Chapter 87: harbor a Killing Intent
Early in the morning, Doctor Liu had already taken Madam Song’s pulse and reported to Gong Xu, “Second Master, the Consort’s condition has stabilized. However, a miscarriage is a serious matter. She must be well-rested from now on.”
“Doctor Liu, you’ve worked hard. After breakfast, I’ll have a horse carriage take you back.” Gong Xu had barely slept all night and looked several years older.
“There’s no need to trouble your residence’s servants. I shall take my leave now,” Doctor Liu said hastily. “Please take care of yourself, Second Master.”
At this moment, Madam Song had also woken up. Granny Yang and the others were preparing to feed her congee, but Madam Song refused to eat.
“Master…” Madam Song called out plaintively upon seeing Gong Xu enter.
“How are you feeling now? You must eat well to regain your strength,” Gong Xu said, quickly stepping forward to support her.
“Master, why did this happen?” Madam Song looked at Gong Xu pleadingly, her eyes brimming with tears. “They said I accidentally took abortion medicine, which is why the child was lost… What exactly happened?”
“All of you, leave now!” Gong Xu said to the servants. “Tell the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes that the Little Madam usually likes and bring them over.”
“Master…” Madam Song was still very weak, but she stubbornly held onto Gong Xu’s collar, wanting to get to the bottom of it.
“Don’t cry. You can’t cry at a time like this. You took medicine last night and slept very soundly, so I didn’t tell you.
Sang Er has already confessed. She said Wen Mingqian instructed her to put abortion medicine into the tonic the Old Madam sent you…”
“Ah?!” Madam Song was struck as if by lightning. “Why would she do this? Why won’t Madam Song let me go? Hasn’t she already devoted herself to Buddhism and turned over a new leaf? Besides, I haven’t disrespected her at all since she returned! She… she’s a mother herself… How could she be so heartless?”
“She has no heart,” Gong Xu said, filled with hatred when he mentioned Wen Mingqian. “She wouldn’t even admit it in front of the Old Madam and insisted on taking it to court, just like back then.”
“To court? Heh heh… She’s holding the Gong Family’s weakness! She knows we can’t let our family shame be known, so she’s using this as a shield. It’s truly one time is an acquaintance, two times is familiar,” Madam Song sneered. “What did the Old Madam say?”
“It was too late last night, and the Old Madam, being elderly, couldn’t bear it. I’ll go see her after she’s had breakfast. I’ve already requested leave from the yamen; I will definitely give you an explanation,” Gong Xu promised Madam Song.
“Master, allow me to say something I shouldn’t. The current situation is no different from seven years ago.” A rare determination flashed in Madam Song’s eyes. “Wen Mingqian will definitely resort to the same tactics. She knows it won’t go to court, and the Old Madam will always try to downplay things, at most sending her away.
But with the Fourth Young Master here, she will eventually be welcomed back. Our two poor children both perished because of her, and she will still be the matriarch of this mansion in the future. I will still have to bow and scrape to her…”
“This time… this time, no matter what, I won’t let her off lightly!” Gong Xu gritted his teeth. “That vicious woman! I’ve truly had enough of her.”
“Master, why don’t you divorce me! I’ll take Bao’er and leave.” Madam Song’s tears fell like rain. “That way, my child and I can escape with our lives. Otherwise, sooner or later, she’ll kill us…”
“No, I won’t let you go,” Gong Xu said, holding Madam Song tightly. “You are the only one in this world who is truly sincere with me.”
“Master, I know you are a good person. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have followed you without a title or status back then…” Madam Song sobbed on Gong Xu’s shoulder. “I know Madam has always resented me. She thinks I eloped disgracefully, but she doesn’t consider that I was young and ignorant then, and only acted out of my sincere admiration for you…”
“You don’t need to blame yourself. We were in love. If she thinks you eloped disgracefully, then I should bear half of that blame,” Gong Xu said with a cold laugh. “She has always considered herself superior, as if she’s the only pure person in this world.”
“Master, how about this! If I die now, will her hatred lessen a bit! She hates me, resents me, and harms me time and time again. As long as I die, she probably won’t harm anyone else, right? After I die, I dare not bear injustice, I only beg Master to take good care of Bao’er.
If not, then place him by the Old Madam’s side to be raised. There’s no need to trouble yourself with his studies; just ensure his life is safe. When he comes of age, get him a modest courtyard, and let him live his life peacefully!”
“Don’t talk nonsense! What death, what life! You’re going to grow old with me. We still have to see Bao’er pass the imperial examination, become an official, get married, and have children,” Gong Xu said sternly. “Dismiss these foolish thoughts! I told you, I will definitely give you an explanation.”
“But I… I don’t want to make things difficult for Master…”
“I’m not finding it difficult. My feelings for her died long ago…”
“Master, the Old Madam is asking for you!” Old Madam Gong sent someone to summon Gong Xu.
“Rest well. I’m here for everything!” Gong Xu gently squeezed Madam Song’s shoulders. “If anything were to happen to you, what meaning would my life have?”
“Have you eaten breakfast?” Old Madam Gong hadn’t slept well last night, and her complexion was clearly not good.
“Your son has eaten.” Gong Xu hadn’t actually eaten, but he had no appetite for breakfast.
“You had Lingyue Pavilion sealed off last night,” Old Madam Gong said, breathing a little heavily. “What are your plans?”
“A life for a life!” Gong Xu spat out these four words through gritted teeth. “Such a black-hearted woman cannot be kept.”
“You…” Old Madam Gong looked at her youngest son and said helplessly, “Aren’t you going to investigate further?”
“Then what does the Old Madam suggest?” Gong Xu asked.
“Perhaps give it more time. Firstly, to investigate the matter more clearly, and secondly, to give her some time to reflect. Wouldn’t it be better if she could admit her mistakes voluntarily?”
“If it were up to me, I’d hang her up and whip her with a horse whip. I don’t believe she wouldn’t talk!” Gong Xu even considered torturing Wen Mingqian.
“Absolutely not. She is, after all, your lawfully wedded wife. How can you humiliate her like this? Even if she has truly done something wicked, you can take her life, but do not torture or shame her,” Old Madam Gong said seriously.
“Mother, you agree to let her pay with her life?” Gong Xu asked with some urgency.
“You’ve already had such thoughts, haven’t you?”
“It can be said that my mind is made up.”
“I am old, and some matters are not convenient for me to decide,” Old Madam Gong sighed, like a fading twilight. “But I still want to say, give her some more time no matter what. After all, it’s a matter of life and death!”
“Then let’s keep her and Sang Er confined separately for now. When Xiu Lian is a bit better, and if nothing else suspicious can be found,” Gong Xu took a deep breath, “let her return to dust!”
