Chapter 54: Another Plot
Wen Mingqian said, “Originally, I was going to speak to the Old Madam and the First Master today, but I didn’t know Concubine Song had also come up with a method.”
Old Madam Gong asked, “What is your method? Are you confident?”
Although she asked this, she held no hope in her heart.
Firstly, Wen Mingqian was a woman, and her maternal family was not prominent.
Secondly, she had been away from the capital for a long time and had no close or capable confidantes.
Thirdly, this matter was inherently difficult to handle; not to mention her, even Gong Rang, who had been in officialdom for twenty years, was at a loss.
“I dare not say how many chances of success there are, but we can try,” Wen Mingqian said. “Tomorrow, I will take Changan to see Lord Zhu.”
“What? You want to see Zhu Hui? I’m afraid you won’t even get to see his face,” Gong Rang shook his head. “This person is extremely unreasonable.”
“Of course, I know this is difficult, but for the Master, we can only believe that effort is key,” Wen Mingqian said. “No matter what, we must try, and consider it our best effort.”
“Then what exactly are you going to do?” Old Madam Gong asked, looking at Wen Mingqian’s demeanor, she seemed to have some confidence.
“Old Madam, it’s not that I’m deliberately being coy, but often success comes from secrecy, and failure from exposure. Moreover, this is a matter of great importance, so please forgive me for not being able to reveal it yet.” Wen Mingqian refused to disclose her plan.
Consort Song, upon hearing her words, naturally did not believe her, thinking this was likely a delaying tactic.
She then said, “Madam, it’s not that I want to stop you. If you succeed, it would be good, but if you fail, I fear you might anger Zhu Hui, which would be even more detrimental to the Master.”
“That won’t happen, I can guarantee that,” Wen Mingqian reassured her, and also reassured Old Madam Gong. “Besides, even if it ultimately fails, isn’t there still the path of having Changan act as a substitute? We haven’t offended Prince Zhao, at most we’ve only offended Zhu Hui. What’s so impossible about that?”
Although Consort Song was unwilling in her heart, her attitude could not be too forceful.
Otherwise, everyone would see that she was acting out of personal interest rather than purely to save Gong Xu, and more so to get revenge on Wen Mingqian.
“Old Madam, First Master, I swear on my life, even if this matter fails, it will never make the situation worse. Please just let me try!” Throughout the entire exchange, Wen Mingqian did not use harsh words; she was calm and composed, with proper conduct.
However, Old Madam Gong still couldn’t make up her mind. She looked at her eldest son.
“Let sister-in-law try!” Gong Rang chose to believe Wen Mingqian. “As she said, it doesn’t matter whether we offend Zhu Hui or not. He doesn’t show favor to anyone anyway, so even if we offend him, he might not necessarily retaliate.”
Zhu Hui was known for his integrity; it was difficult to win him over or bribe him, and equally difficult to make him seek revenge out of personal spite.
“Then alright! Be very careful,” Old Madam Gong cautioned. “If it doesn’t work, we’ll think of another way.”
As she said this, her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Gong Changan, clearly showing that she was still swayed by Consort Song’s suggestion.
After everyone dispersed, Wen Mingqian brought Gong Changan back with her.
Consort Song returned to her Rui Xiang Residence, her expression dejected.
“Little Madam, do you think that one surnamed Wen might be playing tricks?” Granny Yang asked worriedly. “The Old Madam and the First Master are also a bit too indecisive. They should have followed your suggestion, which is a sure thing.”
Consort Song glanced at her, sighed a long, winding sigh, and then let out two cold laughs.
“The First Master and his wife are both kind people! If it weren’t for them all these years, Wen Mingqian would have been completely kicked out of the mansion.
I don’t believe Wen Mingqian has any brilliant plan that can move that stubborn dog-headed rock, Zhu Hui.”
“That’s true, Little Madam. Could she be planning to scheme against us?” Granny Yang thought of Steward Chen, who had been driven out not long ago.
At that time, Wen Mingqian had also acted without a ripple.
“Then what is she going to do? Will she go and beg Zhu Hui, saying I forced her to give up her son? So that the one surnamed Zhu will take pity on her.” Consort Song began to maliciously speculate about Wen Mingqian.
“I don’t think that method will work. Zhu Hui is a filial son! He probably won’t consider it coercion, after all, since ancient times, subjects die for their ruler and sons die for their fathers, that is righteousness,” Granny Yang shook her head.
“Then will she make this matter known to everyone?” Consort Song’s eyes widened. “If it causes a huge uproar, it will tie our hands.
Prince Zhao values his reputation. If this matter is publicized, he won’t want to be seen as taking advantage of someone’s misfortune, and he’ll simply cut off this path.”
“Ah? Is she really planning this?” Granny Yang was greatly alarmed. “If that’s the case, she’ll offend Prince Zhao. Not only will we not be able to save the Master, but we’ll also sever ties with them. That would be too much of a loss.”
Prince Zhao’s influence was so great that offending him was equivalent to offending half the Imperial Court, and the Gong Family’s future in officialdom would be even more difficult.
But Consort Song quickly understood: “No, she won’t do that. If she doesn’t want to give up her son, she only needs to firmly refuse. In that case, she’ll only offend the Gong Family.
If she were to cause a scene, it would be too unwise, essentially offending everyone. Wen Mingqian isn’t stupid enough for that; I was being foolish just now.”
“Then if that’s the case, what exactly is she going to do?” Granny Yang couldn’t figure it out, her mind a muddle. “Let’s just say it’s a delaying tactic? How long can it delay things?
As long as they, mother and son, remain in the Gong Family for one more day, they can’t escape. What difference does delaying for a day or two make?”
“I don’t care what she’s thinking,” Consort Song gritted her teeth. “I’m set on that one path. I’ll let everyone in the Gong Family see that only I sincerely want to save the Master, and only my method is feasible!”
“Little Madam, then what can we do? The Old Madam and the First Master have already agreed to let her try,” Granny Yang asked, wringing her hands.
“What’s so great about hindsight? What we need to do is foresight,” Consort Song said, standing up. “I’m going to kneel before Wen Mingqian and beg her to agree to save the Master sooner!”
Consort Song knew this was a rare opportunity. If she didn’t scheme against Gong Changan now, it would be a great pity.
After all, sending Gong Changan to be a substitute would not only save Gong Xu but also allow him to gain promotion and high office in the future.
Giving up an legitimate son to exchange for her own future glory and wealth, why not?
This was a matter of utmost importance concerning her and her son’s entire lives, how could it be taken lightly?
She wanted to force Wen Mingqian, to force her to death!
“Madam, the Little Madam is kneeling outside,” Liu Er said to Wen Mingqian with a troubled expression. “The servants can’t persuade her to get up.”
Wen Mingqian, who was drinking tea, raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this.
Zhang Ma said, “Is this Concubine Song afraid the mansion will be too peaceful, constantly stirring up trouble? If she wants to kneel, let her kneel. It serves her right to be a spectacle!”
