Chapter 72: Seeking Advice
Wen Mingqian left Lingyue Pavilion and came to Old Madam Gong’s place, intending to let Yun Ying and Gong Xu have some alone time.
“Old Madam, this is actually quite a busy matter, and I haven’t had a suitable opportunity to ask for your advice,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile after sitting down.
“What are you referring to?” Old Madam Gong lay reclined on the arhat couch, with a young maid kneeling on the ground to massage her legs.
“The two maids I brought to pay respects to you the other day, what do you think of them?” Wen Mingqian was referring to Yun Ying and Sang Er.
When these two maids first entered the manor, Wen Mingqian had already brought them to meet Old Madam Gong.
“They are indeed very pretty maids, and they seem well-behaved,” Old Madam Gong expressed no dissatisfaction.
“With Old Madam’s discerning eye, I am at ease,” Wen Mingqian smiled with relief. “This is to add people to Master’s chambers. He must find them agreeable, and they must also have good character.
I feel Yun Ying is older and more steady in temperament, so let Master take her first.
As for Sang Er, we can wait another year or two. Firstly, she is young and prone to mischief, and secondly, we must also consider Master’s health.”
“Your plan is very thorough,” Old Madam Gong was very pleased with Wen Mingqian’s arrangements. “Let him take one first! Concubine Song cannot serve him for long periods, and you are too busy usually, so it’s inevitable that you can’t attend to everything.”
“Then it’s settled! I’ll ask Master’s opinion later and choose a suitable date to finalize this matter,” Wen Mingqian said. “There’s no need for extravagance; we’ll just invite a few close relatives and friends to liven things up.”
“Yes, it’s been a long time since we’ve had any joyous occasions in the family. It would be good to have some excitement, especially since it’s about adding to the household,” Old Madam Gong said. “You just go ahead and arrange it. If you’re too busy, ask your eldest sister-in-law for help.”
As they were speaking, Zhang Ma finished preparing dinner for Old Madam Gong and brought it over with some people.
“Zhang Ma’s cooking is truly excellent. Old Madam only eats her food now,” Madam Wei said with a smile. “Especially the medicinal cuisine last night, Old Madam drank two bowls and said she slept more soundly than usual.”
“I added a little bit of sour jujube seed inside, and I believe that’s what did the trick,” Zhang Ma said. “Today’s porridge is lily and pumpkin, which is also good for Old Madam’s spleen and stomach.”
“I thought it’s been a while since I’ve dined with Old Madam, so I asked Zhang Ma to make a few extra dishes. I wonder if Old Madam would grace us with her presence?” Wen Mingqian asked with a smile.
“Yes, yes, yes, I am very happy to have more people around now,” Old Madam Gong said with great pleasure. “Even if I eat a little more, it’s fine. If you all stay and chat with me, it will help with digestion.”
As they were talking, Gong Changan and Sang Er also arrived. The two had been strolling in the garden. Sang Er had woven a small basket from willow branches, decorated with many fresh flowers, which looked quite lovely.
“Sang Er is truly a beautiful girl,” Madam Wei said, looking at Sang Er with a smile. “Why didn’t Yun Ying come?”
“Elder Sister Yun Ying is serving Master during his meal!” Sang Er said with pure innocence. “Our Madam said I’m clumsy and can’t do delicate work, so she asked me to play with Fourth Young Master.”
Old Madam Gong and Madam Wei understood upon hearing this; Wen Mingqian was intentionally trying to matchmake those two!
At that moment, the dishes were already laid out on the table, and the main kitchen sent over four more dishes as usual.
“You two sisters-in-law, please sit and eat with me. Don’t just stand there,” Old Madam Gong’s age was increasing, and her temper had become more amiable than before. The rules were not as strict anymore. “With so much food, how can I possibly finish it all by myself? By the time I’m done, it will be cold for you to eat.”
“Sister-in-law, please sit down! Old Madam has spoken. If we race with Old Madam to eat, perhaps she’ll eat even more,” Madam Wei said with a smile. “Changan, sit next to your mother. Don’t eat too much meat for dinner; let Sang Er serve you food.”
After this meal, it had taken nearly half an hour. Old Madam Gong always chewed her food slowly, and the others dared not rush.
After her meal each day, Old Madam Gong would sit for a short while before being helped to walk a hundred paces around the room.
“Indeed, food tastes better with more people. I drank half a bowl more porridge today than usual. I shouldn’t do this tomorrow; the elderly are most averse to eating too much at dinner,” Old Madam Gong said with some regret.
“Half a bowl of porridge is nothing, and besides, with the weather cooling down, Old Madam can stay up a little later,” Wen Mingqian said. “We’ll chat with you more, and also, Sang Er is skilled at tuina massage. She can serve you later and give you a massage; I guarantee you won’t have indigestion.”
“This young maid has such an ability,” Old Madam Gong looked at Sang Er and smiled. “What a clever girl.”
“To receive Old Madam’s praise is this servant’s fortune, and to be able to serve you brings honor to this servant’s face!” Sang Er said with a giggle.
Wen Mingqian and Madam Wei helped Old Madam to the couch, and Sang Er began to give her a tuina massage in an orderly fashion.
“I must say, this young maid has quite a bit of strength in her hands; it’s very comfortable,” Old Madam Gong was very satisfied.
“Grandmother, can I stay here with you tonight?” Gong Changan asked.
“Why not? Didn’t Grandmother say it? You should stay and accompany me here often.”
“Then I want Elder Sister Sang Er to pat me to sleep,” Gong Changan pushed his luck. “Otherwise, it’s quite boring to be alone.”
“Let Sang Er stay then!” Wen Mingqian knew that Gong Changan would need someone to cooperate with him later when he put on an act.
After some time, seeing that it was getting late, Wen Mingqian and Madam Wei helped Old Madam Gong to rest before withdrawing.
Wen Mingqian did not forget to instruct her son: “Read for a while and then quietly go to sleep! Don’t make any noise and disturb Old Madam.”
Emerging from Old Madam Gong’s room, the sky had already turned completely dark.
Wen Mingqian returned to Lingyue Pavilion; Gong Xu was no longer there but had gone to the study room.
“How was it today?” Wen Mingqian asked Yun Ying.
“It went relatively smoothly. I can tell he’s starting to have intentions,” Yun Ying said. “But he’s still a bit hesitant.”
“Mm, wait another half an hour, then go to the study room to deliver some dim sum,” Wen Mingqian said. “I’ve already told Old Madam today that we will choose a date to officially take you as a concubine. However, we must first ask Gong Er’s opinion.”
“Madam, why does Gong Er only have Concubine Song as his concubine? Isn’t Gong Er quite devoted?”
“There was also Concubine Zhang and a maidservant who served him, but they were defeated by Consort Song. Concubine Zhang has already left, and that maidservant reportedly died of smallpox one year,” Wen Mingqian said. “Gong Xu was infatuated with Consort Song. Now that you two have arrived, you have finally stirred his feelings.
Moreover, taking concubines has always been the responsibility of the principal wife. Since I am not home, it is not convenient for him to bring them in one after another.”
“Heh heh, Gong Xu even asked me today where Sang Er went. Men are all the same; they’re already eyeing what’s in the pot before they’ve even eaten what’s in their bowl,” Yun Ying said with a cold laugh.
