Chapter 207: Asking Face to Face
As expected, Liu Cuiyi’s bleeding stopped, and Wen Mingqian repeatedly thanked Imperial Physician Feng.
“Although the mother’s life has been saved, her body has indeed suffered damage. She must be carefully recuperated during her confinement, otherwise, she will definitely develop chronic ailments,” Imperial Physician Feng cautioned.
He had seen his fair share of dirty dealings within large households.
Therefore, he was not surprised by Liu Cuiyi’s condition at all.
The disputes within the inner chambers were not his concern, but as a doctor, his duty was to heal and save lives.
“Thank you for your advice, Imperial Physician. We will certainly take good care of her.”
Wen Mingqian then asked Imperial Physician Feng to prescribe medicine for Liu Cuiyi, and personally escorted him out.
Turning back, Wen Mingqian instructed Granny Zhao to personally go to the pharmacy to fetch the medicine, saying, “From now on, whether it’s food or medicine for Cuiyi, it must pass through your hands.”
She was not worried that the Zhou family would harm this child, because only with this child could the Zhou family live well.
The important thing was Liu Cuiyi.
“Madam Wen, it’s all thanks to you. Don’t worry, from now on, anything that goes into our young lady’s mouth will not pass through anyone else’s hands,” Granny Zhao said hurriedly.
“You can’t manage everything alone. I’ll leave Sang Er here later, she can be your helper,” Wen Mingqian said. “Now you go fetch the medicine, and let her stay by Cuiyi’s side. I’ll go see Madam Zhou.”
Wen Mingqian arrived at Madam Zhou’s room and entered without waiting for the maid to announce her.
Madam Zhou’s complexion was not good, but not daring to offend Wen Mingqian, she still offered a smile and invited her to sit.
“I must congratulate Madam on gaining a grandson,” Wen Mingqian said as she sat down. “Why does Madam look unhappy?”
“Happy, why wouldn’t I be? Our Zhou family has an heir,” Madam Zhou said, forcing a smile, and then ordered the maid, “Why aren’t you quickly pouring tea for Madam Wen? Such bad manners!”
She naturally had her reasons for unhappiness. Firstly, the child was very likely not her son’s offspring, and secondly, she had intended to take Liu Cuiyi’s life during this time but failed.
Wen Mingqian naturally knew what she was thinking and said directly, “There’s no need for tea. Madam, please have your attendants leave. I have a few words to say.”
Madam Zhou’s face showed a slight difficulty, but she eventually waved her hand, and the people below left.
“Madam, how could you be so foolish! You actually wanted to harm Cuiyi’s life.” Wen Mingqian said with a cold face; she rarely acted this way.
“I… this… that’s not true,” Madam Zhou argued, but she was clearly guilty.
“Does Madam still not understand what is more important? There is still half a bowl of the medicine Cuiyi drank left. If this were reported to the authorities now, do you think Madam could simply blame a servant and get away with it?” Wen Mingqian questioned repeatedly. “It is said that harmony in the family leads to prosperity. Your eldest young master is already gone, why must Madam continue to persecute Cuiyi so relentlessly?
You think by eliminating the mother and keeping the child, you’ve removed a thorn in your side. But have you considered how difficult it is for a newborn infant to grow up without a mother?
Madam, you are also nearly sixty this year. How long can you accompany this child? By then, he will have no one to rely on and will have to manage the household alone. Will your later years be peaceful then?”
“I… I didn’t…” Madam Zhou’s face turned red, and she was speechless.
“Madam, were you instigated by someone else?” Wen Mingqian asked, looking at her. “If so, speak up early, and it might still pacify Cuiyi’s resentment. Otherwise, your future days will likely be much more difficult than they are now.”
Wen Mingqian’s words made Madam Zhou tremble. Currently, Liu Cuiyi was managing the Zhou family’s affairs, and it was Liu Cuiyi’s money being spent.
Although there had been disagreements before, after Zhou Jing San’s death, Liu Cuiyi had not treated her mother-in-law poorly.
But after this incident, it was hard to say.
Who could remain calm and composed towards someone who tried to harm them?
Wen Mingqian stopped speaking and simply looked at Madam Zhou quietly.
After a long while, Madam Zhou sighed and said, “I was foolish for a moment and did wrong things when instigated.”
“Who?” Wen Mingqian asked.
Madam Zhou remained silent again.
“Madam is quite loyal, still wanting to keep secrets for others. Little do you know, if you don’t reveal the person behind this, Cuiyi will hate you for life,” Wen Mingqian said. “She almost lost her life. Can’t you even give her an explanation for this?”
“I… alas!” Madam Zhou sighed deeply and finally revealed, “It was the Princess Consort of Shoushan Commandery. A few days ago, she and I were attending a banquet at the Marquis Mansion of Dongyang. When the banquet ended, she stopped me and said some nonsense. You know I’ve always been easily swayed and lack insight. It’s inevitable… inevitable that I was deceived by her for a moment.”
“Madam, you are truly foolish. Not long ago, their County Princess caused a huge scene at your mansion, trampling the dignity of your Zhou family into the mud. How long ago was this, and have you already forgotten?
Naturally, mother and daughter are of one mind. When have they ever truly cared about the gains and losses of your Zhou family? I ask you, even if you had succeeded in harming Cuiyi to death, would the Prince of Shou Shan Commandery’s mansion offer you any assistance in the future when the old are old and the young are young?” Wen Mingqian truly witnessed what a foolish person was.
Madam Zhou lowered her head and remained silent. She was like a gourd with its mouth sawed off, looking at her was frustrating.
“Madam, Cuiyi was lucky and has now safely passed this ordeal. I know what you are thinking in your heart. Even if you were instigated by others, it is because you already had some thoughts in your heart that allowed them to take advantage of you,” Wen Mingqian stood up and said to Madam Zhou with righteous indignation. “You believe that Cuiyi is ultimately a junior, and moreover, her maternal family has never supported her, which is why you are so audacious.
But don’t forget that I, Wen Mingqian, am here. If anything happens to Cuiyi, I will definitely make the person who harmed her pay with their life.
As for whether I am boasting or not, Madam, you can carefully consider it.”
Wen Mingqian’s words made Madam Zhou shiver. Although Wen Mingqian always appeared gentle and amiable to outsiders, who didn’t know she was a formidable character?
Otherwise, why would Consort Song have died inexplicably not long after her return? And why did the Gong family treat her with such deference, without a single word of criticism?
Whether it was her son who entered San Jing Academy, or herself who became an adopted daughter of the Grand Princess and a guest of the Princess Consort Zhao, they were enough to inspire apprehension.
“Madam Wen, you speak too harshly. I was merely foolish for a moment and will never do such a thing again,” Madam Zhou said. “Please also trouble yourself to tell Cuiyi to forgive me this time!”
“I cannot persuade Cuiyi to forgive you, but I think, given her nature, if you don’t have such wicked thoughts in the future, she will still tolerate you,” Wen Mingqian said. “Furthermore, I must add that although this child has preserved your family’s noble title, for you to live well, you will ultimately still have to rely on Cuiyi. By protecting her, you are protecting your own later years. I don’t need to say anything more about the rest.”
With things said to this extent, if Madam Zhou still didn’t understand, then she was a complete fool.
