tallest building

Chapter 51 A Malicious Heart Revealed

In the evening, Wen Mingqian first went to the east courtyard to pay his respects to the old lady.

"The old lady is asleep, sister-in-law, please don't go in yet," Madam Wei said quietly to Wen Mingqian as she came out of the inner room.

"How is the old lady today? Is she feeling any better?" Wen Mingqian asked in a low voice.

“You know this is a psychological problem,” Madam Wei sighed softly. “She will be fine once our second master comes home.”

"You've worked so hard, sister-in-law. How about I take over for you tonight?" Wen Mingqian looked at the dark circles under Wei's eyes and knew that she hadn't been sleeping well these past few days.

Among the people Wen Mingqian had met, Lady Wei truly deserved to be called virtuous and kind.

She was extremely filial to her parents, lived in perfect harmony with Gong Rang, was a good mother, and managed her household well.

Wen Mingqian and she had been sisters-in-law for many years and got along quite well.

“No need, the old lady only wants me to serve her, she’s not used to you coming,” said Madam Wei. “You should go back and rest too! It’s getting late.”

Although Wen Mingqian didn't know what she did every day, Wei Shi didn't ask because she didn't say.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, sister-in-law. The master and the others should be back soon, right?" Wen Mingqian asked.

"Soon, if nothing else, we'll be home tomorrow. Jing'an and Yu'an are also heading back from Xijing, they should be arriving one after the other." Speaking of her husband and son, Madam Wei smiled warmly.

“With the master back, the old lady will feel a little more at ease,” Wen Mingqian said. “Then I’ll head back now.”

“Go back! Chang’an said he’ll have dinner with you over there and then come back here to keep the old lady company.” Madam Wei liked Gong Chang’an very much: “Sister-in-law, you have a good son; he is your blessing in the future.”

Wen Mingqian came out of Madam Gong's courtyard, first heading north, then turning west.

There is a wall separating the two houses, with a small door through which they can pass.

She had heard about the Luan family's situation outside, and knew that such news would only make the other families involved even more anxious.

"Girl, you're back. Are you hungry?" The lamps were already lit, and Zhang Ma had prepared dinner long ago.

"Mother, please have some tea." Gong Chang'an poured Wen Mingqian a cup of tea, then put away her own homework.

“We were just getting you into school, but now it’s been delayed again.” Wen Mingqian reached out and patted his son’s head.

“It doesn’t matter,” Gong Chang’an said, unconcerned. “It’s the same whether it’s sooner or later.”

“Yes, you can learn a lot by studying at home as long as you can concentrate,” Wen Mingqian said. “You can ask me if you don’t understand anything.”

As they were talking, Zhang Ma had already prepared the food and put it on the table.

Wen Mingqian and his mother sat facing each other to eat, with only the soft clatter of bowls and chopsticks audible.

"Who is it?" Zhu's mother asked from the courtyard.

"What's wrong?" Aunt Zhang asked as she went out the door. "Oh, there was someone peeking in at the door just now, so I asked them a question," Aunt Zhu said. "But as soon as I asked, the person turned around and left, and I didn't even see who it was."

"Hmph!" Zhang Ma snorted. "It's getting dark, and the rats are scurrying everywhere. We'll get some traps someday and see if they don't snap their legs!"

"It must be someone from Song Xiulian's side, peeking around like that, I wonder what they're spying on," Zhang Ma said as she entered the house. "Her sister-in-law came today, and the two of them are locked in the room, they must be getting restless again."

"At a time like this, shouldn't she be preoccupied with the master?" Wen Mingqian said calmly. "What is she spying on here for? Is she trying to take advantage of me again?"

Gong Chang'an had already eaten, so Wen Mingqian asked Zhang Ma to take him to the old lady's place.

Gong Chang'an lingered and didn't leave, dragging his feet for a long time before finally going away reluctantly.

"Young Madam, that man has returned," Granny Yang reported to Madam Song. "He must have gone to see the Old Madam first. Shall we go over now?"

"What did you do in the past?" Madam Song smiled. "Chat with her about everyday things?"

"Shouldn't the young mistress explain everything to her?" Granny Yang was a little confused. "There's no way we can keep this from her, is there?"

"The master and the others will be back tomorrow, so I suppose she won't be going out tomorrow either." Madam Song felt much more relaxed and ate more at dinner than usual.

She was sitting in front of her dressing table, examining her face.

She has indeed looked much more haggard these days, perhaps because of her pregnancy; there seem to be some spots on her cheekbones.

“What does the young mistress mean…” Granny Yang also looked at Song’s face in the mirror.

“Ha, if I go and tell her now, I’ll surely be met with a barrage of insults. Wouldn’t that be humiliating myself?” Madam Song’s face appeared obscure in the flickering candlelight. “These words should be said in front of everyone, especially the old lady and the master.”

She wanted everyone to know that Wen Mingqian's son was now crucial to the safety of the entire Gong family. If she agreed, everyone would be happy. If she didn't, it would be that she was disregarding the bigger picture.

I'm just here to make things clear. Who would want to kick that hole for no reason? Do you think I need to discuss this with her? We're sworn enemies, irreconcilable foes.

"Yes, yes, the young mistress is right. I'm getting senile. How can we discuss this with her directly? She certainly won't agree!" Granny Yang completely understood what Madam Song meant. "If we make things clear in front of the old lady and the master, it'll be like putting Wen Mingqian on the hot seat. On one side is her own son, and on the other is the master's safety."

What kind of son wouldn't help his father in trouble? In my opinion, she had no choice but to agree!

"So what if she's in a difficult position? She can't blame me." Madam Song sneered smugly. "After all, I was just desperate to save my husband!"

"Who says otherwise! Even the old lady wouldn't object if she heard it. After all, if this is done, Prince Zhao will not only rescue the master, but will also promote him greatly in the future." Granny Yang was so happy that she felt itchy all over, as if she would be promoted along with Gong Xu if he was promoted.

"As the sages were right, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. What we thought was a terrible thing has turned out to be an immense fortune for us." The candlelight reflected in Song's pupils, flickering like an insatiable greed.

"This old servant has told you long ago, young madam, you are a blessed person," Granny Yang flattered. "They, mother and son, are only fit to be your stepping stones."

"Let's not talk about that now. Look at my face, it's really embarrassing. When Master comes back in a few days, I can't let him see me looking so haggard." Madam Song looked at herself in the mirror with loving eyes. "From today onwards, I must take good care of myself. Remember to stew bird's nest for me tomorrow morning, and make sure to pick the pieces very finely."

"I know, young madam, you should go to bed and rest. The more you sleep, the better you'll recover." Granny Yang said, helping Madam Song up and leading her to the bedside.

(End of this chapter)