Chapter 94: Words of Comfort
“But will this plan work?” Yun Ying looked at Wen Mingqian with concern. “After women marry, they rely on their husband’s family. If you and Master remain estranged, never mind how he feels, but in time, Old Madam and the others might also have opinions about you.”
“Yun Ying, if nothing unexpected happens, you should spend your life with Gong Er,” Wen Mingqian said, looking at her. “He’s actually not difficult to get along with, just hard to connect with on a deep level.
But all you seek is a place to settle down, you don’t really care about having a confidant or not.
He is naturally compassionate towards the weak. If you are humble and accommodating, he will always make room for you. If you bear him a child or two, you will have security for life.”
“Madam…” Yun Ying was about to say more when Zhang Ma entered.
“Miss, the dishes I prepared for Old Madam are ready. Would you like to come with me?”
“It’s getting late, let’s go!” Wen Mingqian said. “Yun Ying, you stay behind for now. Later, you and Liu Er can look after Chang An for lunch and watch him sleep. I’ll be talking with Old Madam, and I’ll likely be back late,” Wen Mingqian instructed before leaving.
“Heh! I heard Gong Er got completely drunk,” Zhang Ma chattered to Wen Mingqian as they walked west. “That useless good-for-nothing!”
“For nearly ten years, he treated Consort Song as his confidante, trusting and cherishing her wholeheartedly. Now he’s discovered that the person he poured his heart out to all these years was actually a devil in disguise. Anyone would find that unbearable.” Wen Mingqian did not belittle Gong Xu in this regard.
His true feelings were not given to himself, but he did offer Consort Song his full sincerity. True feelings should not be mocked.
“Who told him he was blind and couldn’t recognize people? His sincerity was wasted on dogs!” Zhang Ma gloated without reservation. “Look at how arrogant he was in front of Miss, and how is he now? Did his beloved Little Madam teach him a good lesson!”
Wen Mingqian just smiled and said nothing more.
Upon arriving at Old Madam Gong’s room, Wei Shi was with a maid, helping Old Madam put on flowers.
A carved red tray held many freshly cut flowers. Wei Shi smiled and said to her, “Sister-in-law, you’re here. Come over quickly and pick a couple you like to wear.”
“The flowers in Old Madam’s courtyard are more vibrant than those elsewhere,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile, picking up a goose-yellow rose. “This flower is so lovely, I shall take it.” She then gently pinned it to her temple.
“Your skin is fair and clean, any flower will look good on you,” Old Madam Gong said to Wen Mingqian with a smile. “We all woke up late, so let’s just combine breakfast and lunch.”
“Old Madam manages the household so well, combining these two meals saves silver,” Wei Shi chimed in. “Should we save like this every few days?”
“Oh dear, that won’t do! You young people can endure it, but this old woman cannot. People say old rice grains are precious, but if I miss a meal, I’ll feel like I’m dying,” Old Madam Gong laughed.
“Zhang Ma made Old Madam’s favorite dishes and specially prepared a medicinal cuisine soup. Knowing you slept poorly last night, she specifically added some qi-tonifying herbs.” Wen Mingqian saw that Old Madam Gong had finished putting on her flowers and asked the maid to take the rest out.
“Tell them to serve the dishes in the outer room. Let’s the three of us women have a chat,” Old Madam Gong waved her hand, and the servants all left. “You two, sit down. There’s no need to be so formal all the time.”
Wei Shi and Wen Mingqian exchanged a glance and sat down.
Old Madam Gong first sighed before speaking, “Our family has been unfortunate to bring such a scoundrel into the household. He caused Second Young Madam to suffer so many years of grievance, and it is truly my failure in managing the household…”
“Old Madam, please do not blame yourself. They say it’s hard to draw bones, even when drawing dragons and tigers. Song Xiulian was no simple person, and her schemes were truly malicious. It’s no wonder everyone was deceived; we truly couldn’t imagine someone could be so wicked,” Wen Mingqian interrupted Old Madam Gong.
“Yes, Old Madam. We all feel sorry for Sister-in-law for enduring so much suffering, but that Concubine Song was truly cunning and resourceful. Fortunately, the truth has finally come to light,” Wei Shi also said.
“I must also thank Old Madam for trusting me and working with me to set up this plan. Otherwise, I truly don’t know how I could have exposed her true face,” Wen Mingqian said. “After all, that incident happened so long ago. If she hadn’t confessed it herself, I fear the truth would never have been revealed.”
“Thinking about it makes my teeth itch with anger!” Old Madam Gong said angrily. “She forced you to leave home while you were pregnant! Fortunately, this child, Chang An, was born safely and raised. Otherwise, how could I face Old Master and our ancestors in the afterlife?”
Wen Mingqian’s throat tightened slightly and she said, “Old Madam, speaking of what happened seven years ago, I have a humble request. That maid, A Shou, died unjustly and has carried such slander for so many years. Could I be allowed to pay my respects to her later?”
Old Madam Gong immediately said, “Of course, of course. She should be properly delivered to the afterlife. She was truly pitiful.”
“First Master specifically instructed me this morning when he left the house, saying that Sister-in-law has truly suffered greatly these past few years. If there’s anything you wish to do, just say it, and don’t be afraid of trouble,” Wei Shi said.
Old Madam Gong also agreed, “We have wronged you all these years. We should compensate you properly.”
“Old Madam, Second Master has not woken up yet. He said… he drank too much…” a young maid who went to fetch Gong Xu reported.
“Alas!” Old Madam Gong sighed. “You may go!”
She then turned to Wen Mingqian and said, “I had asked him to come and apologize to you. Things were chaotic last night, and it wasn’t convenient to say certain things. Don’t blame him; he’s also feeling terrible.”
“Old Madam, please rest assured, I will not blame Second Master for such trivial matters,” Wen Mingqian said, completely unconcerned about Gong Xu’s reaction.
Gong Xu was naturally not having an easy time, but no matter how difficult it was for him, it would never be more painful than what she had gone through herself.
However, she had long since stopped caring about him, so why would she care if he expressed his apologies to her?
“Sister-in-law has truly become more steady and sensible. In this household, you have Old Madam’s affection and Chang An’s filial piety. I’m sure you’ll be able to mend your relationship with Second Brother in the future, marking the end of your hardships,” Wei Shi said, smoothing things over.
“Speaking of which, Consort Song is currently being watched, but it’s not a permanent solution. In your opinion, how should she be dealt with?” Old Madam Gong asked Wen Mingqian’s opinion.
“Master brought her into the manor originally, so it should be Master who decides how to deal with her. As for me, since my reputation has been cleared, that is enough,” Wen Mingqian said with a gentle and magnanimous air.
In reality, she had thought it through very clearly. Consort Song’s true face had been completely exposed, so why should she continue to play the villain? That role should be played by Gong Xu.
