Chapter 97: Cannot Be Kept
Gong Xu simply watched Consort Song coldly, letting her spout nonsense without believing a single word.
But Consort Song thought Gong Xu’s silence meant she still had hope, and put on an even more pitiful act: “Master, please show some mercy! Even if I have a thousand faults, I still have my good days. How could so many years of affection be fake?
I regret it terribly these past few days. If Master can forgive me, I will repay you by working like a beast of burden! And what about Bao’er! He’s so young, how can he be without me?”
Gong Xu looked at her, wondering if he had been bewitched by a demon all these years.
The Consort Song before him was so unbearable, bloated and dirty, even looking old and tired.
For so many years, he had held her in his arms countless times with deep affection, but what about her? Had she not secretly mocked his foolishness in her heart all along?
Consort Song’s lips moved, but he couldn’t hear what she was saying.
Nothing she said mattered anymore.
Her true appearance that night was already deeply etched in his heart, how could it be erased by feigned tears and pleas?
Did she really think he was a three-year-old child?!
“Master, say something!” Consort Song, being pulled along, grew more desperate. She had finally managed to see Gong Xu, so she had to try her best to make him recall their past affection. “Master, have you forgotten? That year we admired the moon together. I asked you, if one day I accidentally made a mistake, would you still forgive me? You told me that no matter what happened, you would treat me as before. Have you forgotten?”
Consort Song’s words drifted into Gong Xu’s ears, sounding not only grating but also piercing to his heart.
Consort Song kept bringing up the past, but Gong Xu had no desire to recall it. Because it meant he had been kept in the dark for so long, easily swayed by sweet words and a few tears.
To anyone, this situation was worthy of great ridicule. Yet she still brought it up repeatedly, how disgusting!
This bitch! Gong Xu cursed in his heart.
Not only did she deceive me, but she also wants to use past vows to coerce me.
He glared fiercely at Consort Song, all gentleness and deep affection gone.
Consort Song was startled by his gaze. She knew Gong Xu would hate her, but she still held a sliver of hope. She always felt that in the past, he had been so good to her; even if he kept a cat or a dog, he would have some reluctance to part with it.
She gambled on Gong Xu’s reluctance, unaware that Gong Xu viewed the past as a profound humiliation.
He hated his own past reluctance even more. If he hadn’t been reluctant to bring her back to the manor, how could these later events have occurred?
“Concubine Song has gone mad,” Gong Xu said coldly, standing up. “Take her back and watch her carefully. Anyone who lets her out again will receive fifty strokes.”
“Master, I’m not mad, I’m perfectly sane. Since you’re unwilling to keep me, then banish me from the manor. I’ll go seek refuge with my brother.” Consort Song had already thought of another fallback. Her brother, Song Xiang, was a favorite of Prince Zhao and could shelter her.
“Master, if Concubine Song is released, she will surely slander us to protect her reputation,” Yun Ying said softly from the side. “Besides, letting her go so easily would be unfair to Madam!”
“She won’t be released,” Gong Xu stated. “She is of the Gong family in life, and a ghost of the Gong family in death.”
“Gong Xu, you heartless man! Even if I made a mistake back then, I didn’t intend to deceive you. How can you be so cruel?!” Seeing that Gong Xu was resolute, Consort Song cursed in a fit of rage. “You’re the one who’s stupid, why do you hate me?! You want to lock me up and keep me from seeing the sun. Let me tell you, my brother won’t let you do as you please!”
“This bitch! She even dares to threaten me.” Gong Xu gritted his teeth in true hatred. “Do you think I dare not do anything to you? You truly don’t know your place!”
“Haven’t you heard what Master said? Hurry and take her away and watch her carefully,” Yun Ying said, seeing Gong Xu trembling with anger. She quickly supported him and spoke to the others.
The servants, having received the order, quickly bound Consort Song and gagged her.
“Master, don’t be angry,” Yun Ying comforted Gong Xu. “She’s a cornered dog, saying anything she can.”
Gong Xu’s complexion was extremely grim. The anger had harmed his body, and coupled with the considerable amount of alcohol he had consumed these past few days, Consort Song’s provocation made him feel his blood surging.
He clutched his chest, involuntarily hunching over.
“Master, Master, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me,” Yun Ying asked urgently.
Gong Xu coughed up a mouthful of blood with a cry, swayed, and fell to the ground.
Yun Ying cried out in alarm, calling for help. The servants rushed to help Gong Xu into the room and quickly sent for a doctor.
Wen Mingqian was out on business and not at home. Old Madam Gong naturally became anxious upon hearing the news.
Madam Wei quickly comforted her, “Old Madam, don’t be afraid. In my opinion, spitting blood is actually a good thing. Second Master was greatly angered by Consort Song, and it’s all bottled up inside him. If he keeps suppressing it, it will be detrimental to his health.”
Fortunately, a doctor was called promptly. After taking his pulse, he said, “There’s nothing serious. It’s just a temporary imbalance of blood flow. He needs a few days of rest and careful attention to his diet. He must not drink alcohol again.”
Old Madam Gong was finally relieved upon hearing this.
She then dispatched her trusted Granny Xu: “Go and get that box of snow lotuses I received on my birthday last year and send it to him. Also, ask him what he plans to do with Consort Song. Such a menace cannot be kept.”
Granny Xu agreed, took the snow lotuses, and went to Gong Xu’s quarters.
At this time, Gong Xu had just taken his medicine and was lying in bed, with Yun Ying fanning him.
“Is Second Master feeling any better? Old Madam sent me to deliver these snow lotuses. Have them stewed into soup daily; it’s best for his health.”
“Please reassure Old Madam that the doctor said there’s nothing serious. Only we are serving Master,” Yun Ying replied promptly.
“Old Madam also said that she hopes Second Master will make a decision about Concubine Song as soon as possible,” Granny Xu said. “Such a menace, I fear she cannot be kept.”
Gong Xu was still somewhat weak, his breathing unsteady as he spoke, but his tone was firm: “Concubine Song has been mentally disoriented since her miscarriage, often speaking nonsense. Although she has been taking medicine, she still bleeds incessantly. Coupled with the hot weather and poor care, she has developed a severe hemorrhage. Medicine is ineffective, and recovery is impossible. She will pass away tonight.
Given her low status, there’s no need for a grand funeral. After cremation, select a burial site outside the city.
As for any friends or relatives offering condolences, it’s unnecessary. I am deeply saddened by her passing and am confined to bed, unable to receive guests.”
Gong Xu’s words were very clear.
His Concubine Song, whom he had doted on for many years, had died from a hemorrhage after a miscarriage. He was bedridden due to excessive grief, and the funeral would be simple, with no condolences from friends or relatives.
Concubine Song was still alive and well, but with just one dose of blood-activating medicine, she would meet her maker before midnight.
“Old servant understands,” Granny Xu nodded. “You don’t need to worry about the rest; please rest and recuperate.”
