Chapter 7: Little Scoundrel
In the blink of an eye, Wen Mingqian and her son had been staying at Yun Feng Zhai for several days.
Consort Song had fallen ill the day after they returned and had not been seen since.
Gong Xu, moreover, avoided her completely, treating his original wife like a discarded shoe.
However, Wen Mingqian was quite at ease, showing no signs of discomfort.
This morning, Zhang Ma complained, “This room hasn’t been lived in for a long time, it smells musty. I’ve been burning incense for days, but it’s still not clear.”
As she spoke, she brought over an incense burner to burn incense, while Gong Changan and Wen Mingqian played chess by the window, Wen Mingqian with the white pieces and Gong Changan with the black.
After Zhang Ma finished burning incense, she turned around and couldn’t find anyone, so she said, “These two maids assigned to us are truly lazy. Not only do they dawdle when working, but they also disappear at the slightest provocation.”
“I think they are quite clever, just lazy in this courtyard,” Wen Mingqian smiled. “They probably assume I won’t be staying here long, which is why they are so reluctant to serve.”
“Hmph, it’s all Consort Song’s doing,” Zhang Ma sneered. “She’s hiding in her room pretending to be sick, partly to keep to herself, and partly to deliberately indulge these servants in their disregard for rules.”
“I’ve been thinking too. We’ve been back for several days and have rested,” Wen Mingqian slowly turned her tea cup, watching the amber tea reflect the spring sunlight outside the window. “The mansion has been too quiet for too many years, it’s quite boring.”
“Then, according to Miss’s wishes, we’ll liven things up,” Zhang Ma smiled knowingly.
“We didn’t come back to live a peaceful life,” Wen Mingqian said with a light, mocking tone. “If we don’t stir up a world-shaking event, how can we stop?”
In these seven years, Wen Mingqian had shed more than a few layers of skin.
Her current calm demeanor was the result of enduring countless heart-wrenching sorrows and agonizing through countless sleepless nights, only then to be tempered.
A moment later, the maid Zhui Zi entered from outside, holding a drawn shoe pattern, which was the reason for her prolonged absence.
Zhang Ma walked to the outer room and called out her name, saying, “Hong Xing went to hurry breakfast. She hasn’t returned all this time, go and check on her. Tell her to be quick, Madam and the Fourth Young Master are already up.”
Upon hearing this, Zhui Zi secretly rolled her eyes, but readily agreed, “Got it, I’ll go now.”
She dawdled her way to the kitchen and saw Hong Xing chatting and eating sunflower seeds with some of the kitchen staff. Of course, they couldn’t be gossiping about anyone else but Wen Mingqian.
“I’m telling you to hurry back! Have your feet been tied?” Zhui Zi walked in, smiling and teasing, while casually patting Hong Xing’s slender waist.
Hong Xing turned and pushed her away, playing along with her words, “My feet are tied, but yours are fast. Here, breakfast is ready, hurry and take it back!”
The two of them teased each other, clearly not taking Wen Mingqian and her son seriously.
It wasn’t just them; everyone in the mansion with ears knew about it.
The Master disliked the Madam intensely, not even seeing her, and even forbidding her and her son from moving freely.
It was highly likely she would be sent back to Shuangxi again. Who would pay attention to this nominal Matriarch?
Besides, they had to seize this opportunity to show their loyalty to the Little Madam!
Zhui Zi grabbed a handful of pumpkin seeds from the woven basket and said while cracking them, “That old fool Zhang Ma has a grim face, she’s probably going to scold someone.”
Hong Xing snorted and turned her head, saying, “She’s just a country bumpkin, what’s so great about her scolding a few people? She was arrogant when she first arrived, but she’s quieted down these days.
After all, she has to stay in this mansion. If she keeps acting like a stubborn mule, who would indulge her?!”
“It’s only the Little Madam who indulges them. Now that she’s even angered the Little Madam to illness, who else can they put on airs for?” the head cook said. “These past few days, you’ve been serving them the same food we eat, and they haven’t complained.”
“Heh heh, that’s because they’ve never seen the world. How would they know what masters should eat? They already think our food is a delicacy.” Hong Xing laughed until her body bent over.
“However, most of that food is eaten by Zhang Ma herself. Those two eat what they make themselves,” Zhui Zi said. “They brought a large vat with a charcoal fire inside that never goes out. They’re stewing several earthenware pots, both meat and vegetables.”
“Are they bringing in food fit for beggars?” the head housekeeper, an old woman, frowned. “Oh my, they’re truly uncouth!”
“You know, that stuff smells strangely fragrant,” Hong Xing secretly swallowed, saying, “I don’t know what they’re making, and I haven’t seen them ask for vegetables from the kitchen.”
Zhui Zi finished the sunflower seeds in her hand and felt that too much time had passed. She couldn’t help but urge Hong Xing again, “That’s enough. You’ve been out for at least half an hour, don’t look so out of place.”
Hong Xing also knew she had delayed for quite some time, so she stood up, picked up the food box, and walked out with Zhui Zi.
The two of them couldn’t help but whisper as they walked.
“Who would have thought this unlucky task would fall on us? Now everyone laughs at me,” Hong Xing said dejectedly.
“That’s true. Who knows when this will end?” Zhui Zi sighed in agreement.
“In my opinion, we should just not serve them properly,” Hong Xing pulled Zhui Zi, making her walk slower. “Let the Little Madam know that our hearts are with her.”
“Will doing this work?” Zhui Zi hesitated. “She is, after all, Madam…”
“You’re such a blockhead!” Hong Xing reached out and poked her head. “I heard that this Madam was sent back to her hometown for doing shameful deeds back then. Someone like her will never recover in this lifetime. Why should you be afraid of her?”
“What shameful deeds?” Zhui Zi quickly asked.
“I don’t know the specifics,” Hong Xing pouted and shook her head. “Either adultery or unfilial conduct, but definitely not minor faults.”
“Then…” Zhui Zi wanted to ask more.
Hong Xing said, “Don’t ask any more, and don’t tell anyone else. Just keep it in your heart. The important thing is to let the Little Madam know our intentions.”
At this moment, Wen Mingqian and her son had already finished breakfast.
Only Zhang Ma was still hungry.
“Zhang Ma, are you hungry?” Gong Changan patted Zhang Ma’s belly.
“Your breakfast today is destined to be late,” Wen Mingqian smiled.
Zhang Ma had a large appetite, eating as much as several people.
Outside, the sound of laughter could already be heard; it was Hong Xing and Zhui Zi returning.
“These two girls are clearly discriminating against people,” Zhang Ma said. “Miss, do you think we should give them a small punishment or a big one today?”
Wen Mingqian put the last chess piece back into the chess box. “Let’s deal with them while the stove is hot! It’ll save us annoyance over such trivial matters later.”
