tallest building

Chapter 25 Reluctant

Zhang Ma got up early and personally made breakfast, then watched as someone delivered it to Gong Xu.

With Madam Song away from home these past few days, Gong Xu inevitably felt a little uneasy.

He also disliked Zhang Ma's vulgarity and initially refused to eat the food she cooked.

It was only after Gong Chang'an begged him to have breakfast with him that Gong Xu reluctantly agreed.

After just one meal, I no longer had any other thoughts.

"Don't just play around all the time, you should also read books and practice writing," Gong Xu instructed Gong Chang'an after the meal. "I've been busy lately, but I'll test your studies when I have some free time. If you do well, I'll send you to school."

"Understood," Gong Chang'an replied obediently.

Gong Xu didn't particularly love this son, after all, Gong Chang'an had always been far away.

But as a father, he always has the responsibility to educate his son. This child grew up in a remote area and has been neglected in his upbringing.

Gong Chang'an insisted on seeing Gong Xu off at the gate of the mansion every day, but he rarely said anything and mostly just quietly followed behind Gong Xu.

Gong Xu mounted his horse and looked at his small figure standing on the steps, feeling a pang of sadness in his heart.

He felt sorry for the child deep down, knowing he was innocent.

But he couldn't treat him the same way he treated Gong Kang'an and Gong Bao'an; he felt that would be unfair to the Song family.

Wen Mingqian slept exceptionally soundly that night.

Gong Xu didn't need her to serve him, so she was happy to have some free time. She slowly got up and stretched, and Zhang Ma had already brought in breakfast with some people.

"Did you have a good sleep, young lady?" Zhang Ma asked with a smile.

“You slept very well,” Wen Mingqian couldn’t help but yawn again. “I lit benzoin last night, and maybe I put in too much, which is why I woke up so late this morning.”

"Since we have nothing to do today, it's fine for you to sleep in a little longer," said Zhang Ma, as she helped Wen Mingqian wash up.

"Where did Chang'an go?" Wen Mingqian asked, unable to see his son.

"I've seen the master off," Zhang Ma said, rolling up her sleeves and spreading a large towel on her lapel. "He'll probably be back in a little while."

Wen Mingqian had just finished washing up when Gong Chang'an came in, grinning and leaning on her shoulder affectionately.

"Go study! I'll test you again later." Over the years, Wen Mingqian has never slacked off on his son's studies, so although Gong Chang'an is only seven years old, he has already read several books.

Two days later, just after Wen Mingqian had finished breakfast, Aunt Tian came in and said, "Madam, the young madam has sent Yang Mama back."

"Let her in." Wen Mingqian knew that Granny Yang had been sent back to act as a messenger, and he also needed her to relay a message.

Granny Yang hunched her shoulders slightly and squinted as she greeted Wen Mingqian: "The young mistress sent me back to tell you that your aunt gave birth to a baby girl yesterday. The young mistress said she will have to stay there for the next few days, so I will have to trouble you with the affairs of the household."

Wen Mingqian was happy to maintain a friendly facade and said with a smile, "Your aunt has given birth! Congratulations! I'll have Zhang Ma accompany you to deliver a congratulatory gift. Tell Aunt Song to stay there and take good care of herself. Women are very weak after childbirth, so she needs to be well taken care of."

"Thank you for your understanding, Madam," said Granny Yang. "I'll go downstairs now to find some clothes to change into. I'll call Zhang Mama before I leave."

"That old hag must have come back because she heard something," Zhang Ma said with a sneer. "Her cousin got punished by us, so she's probably unhappy about it!"

"But has the replacement arrived yet?" Wen Mingqian asked slowly as he picked out a pair of pearl-encrusted earrings with gold buttons from the jewelry box and put them on.

“They’ve arrived. They came before nightfall yesterday, but I thought it was getting a bit late, so I didn’t bring them up.”

"No rush, I'll go to the back in a bit and see it there." Wen Mingqian looked in the mirror. The person in the mirror had a beautiful face and delicate eyebrows.

She is beautiful, but the youthful heart that should be at this age has long since turned to ashes.

As soon as Granny Yang returned, she went to Steward Chen's place, and Steward Chen told her what had happened.

In fact, after Wen Mingqian hosted the banquet, they had already guessed that things were probably not going to work out.

The opera troupe had vanished when they were found, and it was unknown whether they had fled because their scheme had been exposed.

Furthermore, there was no news of the Duke Feng's heir falling ill, and more importantly, Cui Baozhu did not go to claim credit.

Two more days passed, and Song couldn't contain herself any longer. She sent Granny Yang back, wanting to hear the definite news.

"Old sister, you're finally back! Liu Mama and her family have all been punished and sent to the estate." Butler Chen twisted her ankle and was recuperating at home, but she was also glad that she hadn't gotten involved.

"With the young mistress away, the madam has really started to act like a tyrant," Granny Yang said indignantly. "No one was hurt, yet she's being punished so severely."

“I can’t say for sure,” the butler hurriedly waved his hand, “This one is not the same as before. He is quite resourceful now and has even won over the young mistress of the Feng family.”

"So it's best if the young mistress doesn't come back for the time being," Granny Yang said after considering for a long time.

“I think so too. Let’s wait until things calm down before making any decisions. They’re going to be in the limelight sooner or later!” the butler said.

Granny Yang was unhappy, but there was nothing she could do. She didn't know if Wen Mingqian was just lucky or simply too vigilant.

This time the matter didn't escalate, and it seems no one is pursuing it for now, but ultimately they still suffered a loss.

This banquet allowed Wen Mingqian to make a name for herself, not only appearing before everyone as the matriarch of the household, but also establishing relationships with several families.

This is not a good thing for them.

However, they would never give up. The return of Wen Mingqian and his mother threatened their most important interests, and they would never back down, even if it meant death.

It's already April, and the weather is getting hotter and hotter.

The pomegranate tree is covered with tiny buds, but they are still a long way from blooming.

Wen Mingqian recognized the person in front of him at a glance: "Aren't you Aunt Zhu?"

"Madam has a good memory." Zhu Mama glanced at Wen Mingqian and then lowered her head again. "This old servant also worked in the manor for a few years."

"Yes, many of the servants in this manor have been replaced." Wen Mingqian nodded. "I remember you also had a daughter named Chun'e, who is already married, right?"

"Sigh! She's married, but she's not doing well," sighed Mother Zhu. "Her husband broke his leg driving a cart and has been bedridden for almost half a year..."

She suddenly realized she shouldn't be telling her master these things, so she apologetically stopped herself, saying, "These trivial matters shouldn't be told to the lady."

“I remember that year I lost an earring while I was admiring the moon outside. It was a pendant that my mother left me, and she found it for me the next day,” Wen Mingqian said. “She was only eleven or twelve years old at the time.”

"Yes, yes, Madam even rewarded her for that," said Zhu Mama.

“I’ll have Zhang Ma give you some money later. Take it out and let her treat your husband’s illness! He’s so young and he can’t be bedridden.” Wen Mingqian said, “While the injury is still minor, get a good doctor to treat him so he doesn’t develop any chronic illness.”

"Oh my! Madam, you are truly a living Bodhisattva!" Mother Zhu, along with her son and husband, knelt down to thank Wen Mingqian.

"It's a small matter, not worth kneeling over," Wen Mingqian said. "Get up, all of you. Just do your job well from now on."

(End of this chapter)