Chapter 5: Malicious Intent
Granny Yang walked over and asked softly behind Consort Song, “Little Madam, shall I follow them?”
Consort Song turned her face and sighed, “That would be good. You are experienced, so instruct the household staff not to break the rules.”
“Little Madam, rest assured, I understand. If things are not done properly, they will inevitably laugh at you for being an incompetent housekeeper.” Granny Yang said quickly.
After she left, Consort Song continued to entertain guests until after noon, when she finally saw the guests out of the mansion.
Returning to her Rui Xiang Residence, the maid served her for a midday nap. Consort Song was truly tired and woke up after sleeping for about half an hour.
The head maid, Hua Hong, brought a bowl of clear tea. Consort Song drank half a bowl, and Granny Yang also entered afterward.
“Reporting to Little Madam, Madam and Fourth Young Master are staying at Yun Feng Zhai, and I have already sent someone to prepare Lingyue Pavilion.”
Consort Song nodded. Granny Yang then said, “Little Madam should have her hair done. Let me do it!”
Consort Song then sat before the dressing table. As Granny Yang combed her hair, she chattered, “When I first came over, I heard a few old women gossiping privately, all saying that Madam’s return this time is ill-omened. I rushed over to scold them and told them to shut up quickly.
But speaking of which, Madam is truly unpopular. The servants only dare not act presumptuously because Little Madam, you are respectful to her; in reality, many are dissatisfied in their hearts.
In just half a day since her return, she has caused chaos, leaving no one idle. Especially that Zhang Ma, she is truly unbearable.
The things they brought, if discarded in the street, no one would pick them up, yet they treat them like treasures and forbid others from touching them…”
Consort Song couldn’t help but ask, “What did they bring? That horse carriage is so small, how much can it carry?”
“Indeed, there wasn’t much, just three or four bundles and a medium-sized earthenware jar,” Granny Yang said, picking up a flat hairpin inlaid with turquoise to adorn Consort Song’s hair bun.
“Take this off,” Consort Song stopped her, “and change it to a plain silver hairpin!”
Granny Yang immediately understood and said while changing the hairpin, “Then have Liuyun find some simple clothes for Little Madam to change into later.”
The reason Consort Song acted this way was that Wen Mingqian was dressed very simply and elegantly, and as a concubine, it was not appropriate for her to wear overly ornate clothes.
The most important reason she was favored by Gong Xu and recognized by everyone was that she always behaved considerately and sensibly, adhering to etiquette and rules. She did not presume on his favor or act arrogantly.
“Just you wait! She’ll only be beautiful for half a day,” Granny Yang suddenly sneered. “When Master returns, if he can tolerate her, then the sun will truly rise from the west.”
Granny Yang knew how much Gong Xu detested Wen Mingqian, and Consort Song naturally knew it too.
“Little Madam, just be at ease. Our maternal uncle is so influential with Prince Zhao now, yet the Wen family has been in decline for decades. She herself has a history of misdeeds, how can she possibly turn things around?”
In any capital city of any dynasty, there were bound to be countless officials.
In the current Great Qi dynasty, Prince Zhao was extremely influential.
This was because he married the Empress’s sister, the youngest daughter of Grand Tutor Dong Yannian, and was enfeoffed as the Madam of Lu State.
As for Consort Song’s full brother, Song Xiang, although he had studied, he did not pursue the path of the imperial examinations. Instead, he worked as a hanger-on in an official’s mansion.
Because he was eloquent, clever, and insightful, coupled with his skills in slingshot archery and cuju ball, he was favored by Prince Zhao and kept by his side to flatter him.
It is said that even a doorkeeper at the Prime Minister’s residence holds a third-rank official position. Song Xiang, being a favorite of Prince Zhao, was sought after by many in the court and beyond.
The noble ladies and wives of officials in the Capital City have always placed great importance on one’s background, but they were also well-versed in the art of fawning over the powerful. If not for this connection, Consort Song would not have been able to navigate so smoothly.
“Master only has you in his heart. In the future, when our Bao Ge’er becomes a high official and obtains a patent of nobility for you, you will be a proper Madam, and there will be no place for a woman from the Wen family!” Granny Yang said with increasing enthusiasm.
Hearing Granny Yang’s words, although Consort Song did not reply, her heart couldn’t help but feel elated.
Are kings, nobles, and generals born into their positions? Just like them, siblings, although of humble origins, possess the means and depth of character, and may yet become superior beings.
“But is it possible that Madam’s return this time is to seize Little Madam’s housekeeping authority?” Hua Hong asked, walking over with great concern.
“She’s probably dreaming!” Granny Yang couldn’t help but spit. “In this mansion, from top to bottom, is there a single heart that is loyal to her? She merely holds the title of Madam in name only. If she had stayed honestly at Shuangxi, she would still be treated with respect.
She disrespected herself by returning; I fear she has lost even her last shred of dignity.”
Granny Yang suddenly laughed at this point and whispered to Consort Song, “In my opinion, her return is actually good for us. Otherwise, if she didn’t die and wasn’t divorced, she would have continued to occupy the position of Madam.
Now, it’s better for Master to divorce her outright and elevate you to the proper position.”
“That’s how it should be!” Hua Hong clapped her hands and said, “Let’s quickly find a way to squeeze her out. This inner chamber must remain our domain.”
Consort Song smiled slightly upon hearing this, picked up a bit of rouge, and smeared it on her palm. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror and said faintly, “This matter requires careful planning; we cannot be hasty. Setting aside other things for now, at least send a few people over to serve them. Don’t give them any grounds to find fault with us and then turn it back on us.”
Consort Song wanted to ascend to a higher position but did not want to give others any cause for criticism, so she naturally had to strive for flawlessness.
“Little Madam, rest assured. I have already selected a few people with Steward Chen. I will have you review them later, and if they are acceptable, they will be sent over,” Granny Yang said.
Granny Yang and Steward Chen were Consort Song’s right and left hands; she had no reason to worry.
Moreover, she knew that Granny Yang would have already given all the necessary instructions, so she didn’t need to worry herself.
Wen Mingqian slept for a while with her son. Zhang Ma never rested, constantly tidying up inside and out.
As soon as they woke up, Zhang Ma brought the longan and white fungus soup she had stewed for Wen Mingqian and the Four-Ingredient Soup that Gong Changan wanted to eat.
Although they had not been wealthy in recent years, the nourishing soups for health and recuperation had never been interrupted for a single day.
Gong Changan rubbed his eyes and sat on the bed, eating by himself.
After he finished eating, Zhang Ma brought warm water for him to wash his hands and face, and to rinse his mouth.
Just as she finished tidying up, Granny Yang entered with two maids and two old women.
She greeted them with a smile, “Madam and Fourth Young Master have woken up. Have you had a chance to rest a bit?”
Before Wen Mingqian could speak, Zhang Ma interjected, questioning, “Why didn’t Concubine Song come? Is she still busy entertaining guests?”
Granny Yang smiled and said, “Little Madam intended to come, but because our Master’s daily dinner must be personally prepared by her, she is busy in the kitchen at the moment! Please, Madam, do not be offended.”
“What’s there to be offended about? Her primary duty is to serve Master. If she is diligent, I am also at ease,” Wen Mingqian said. “If she needs to be busy, let her be busy; there’s no need to rigidly adhere to etiquette.”
“Madam is truly considerate,” Granny Yang said, her smile never fading. She then pointed to the people behind her, “These are assigned to serve you and Fourth Young Master. Two maids for close service, and two general servants.
Little Madam said that there are not enough people in the mansion currently, so please make do with these for now. We will add more once suitable ones are purchased.”
The four individuals also stepped forward and paid their respects to Wen Mingqian.
Wen Mingqian calmly appraised the four of them and then asked Zhang Ma to assign them tasks.
