Chapter 43: Sworn Brotherhood
Becoming sworn brothers is no small matter, especially since the Feng family cherishes Feng Tianzhu like their own eyes.
They specifically reported to the Duke before daring to propose it.
Seeing Wen Mingqian agree, a maid brought over a brush and red paper.
Wen Mingqian wrote down his son’s birth date and time on the red paper.
The maid took it away and returned it after the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn.
“The Master said that Gong Fourth Young Master and our Heir Apparent’s birth dates are very compatible. If they become brothers, they can mutually support each other, ward off misfortune, and accumulate blessings. It couldn’t be better.”
Madam Feng was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly said, “Excellent, excellent! Quickly go prepare the offerings and incense, today is a good day. Let them become sworn brothers!”
Speaking of which, she felt she might have been too hasty and smiled a little sheepishly, then turned to ask Wen Mingqian, “Does the Second Madam need to go back and ask your Master for permission?”
“No need. I can preside over this matter,” Wen Mingqian said. “Your esteemed residence’s kindness, my Master will not refuse.”
Forming a kinship with the Feng family would bring no harm to the Gong family and would further solidify Wen Mingqian’s position.
“Good, good! Then it’s settled.” Although Feng Tianzhu was not Madam Feng’s biological son, this child was too important to the Feng family. If her own daughters lost their maternal brothers, where would they find support in the future?
This kind of shared prosperity and shared loss was far more stable than some blood relations.
In the blink of an eye, the Feng family’s servants had prepared the incense altar, and the two children were also called over.
After a series of elaborate rituals, the two finally became sworn brothers.
Feng Tianzhu was one year older than Gong Changan, making him the sworn elder brother.
He took this matter very seriously and insisted on a blood oath with Gong Changan, which frightened Madam Feng and Wu Shi into trying to stop him desperately, but he wouldn’t listen.
It was Gong Changan who said, “Brother, we share kindred spirits, and we should be as open and honest as brothers who would die for each other.
However, with elders present, our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents. We cannot lose our filial piety for the sake of brotherhood.”
This rascal Feng Tianzhu wouldn’t listen to a word his family said, but he inexplicably listened to Gong Changan.
This was because when the two played together in private, Gong Changan was completely like a little hooligan, wild and cunning, completely unlike those noble sons.
He hid a small knife in his sleeve and could pin a silkworm moth to a branch with a gentle flick of his wrist.
He could hang upside down, stick to walls, and was incredibly skilled at playing cuju.
Feng Tianzhu immediately said, “Good brother, you are right! We are not biological brothers, but we are better than biological brothers. If anyone in Bodu gives you trouble, just mention my name, and see who dares to disobey?!”
Gong Changan, being a clever child, immediately flattered him, saying, “Brother’s righteousness reaches the heavens. Your brother is also willing to go through water and fire for you.”
This made Madam Feng and Wu Shi laugh until they bent over, saying, “You two little rascals, you must have heard these words from a play script! Such young children, speaking like people of the martial world, it’s truly hilarious.”
Madam Feng beckoned a nearby maid over. The maid was holding a box containing a jeweled collar. Judging by the craftsmanship and the quality of the gemstones, it was likely a reward from the palace.
“This is my meeting gift for Changan. Don’t find it too simple.” Madam Feng smoothed the necklace’s necklace and put it around Gong Changan’s neck.
“Madam, you are too kind. Such a precious gift, and yet you are so modest.” Wen Mingqian said, taking off the white jade longevity lock that Gong Changan was wearing around his neck as a return gift.
“This longevity lock has been worn by my son since birth. Although it is not particularly valuable, it is a personal item. Jade has a spirit and will surely bring the Young Heir better health and a smooth, auspicious life.”
“Thank you kindly for your good wishes, Second Madam,” Wu Shi said gratefully. She increasingly felt that Wen Mingqian was kind-hearted to the core.
Unlike Consort Song, who appeared as benevolent as a Bodhisattva at first glance, but was actually as venomous as a viper and scorpion within, capable of taking a life.
Thinking of this, she suddenly paused.
There were rumors that Wen Mingqian had caused the death of Consort Song’s eldest son, and she had previously thought it possible.
After all, in the struggle between wives and concubines, a moment of impulse could lead to harming a child.
However, after witnessing the characters of Wen Mingqian and Consort Song, she couldn’t help but have doubts.
One person would sacrifice the reputation of an unmarried young lady for personal revenge, even at the cost of an innocent child from another family.
The other always forgave when possible and considered the overall situation.
Could there be another hidden reason behind that rumor?
Wen Mingqian and her son were invited to stay for lunch. Feng Tianzhu adamantly refused to let Gong Changan go home. Fearing he might have an episode, the Feng family requested Wen Mingqian to let Gong Changan stay with them for a few days.
Wen Mingqian then instructed her son, “You must not cause any trouble here. Listen to Madam and Little Madam in everything.”
“Oh, Second Madam, you worry too much. Look at this child, how polite and steady he is. Although he is a year younger than our own, he is much more mature in his speech and actions!” Madam Feng said with a smile.
“Madam, please don’t praise him too much. He is still a child, and he is bound to be mischievous,” Wen Mingqian said.
“We’ve already said he’s a child, so a little mischief is fine,” Wu Shi said. “Your willingness to leave him here shows you trust us.”
Afterward, Wen Mingqian rode back to the mansion alone in the Feng family’s horse carriage. Upon entering, she felt something was strange.
Returning to her courtyard, Zhang Ma caught up and said, “The one in the West Courtyard rushed out in a hurry. I heard that Gong Er had an accident.”
“What happened to him?” Wen Mingqian was very surprised. Gong Xu was usually very cautious outside and rarely got into trouble.
“I didn’t get very precise information,” Zhang Ma said. “The main problem probably isn’t with Gong Er himself, but his former superior caused trouble, and he was implicated.
It was someone who followed him who came back to report the news, saying he was suddenly summoned to the Ministry of Justice and likely wouldn’t be released for a while.”
“He’s probably just being detained for questioning now, not necessarily in real trouble,” Wen Mingqian said. “But it’s hard to say. Often, when dealing with the main culprit, others get caught in the crossfire. It depends on the chief judge; if they are determined to find fault, it can indeed be difficult.”
“Song Xiulian is in a panic this time, probably rushing to beg her brother for help,” Zhang Ma pouted. “Her brother, who only licks Prince Zhao’s boots, has gained some face with his skills as a hanger-on. He will surely want to use his connections to get Gong Er out quickly.”
“Then let her run around for now. You investigate carefully, and we’ll know more details,” Wen Mingqian said. “You can also go ask Sang Er and have her help with the inquiries.”
Zhang Ma agreed and went out.
Wen Mingqian stayed at the Feng residence for most of the day and was naturally a bit tired. She called Liu Er in to attend to her, changed her clothes, washed her hands and face, and then told her to leave.
Afterward, she sat at her dressing table and carefully applied the prepared face cream to her hands, face, and neck, then went to bed to rest.
With Gong Xu’s incident, she wasn’t as worried as Consort Song and soon fell into a deep sleep.
