tallest building

Chapter 53 Strict pressure

Madam Song wiped away her tears and began to recount the details: "The youngest son of the King of Zhao was born weak and sickly. After consulting with a doctor, it was said that a boy born on the same day, month, and year as him must be chosen to become his substitute and become a monk in order to ensure his safety."

Several people had been consulted in the Prince's mansion before, but none of them were of any use.

Now, a wise man from Zhongnan Mountain says that the substitute must be from a wealthy and noble family, a son of a nobleman, to be suitable; children from poor families cannot be subdued.

Therefore, the King of Zhao spread the word that if any family's son was willing to become a monk in place of his young heir, he would give him anything, whether it was mountains of gold and silver or the stars and the moon, as long as he could get it for him.

We know the identity of the King of Zhao. If he is truly willing to do his best to help, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. The key is whether he is willing or not.

My brother had also tried to plead with us, but we didn't have enough influence, so there was nothing we could do about it.

Perhaps it's true that there's always a way out! Our fourth young master happens to be born on the same day, month, and year as the young master of the Prince's mansion..."

"Is such a thing true? Are you telling the truth?" asked Madam Gong.

“How could I dare to make up such a thing? If the old lady doesn’t believe me, she can just send someone to inquire again,” said Mrs. Song. “Actually, I already knew a few days ago, but I kept it to myself and didn’t say it. I know this is really putting people in a difficult position.”

I'm a mother myself, and I know the deep love and care a mother has for her son.

At this point, Madam Song crawled on her knees to Wen Mingqian and pleaded, "Madam, I know that asking you to give up the Fourth Young Master is tantamount to tearing out your heart."

But if something were to happen to the master, wouldn't the old lady be heartbroken and die young? Moreover, this concerns the entire Gong family.

I know I've wronged you. In my next life, I'll be your slave to repay you. Please have pity on me—not on me, but on the old lady, who is so old and still has to worry about her husband.

Besides, you and the master are husband and wife. If something were to happen to the master, how could you, as his wife, be completely unaffected?

Song wept bitterly, her words filled with sorrow and pleading.

Everyone watched Wen Mingqian quietly, knowing that this matter had put her in a very difficult position.

Abandoning her only son would be tantamount to taking her life, but if she stood idly by, wouldn't she become a sinner against the Gong family?

Seeing Wen Mingqian remain silent, Madam Song cried out again, "Madam, do you know the torment my husband is suffering in prison? There is really no other way now."

The third master of the Luan family has been driven to his death. Didn't you see our master...? He... he's lost so much weight... He's never suffered like this before! I wish I could take his place..."

“Help Aunt Song up! This matter is of utmost importance and must be carefully considered. Although my second brother is imprisoned, Chang’an is still our family’s child. He grew up in the border region and has already suffered a lot. It would be too much to just abandon him now…” Gong Rang felt reluctant.

Madam Gong was in a dilemma. She loved this grandson very much, but she couldn't neglect her son.

Madam Song knelt on the ground and refused to get up: "What you say is true, sir. How could I want to be the bad guy? But the situation waits for no one. Wouldn't it be better to clear our master's name before the verdict is finalized? If we wait until he is convicted, it will be too late."

“Aunt Song, you should get up! Haven’t you pressured Madam enough?” Zhang Ma said.

“Zhang Mama, I know you are doing this for the good of Madam, and you raised the Fourth Young Master since he was a child.” Madam Song looked up at Zhang Mama and said, “I’ll accept whatever you say about me, since someone always has to be the bad guy.”

I am an ignorant woman who has always regarded my husband as the heavens. Now that my heavens are about to collapse, how can I not be afraid? How can I not be anxious?
Furthermore, how can a wife or concubine stand idly by when her husband is in trouble? How can a son not help his father when he is in trouble?

Otherwise, wouldn't the righteousness of the sages become nothing but nonsense?
"Mother, don't accuse me of being insensitive. To put it bluntly, even if we were to send the Fourth Young Master away to become a monk, Madam would still be able to see him. It's not like we're separated by death and will never meet again!" Madam Song's last sentence was pointed, and everyone present understood what she meant.

Wen Mingqian killed her son, Gong Kang'an, but Song kept quiet for the sake of the bigger picture.

Now, for the same reason of the Gong family's honor and disgrace, Wen Mingqian's son has to be sacrificed. If she doesn't agree, then she would be too selfish.

“Aunt Song, if it can save Father, Chang’an would do anything to help. I would not hesitate to become a nun, even if it costs me my life.” Gong Chang’an stepped forward and stood in front of Wen Mingqian.

“Ah, Fourth Young Master,” Madam Song wiped away her tears and forced a smile at Gong Chang’an, “I knew it. Although you are young, you are a very sincere and filial person.”

I dare not force you and Madam, but I am truly worried and distressed for Master, which is why I beg Madam to intervene and save him.”

Mrs. Wei was in a difficult position and couldn't say a word for a long time.

She sympathized with and understood Wen Mingqian, but she couldn't refute Aunt Song.

Just like seven years ago, she was in the same predicament.

She trusted Wen Mingqian's character and believed he would never harm a child.

However, Gong Xu was convinced that Wen Mingqian had murdered his eldest son, and the old lady did not allow the matter to escalate.

As the eldest daughter-in-law, she could only keep quiet.

Now that Song is threatening Gong Xu's safety and the Gong family's honor, what can she and her husband say?
After all, they had no way to guarantee Gong Xu's safety.

Moreover, Madam Wei knew in her heart that Wen Mingqian was now in a precarious position.

She agreed to lose her son; if she didn't agree...

Is it possible that she wouldn't agree?
Unless she leaves again with her son, that would be tantamount to completely cutting herself off from the Gong family.

Everyone present was on tenterhooks, looking at Wen Mingqian with expressions of being caught between a rock and a hard place.

Song looked up at Wen Mingqian with tearful eyes, her gaze filled with anxious pleading and a hint of triumphant malice.

She wanted to force Wen Mingqian to the brink of despair, to push her to the edge of a cliff!

Wen Mingqian, who had been expressionless, suddenly smiled slightly and reached out to help Madam Song up: "Madam Song, please get up! Just as you said, how could I not worry about Master? And how could I not try my best to save him?"

"Madam, you...you...you agree?" Madam Song was overjoyed.

As expected, Wen Mingqian was forced to comply and had no choice but to give up his son. He seemed to have become a meritorious person in the Gong family, but she had lost her lifelong support and could only be manipulated by herself from now on.

“Madam, Master,” Wen Mingqian ignored her and said to Madam Gong and Gong Rang, “Actually, I have been thinking about ways to save Master these days, but it is not convenient to say it before it is done.”

"You?" Old Madam Gong looked at Wen Mingqian in disbelief. "You haven't been in the capital for so many years, what kind of solution could you possibly come up with?"

(End of this chapter)