tallest building

Chapter 40 Another Pregnancy

"I don't know about that. I never met this Liu Qiniang when I was in the capital, nor did I have the chance to use anything she made," Wen Mingqian said quietly. "She must have been a legendary woman."

"Whether it is or not, having you now is better than anything else." Madam Yu put aside the old topic, "Speaking of which, I've still troubled you too much."

“Madam, you are being too polite. Please don’t say such things again.” Wen Mingqian said with a slightly more serious tone, “Since you trust me, you should consider me a confidant. If a confidant treats me well, Mingqian will treat him as a confidant in return. If you are too polite, it will truly make me uneasy!”

"You are such an honest and kind child, you are really lovable," said Madam Yu. "You haven't had a proper cup of tea or a single snack since you arrived, you've only been worrying about us."

It's still quite a while before lunch, so I won't keep you waiting. I'll have those two accompany you for a stroll in our garden. You young women will get along better chatting and laughing together.”

Fang took Wen Mingqian's right hand, and Zhong Meier hugged her left arm, saying in unison, "Come on, let's go play in the garden! The ropes on the swing were newly replaced yesterday, let's go swing!"

Wen Mingqian was escorted out by the two sisters-in-law, without even having time to say goodbye to Madam Yu. A large group of maids and servants followed behind, creating quite a sight.

The Zhong family garden was enormous, twice the size of the Gong family garden.

Wen Mingqian naturally didn't play on the swing; she and Madam Fang were having tea and snacks in the octagonal pavilion.

Zhong Meier, protected by her maids and servants, played on the swing for quite a while.

During the conversation, Fang and Wen Mingqian chatted about everyday matters. When Song was mentioned, Wen Mingqian praised her highly, without any jealousy or slander.

After a sumptuous lunch at the Zhong family's house, Wen Mingqian took his leave. Madam Yu repeatedly urged him to stay, saying, "Good boy, come visit us often when you have time. I'll be happy if you come often."

Then she had her daughter-in-law and daughter put Wen Mingqian in the car.

Upon reaching the door, Madam Fang ordered someone to bring over a locked brocade box, with the key hanging beside it.

"Sister Wen, this is something my mother-in-law insisted on giving to you, please don't refuse." With that, she ordered someone to put it in Wen Mingqian's car.

Wen Mingqian naturally declined a few times, but Fang's attitude was very firm: "We've already said we're not strangers, so how can we let you suffer a loss? It's already a lot of work and effort, so please be understanding and let us feel at ease."

Besides, we're counting on you to continue developing our recipes for a long time; this is for the long haul.

"Thank you for your understanding, Madam and sisters. You've gone to such lengths, it would be impolite of me to refuse." Wen Mingqian said, his cheeks slightly flushed. "But I really feel unworthy of such a gift."

"Please accept this, dear sister! My sister-in-law and I will come to your house to visit you in a few days," Zhong Meier said affectionately.

She was young, and Wen Mingqian had really helped her get rid of a major worry, so she was grateful to her from the bottom of her heart and regarded her as the best person in the world.

"Okay, then you must come!" Wen Mingqian's eyes showed a warm expectation, and he looked extremely sincere.

But only she knows how much of it is true and how much is false.

She was no longer the Wen Mingqian who wore her heart on her sleeve.

"Sister Wen, get in the carriage quickly! The sun is so high, be careful not to get sunburned." Madam Fang insisted that Wen Mingqian get in the carriage. "I'm sorry to have troubled you today, go back to the manor and get some rest."

Wen Mingqian then took his leave, got into his carriage, and went straight back to the Marquis of Ruyang's residence.

Back at Lingyue Pavilion, Gong Chang'an was taking a nap. Zhang Ma sat beside him, fanning him, also feeling a little drowsy. However, she snapped back to attention as soon as Wen Mingqian entered, rising to greet him, "Miss is back. Did you have lunch at the Zhong family's?"

“You’ve used it, you can rest now!” Wen Mingqian said.

"I'm not tired," said Zhang Ma. "Please take off your clothes, young lady!"

As Zhang Ma helped Wen Mingqian change into his everyday clothes, she noticed the brocade box that the Zhong family had given him. She picked it up, weighed it in her hand, and said, "It's so heavy. It must be full of valuable items."

"Open it and take a look! I don't know what's inside." Wen Mingqian sat down and drank tea.

Zhang Ma unlocked the box with the key and found several pieces of valuable jewelry and a stack of silver notes, each worth one hundred taels.

"Tsk tsk, Madam Zhong is really generous," Zhang Ma laughed. "Indeed, this isn't a business transaction, so it's not appropriate to give money over and over again."

"It's good that we both know what's going on. People like them would never let us suffer a loss." Wen Mingqian only glanced at the box.

“Our things are worth this price, and Madam Zhong certainly knows her own expenses,” Zhang Ma said as she locked the box again and lowered her voice. “Miss, while you were away for half a day, something must have happened in the west courtyard.”

"Aunt Song? What happened to her?" Wen Mingqian asked.

"I didn't know at first either. Lotus told me when she came back from outside." Zhang Ma pursed her lips. "Haven't you been saying you weren't feeling well these days? Today we called a doctor, and he said you're pregnant again."

"Oh?" Wen Mingqian raised his eyes slightly. "My child with her is truly destined for me!"

"Yes! When you left the capital, she was pregnant with Gong Bao'an. Now, we've only been back for less than a month, and she's pregnant again," Zhang Ma sneered. "We'd better be careful this time!"

Wen Mingqian just smiled slightly and said, "She will definitely not stay still. With this opportunity, she will naturally make a fuss about it."

"Ha! In my opinion, she'd better shut up. Having such wicked thoughts while pregnant is just creating trouble for the baby in her belly." Aunt Zhang rolled her eyes. "This world is about cause and effect. What good can come from sowing evil seeds?"

"Master hasn't returned yet; he'll surely be happy to hear this news," Wen Mingqian said with a smile.

"We'll find out when we get back tonight," Zhang Ma sneered. "A pair of despicable people!"

"Don't send the master any more food these days," Wen Mingqian said. "Be careful not to get into trouble."

"That's what I think too. I never liked cooking for him in the first place," Zhang Ma said bluntly. "Does Gong Er even deserve it?!"

"Here's what we'll do," Wen Mingqian said calmly. "Once the master finds out about this, tomorrow you should return two of the people in this courtyard to him. Just say that the young mistress is pregnant and needs more people to take care of her. These people were originally transferred from her courtyard, so they'll be more convenient to use."

“That’s a perfectly plausible reason, and it works,” Zhang Ma laughed. “It can be considered as cutting off a few spies from our yard.”

"Let Aunt Tian and Liu'er stay!" Wen Mingqian said. "They are both quite clever and can tell what's important."

Zhang Ma understood Wen Mingqian's meaning; these two people could be turned against him.

Wen Mingqian then lay down to rest. The days are getting longer and longer, and he can't skip a nap, otherwise he'll easily become distracted in the afternoon.

(End of this chapter)