tallest building

Chapter 29 Thief

Gong Xu returned to the capital ahead of schedule. He first went to Song Xiang's house, had lunch, and then returned to the mansion with Song Xiang and his mother.

"My lord, you must be very tired from your official business trip. I noticed you've lost some weight. You must take good care of yourself when you get back." Madam Song looked at Gong Xu in the carriage, her eyes full of concern.

"It's not hard work. Maybe it's because of the hot weather, but I'm not used to the food." Gong Xu said with a smile. "But you've been sick and tired these days, so you should take better care of yourself. Go home and ask Aunt Yang to pay more attention to your diet."

Many people say that one shouldn't nourish their Yang energy in summer, and that extra care must be taken. But you always focus your attention on me and neglect yourself; that won't do.

"My lord is my heaven, and Bao'er is my life. As long as you and Bao'er are well, I will be content with everything." Madam Song hugged her son while gazing at Gong Xu with deep affection.

At this moment, Gong Bao'an looked up in Song's arms and said, "Mother, I want to go back and play with Fourth Brother, is that okay?"

Mrs. Song was slightly taken aback, and said softly, "My dear, you still have a lot of homework to finish."

Gong Baoan hurriedly said, "Then I'll go back and finish the homework the teacher left me as soon as possible, so I can still go play with my fourth brother before dinner."

Madam Song had no choice but to continue coaxing him: "Madam is a person who prefers to live a quiet life and does not like to be disturbed. How about this, if the Fourth Young Master comes to play with you, he can stay in our courtyard. You should not go over and disturb Madam."

Upon hearing this, Gong Baoan was inevitably disappointed, lowered his head, and became sullen.

Gong Xu couldn't help but feel sorry for Song, but he knew Song's heartache, so he said to Gong Bao'an, "Don't you spend every day at school with your brothers? Don't always be so playful."

“The teachers at the school are too strict, so even when we have time to play, we don’t dare to enjoy ourselves to the fullest. Besides, none of them are as clever and interesting as Fourth Brother,” Gong Bao’an sighed. “Moreover, Fourth Brother and I are blood relatives, so we should spend more time together, shouldn’t we?”

These words were particularly grating to Song Shi, and she looked to Gong Xu for help.

Gong Xu also comforted her with his eyes, and said to Gong Bao'an, "Chang'an has been neglected in his upbringing over the years. Now that he's back home, he needs to learn manners and study more. Therefore, he has very little time to play. You don't want to have an uneducated and useless older brother, do you?"

Gong Baoan naturally couldn't refute this, so he said, "When will Fourth Brother be able to go to school too? That way, the two of us will have company."

"I'll test him when I have some free time. If he does well, I'll let him study with you." Gong Xu knew that he couldn't keep Gong Chang'an locked up at home forever; he would eventually have to be sent to school.

But before that, he needs to have some basic skills; otherwise, it would be embarrassing to send him away.

While listening to Gong Xu's words, Song secretly made her own plans.

She certainly didn't want Gong Xu and Gong Chang'an to get close, because it would be harmful to her.

She then looked worried and sullen.

Gong Xu then comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid, I won't let anything happen to you and your child again."

Madam Song immediately glanced at Gong Xu with tears in her eyes and whispered, "Master, I believe you."

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion gate, and the three of them got out and went inside.

Upon entering the second gate, one could faintly hear the sounds of arguing.

"Steward Chen, you have always been loyal and devoted. How could the master not trust you? Just tell me the truth."

"Yeah! It's not your fault, why should you compensate me?"

"Stop talking. I'm the steward. If I don't take responsibility for this, who will?" Steward Chen said, carrying a bundle on his shoulder, while the other two servants tried to persuade him.

Upon seeing Gong Xu and Song Shi return, the group immediately fell silent.

Butler Chen, with a slight limp, came forward to greet them, his face showing embarrassment.

"Is your leg feeling any better? What happened?" Madam Song asked first.

"Thank you for your concern, young mistress. My leg is fine," Steward Chen said, tears streaming down his face. "I must apologize to the master. I have sold my possessions and raised some money as compensation for the household..."

"Let's go inside and talk." Gong Xu glanced at the silver notes he was holding. "But my mistress and I have been away from home these past few days. Has something happened at the manor?"

"Alas, this old servant truly has no other choice." Steward Chen wiped away tears and sighed, "I've been the steward of this household for six or seven years, and I've never made such a mistake before... It's truly... alas!"

"Bao'er, let Liuyun accompany you to play in the backyard first," Song said to her son. "Didn't you say you wanted to eat rock sugar lotus root starch dumplings at your uncle's house yesterday? I'll ask the kitchen to make them for you, but don't eat too many."

Gong Baoan handed a piece of candy to Butler Chen and said, "Uncle Chen, don't cry."

After saying that, she obediently followed the maid.

After Gong Xu and Madam Song entered the room and sat down, Steward Chen explained the details: "Yesterday, Master sent someone to tell us that he wanted to prepare a birthday gift for the old master of the Su family the day after tomorrow. When I opened the storeroom, I found that several items had disappeared."

This old servant doesn't know how to explain this. After thinking it over, I only feel ashamed of failing the trust that Master and Madam have placed in me..."

"What items were stolen?" Gong Xu interrupted him.

"There are thirteen items in total, all listed here," Butler Chen said, handing over the list of stolen items.

The table is mostly filled with wine cups and spoons, all made of gold, as well as some jade and coral beads, all small items.

Gong Xu frowned upon seeing this: "How could this be? Our house has never been burglarized before."

“That’s right. I was worried that there might be a mistake, so I had people check it carefully several times. Sure enough, it was lost.” Steward Chen sighed and said, “As the steward, I am truly sorry for losing such a valuable item without knowing why. Please punish me, sir.”

“Steward Chen, you’ve been recuperating these past few days and haven’t been involved in any affairs of the household. How can you bear the responsibility for the lost items alone?” At this moment, Yang Mama, who was standing next to Madam Song, spoke up.

“I had to come up with something to do,” Song said remorsefully. “Losing things is secondary; it’s just that it doesn’t sound good if word gets out.”

Gong Xu knew perfectly well that these past few days, he, Madam Song, and even Steward Chen had not been in the manor, only Wen Mingqian was. The loss of valuables was most likely related to her.

“It couldn’t possibly have been an outsider who stole it,” Gong Xu’s voice was as cold as autumn frost. “Who are the people guarding the storeroom? Have they been questioned?”

"There are four people guarding this storeroom. A few days ago, Madam transferred Li Fu to an estate outside, and then transferred Zhu Dashun from there..." The steward hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

"Who gave her permission to move around the people in the manor at will?" Gong Xu was clearly displeased. "What mistake did Li Fu make to deserve being kicked out?"

“Li Fu has always been diligent and has not made any mistakes,” the steward said. “This old servant has only heard from others that…”

"Just say what you have to say. Who are you afraid of by beating around the bush like this?" Gong Xu's face showed impatience.

(End of this chapter)