Chapter 81: Wives and Concubines Rejoice
Gong Xu officially took Yun Ying into his household, and these past few days happened to coincide with his leave.
Every year in June and July, officials are granted three days of summer leave. Those in the same yamen arrange their schedules to take turns having five days off.
During these five days, Gong Xu, apart from paying his respects to his mother daily, did not leave You Zhu Garden, where Yun Ying resided.
On this day, someone from the kitchen came to deliver dim sum and fruits to Consort Song.
“Little Madam, this is freshly made lychee cake. It tastes quite good, please try some,” Granny Qi said with a smile.
“Didn’t you say there were fresh lychees? Why don’t I see any?” Consort Song asked, glancing at the items on the table.
“Uh, this… the mansion received a total of five jin of lychees. Two jin were sent to the Old Madam, and half of the remainder was kept for Madam and the Fourth Young Master. The rest was sent to Concubine Yun’s room by the Master,” Granny Qi explained with some difficulty. “These precious items are never at our discretion; naturally, we send them as the Master instructs…
However, this lychee cake is also full of lychee sweetness, with an added layer of milky fragrance…”
“Thank you for your trouble, Granny Qi. I didn’t mean to blame you,” Consort Song said with a smile. “You may go and attend to your duties!”
But after Granny Qi left, she turned a cold face to Granny Yang and said, “Take this plate of things back and let your little granddaughter eat them. I don’t care for them.”
“Little Madam, please don’t be upset. The Master just didn’t think of it for a moment…” Granny Yang understood why Consort Song was unhappy and tried to placate her.
“I’m not going to get upset over a few lychees. My brother has already sent some to me anyway,” Consort Song scoffed with a laugh. “What’s so precious about them?!”
“That’s true. Little Madam, is there anything you’d like to eat?” Granny Yang quickly said. “I suppose Concubine Yun was greedy and, relying on the Master’s current infatuation, is acting presumptuously.”
Just as she finished speaking, Wen Mingqian sent Granny Zhu to deliver a message: “Consort Song, Madam says that today at noon, a banquet will be held at Lingyue Pavilion, inviting the Master, Concubine Yun, and you to attend!”
“Understood,” Consort Song replied. “Please trouble Granny to inform Madam that I will certainly be there.”
“Wen Mingqian is getting quite arrogant now. She invited you, isn’t it just to show off in front of your face?” Granny Yang said after Granny Zhu left. “Let’s see how long she can be so pleased with herself.”
“Let her be pleased for now! People are always like this; they are most careless when they are triumphant!” Consort Song said with a smile, crossing her arms.
Wen Mingqian had the banquet set up on the waterside pavilion of Lingyue Pavilion. The weather was extremely hot, especially at lunchtime; often, one would be drenched in sweat by the end of a meal.
This place, surrounded by water on all sides, was exceptionally cool. Coupled with the reflection of the lotus flowers in the pond, it was truly a delightful sight.
When Consort Song arrived, she found Wen Mingqian and Gong Xu already seated, with Yun Ying standing beside them.
Exquisite dishes and fruits were laid out on the table. Although not many, each item was meticulously prepared.
She glanced around and saw that more than half of the items on the table were Gong Xu’s favorites.
Wen Mingqian was becoming increasingly adept at pleasing him.
“Sister has arrived,” Yun Ying greeted Consort Song with a smile.
With her elevated status, Yun Ying appeared even more gentle and charming, like a delicate flower and soft jade, evoking pity even in strangers.
“It is my fault for being so late,” Consort Song apologized with a smile.
“This is a family banquet, so we don’t need to stand on ceremony. You are also pregnant, so naturally, you move slower. It’s alright, please sit down!” Wen Mingqian said with a composed smile, showing no hint of animosity towards Consort Song.
“I will stand and serve, just like Yun Ying!” Consort Song said quickly. She was very knowledgeable about propriety, and in front of Gong Xu, how could she be disrespectful?
“Both of you sit. There are no outsiders here, why be so reserved?” Gong Xu’s brows relaxed, his face beaming with joy.
“Yes! If you are reserved, the Master cannot be at ease, can he?” Wen Mingqian said. “I set up this banquet today for no other reason than for us, as a family, to sit together, chat and laugh, and accompany the Master to relieve his boredom. The Master is usually busy with official duties and has not had a chance to truly relax.
What we can do is limited, so we should cherish such opportunities. It can also be considered our congratulations to the Master!”
As they were speaking, two magpies chirped and flew over, landing on the upturned eaves of the waterside pavilion, hopping about with their tails cocked.
“Oh! What a coincidence! We were just talking about congratulations, and the magpies have flown here,” Wen Mingqian said. “It truly fits the occasion.”
Consort Song and Yun Ying sat at the lower end. Wen Mingqian personally poured wine for everyone: “This is rice wine. Consort Song, even though you are pregnant, you can have a little. I asked the doctor, and one or two cups are harmless to the fetus.”
“How dare I trouble Madam’s hand? You truly humble me,” Consort Song said, quickly cupping her hands to receive the cup.
“Please sit, please sit. I’ve already said not to be so formal,” Wen Mingqian said, gently pressing Consort Song’s shoulder to prevent her from standing.
She then said to Yun Ying, “You should learn more from Consort Song and quickly give the Master an heir.”
Saying this, she took a very exquisite white jade hairpin from her own hair and placed it on Yun Ying’s temple. “I have already ordered many clothes and jewelry to be sent to you. It is your good fortune to have gained the Master’s favor. Serve the Master well, and our household will never treat you unfairly.”
“Madam has already bestowed too many things upon me; I am truly a little apprehensive,” Yun Ying said, feeling both grateful and uneasy. “Madam elevates me so much, I truly don’t know how to repay your kindness.”
“As a family, we shouldn’t speak so formally. We are all sisters, and serving the Master well is our shared duty,” Wen Mingqian said. “I have a pile of inner chamber affairs to manage, and I also need to look after Chang An. Consort Song is pregnant and still needs to oversee the Fifth Young Master. You are young and beautiful, and it is time for you to relieve the Master’s worries. Seeing how much the Master likes you, I am naturally happy as well.”
Gong Xu was naturally delighted to see his wife and concubines getting along so harmoniously.
These past few days, he had also smiled at Wen Mingqian. Yun Ying was someone she had personally chosen and brought into the household, and the wedding banquet was also entirely her doing.
Friends and relatives all praised Wen Mingqian for being capable and virtuous. She gave him plenty of face in public and always met his expectations at home.
Therefore, without realizing it, Gong Xu’s attitude towards Wen Mingqian had also undergone a significant change.
Throughout this meal, Consort Song maintained a smiling face, but only she knew in her heart that she ate without tasting and found it difficult to swallow.
She could tell outsiders that she didn’t mind and wasn’t angry. However, seeing Gong Xu and Yun Ying exchanging affectionate glances, and then seeing Wen Mingqian looking so at ease and triumphant beside them, she was already consumed by jealousy, wanting to kill them.
Upon returning to Rui Xiang Residence, Consort Song sat down and sneered, “Did you see? They’ve forgotten everything from back then. The Master swore to me countless times that he and Wen Mingqian had severed ties and broken promises, but what about now? He can’t help but extend his affection to others now, and in the future, he won’t leave me even an inch of room.”
“That’s why we must strike first,” Granny Yang said. “What man doesn’t like the new and dislike the old? Wen Mingqian, relying on her status as the main wife, can easily have the Master take concubines. With that seductive Concubine Yun by the Master’s side, how will he remember you?”
