tallest building

Chapter 140 Morning Breeze

I woke up early to a cool morning breeze and fallen leaves covering the ground.

"It's getting chilly, Madam, please put on another coat!" Liu'er came over and put a coat on Wen Mingqian.

“It’s getting cold, and so many leaves have fallen all at once,” Wen Mingqian said, looking at the ground. “There weren’t any fallen leaves when the old lady celebrated her birthday a while ago.”

"It seems colder this year than usual," said Zhu's mother as she came in from outside. "The kitchen staff are already preparing to get charcoal."

"This charcoal should be delivered from the estate. I wonder how much they've burned?" Wen Mingqian asked. "When it arrives, don't forget to send more of the best charcoal to the old lady's side."

Just then, Zhang Ma came over from the east, rubbing her hands as she said, "It's really chilly this morning. Young Master will have to wear a padded jacket to school."

"Did you make breakfast for the old lady? Is she feeling any better? I was just about to go and check on her," Wen Mingqian asked Zhang Ma.

"It's nothing serious, just need to rest and eat soft foods," said Zhang Ma. "From the Mid-Autumn Festival to arranging the marriage for the eldest son, and then to the old lady's birthday celebration, these days have been quite busy and tiring. People of our age can't handle too much exertion, and with the autumn chill in the air, it's inevitable that we'll catch a cold."

"Is my sister-in-law already over there? I'll go after I've had breakfast." Wen Mingqian returned to the house, and Gong Chang'an also got up.

"Where's Sang Er? Why didn't I dress you in more clothes?" Zhang Ma asked immediately when she saw Gong Chang'an running over in only his undergarments.

"Little darling, what did I tell you? If you don't wear it, I'll get scolded." Sang Er followed in, carrying clothes in her hand.

"Liu'er, go to the drying oven and take out breakfast," said Zhang Ma. "There's some nourishing soup I made for the madam and young master inside. Drinking a bowl of this in the morning will ensure they don't get sick all autumn and winter."

"Since Sister Zhang arrived, the masters have been drinking nourishing soups, and the doctors have been coming less often than in previous years," said Mother Zhu. "She's truly a great contributor!"

“What merit or not? It’s just a casual matter,” Zhang Ma said indifferently. “The master over there has to go to the morning court, so he gets up early. The madam also gets up early, so she can go over there to serve the old lady.”

There's no rush here; it's just that the boy is considered an early riser for school.

Just then, Gong Baoan and his maid arrived.

“My eldest brother and second brother have both gone to become officials and can no longer accompany me to school,” Gong Chang’an sighed. “Fortunately, there is still Bao’an.”

Gong Baoan stepped forward to greet Wen Mingqian. Wen Mingqian reached out and patted him, saying, "You're dressed fairly warmly. If anything happens at school, just ask your brother to take care of you."

Gong Bao'an is now studying at Gong Chang'an's school. Wen Mingqian had mentioned this to Gong Xu before, but Gong Xu hadn't made any arrangements.

A few days ago, he twisted his ankle and couldn't go out, so Wen Mingqian simply told Gong Rang and his wife about it, and Gong Rang took care of the matter.

Gong Xu was a typical person who loved everything associated with his wife. At the time, he only had eyes for the Song family, so he treated Gong Bao'an as a good person, regardless of whether he was a legitimate or illegitimate son.

Later, she felt that Wen Mingqian was truly a rare and virtuous wife, so she cherished Gong Chang'an and put Gong Bao'an aside.

However, Wen Mingqian felt that regardless of whether Gong Bao'an was a legitimate or illegitimate child, he was a descendant of the Gong family and should be properly raised.

Besides, Song is dead, and no one is instigating him to go astray anymore. He should be encouraged to read more classic texts and become upright.

"Second Madam, Fifth Young Master said he wanted to come over and have breakfast with Fourth Young Master so he could go to school," the maidservant following Gong Bao'an said cautiously. "Actually, the Old Madam has also prepared breakfast for him."

"What does it matter? Let him eat wherever he wants," Wen Mingqian said with a smile. "It's more lively when there are more people eating together. Besides, they all took the same car to school together. And the old lady is sick and doesn't like people making a fuss." "See, I told you long ago that Madam wouldn't mind," Gong Baoan said with a smile to the maid.

The girl became very reserved, wanting to explain but not knowing how to start. Wen Mingqian just smiled faintly and ignored her.

Gong Baoan now likes to hang around Wen Mingqian because he feels that his wife treats him kindly and provides him with the same food, clothing and other necessities as his fourth brother.

Of course, if I made a mistake, she would scold me seriously, but she would never hit or scold me. After scolding me, she would change to a kind tone and explain the reasons to me in detail.

Unlike his father, he no longer saw himself the same way. His eyes had become cold and distant, as if he could no longer be approached.

Although Gong Baoan was just a child, he understood in his heart that his father was no longer the same father he used to be.

However, besides that, Gong Baoan also noticed something else: Madam didn't like her father. Unlike her own mother, she always looked at her father's face and smiled, and she would also do things for him.

The lady smiled, but there was no hint of flattery in her expression.

She never spoke more than three sentences to her father before leaving.

Father, on the other hand, seemed eager to please, but he was still not well received.

"What are you spacing out about?" Wen Mingqian tapped his nose. "Are you still half asleep?"

Gong Baoan snapped out of his daze: "I've had enough sleep. I can get up early every day."

Breakfast was already on the table, and Wen Mingqian ate breakfast with his two children.

Zhang Ma was still worried, so she asked the servants to bring over the bundle that Gong Chang'an had taken to school. She then checked it carefully again and added a few items to it.

While packing the bundle, he instructed the servant on what else to pay attention to, and then looked at Gong Baoan's bundle as well, putting a hand warmer inside.

“The rooms in the school are big and empty, and the benches and tables are hard. You have to write, and it’s not good if your hands get stiff,” said Zhang Ma. “Fifth Young Master is still young, so we mustn’t let him get cold.”

After the meal, Wen Mingqian took the hands of the two children, one on each side, and helped them onto the carriage. Only after watching the carriage leave did he turn around and return to his residence.

When Gong Chang'an and his group arrived at the school, they got off the bus and saw a large group of people gathered together, discussing something.

"What's all the commotion about?" Gong Chang'an asked with a smile. "It looks like there won't be any peace and quiet today."

"Chang'an!" Qiao Ziyu shouted from the crowd, "Come here quickly!"

Then Feng Tianzhu came up from behind and pulled Gong Chang'an into the crowd.

“We were just talking! The teachers from the Sanjing Academy are coming down the mountain,” Qiao Ziyu said. “So many people are already queuing up at the Imperial Academy, let’s go too! Let’s not waste time here.”

“What good would we do? We won’t be chosen. The tall people will block our view of the excitement,” Xu Mang said. “Besides, will the teacher even allow us to go out?”

"Even the Master himself has gone to watch the excitement, leaving only two servants to guard the house. How can they keep us in check?" Qiao Ziyu laughed. "This kind of excitement only happens once every few years. Why shouldn't we go? Don't you think so, Chang'an?"

"I think it would be good to go and take a look," Gong Chang'an said after thinking for a moment. "Just consider it broadening your horizons."