tallest building

Chapter 59 Stewardship Rights

Two days later, the servants of the Gong family rushed back to report the good news.

The Gong family has been sending people to keep watch outside the Ministry of Justice these days, and they will report back immediately if there is any news.

"Madam, Master, the Ministry of Justice said they want to bring the Second Master back before noon today!" The servant who brought the news was beaming with joy and panting.

The old lady was drinking tea when she heard this and almost spilled it. A maidservant quickly took the teacup from her.

"Is the second son really coming back? Is it really true?" Old Madam Gong asked urgently.

"Don't worry, madam. This is what Judge Cui from the Ministry of Justice told me personally, so it can't be wrong," the servant assured him. "He also said that our second master didn't do anything wrong, but the matter is too detailed and complicated, and it needs to be sorted out before he can be released."

“Mother can rest assured now,” Gong Rang said with a sigh of relief. “I will tell the steward to prepare a welcome banquet right away. My second brother must have been exhausted these days and needs to calm his nerves.”

At this moment, Madam Wei also came in from outside, her face beaming with smiles: "I have already heard about it, and I have told them to prepare!"

Gong Rang then said, "Quickly prepare the carriage; I will personally go to fetch him!"

"Alright, alright, you're the eldest brother, he's been closest to you since childhood." Old Madam Gong's eyes welled up with tears. "Now I can finally get a good night's sleep."

“It’s all thanks to Mingqian,” said Madam Wei. “She probably doesn’t know yet! I’ll go tell her right now.”

"Yes, go and tell her to come over here so the family can have a reunion dinner. It'll also be a welcome back dinner for her and Chang'an!" said Grandma Gong. "After all, there's been no peace and quiet ever since we came back. With the second son not home, no one's really in the mood."

"The old lady is indeed very thoughtful," Madam Wei said with a smile. "How about this, I'll send someone to invite my sister-in-law over, and we mother and daughter can have a good chat."

So he sent an old woman to invite Wen Mingqian.

"Miss, it seems that Gong Er has been released," Zhang Ma said as she entered. "Just now, the old woman from the old lady's room came over with a big smile, saying that the old lady wants to talk to you!"

“That’s it,” Wen Mingqian stood up. “I told Zhu Hui that we would release them no later than today.”

"Then let the girl wear something festive!" Zhang Ma opened the wardrobe to look for clothes, "We have to consider the Gong family's feelings."

“Of course,” Wen Mingqian said with a self-deprecating laugh, “Now that I am no longer a sinner of the Gong family, I should show some of the demeanor of a mistress.”

"Exactly, and let's also give those vile women a good thrashing!" Zhang Ma sneered. "From now on, this courtyard won't be hers anymore!"

After changing his clothes, Wen Mingqian led Gong Chang'an to the east courtyard.

The Gong family courtyard was no longer as gloomy as before; everyone was all smiles.

Wen Mingqian and his mother arrived from outside the old lady's door, where someone had already lifted the curtain: "Second Madam has arrived, please come in quickly. The Old Madam and the First Madam are waiting for you!"

"Sister-in-law, please sit down. I was just thinking about you." Madam Wei pulled Wen Mingqian's hand and made him sit down. "The Second Master is back, so you can rest assured. I noticed you dressed up especially for today; you look so beautiful, just the right age for you!"

Madam Gong was also very satisfied with Wen Mingqian's attire today. After all, her daughter-in-law looked presentable, which brought honor to the Gong family. Wen Mingqian lowered his head slightly, showing a bit of shyness: "I'm not used to wearing brightly colored clothes for the first time! But I thought that since Master is coming back today, it should be more festive."

"Sister-in-law, you're a real hero now." Madam Wei was very happy for her. "I still have to say you're really capable! It's all thanks to you for coming up with that method, otherwise we would all be at a loss!"

"Sister-in-law, please don't praise me. This is what I should do. Besides, the success of this matter is also due to the blessings of our ancestors and the protection of Heaven. In addition, it is also thanks to the merits accumulated by the old lady through years of doing good deeds and worshipping Buddha. Otherwise, how could we have found that thing so easily?"

Wen Mingqian did not take credit for himself, which pleased Old Madam Gong even more.

She hugged Gong Chang'an and said, "Second daughter-in-law, you have suffered so much over the years. It's hard for you to raise the child so well and cultivate your own character."

I was just discussing this with your sister-in-law! Now that Aunt Song is pregnant and the pregnancy is unstable, and you're back, it's best to leave the management of the west courtyard to you!

"This...this isn't quite right, is it?" Wen Mingqian said, both grateful and hesitant. "After all, I just got back myself, and besides, Master..."

"You are the legal wife and mistress of the house, how can you not take care of the household?" said Madam Gong. "I will talk to the second son myself, do you think he won't listen to me?"

“Sister-in-law, don’t hesitate. This is the old lady’s good intention,” Mrs. Wei said with a smile. “Hurry up and thank the old lady.”

"Thank you, madam. I'll do my best. If there's anything I've done wrong, please give me your guidance." Wen Mingqian went along with it and didn't refuse again.

"From now on, I'll be at ease knowing that you sisters-in-law live in harmony and discuss things with your husbands." Old Madam Gong smiled. "As long as Xiao Chang'an stays with me, that's enough for me."

"Grandmother, don't worry, your grandson will always be by your side." Gong Chang'an hugged the old lady's leg like a little lapdog. "With you backing me up, I can act like a bully."

"Oh my, you little rascal!" Old Madam Gong couldn't help but laugh. "You're so clever, you've got all the power over your parents here."

"Even if you don't care about the monk, you should at least look after the Buddha. With a living Bodhisattva like you, you should at least look after this little doorman, right?" Gong Chang'an chuckled. "I'm just staying here with Grandmother, I can't be chased away no matter what!"

"You little monkey!" Gong Yu'an strode in from outside. "Now that you've seen me, the Great Sage Sun Wukong, why don't you quickly reveal your true form?!"

Madam Wei gently scolded, "That's outrageous! The old lady and your aunt are still sitting here. Hurry up and greet them."

Gong Yu'an immediately straightened his expression and bowed to the elders.

Gong Jing'an then walked in calmly, greeted him first, and then spoke: "Second brother is always so impatient. Hearing that Brother Chang'an was here, he pulled me out of the study."

"Good, good, it's best for brothers to be harmonious and affectionate. Have you two heard that your second uncle is coming back?" Old Madam Gong looked at her three grandsons, genuinely happy.

“I understand. We were originally going to go with Father to pick up Uncle Er,” Gong Jing’an said. “But Father said he was worried the car would be too crowded, so he asked us to stay home and help Mother with things.”

Wen Mingqian knew that Gong Rang did not allow his two sons to go with him because he was afraid the carriage would be too crowded. After all, the Gong family had more than one carriage, and the two brothers could easily ride horses.

However, he thought that Gong Xu had spent some time in prison and was bound to look somewhat disheveled and haggard, which might not be presentable to the younger generation.

(End of this chapter)