tallest building

Chapter 34 Going Against the Grain

All eyes turned to Wen Mingqian, and Song Shi's hands involuntarily clenched tightly in her sleeves.

This was the most tense moment she had ever faced Wen Mingqian.

She knew that Wen Mingqian hated her to the core, and this time, Butler Chen was completely under her control again.

If Wen Mingqian insists on sending Chen Youde to the authorities to investigate the warehouse theft, Chen will surely confess in court to lessen his own guilt.

At that time, I will lose face and the reputation of virtue that I have worked so hard to earn will be ruined.

If that's the case, what should I do?

When that time comes, will Gong Xu still protect him as fiercely as before?
Even if they do, it's hard to avoid developing resentment in their hearts, right?

Chen Youde was equally disheartened, feeling that Wen Mingqian would definitely not let him off the hook.

But how can she save her own life? Will Madam Song do everything in her power to protect herself? Or will she also take advantage of her misfortune?
“Sir, as long as Chen Youde explains the theft from the warehouse and hands over the stolen goods, I do not intend to pursue the matter further.”

No one expected Wen Mingqian to make such a decision. Not only were Song Shi and Chen Youde very surprised, but even Gong Xu was taken aback.

In his mind, Wen Mingqian was a person who was meticulous and intolerant of injustice.

If such a scoundrel had come from her family before, she would have punished him severely.

Moreover, this warehouse theft has made her a prime suspect.

He frowned slightly, scrutinizing Wen Mingqian: "Is that really what you think? Why?"

Wen Mingqian sighed softly, lowered his head slightly, and said, "It's because Madam Lu had already pleaded for him beforehand, and I agreed to her request."

Lu said that she reported Chen Youde because she didn't want him to commit any more evil deeds. She pleaded for him because she couldn't bear to see him suffer.

I am a woman myself, and I understand the hidden burdens of being a wife. Even if a night of marriage is enough to create a hundred days of kindness, and even if that kindness is severed, it is still impossible to be completely heartless.

Seeing her pleading so earnestly, he couldn't help but be moved. Therefore, he was willing to spare Chen Youde's life, but whether it was ultimately possible was up to his discretion, sir.

Song was standing to the side, feeling very unhappy.

Logically speaking, Wen Mingqian's decision not to investigate Chen Youde further was advantageous to her and was an unexpected surprise.

However, the change in Gong Xu's gaze towards Wen Mingqian dispelled all her joy.

She knew Gong Xu very well, and naturally knew that Gong Xu originally had feelings for Wen Mingqian.

After all, Wen Mingqian was handsome and talented, but he was a bit stubborn and not gentle enough.

Now she is no longer as clear about her likes and dislikes as before, but has learned to yield and follow the path of compromise that she used to despise.

Gong Xu is the kind of person who responds better to gentleness than force. Previously, Wen Mingqian was unwilling to back down easily, which caused their relationship to become increasingly strained.

Wen Mingqian's unconventional approach immediately changed Gong Xu's attitude, which was not a good sign!

"Thank you, Madam! Thank you for your great kindness! I know I was wrong! I regret it so much!" Chen Youde kowtowed to Wen Mingqian on the ground. He felt like he had survived a disaster. "I stole the things in the storeroom in a moment of confusion. I will return them immediately."

“Master, since Madam has said so, we don’t need to spread this scandal. Even if we punish him, it will still become a laughing stock. Anyway, we’ve already recovered the money…” Madam Song said.

"In that case, let's do it this way!" Gong Xu seemed a little tired and waved his hand wearily. "Have someone take stock of everything Chen Youde embezzled from the mansion and hand it over. He must leave the capital first thing tomorrow morning and never come back!"

After leaving Ruixiangju, Zhang Ma said to Zhu Mama, "This time it's settled, you don't need to leave anymore, just go about your business!"

"Oh, oh, thank you so much, Madam! Thank you so much, elder sister!" Zhu Mama said with heartfelt gratitude. "This is truly like a dream!" "You've certainly had a fright. Go back and check on your husband and son, and tell them to stay here in peace. As long as you are loyal to Madam, she will surely keep you safe." Zhang Ma tugged at her sleeve and said, "I've finished stretching my muscles and should go back to cook."

Back at Lingyue Pavilion, Wen Mingqian reclined on the short couch to rest.

Zhang Ma then sent two maids, one to make tea and the other to fetch some snacks.

“That slut Song Xiulian is really dumbfounded today,” Zhang Ma laughed. “Miss, didn’t you see? Her face turned green and yellow all the time; it was truly indescribable.”

“Chen Youde knows some things about her, but it’s not anything particularly important. Even if we force him to get involved, it won’t make much difference.” Wen Mingqian smiled. “Besides, this matter can’t be handled by the authorities anyway.”

“Yes, if we go through the official channels, we’ll need Madam Lu to come forward, but she’s already dead. We’re just using her as a pretext.” Zhang Ma nodded.

The assassins sent by Chen Youde did not fail; Madam Lu was indeed dead.

Wen Mingqian knew about Chen Youde's embezzlement because Sang Er had discovered it in Beijing over the past two years.

The last time Wen Mingqian went to the silk shop, the notebook she took out contained detailed notes of what she had found out, including a detailed list of Chen Youde's embezzlement.

Of course, he also remembered Chen Youde hiring someone to kill his wife.

But Wen Mingqian couldn't possibly produce that notebook as evidence.

How could Gong Xu and Song Shi know about this?

In public, she's like a helpless crab, a discarded woman who has to depend on others to survive!
"That idiot Gong Er!" Zhang Ma cursed. "She can't even tell the difference between a real person and a fake one, and she's still clinging to that viper like she's her precious darling!"

“He’s always been a fool,” Wen Mingqian chuckled. “I was even more foolish than him back then.”

Back then, Wen Mingqian believed that the most important thing between husband and wife was honesty, so she never schemed or used tricks on Gong Xu.

She neither cared nor wanted to.

Unexpectedly, his sincerity was despised and worthless, while Song's clever words and humble manner pleased him greatly.

Therefore, Wen Mingqian understood that what he cared about was not sincerity or insincerity, but whether the other person could make him feel comfortable and whether they looked up to him.

By now, she naturally had no feelings for Gong Xu, but she still said those words to his face today.

It was a performance for him, and for everyone else to see.

Sure enough, Gong Xu fell for it.

“Men are really prone to being shameless,” Zhang Ma clicked her tongue. “They treat hypocrisy like a treasure, not realizing that they themselves are the most ridiculous!”

"By the way, stew an extra portion of bamboo shoots later and send it over there." Wen Mingqian's lips curved into a smile. "I heard from Chang'an that he really likes the dishes you stew."

"Ha! With my cooking skills, who wouldn't be satisfied?" Aunt Zhang twisted her neck smugly. "To be honest, I really don't like cooking for him. But to get things done, I'll just have to force myself to do it!"

Sure enough, Zhang Ma also cooked a dish for Gong Xu and personally delivered it to him.

At this moment, of course no one dared to stop Zhang Ma, after all, she had just beaten Chen Youde a little over an hour ago.

Gong Xu did not refuse, although he kept a sullen face.

Only Song noticed that he only touched one bite of the other dishes, but he ate most of the dishes that Zhang Ma brought.

(End of this chapter)