tallest building

Chapter 57 Unwilling

Upon hearing Wen Mingqian's words, Madam Gong quickly replied, "Of course, of course. Don't worry, who would willingly give up their own child?"
Our Gong family hasn't fallen so low as to sell our children. Our child is perfectly capable; we should naturally send him to study for the imperial examinations and bring honor to our family."

"Sister-in-law, you've done a great service to our family this time. When my second brother comes back, I'll make sure he forgives you and forgets everything." Gong Rang said happily, "He should understand your good intentions."

"Thank you, sir, but I dare not ask for more. As long as my master can return safely, that will be all I wish for," Wen Mingqian said, his brows furrowed.

Gong Rang sighed softly, nodded, and said nothing more.

He knew that the grudge between Wen Mingqian and Gong Xu was too deep, and with seven years in between, they would only grow more estranged and indifferent.

Wen Mingqian returned to Lingyue Pavilion.

Song Shi cautiously approached the main house, not daring to go directly to see Old Madam Gong, so she first came to sound out Wei Shi's opinion.

"I wonder what ingenious idea our lady has come up with?" Madam Song said with a smile.

"Didn't you ask your sister-in-law?" Madam Wei asked with a smile. She was always gentle and had gotten along very well with Madam Song over the years.

“I didn’t dare to disturb you,” Madam Song said, feigning restraint. “I was in a hurry the other day and already displeased you, Madam.”

“You are right to think that way,” said Madam Wei. “Every family values ​​harmony, especially our inner quarters. Now that my second brother is still in the Ministry of Justice, we must not make a scene.”

“The First Madam is right,” said Madam Song with a look of shame. “I know I was wrong.”

“You’re just worried and confused, I’m sure Mingqian understands.” Madam Wei nodded with a smile. “But Mingqian already said that she has taken care of things, and Lord Zhu has agreed. We just need to wait for the Second Master to return. We can’t discuss the details of other matters, this is for the sake of the bigger picture.”

Song was naturally unhappy to hear this; she didn't believe that Wen Mingqian could really persuade Zhu Hui.

Even if Zhu Hui agreed, she really wanted to know what underhanded methods Wen Mingqian had used.

However, he could not reveal these thoughts to Wei Shi, otherwise he would appear to be too petty.

So she feigned delight and said, "Really?! Madam, you really have a way!"

“Yes! Mingqian really did a great job this time.” Madam Wei then said, “Aunt Song, I’m not advising you to forget past grievances, but now that Mingqian and his mother have returned, you should still try to find a way to live your lives in harmony.”

"Don't worry, Madam. As long as you don't cause me any trouble and give my son and me a place to live, I will still behave myself as before." Aunt Song was seething with hatred inside, but on the surface she still maintained her gentle and virtuous appearance.

"That's good. You should go back and rest too! I see you're looking a little better these days, but you still need to be careful. Once you get through the first three months, things will get better," said Madam Wei. "I'm going to the old lady's room now; she needs a snack every morning and evening."

So Song got up to take her leave, and as she walked westward, she happened to run into Gong Chang'an.

She knew that Wen Mingqian had brought Gong Chang'an with him when he went to see Zhu Hui, and since she couldn't find out anything from others, she thought she might be able to get some information out of the boy Gong Chang'an.

So he put on a friendly expression and said, "Fourth Young Master, aren't you studying right now? Why are you here playing by yourself?"

“It’s Aunt Song! My mother is resting inside, and I came over to play so as not to disturb her,” Gong Chang’an said gracefully. “Bao’an hasn’t been feeling well these past few days and has taken leave from school. He’s been staying home! He keeps saying he wants to play with you. If you have some free time now, why don’t you go and see him?” Madam Song was originally reluctant for her son to play with Gong Chang’an, but now, in order to get information out of Gong Chang’an, she didn’t care about anything else.

“I haven’t seen Bao’an for quite some time. I heard he’s not feeling well, but Mother said that you, Aunt, also need to rest these days, so she hasn’t let me go over to bother you for the time being,” Gong Chang’an said.

"Then let's go together! I just had the kitchen make some snacks that you children love to eat. My brother sent over some new and interesting toys the other day. Bao'an is too young to play with them properly. Why don't you go and take a look? If you like playing with them, you can have them all!" This smiling fox, Madam Song, thought that children just liked to eat and play. She used these two things to lure Gong Chang'an, and he would definitely not be able to resist.

Gong Chang'an sneered inwardly. He had long seen through Song's thoughts. What kind of delicious snacks hadn't he eaten? With Zhang Ma's hands, she could make any kind of snack or dish from all over the country authentically.

As for those toys, what good are they, no matter how novel they are? He's long past the age to be a child.

However, he still seemed very interested and said, "Then thank you very much, Auntie."

He followed Song to Ruixiang Residence, and Gong Baoan was overjoyed to see him.

"Fourth Brother, what brings you here? I was thinking of coming to see you in a few days." Gong Bao'an had expressed his desire to visit Gong Chang'an to Madam Song several times, but Madam Song had stopped him with various excuses.

“I ran into my aunt outside and followed her here. How are you feeling now? Are you still taking your medicine?” Gong Chang’an stepped forward and asked him.

"That medicine tastes awful, it's so bitter, one sip and my mouth feels bitter all day," Gong Baoan complained. "I've really had enough."

As they were talking, Madam Song had already ordered her maid to bring out some snacks and fruits.

"You two brothers can eat your snacks and chat," Madam Song said with a smile. "Fourth Young Master, I heard that Lord Zhu has a face as black as iron. Did you see him today?"

"I saw him, but it wasn't like that at all," Gong Chang'an laughed. "He was just a skinny old man, his official robes were worn out, and his boots were patched up!"

"Oh dear! This is not how an official should behave!" Madam Song covered her mouth. "Doesn't he receive a salary? Even if he is honest and upright, he doesn't need to wear tattered clothes, does he?"

“Don’t you know, Aunt? Lord Zhu uses his salary to help the poor,” Gong Chang’an said. “He is truly a good official.”

"Yes, yes, I misspoke." Madam Song casually corrected herself. "You must have put in a lot of effort, Fourth Young Master, to persuade Lord Zhu, right?"

To her surprise, after she asked that question, Gong Chang'an just smiled, said nothing, and turned back to play with Gong Bao'an.

Of course, Mrs. Song was not giving up, and asked a few more questions indirectly.

Gong Chang'an simply ignored her, which made her furious.

"Young Madam, your maternal uncle's wife has arrived," Granny Yang said as she entered.

"Tell my sister-in-law to wait for me in the small study in front. I'll be right there." Madam Song didn't want Gong Chang'an to overhear her conversation with her sister-in-law, but she also didn't want to send Gong Chang'an away. She thought that perhaps she could find another opportunity to get some information out of him later.

(End of this chapter)