: Joy and Sorrow
While Madam Leng was having a pleasant dream, a servant from home ran back in a state of panic.
“Madam, something terrible has happened! Master… Master has been imprisoned.” This servant was specifically assigned to Cui Rong. This morning, Cui Rong had gone to the yamen in good spirits, but who would have thought he wouldn’t return.
Madam Leng was greatly alarmed upon hearing this, “What did you say? Master has been imprisoned?! Why?”
“I didn’t hear the specifics very clearly, it seemed to be something about bribing a superior official…” In the cold weather, sweat beaded on the servant’s forehead. “They said Zhu Hui submitted a memorial during the morning court…”
“Is this… is this Zhu Hui mad? Why is he targeting us?” Madam Leng couldn’t understand. Her husband was merely a fifth-rank official, he didn’t even have the right to attend court. Why would Zhu Hui impeach him?
“Regardless, this is what I heard. Madam, you should make plans quickly! Everyone knows Zhu Hui is the most unforgiving person.” Who in the Capital City didn’t know Zhu Hui? Those who respected him called him an upright and loyal minister, while those who hated him cursed him as a mad dog, tenacious and unwilling to let go.
The Cui Family had shallow roots and, with Zhu Hui’s impeachment, their fate was likely not going to be good.
Madam Leng abruptly stood up and said, “Quickly prepare the carriage, I need to go to the Marquis Fengxian Mansion.”
The only person she could think of now was the Marquis Fengxian. Although they might not be able to help, she had to at least struggle before sitting idly by and waiting for death.
“Madam,” the servant said with a troubled expression, “Marquis Lu has also been impeached, and the charges against him are even more serious…”
Upon hearing this, Madam Leng was completely stunned. She felt as if all her strength had been drained, and she collapsed onto a chair.
“How could this be? How could this be?” Madam Leng repeated these words as if she had lost her mind.
“Madam, please take care of yourself. I… I don’t need this month’s wages.” The servant gritted his teeth and said, “I have a family to support, so I’ll have to find another task elsewhere.”
At this point, the servant was fortunate that he wasn’t on a death contract. Not many servants in the Cui Family were on death contracts, and the rest were lucky enough to escape.
The Marquis Fengxian Mansion was already in chaos at this time, but no one had informed the Cui Family, so the Cui Family only found out later.
Madam Lu was already very plump, and in her distress, phlegm surged up, causing her to faint. Fortunately, she was revived.
“Quickly summon the Eldest Young Master back, and let’s discuss how to save the Marquis.” Madam Lu cried, “This is truly a disaster from the heavens! How could this happen?”
Even at this point, she did not reflect on her own misdeeds, still feeling that fate was unfair.
Compared to the panic and despair of these two families, Wen Mingqian was remarkably calm and serene.
“Madam, the plum blossom in the southeast corner has bloomed. Although only one or two branches have opened, they are full of spirit. Won’t you go and admire them?” Ao Shuang said cheerfully as she walked in.
“I didn’t see any signs when I went over yesterday!” Sang Er also found it novel. “They’ve bloomed today.”
“The best times to appreciate plum blossoms are first in the early morning, second in the evening, and third under the moonlight,” Wen Mingqian said. “Why don’t we wait until after dinner in the evening to go and admire them? It will surely be a different kind of pleasure.”
“Being with Madam, I always learn many elegant things.” Ao Shuang didn’t feel like a servant at all. She learned a lot every day, and even hiring a master might not have taught her so thoroughly.
“Then I’ll go prepare a pot of plain wine,” Sang Er said. “When we admire the plum blossoms, Mother can have a cup or two to ward off the cold air.”
“I came uninvited, will I be kicked out?” Madam Wei said, smiling as she entered with a maid and an old woman.
“It’s Elder Sister, please sit down quickly.” Wen Mingqian was also very pleased to see Madam Wei and quickly got up to offer her a seat with a smile.
“I’ve wanted to visit you for a long time, but I fell ill after you left. I’ve only just recovered these past few days,” Madam Wei said as she sat down. She had indeed lost some weight, and her complexion was not as good as before.
“Why did Elder Sister fall ill? I imagine it’s because you’ve been too busy usually. Are you much better now?” Wen Mingqian asked with great concern.
“I’m much better, you don’t need to worry.” Madam Wei smiled and said, “I just missed you a bit. How have you been all this time?”
“As Elder Sister can see, I’m doing very well.” Wen Mingqian said, “I’m free and easy, waking up when I want and sleeping when I want.”
“Indeed, you are free,” Madam Wei also smiled. “It seems my worries were unnecessary.”
“Has Elder Sister also heard those rumors?” Wen Mingqian personally poured her a cup of tea.
“Of course! I was so angry when I heard them. I don’t know who is so malicious to slander someone’s innocence for no reason,” Madam Wei said.
“Since people learned to speak, has there ever been a shortage of gossip in this world?” Wen Mingqian sighed lightly. “The most difficult thing to guard against in this world is rumors.”
“Even though you have left the Gong Family, in our hearts, we are still a family. First Master and I have already discussed it; no matter what, we cannot let these rumors spread.
Yesterday, I attended a banquet at the Huang Family’s. During the meal, I publicly stated that we trust your character the most. Our Gong Family has failed you, yet you still repay kindness with virtue. This must be someone with malicious intent, deliberately slandering you. Rest assured, we will never stand by and do nothing, no matter what.”
“Elder Sister, thank you so much.” Wen Mingqian was truly grateful to Madam Wei and her husband. “For being willing to help me like this.”
“I told you long ago, there’s no need to be polite with us.” Madam Wei said, “A few days ago, we received a letter from Chang An and knew he was doing well. Old Madam misses him terribly and asked us to prepare many things and send them with a special person. I came to ask you if you have anything you want to send to Chang An? We can send it out before the New Year.”
“I did make him some clothes, so I’ll trouble Elder Sister with them.” Wen Mingqian had originally planned to mail them herself, but since Madam Wei had offered, she couldn’t refuse.
“Are they all finished? If they aren’t, I’ll send someone to pick them up in a couple of days,” Madam Wei said. “Time flies so fast, it’s been two months since you left.”
“Is everyone at home well? Is Old Madam well?” Wen Mingqian asked.
“When you left, Old Madam was ill. She has been feeling unwell these past few days, but there’s nothing serious.” Madam Wei said, “As for Second Master, a matchmaker has already visited to arrange a marriage for him.”
“That’s good news. Is there anyone she fancies?” Wen Mingqian didn’t mind at all; on the contrary, she hoped Gong Xu would remarry soon.
“We have our eye on someone, the daughter of the Ministry of Rites’ sixth-rank official, from the Wan Family. She’s twenty years old this year and was previously engaged, but the engagement was broken off. This young lady’s marriage prospects have been somewhat delayed, but people who know her background say she has excellent character, and her appearance bears some resemblance to yours.” Madam Wei said, “We are discussing the betrothal gifts these few days, and she is expected to marry after the New Year.”
“The mansion will have another joyous occasion,” Wen Mingqian said with a faint smile. “But Elder Sister will be busy again.”
None of this was unexpected for Wen Mingqian. Men are often like this; they can’t forget their past loves while simultaneously accepting new ones without delay.
In any case, she had long since let go and would no longer mind in the slightest.
