tallest building

Chapter 5 Intentional Evil

Granny Yang walked over and whispered behind Madam Song, "Young Madam, shall I follow them?"

Madam Song turned her face away, sighed and said, "Well, you're a mature woman, reminding the servants not to break the rules."

"Don't worry, young mistress, I know. If things don't turn out properly, they'll inevitably laugh at you for not managing the household well," Granny Yang hurriedly said.

After she left, Madam Song continued to entertain the guests at the banquet until after noon before seeing them all off.

Back at her own Ruixiang Residence, the maidservants helped her take a nap. Song was really tired and slept for almost half an hour before waking up.

The head maid, Hua Hong, brought over a bowl of tea. Song Shi drank half of it, and then Granny Yang came in.

"Reporting to Madam, Madam and the Fourth Young Master are staying at Yunfengzhai, and I have already sent people to tidy up Lingyue Pavilion."

Madam Song nodded, and Granny Yang said again, "It's time for the young mistress to comb her hair, let me do it!"

So Song sat down in front of the dressing table, and while Yang Pozi combed her hair, she kept saying, "When I first came here, I heard some old women gossiping in private. They all said that the madam's return this time was strange. I went over and scolded them a few times, telling them to shut up."

However, to be fair, the lady is truly unpopular. The servants only dare not act presumptuously because of the young lady's deference to her; in reality, they harbor much resentment.

They've only been back for half a day, and there's already chaos everywhere, with everyone on edge. Especially that Zhang Ma, she's really hard to talk to.

The things they brought, if left lying in the street, no one would even pick them up, yet they treated them like treasures, not allowing anyone to touch them..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Song couldn't help but ask, "What did they bring? That carriage is so small, how much stuff can it hold?"

"There's really nothing, just three or four bundles and a small earthenware jar." Granny Yang said, taking a flat hairpin inlaid with turquoise and pinning it to Song's hair.

"Remove this," Madam Song said, "and just get a regular silver hairpin instead!"

Yang Ma immediately understood and said while changing the hairpin, "Then let Liu Yun find a few plain clothes for the young mistress to change into in a moment."

The reason Song did this was because Wen Mingqian dressed very simply, and as a concubine, she could not dress extravagantly.

The key to her being valued by Gong Xu and recognized by others lies in her consistently demonstrating thoughtfulness, understanding, and adherence to rules. She never takes advantage of his favor or acts arrogantly.

"Just you wait! She'll only be happy for half a day." Granny Yang suddenly sneered. "If the master can tolerate her when he comes back, then the sun will truly rise in the west."

Granny Yang knew how much Gong Xu disliked Wen Mingqian, and so did Madam Song.

"Young Madam, please put your mind at ease. Our uncle is now so influential with Prince Zhao, while the Wen family has been in decline for decades. And with her own tarnished reputation, how could she possibly recover?"

Regardless of the dynasty or era, Kyoto was always teeming with dignitaries.

In the present Qi dynasty, the King of Zhao is extremely powerful.

He was granted the title of Lady of Lu by imperial decree because he married the younger sister of the Empress and the youngest daughter of Grand Tutor Dong Yannian.

Song Xiang, Song's elder brother, although he had also studied, did not pursue the path of imperial examinations, but instead went to work as a hanger-on in the mansions of officials.

Because of his eloquence, quick wit, and exceptional skills in various games such as slingshot flying and football, he was favored by the King of Zhao and kept by his side to flatter him.

It is said that even a prime minister's doorman is a third-rank official. Because Song Xiang was a favorite of the Prince of Zhao, many people in the court and the countryside tried to curry favor with him.

These noblewomen and wives of officials in the capital always valued their birth highly, but they were also adept at currying favor with the powerful. If it weren't for this, Song would not have been able to thrive so easily.

"Master only has eyes for you. When our Bao-ge becomes a high-ranking official, he'll get you an imperial decree, and you'll be a proper lady. What chance will that Wen family girl have?" Granny Yang said, getting even more excited. Hearing Granny Yang's words, Madam Song didn't reply, but she couldn't help but feel pleased.

Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny? Just like these brother and sister, although they came from humble beginnings, they have the means and shrewdness to rise above others.

"But does that mean Madam isn't going to take away the young mistress's management power this time she's back?" Hua Hong asked as she walked over, looking very concerned.

"She's probably blinded by greed!" Granny Yang couldn't help but spit. "In this mansion, from top to bottom, is there anyone who truly cares for her? She's just holding the title of Madam in name only. If she stays obediently in Shuangxi, people will still treat her like a Buddha."

If you come back without any respect, you'll likely lose even the last shred of dignity.

Old Mrs. Yang suddenly laughed as she spoke, and lowered her voice to say to Madam Song, "In my opinion, it's good for us that she's back. Otherwise, if she hadn't died or been divorced, she would have continued to occupy the position of Madam."

Now I suggest you simply divorce her and make me your wife.

"That's how it should be!" Hua Hong clapped her hands and said, "Let's quickly find a way to squeeze her out, this inner quarters should still be ours."

Upon hearing this, Madam Song smiled slightly, picked up a bit of rouge and applied it to her palm. She glanced at herself in the mirror and said softly, "This matter requires careful consideration; it cannot be rushed. Putting everything else aside, at least send a few people over to serve us. We mustn't let them find fault with us and turn the tables on us."

Since Song wanted to rise to power but didn't want to give others cause for criticism, she naturally tried her best to be meticulous.

"Don't worry, Madam. I've already selected a few people with Steward Chen. I'll have you take a look later. If they're suitable, we'll send them over," said Granny Yang.

Granny Yang and Steward Chen were Song's right-hand women, so she had nothing to worry about.

Moreover, she knew that Granny Yang had already given her the necessary instructions, so she didn't need to worry about it herself.

Wen Mingqian took his son for a nap, while Zhang Ma, who never rested, kept tidying up inside and out.

As soon as he woke up, Zhang Ma brought out the longan and white fungus soup that she had prepared for Wen Mingqian and the Four Gods Soup that Gong Chang'an wanted to eat.

Although they haven't been wealthy over the years, they've never missed a day of nourishing and restorative soups.

Gong Chang'an rubbed his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed to eat by himself.

After he finished eating, Zhang Ma brought him warm water to wash his hands and face, and also to rinse his mouth.

Just as they finished tidying up, Granny Yang came in with two maids and two old women.

With a forced smile, he inquired, "Madam and Fourth Young Master are awake. Have you recovered from your fatigue?"

Before Wen Mingqian could speak, Zhang Ma interrupted, asking, "Why didn't Aunt Song come? Is she busy entertaining guests?"

Granny Yang smiled and said, "The young mistress was going to come over, but since she has to cook dinner for our master every day, she's busy in the kitchen right now! Please don't mind, madam."

"What's wrong with that? Her first priority is serving the master. She's willing to do her best, so I don't have to worry about her," Wen Mingqian said. "Let her do what she needs to do. There's no need to rigidly adhere to etiquette."

"Madam is truly considerate," Granny Yang said with a smile on her face. She then pointed to the people behind her and said, "These are the people assigned to serve you and the Fourth Young Master: two maids who will serve you closely, and two old women who will do the menial tasks."

The young mistress said that there weren't enough servants in the household right now, and asked that the servants make do for now, and that more suitable ones would be purchased later.

The four people also caught up and greeted Wen Mingqian.

Wen Mingqian calmly sized up the four of them, then asked Zhang Ma to assign them tasks.

(End of this chapter)