Chapter 95: A Haven of Love
For three days, Gong Xu alternated between being drunk and sober, like a puddle of mud.
Aside from Yun Ying, who stayed by his side to care for him, any other servants who dared to approach were cursed away by him.
One day, Yun Ying simmered some porridge and pleaded with Gong Xu in a low voice, “Master, please eat a little porridge! Otherwise, how can your body endure?”
“Bring me more wine!” Gong Xu pushed her hand away. “Are you going to defy me too?”
“Master, you cannot drink any more. The Old Madam has been sending people to inquire these past few days. Although the messengers have tried their best to conceal it, the Old Madam can still guess some things. She doesn’t say anything, but she repeatedly instructs those serving you to take good care of your meals and daily life. Master, you are the most filial, please don’t make the Old Madam worry anymore.”
Hearing Yun Ying mention his mother, Gong Xu no longer insisted on wine, but his expression remained dejected.
“Master, this porridge is just right. Please have a bowl, won’t you?” Yun Ying was exceedingly gentle, coaxing him like a child.
“I really can’t eat,” Gong Xu sighed. “Why did she betray me like this?”
He had said this countless times while drunk.
“That was her fault, why blame yourself, Master?” Yun Ying had replied this more times than she could count.
To be honest, she didn’t feel much sympathy for Gong Xu from the bottom of her heart.
Wasn’t all of this his own doing?
Now he kept blaming Consort Song for betraying him, but had he not also betrayed Wen Mingqian?
Why didn’t he show any remorse for his own heartlessness?
In the end, he only cared about himself.
His so-called sincerity towards Consort Song was merely because Consort Song outwardly complied with him in everything, satisfying his intentions.
Yun Ying understood this, so she didn’t offer her true feelings to Gong Xu either.
Because Gong Xu didn’t truly need it; all he wanted was gentleness and obsequiousness, and for everything to appear to prioritize him.
In any case, all she wanted was a safe place to live without worrying about food and clothing, so she could naturally put on a good show.
She didn’t feel much gratitude towards Gong Xu either; they were simply using each other. Instead, she would forever remember Wen Mingqian’s kindness. If not for her, she would have been living in hell.
“Concubine Yun!” a sweet cry came from outside, and a slender figure in red floated in.
Sang Er’s beautiful face seemed to glow, illuminating the room a few shades brighter.
“It’s Sister Sang Er!” Yun Ying greeted her with a smile. “This outfit is so beautiful, did Madam bestow it upon you?”
“The Old Madam bestowed it,” Sang Er said with a giggle. “The Old Madam said I was frightened, so this is to calm my nerves.”
“You’ve truly benefited from misfortune,” Yun Ying’s tone carried a hint of envy. “Now not only Madam dotes on you, but the Old Madam does too.”
“How can that compare to Sister being doted on by the Master?” Sang Er teased. “Someone pitiful like me, if no master doted on me, wouldn’t I be even more pitiful?”
“Don’t chatter at me with your little mouth. You haven’t paid your respects to the Master since entering the room, you truly have no rules.” Yun Ying reminded Sang Er.
“Yes, yes, I deserve to be punished.” Sang Er said, giggling as she approached Gong Xu and bowed solemnly, “Your servant Sang Er pays her respects to the Master, please forgive me!”
Seeing her, Gong Xu was momentarily dazed and frowned, “You… weren’t you locked up?”
“Your servant was indeed locked up, but after the Old Madam understood the situation, she released me and even comforted me kindly.” Sang Er’s expression turned sad. “It was Concubine Song. She held something over me and threatened me into helping her. I was at a loss at the time, I didn’t intentionally want to harm Madam.”
“What did she hold over you?” Gong Xu asked her.
“My cousin came to the capital to find me, and Concubine Song’s people detained her. She threatened that if I didn’t agree, she would sell my cousin to a place of ill repute.” Sang Er said, wiping away tears. “She wanted me to put laxatives in the soup, but I didn’t dare. So she settled for the next best thing, telling me that I just had to say Madam ordered me to do it.
She also said it wouldn’t be a big deal, just that Madam would be reprimanded. I was foolish at the time and actually believed her.
I truly regret it, I’m sorry Madam. I didn’t have the face to stay in the mansion anymore, but Madam was magnanimous. She said I was forced and had no choice, and besides, the truth has now come out. Instead, she pleaded with the Old Madam on my behalf to let me stay, saying I would serve the Master well in the future to atone for my sins.”
Sang Er cried, her tears falling like pear blossoms, and Gong Xu couldn’t help but soften.
“Have you rescued your cousin now?” Gong Xu asked.
“Naturally,” Sang Er said. “My cousin was just frightened and is fine. This is all thanks to the Master and Madam.”
“You see how Madam truly dotes on you, and sincerely cares for the Master. Where can we find another beautiful maid like you?” Yun Ying smiled and stepped forward to help her up. “Get up quickly! Your crying makes me feel heartache too.”
Sang Er got up shyly but couldn’t help but steal glances at Gong Xu. Gong Xu’s heart fluttered under her gaze, and he could no longer blame her.
He only said, “You are young, how can you be a match for that vicious woman? You must learn from this experience and not fall into others’ traps again.”
“Your servant is deeply grateful for the Master’s guidance,” Sang Er said sweetly. “Madam sent me here. Knowing the Master hasn’t been eating these past few days, she specifically asked Zhang Ma to make delicious food. Above all else, please, Master, for the sake of Madam’s thoughtful intentions, eat just a little!”
Hearing Sang Er’s soft words, Gong Xu could no longer bear it, especially when she mentioned Wen Mingqian.
So he said, “Since Madam sent you, then bring it up!”
“You’ve arrived at just the right time,” Yun Ying said happily. “I was just worrying about not having any delicious food!”
These two beauties accompanied Gong Xu, gentle and attentive, yet not lacking in charm and playfulness.
Gong Xu’s heart, wounded by Consort Song, slowly began to revive.
“Who is peeking around the doorway?” Sang Er, with sharp eyes, spotted someone at the entrance.
“It’s me,” Ma Ping’an walked in with a smile. “Greetings to the Master.”
“What were you doing lurking at the door?” Sang Er asked with a smile.
“I wasn’t lurking, I was afraid of disturbing the Master,” Ma Ping’an explained.
“What is it? Speak,” Gong Xu knew he must have a reason for coming.
“Reporting to the Master, I was ordered to watch Concubine Song, but she’s been acting like she’s gone mad these past few days, either cursing or smashing things.
Now she’s even started cursing the Master, Madam, and the Old Madam. We tried to shut her up, but she’s throwing such a tantrum, and she even said…” Ma Ping’an trailed off, afraid to continue.
“Just say it, don’t be so hesitant,” Gong Xu said impatiently.
“She said she is the person closest to the Master’s heart, and none of us can touch her,” Ma Ping’an said, stealing glances at Gong Xu.
Gong Xu’s face instantly turned ashen, and his eyes became particularly terrifying.
