Chapter 74: Stirring the Waters
In the early morning, Gong Xu went to Old Madam Gong’s side to pay respects.
He had a day off today and could spend more time with his family.
“Did Madam sleep poorly last night?” Gong Xu noticed his mother seemed a bit weary.
“The first half of the night was fine, but the latter half was restless,” Old Madam Gong said, unable to suppress a yawn. “Changan was restless last night, and I woke up when I heard the commotion.”
“What happened to Changan?” Gong Xu asked. “Is he unwell?”
“Replying to Master, last night I was by Fourth Young Master’s side. He had a nightmare and woke up startled,” Sang Er said, still feeling a bit scared. “He kept saying that a child wearing red clothes and green trousers was sitting on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.”
“How can you be so ill-mannered, girl? The master is speaking, and you dare to interrupt?” Madam Wei reprimanded the servant sternly, which was rare.
The reason she acted this way was because she knew there were taboos involved.
If Wen Mingqian’s relationship with Gong Xu had slightly eased, and then the events of the past were brought up again, wouldn’t it make Gong Xu resent Wen Mingqian even more?
Unfortunately, Sang Er was new and had no idea about the past events, so she spoke without restraint.
“Alright, take Changan back to Second Madam’s side,” Old Madam Gong said. “Tell her she doesn’t need to come to pay respects; I’m going to take another nap.”
“Yes,” Sang Er replied, retreating with a hint of shame.
Gong Xu sat there expressionless, like a statue.
“Many years have passed since then. I told you long ago that it was time to move on,” Old Madam Gong reminded her son. “You promised me, didn’t you?”
“Mother, rest assured. I remember everything I’ve said,” Gong Xu replied, forcing a smile that was somewhat strained.
“Your wife told me yesterday that the two maids she bought are for you to take as concubines,” Old Madam Gong changed the subject. “I think Yun Ying is more mature, so you can take her first. As for Sang Er, she’s still young and hasn’t shed her childishness; we can talk about it in a year or two.”
“Everything is up to Mother to decide,” Gong Xu said obediently. “Old Madam always thinks more thoroughly than we do.”
“Since you’ve agreed, then have them choose a good day. Set up a few tables of wine and invite some people to liven things up. Our family hasn’t been very smooth sailing lately, and you had a false alarm. Concubine Song hasn’t been very peaceful either. It might be good to use this opportunity to bring some good luck.” Old Madam Gong mentioned Consort Song in passing.
“Whatever Old Madam deems good is good,” Gong Xu said. “I will simply follow instructions.”
“Alright, then you may go! I am truly exhausted and need to sleep again,” Old Madam Gong yawned again.
“Make sure the servants attending to you are careful. If Old Madam feels unwell in any way, call for a doctor immediately without delay,” Gong Xu instructed the servants nearby.
“It’s nothing serious, just a disruption to my sleep. My health isn’t that weak,” Old Madam Gong smiled. “I want to eat Zhang Ma’s cooking for lunch, and you should all come and eat with me. It’s been many days since we’ve eaten together.”
Seeing that Old Madam was in high spirits, Gong Xu smiled and agreed.
As he walked out, a sense of gloom still lingered in his heart.
Sang Er said Gong Changan had a nightmare, and he knew who that child in his dream was.
Naturally, he thought of Consort Song, and he had been neglecting her a bit these past two days, which was not right.
“Does Master want to return to the study, or go for a stroll on the street?” the servant asked him.
“I’m not going out. I’ll go to Little Madam’s place,” Gong Xu said, and then walked towards the west.
“Master, you’ve finally arrived!” Granny Yang exclaimed upon seeing Gong Xu, as if she had seen a bodhisattva, almost kneeling to kowtow.
Seeing her like this, Gong Xu couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Please go in and see Little Madam!” Granny Yang said, tears streaming down her face. “She’s been quite restless these past two days!”
“What? Is she unwell again?” Gong Xu asked, filled with worry and guilt.
“She’s been taking the prescription from the Imperial Physician, and her fetal condition has stabilized a lot,” Granny Yang said as she lifted the curtain for Gong Xu. “But… but…”
“But what? Is there something you can’t say?” Gong Xu asked as he entered the room.
Only Consort Song was in the room.
“Master…” As soon as Consort Song saw Gong Xu, tears began to fall. She looked as if she had suffered a grievance and could no longer hold back upon seeing a loved one.
“Don’t cry. What grievance have you suffered? Tell me everything,” Gong Xu said, walking over with concern.
“Master, I can’t hold back any longer. I can only tell you the truth,” Consort Song sobbed. “These past few days have been unbearable for me.”
“What have you been hiding from me? Didn’t I tell you? You can tell me anything, don’t keep it bottled up,” Gong Xu said, gently patting her back to comfort her.
“Actually, I’ve been having frequent dreams for a while now, dreaming that Kang An… he’s back. In my dreams, he calls me Mother and says he died unjustly, asking me to avenge him…
He also said, why do I smile at my enemies? He blames me, blames me for forgetting how tragically he died…
He haunts me in my dreams every night, telling me how wronged he was, how much pain he was in…
But I couldn’t tell anyone these things, and I couldn’t bear to make Master suffer with me…
I thought it would pass if I just endured it, but who would have thought… who would have thought… he became more and more restless.
The day before yesterday, when Fourth Young Master, Duke Feng’s Family’s Young Heir, and Bao An were playing together, they all said they saw a child in red clothes and green trousers run into my room.
Even more frightening, Bao An said that after he fell asleep, he also had a dream where a little brother in red clothes and green trousers asked him for Rose Cake.
This child was restless all day yesterday, insisting on red clothes, green trousers, and Rose Cake. Master, I really can’t take it anymore…”
“Yes! Master, we are all scared. Yesterday, Fifth Young Master was very restless, crying and shouting,” Granny Yang chimed in to support her. “Little Madam is pregnant now and her body is weak. Fifth Young Master is also young and can see unclean things.
If this continues, what will happen?”
Gong Xu didn’t doubt their words at all, because Gong Changan had also dreamed of that child.
Many people don’t believe in ghosts and spirits, but this disbelief is often not absolute. Most people hold the mindset of “better safe than sorry.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll have someone invite a pháp sư to come,” Gong Xu said immediately. “It will be fine if they exorcise the evil.”
“Then I’ll trouble Master. With Old Madam and Madam above, I can’t make decisions on my own,” Consort Song said, wiping her tears. “However, I heard that there is a Celestial Master Zhang from Xijing at Longhu Temple who is very skilled. It would be best if Master could invite him.”
“Alright! I’ll write a formal invitation and have someone deliver it right away,” Gong Xu said. “Ask him to come as soon as possible.”
