tallest building

Chapter 42 Feng Family Invitation

The next day, after Gong Xu left, Zhang Ma brought Gao Mama and Hehua over to Ruixiang Residence.

"Madam heard that Consort Song is pregnant and is worried that there won't be enough people to take care of her, so she asked me to bring the two of them over. They can continue to work in this courtyard!" Zhang Ma stood in the garden and did not go into the house.

She had a loud voice, and Mrs. Song could hear her clearly from inside the house.

Sure enough, Granny Yang came out immediately, forcing a smile as she declined, saying, "That won't do, Madam can't be without someone to serve her!"

“No need to worry about that,” Zhang Ma said. “This is Madam’s kind intention, so please don’t refuse.”

Granny Yang had long harbored resentment towards Zhang Ma, and because Song Shi was pregnant, she felt even more empowered. So she nodded and said, "That's true. Our young mistress is now a precious person. Master has repeatedly instructed everyone to serve her well. The most important thing for a woman is to bear children for her husband's family; that's true happiness! This household is about to have another joyous occasion."

I'm telling you, all of you, watch yourselves! Don't be so tactless and ill-mannered. If you serve well, everyone will benefit! But if anything goes wrong, see who the master will forgive!

Zhang Ma was not one to mince words. She immediately rolled her dead fish eyes, pouted her toad mouth, and poked Yang Pozi's face with her thick, club-like fingers: "You can say such things to other people's faces, but you can't say them in front of the Madam. Bearing children is her duty, how can she treat it like a precious talisman to flaunt everywhere?"

Even if you buy a sow or a hen, it has to be able to reproduce and raise them to repay the master's kindness.

I think you're just being delusional, spouting such utterly ridiculous nonsense. Anyone who doesn't know better would think Aunt Song is just putting on an act, acting like she's killed a bandit king and captured a rebel just because she's pregnant—I wonder how excited she is! Even if we know you're just making things up, you shouldn't ruin your unborn child's life!

Granny Yang was thoroughly berated by Zhang Ma's relentless barrage of words. Just as she was about to exchange a few words with her, Song called out to her from through the window.

“Mama Yang, Madam kindly asked Mama Zhang to bring the person over, how could you offend her? Hurry up and apologize.”

Firstly, Madam Song had spoken, and secondly, Granny Yang realized that she couldn't win an argument with Zhang Ma. Helpless, she muttered, "I was confused for a moment, please don't take offense, elder sister!"

Aunt Zhang snorted coldly, ignored her, and turned to go back.

Here, Granny Yang went into the house to complain to Madam Song, who said, "Knowing her temper, why bother provoking her? I just want peace and quiet now, so please all shut up!"

Upon hearing her words, Granny Yang was completely speechless.

As Zhang Ma walked back, a young servant boy brought in a visiting card. Upon seeing her, he quickly took two steps forward and said, "Zhang Mama, the Duke of Feng's mansion has sent a visiting card to Madam. Please take it in!"

"I understand. Have the Feng family left yet?" Zhang Ma asked, accepting the visiting card.

“They’re still waiting at the door,” the servant said as he walked back. “They repeatedly told me to give the visiting card to the lady, saying they’re waiting for a reply.”

When Zhang Ma returned to Lingyue Pavilion, she handed the visiting card to Wen Mingqian: "The Feng family has invited our daughter to visit. Should we send a reply?"

"Let me reply to make it seem more formal," Wen Mingqian said, picking up his pen to reply to the post, saying he would definitely go tomorrow.

The post stated that Wen Mingqian and Gong Chang'an, along with their mother, were to go to the Duke of Feng's residence, and that they would send a carriage to pick them up.

“The Feng family is really thoughtful,” said Zhang Ma. “It’s a pity that their young master has such a problem.”

"Tell Chang'an to get ready," Wen Mingqian said. "He gets along well with that boy from the Feng family. If we can take this opportunity to help him correct his bad habits, it wouldn't be a bad thing."

Feng Tianzhu has clearly been spoiled; such a temperament, even if he doesn't develop symptoms, will eventually become a source of trouble.

The Feng family was too worried, only thinking about saving the child's life, and couldn't care about anything else. "Just now I came around from the west and heard that the old lady is almost home." Zhang Ma was always observant and had her ears open. "That Song guy has been waiting for the old lady to come back! He wants to use her to kick us out."

“It’s good that we know what’s going on,” Wen Mingqian said as he made incense, mixing the leaves of the fragrant grass and the cypress tree and putting them into a sachet. “Now that we’re back, even the old lady can’t just kick us out without knowing the facts. Everything needs a reason, and this time we must seize the initiative.”

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, and the Feng family sent carriages and horses early in the morning.

Wen Mingqian got into the car with his son, leaving Zhang Ma to watch the house.

The Feng family was indeed very hospitable. Their young mistress, Madam Wu, was waiting at the second gate early on. As soon as Wen Mingqian and his mother arrived, she took Wen Mingqian's hand and led him inside.

Feng Tianzhu ran out from inside and grabbed Gong Chang'an, saying, "Good brother, I've missed you so much! You have no idea how many times I've argued with the master and madam these days. It was only with great difficulty that I managed to get them to write an invitation to you."

"Actually, it's because my wife's niece got engaged these days, and we haven't had time to come," Madam Wu explained with a smile. "Otherwise, we would have invited you here long ago."

Upon arriving at the main room, they met Madam Feng.

Madam Feng, who was nearly sixty years old, took a great liking to Gong Chang'an and said, "This child is indeed good; no wonder Tianzhu always talks about him."

Feng Tianzhu couldn't wait any longer, so he pulled Gong Chang'an to his courtyard to play.

Madam Feng said, "The servants should follow along carefully and not make the children feel wronged."

After the two children left, Wen Mingqian chatted with Madam Feng and Madam Wu.

Madam Wu praised Wen Mingqian highly, but made no mention of Madam Song. Madam Feng, however, asked, "How is your young mistress? I haven't seen her for many days."

Wen Mingqian replied, "She's pregnant and feels lethargic, so she doesn't go out much."

"Oh, I see. That's wonderful news." Madam Feng was most envious of other families having new additions to their household, as the Feng family was far too small.

Wu, standing to the side, coldly remarked, "She certainly knows how to give birth."

Her resentment towards Song Shi had not diminished in the slightest, but she couldn't openly make a scene.

Madam Feng then said, "I have another request for you today, Second Madam and Fourth Young Master."

“Please speak, Madam,” Wen Mingqian replied with a smile.

"Tianzhu has no brothers, he's all alone and quite pitiful. Although he has relatives with children of similar age, he can't play with any of them."

Ever since that day I visited your residence and met your fourth young master, he's been talking about him every day. It's clear the two of them get along very well, and he's repeatedly asked to become sworn brothers with your fourth young master. We thought this was a good thing.

Therefore, I would like to ask about the birth chart of your fourth son so that you, sir, can take a look and see if it is suitable for him.

"What's wrong with that?" Wen Mingqian said with a smile. "My Chang'an family also misses the young prince. It's just that he hasn't seen much of the world since he was a child, so please don't look down on him."

(End of this chapter)