Chapter 96: Adding Fuel to the Fire
“You may go now!” Yun Ying, seeing Gong Xu hesitate to speak, dismissed Ma Ping’an.
“Master,” Sang Er said, playfully clinging to Gong Xu’s hand, “Consort Song is so wicked, how can you still care about her?”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Yun Ying quickly interrupted, “The Master has his own decisions.”
“I’m not talking nonsense. Consort Song doesn’t truly care for the Master at all, otherwise, why would she repeatedly harm people in this mansion?” Sang Er said, “If someone deceived me like that, I would hate them to death!”
“Alright, alright, stop adding fuel to the fire. Go back now!” Yun Ying pushed Sang Er towards the door, “Go back and tell Madam that the Master has eaten and she shouldn’t worry.”
However, the clever Sang Er didn’t return to Lingyue Pavilion but instead turned towards Rui Xiang Residence.
The weather was unbearably hot, and by the time she arrived, her face was already covered in sweat.
“Miss Sang Er, why have you come? Did Madam send you with some instructions?” Ma Ping’an, who was drinking tea with two others under the shade of a tree, stood up quickly upon seeing Sang Er.
“Madam didn’t send me; I came to see for myself,” Sang Er said with a smile.
“Brother Ma, it’s so hot today, have you eaten?” Sang Er asked sweetly.
“We had the grannies go eat first,” Ma Ping’an said, “The rest of us will go later.”
“It’s too hard for you to watch people in this weather. Young Master Zhang, I have some money here. Please trouble yourself to go to the street and buy some sour plum soup and sushan. Don’t buy too little; everyone in this courtyard counts.” Sang Er took out money.
“How can I let you spend your money?” Ma Ping’an said, “I’ll treat you.”
“Forget it! You have a whole family to support!” Sang Er stopped him, “If I say I’m treating, then I’m treating. No one argue with me.”
Sang Er was beautiful and lively, and all the male servants in the mansion liked her.
“Since Miss Sang Er is so generous, I won’t refuse,” the servant surnamed Zhang took the money, “But I’m afraid I can’t carry it all by myself.”
Another servant, surnamed Chen, then got up and went with him.
After the two left, only Ma Ping’an and Sang Er remained.
“When you went to deliver the message earlier, you angered the Master,” Sang Er said, “His face was so dark it looked like it was about to rain, it scared me so much I didn’t dare to breathe.”
“Oh dear, it was my carelessness. I wish I hadn’t gone to report to the Master,” Ma Ping’an said with some regret.
“There’s no need to regret it. I know you were thinking of Madam,” Sang Er said.
“Exactly! With such a menace around, how can Madam be happy?” Ma Ping’an said, “The Master is living in a drunken stupor every day and doesn’t punish her. I went to see the Master to help Madam share her worries.”
“Brother Ma, you know Madam values you highly and intends for you to be the housekeeper,” Sang Er said in a low voice, “It can be said that she trusts you completely.”
“Madam values me, and I am naturally grateful. I will repay her kindness with my life, working like an ox or a horse,” Ma Ping’an said, “As for whether I can become the housekeeper in the end, I’ll leave it to fate.”
“Brother Ma, that’s not how you should say it. Actually, the Master also hates this person surnamed Song to death, he just can’t bring himself to be ruthless for the moment,” Sang Er said, “When the master can’t be ruthless, we subordinates can’t just stand by and watch. Don’t you think so?”
Ma Ping’an looked at her, as if seeing her for the first time, “What do you mean?”
“Isn’t that person surnamed Song still clamoring to see the Master?” Sang Er smiled, “Let’s just let her go and make a scene in front of the Master…”
Ma Ping’an understood, “The more she makes a scene, the more annoyed the Master will become, and the faster he can make a decision.”
“That’s exactly it,” Sang Er said, “It’s just that I don’t know if you’re willing to take on this responsibility, Brother Ma?”
“You’re being too formal. I, Ma Ping’an, am not someone who just talks. As long as I can be loyal to Madam, what is there I wouldn’t dare to do?” Ma Ping’an said, patting his chest.
“Brother Ma, I knew you were reliable,” Sang Er gave him a thumbs-up, “Don’t worry, they say fortune favors the bold. This matter, while seemingly risky, will actually lead to merit in the end.
Not only will Madam be grateful to you, but the Old Madam will also acknowledge your contribution. With the Old Madam here, how could the Master truly blame you?”
Ma Ping’an was not foolish; he knew Sang Er’s words were reasonable. He had been out of favor when Consort Song managed the household, but Wen Mingqian had valued him greatly.
For subordinates like them, the most important thing is to follow the right master and to protect the master’s status.
Now that Consort Song had reached this point, she only needed a final push.
“I know what to do,” Ma Ping’an said, “Don’t worry!”
A short while later, the two who went to buy things returned. Sang Er, with a smile, took a bowl of sushan and left.
Immediately after, the grannies who had gone to eat also returned.
“Here’s some ready-made sour plum soup. Each of you take a portion,” Ma Ping’an said, “We’re going to eat now.”
In the afternoon, the people guarding Consort Song all started to have diarrhea.
With the hot weather, this was a common occurrence.
Although this was not a major issue, it was extremely draining. By evening, all of them were somewhat exhausted.
“You all go back and rest! I’ll call a couple more people,” Ma Ping’an said, “I don’t think anything will happen.”
Gong Xu had not drunk in the afternoon, but he still felt groggy.
Yun Ying persuaded him to take a walk outside, “Master, the heat has subsided now. Why not come out for some fresh air?”
After much persuasion, Gong Xu was finally coaxed outside.
Yun Ying then ordered a rattan chair to be brought out for Gong Xu to sit in.
Just as he sat down, a disheveled person ran over. Yun Ying screamed in fright and quickly shielded Gong Xu.
“Master! I was out of my mind that day and spoke nonsense! It was that bitch Wen Mingqian who cursed me!” Consort Song cried, kneeling before Gong Xu, “We’ve been together for ten years, don’t you know what kind of person I am? How can you abandon me based on a few words?! Master, it’s all Wen Mingqian, she’s the one who harmed me! You must not believe her; she hates you to death, that’s why she’s trying to harm me in every way.”
“Master, I deserve to die! I only loosened her restraints a little, and she ran out,” Ma Ping’an said, rushing over with two rough servants.
“Don’t grab me! I’m not going back with you! I am the Master’s person, the Master didn’t tell you to take me away!” Consort Song shouted, “You dogs, don’t touch me!”
“Take her away!” Gong Xu frowned in disgust, even covering his nose.
The weather was hot, and Consort Song had been confined to her room, not washing for days. She had also recently had a miscarriage, and her body carried the smell of blood and filth.
“No! Master, don’t make me leave! Listen to me, I was helpless then, and only you could protect me,” Consort Song wailed, “I had no other choice but to do things that wronged you, and for so many years I’ve been trying my best to make amends, just to repay your kindness.”
