tallest building

Chapter 63 Skillful Attentiveness

That day, Wen Mingqian came to pay his respects to Madam Gong.

“Sister-in-law, the water chestnut cake you had someone send over yesterday was just what the old lady wanted,” Madam Wei said with a smile. “That pot of bamboo fungus soup was even better.”

"It's rare that the old lady doesn't mind; it's all thanks to Zhang Ma's cooking," Wen Mingqian said. "I was worried she wouldn't like it!"

"Zhang Ma actually has such good skills." The old lady usually thought Zhang Ma was a rough and uncouth person and that she couldn't do such delicate work.

“Don’t let her appearance fool you, she’s actually very skillful, and especially quick to learn,” Wen Mingqian said. “If you don’t mind, I’ll have her cook something for you every day and bring it to you.”

“That would be wonderful, sister-in-law. You don’t know, ever since our Suzhou chef left last year, we haven’t been able to find a cook who can please the old lady,” said Madam Wei. “It’s been driving me crazy.”

“However, the diet of the elderly is a big deal. It is said that food is worse than medicine, so we should pay attention to it.” Wen Mingqian followed up on what Madam Wei said, “See what the old lady likes to eat, and have Zhang Ma try to make it. If it suits the old lady’s taste, then teach it to your chef here. That way, the old lady can eat it whenever she wants.”

"Is this alright? It's Zhang Ma's specialty, how can we just hand it over to someone else?" Madam Wei had some concerns.

Wen Mingqian laughed and said, "What's the big deal? Taking good care of the old lady is the most important thing. Besides, Zhang Ma doesn't consider this a closely guarded secret."

"That's good, that's good." Mrs. Wei nodded. "You've been a great help to me."

Madam Gong also said, "As the saying goes, 'He who eats another's food is bound to do so,' and I don't want to eat her food for free. Yesterday, they were tidying up their trunks and found quite a few old fabrics. Although they're not the newest, they're all good quality. Besides, she's getting on in years, and those colors will suit her perfectly. Let's find a few pieces and give them to her later."

“Then I will thank the old lady on behalf of Zhang Ma,” Wen Mingqian said. “The old lady is truly generous; such a generous gift is given so casually.”

“But speaking of which, Chang’an should be going to school soon,” said Madam Wei, who had been observant and had noticed Chang’an’s schooling. “The Second Master hasn’t said which school he’s going to send him to.”

"My husband has been busy these days and hasn't had time to think about this yet, and I haven't urged him," Wen Mingqian said. "Does my sister-in-law have any good suggestions?"

"As you know, Jing'an and Yu'an have been studying in Xijing since last spring. In a few days, the Imperial Academy will be recruiting a batch of people, and the two of them want to give it a try."

Chang'an is too young to go. However, I heard that there is a new school built by Dr. Chen and Dr. Jiang right behind the Imperial Academy, which only accepts students aged seven to fifteen. Many people are already sending their children there.

Tuition fees are certainly not cheap, but families like ours don't need to worry about that.

Bao'an wasn't old enough yet; he had to stay at the Wang family's school for another two years. Chang'an was old enough, so every day he and his two older brothers would travel together by carriage to the school, where they would be dropped off first and then return together in the evening.

The reason why Madam Wei said this to Wen Mingqian was that she considered that neither Madam Song nor Wen Mingqian would be comfortable if Gong Chang'an and Gong Bao'an were to study together.

But if we go somewhere else, we'll inevitably attract gossip from outsiders, so it's better to go here, where the reason is more respectable.

"What a wonderful thing! Thank you for telling me, sister-in-law." Wen Mingqian said with a smile. "Then I'll discuss it with Master when he returns today."

“It is of great importance for the children to study, especially since Chang’an is so clever and quick-witted.” Madam Gong was also very concerned about this matter. “If he refuses to agree, just come and tell me, and I will make the decision for you.”

"With the old lady backing us up, what can't we accomplish? The master has always been concerned about Chang'an's studies, but he's been too busy. Whenever he has free time, he still checks on Chang'an's homework." Wen Mingqian didn't say a bad word about Gong Xu in front of the Gong family. "Hmm, that's good." Old Madam Gong nodded, "Speaking of which, having only one legitimate daughter like Chang'an is really too weak. Managing the household is important, but it's even more important to have a couple more children. You're still young, you need to take this matter to heart."

Wen Mingqian blushed slightly and responded.

She could no longer share a room with Gong Xu, but she still had to put on an act in front of outsiders.

"Grandma, don't worry about that. Your wife hasn't been back for long," Madam Wei said, trying to smooth things over for Wen Mingqian. "They're a young couple; they're still quite young!"

"That's true, after all, it's been seven years since we last met," Madam Wen nodded, "and the second son is a stubborn person."

When Wen Mingqian left the capital, he had only been married to Gong Xu for about three years. They had been separated for a long time, not to mention the embarrassing incident that had happened back then.

"Sister-in-law, are you tired from managing the household these days? I've heard from the people downstairs that you've been managing everything very well." Madam Wei appropriately changed the subject and inquired about Wen Mingqian's household management.

"Sister-in-law, please don't say that. I'm really ashamed. To be honest, I'm just relying on people who are used to my services. I'm just a figurehead; how much can I really get involved?"

"The most valuable thing is to govern by non-interference, as long as everyone can do their job properly," said Ms. Wei.

“This is all thanks to the old lady and my sister-in-law’s help. By the way, I have something I’d like to ask the old lady. We’ve always been short-handed, and I’m thinking of buying two more maids.” Wen Mingqian said, passing the message over.

"You're the head of the household. If you want to buy two maids, why do you need to ask me for permission?" Old Madam Gong said. "Do you think I wouldn't allow you to buy them?"

“The old lady naturally gave in,” Wen Mingqian smiled meaningfully. “I was thinking that since Aunt Song is pregnant now and I’m busy managing household affairs, there’s no one around the master who can serve him well.”

As soon as she said that, both Old Madam Gong and Madam Wei understood.

"Your thinking is truly admirable," said Madam Gong, very satisfied with Wen Mingqian's actions. "It shows you are really sensible."

Wen Mingqian was very concerned about Gong Xu taking a concubine. Less than a year after their marriage, Gong Xu brought Song Shi back from outside.

Although Wen Mingqian didn't make a big fuss, he became noticeably colder towards Gong Xu after that.

To be honest, it was indeed somewhat inappropriate for Gong Xu to take a concubine less than a year after their marriage, especially since Wen Mingqian was not pregnant.

But Madam Gong thought that's just how men are. It was fine to cry and make a fuss back then, how could she become so indifferent?

Now that Wen Mingqian has taken the initiative to arrange people around Gong Xu, it shows that she also knows that what she did back then was wrong.

Now that she has become more tolerant, she should be able to live a good life with Gong Xu in the future.

Holidays are so busy! I've only just managed to squeeze in some time to type this now.

(End of this chapter)