tallest building

Chapter 132 A Wishful Request

Wen Mingqian comforted Liu Cuiyi for a few more minutes before getting up to take his leave.

Liu Cuiyi said, "Sister, have lunch before you leave! I've troubled you to come all this way, and you haven't even had a sip of water yet."

"I've already eaten with the guests in the main room. Even if you prepare the most delicious food, I can't eat it." Wen Mingqian hadn't actually eaten, but seeing Liu Cuiyi's cold and deserted room, and her listless state, how could he possibly eat?

So he made an excuse that he had already eaten, so as not to make her feel bad.

"Aunt Zhao, please see my sister out properly for me. I'm not feeling well these days, so I'm afraid I'll have to be impolite," Liu Cuiyi said with a heavy heart.

“Why bother with these formalities? As long as you get well, that’s more important than anything else,” Wen Mingqian said. “Relax and rest well, I’ll come back in a few days.”

After leaving, she didn't see any members of the Zhou family. It was clear that they no longer took Liu Cuiyi seriously.

Wen Mingqian instructed Zhao's mother: "Your daughter is gentle by nature, so you should try to persuade her more. Try to keep her away from the Zhou family to avoid upsetting them. Don't listen to any gossip, and if you do hear it, don't take it to heart."

"They won't come either, they'd rather leave our girl to fend for herself," Zhao's mother said bitterly. "This family is heartless!"

When Wen Mingqian returned home, it was already quite late.

Zhang Ma also returned from eating in the east courtyard, and Wen Mingqian then talked to her about Liu Cuiyi.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ma said, "The Zhou family is a bunch of scoundrels! They don't do anything good themselves, yet they're still trying to make a living! If I were there, I would have wiped them all out! I would have turned them into a pot of turtle soup!"

"I love listening to Zhang Ma curse, it's so satisfying!" Sang Er clapped her hands and laughed. "I was so angry listening to it. Those scoundrels deserve to be taught a lesson!"

“It’s a pity that Cuiyi doesn’t have a strong general like you by her side. I’ve already spoken to her and asked a few influential people to go and discuss with the Zhou family with her parents. Under no circumstances can they get a divorce right now,” Wen Mingqian said. “Cuiyi can’t bear to part with her two daughters. If such young children stay in the Zhou family, they’ll only be tormented.”

“That’s the suffering of being a mother. Even if you manage to escape the fire, you’ll have to jump back in when you see your child there,” Zhang Ma sighed. “Otherwise, she would rather become a nun than suffer in the Zhou family.”

“Yes, people always have many unavoidable circumstances in life, especially women.” Wen Mingqian had suffered himself, so he understood even better.

“It’s a pity I was busy in the East Courtyard before, otherwise I could have gone with you, Miss, and left two medicinal diet recipes for Zhao Mama so that she could properly nourish their young lady,” said Zhang Ma.

“It’s not too late to do it another day,” Wen Mingqian said. “I plan to go and mediate for her in a couple of days to avoid any unforeseen complications.”

"Let's let her parents know first. We need the Zhou family to give us a heads-up before we can go over," said Zhang Ma.

“I told Cuiyi to inform her parents. They need to know about this eventually, even if they don’t do anything, it’s good for them to show their faces. Otherwise, what’s the point of someone else going?” Wen Mingqian said. “The old lady is free right now, so I’ll go over there myself!”

"Let's talk to the old lady first. We can't bypass her on this; otherwise, it would seem disrespectful," Zhang Ma said. "Who else would the other girls like to invite?"

“I’d like to invite Lady Jiangxiahou and Lady Fengguogong,” Wen Mingqian had already decided, “and with our old lady, that should be enough.” “That’s about right,” Zhang Ma thought for a moment, “It’s enough.”

Wen Mingqian then went to Old Madam Gong's place. At this time, the old lady had just woken up from her afternoon nap and was sitting there drinking tea.

Upon seeing Wen Mingqian, she said, "Where did you go for lunch? I couldn't find you. Have you eaten yet?"

"I'm sorry to have troubled the old lady. Actually, I haven't eaten yet." Wen Mingqian said as he sat down. "It's because Cuiyi has something to do, so I'm going to go and check on her."

"That poor child, I heard she lost this pregnancy again." Madam Gong also felt great sympathy for Liu Cuiyi. "You two have always been close, it's only right that you go and see her."

He added, "You haven't eaten? I'll ask the kitchen to make you something. I also have some snacks here; have a bite to tide you over."

“My daughter-in-law isn’t hungry, and she has no appetite,” Wen Mingqian sighed. “Cuiyi is about to be kicked out of the Zhou family. I feel so sorry for her and I’m worried about her.”

"Where did you get this idea?" Old Madam Gong was quite surprised. "Instead of telling her to rest and recover properly, why are you trying to send her away?"

Wen Mingqian then explained the whole story to Madam Gong, and then took the opportunity to plead, "Cuiyi is truly innocent, and her family is unwilling to stand up for her. Your daughter-in-law is at her wit's end and would like to ask for your kindness, Madam, if you could step in and persuade the Zhou family?"

“The Zhou family is really bullying us too much. Since you are on good terms with them and want to help them, how can I refuse?” Old Madam Gong did not refuse. “Besides, this is also a good deed, but I am afraid it is not enough for me to go alone. We need to find a few more people who can speak with them.”

"Does the old lady think that the Duchess of Feng and the Lady of Changrong are suitable?" Wen Mingqian asked, mentioning the few people he had previously considered.

“Very good, very appropriate. If the few of us, along with her family, go together to mediate, I think we can surely succeed.” Old Madam Gong nodded and said, “Besides, these two are on good terms with you, so they should agree.”

"It's still uncertain; we need to ask both of them first. I'll do my best to help her," Wen Mingqian said. "I'll visit both families later."

Madam Gong didn't speak, but just looked at Wen Mingqian quietly, and sighed after a long time.

"Why is the old lady sighing? Does she think I did something wrong?" Wen Mingqian asked hurriedly.

"No, I was thinking that you are actually a very good child. It's just that I thought you had too strong a temper back then, and I always felt that you might not be able to manage the family well. Now I think that the old man had a good eye. He said that you are a rough gem, and you can become a useful person with just a little polishing."

That's true. You were only a teenager when you came into my family. You hadn't experienced any hardships, so how could you know everything?

If I, as your elder, had been more patient and trusting towards you back then, you wouldn't have suffered these seven years in our hometown.

After learning the truth about this matter, Madam Gong felt guilty all the time.

Even if Song intended to harm him, it was because she didn't trust Wen Mingqian enough beforehand that she hastily sent him back to his hometown.

“Grandma, please don’t blame yourself. That was a tribulation I was destined to have. I don’t blame anyone now, including the Song family,” Wen Mingqian smiled. “I have long since overcome my misfortune and should let go of the past.”