Chapter 287: A Fickle Lover
Yun Ying looked down on Gong Xu’s demeanor, but on the surface, she had to act extremely considerate and respectful towards him: “Master misses Fourth Young Master so much that he speaks such angry words. Nowadays, let alone in the Capital City, who among those with even a little knowledge doesn’t know that our Gong Family has produced a prodigy? It can be said to be famous throughout the land.”
This extraordinary child is naturally different. How could Fourth Young Master Gong not miss his family? Just a few days ago, he even specifically went to the Academy to support Fifth Young Master!
It’s just that this child’s temperament is likely also like Master’s. He is reserved and silent in everything and doesn’t like to talk much. Once he has decided on something, that’s that.”
Her words turned Gong Xu’s thoughts around again. He thought that if Gong Changan could be close and affectionate towards Gong Bao’an, who was born to Consort Song, it clearly showed that Wen Mingqian had not instigated him to distance himself from his own family.
Otherwise, given the grudge between Wen Mingqian and Consort Song, even if Gong Changan didn’t do anything to this younger brother, he would most likely treat him as a stranger.
Moreover, his son is an unparalleled prodigy. At such a young age, he entered the Palace as a Companion Reader, and even the Emperor treated him with great courtesy. This is an honor that many people cannot achieve even after studying diligently their entire lives. In the end, he is still a descendant of the Gong Family, truly bringing glory to the ancestors!
Thinking of this, his anger turned to joy. He reached out and took his daughter, holding her in his arms and coaxing her: “Good Ning’er, you are my beloved child! You are my little darling!”
With such an outstanding son as Gong Changan, he would have nothing to worry about in his lifetime. It doesn’t matter if other children are boys or girls, because he no longer needs to compete with others. He can adopt a magnanimous attitude of “having a child to hold, why must it be a boy?”
Gong Yining was annoyed by his fussing and started crying loudly…
In the Palace, Wen Mingqian emerged from Yun Pin Palace and was stopped halfway by a little eunuch named Xiao Shunzi.
“Madam Wen, please come this way. Someone is looking for you,” said the little eunuch, who had short eyebrows, small eyes, and a pointed chin, looking like a little mouse that had become a spirit.
“Who is looking for me?” Wen Mingqian naturally asked.
“It’s Noble Consort Fang, just around that corner,” Xiao Shunzi said. “I have something else to attend to, so I’ll be going now.”
Wen Mingqian naturally sensed something was wrong. If it were truly Noble Consort Fang looking for her, why would she need a little eunuch to relay the message?
The little eunuch was clearly hiding something, only to lure her to that spot.
She thought for a moment and had already guessed who it was, and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
However, she still pretended not to have seen through it and walked over.
Turning the corner led to an aisle between two rows of houses. Because they were all locked storerooms, it was very quiet and mostly deserted.
As Wen Mingqian took two steps inside, a person darted out from behind the wall. He was wearing a bright red official robe, which was still scented with the unique incense from the Empress’s Palace.
Wen Mingqian looked closely and saw that it was none other than Dong Gang, the Empress’s nephew.
Wen Mingqian pretended to be greatly surprised, covering her chest and saying, “How is Lord here? You truly startled this servant.”
Dong Gang looked at Wen Mingqian, who was posing like Xi Shi holding her heart, and found her pleasing to the eye. He smiled with a fawning expression, “Madam, it has been a long time. I have come to the Palace today to visit my aunt.”
“Why does Lord say it has been a long time? We clearly saw each other just a few days ago,” Wen Mingqian asked innocently. “Oh, right, I’ve been thinking about when to return the jade pendant you gifted me last time. It’s a pity I didn’t know you were coming to the Palace today.”
“Madam, why be so formal with me? What I said I would gift you, you should accept. Do I not have the means to give a jade pendant? Besides, Madam is intelligent and wise, how can you not understand what I mean by ‘long time no see’?” As Dong Gang said this, his eyes were almost glued to Wen Mingqian.
He spent his days wanting to get his hands on a peerlessly beautiful woman, and now he had truly found one.
“Lord is truly joking. Please stop teasing this servant. Oh, have you seen Noble Consort Fang here? Someone told this servant she was looking for me here.” Wen Mingqian said, looking around in all directions.
Seeing her graceful demeanor, Dong Gang felt as if he were being scratched by a cat, his heart burning with impatience.
“Madam is truly heartless. Can you not see my intentions? A day apart feels like three years. We haven’t seen each other for seven or eight days, how many years would that be?”
Wen Mingqian seemed terrified by his words, her eyes widening as she shook her head, “Lord, please do not tease this servant. This servant cannot afford such a joke.”
Saying this, she turned to leave, but how could Dong Gang let her go? Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, he suddenly embraced Wen Mingqian.
He said, “Do you know I am falling ill with lovesickness for you? From the first moment I saw you, my soul was lost!”
Wen Mingqian struggled with all her might, pulled a gold hairpin from her hair, and held it against her neck. Her voice trembled but was firm, “Lord Dong, this servant would rather die than be disgraced! You are an Imperial Relative, what kind of woman can you not obtain? Why must you trouble me, a withered willow?”
Seeing her resolute attitude, and that the gold hairpin had already pierced the skin of her neck, drawing blood, Dong Gang also feared that she might truly commit suicide, which would be difficult to handle.
He quickly softened his tone and said, “Good person, how could I bear to trouble you? I was simply overcome when I saw you. Just now, the Empress also bestowed two cups of wine upon me, and I was inevitably a bit flustered and rash in my actions.
Perhaps it is also because I truly love you that I acted this way. Please do not harm yourself, I will not be presumptuous again.”
“Lord Dong, this servant did not intend to offend you, but a woman’s reputation is of great importance. Moreover, this servant is fortunate enough to serve by the Empress’s side, how can I commit such a scandalous act within the Palace?” Wen Mingqian said, tears streaming down her face, like a beautiful lotus dripping dew, or a pear blossom weeping rain.
Dong Gang witnessed this beautiful sight, and his fickle heart softened like mud. He lowered his voice and said, “I know you are not an ordinary woman. I was too abrupt with you. But you must also know that I truly like you immensely, which is why I am so helpless. Do you have any feelings for me?”
Wen Mingqian bit her lip and shook her head, “Lord, please stop toying with this servant. This servant truly cannot bear it.”
Saying this, she turned and ran away, leaving Dong Gang standing there.
With Dong Gang’s power and status, countless women had already fallen prey to him.
This was the first time he had encountered someone like Wen Mingqian who resisted to the death.
He stood there, stroking his chin, as if savoring and contemplating something.
After a long while, he smiled and murmured, “This little lady is truly fresh and interesting, much more flavorful than those frivolous women.”
Wen Mingqian’s refusal and threat of death did not make him retreat; instead, it further ignited his desire for conquest.
He secretly resolved that no matter what, he would have to get Wen Mingqian.
