tallest building

Chapter 72 Asking for Ideas

Wen Mingqian left Lingyue Pavilion and came to Old Madam Gong's place so that Yunying and Gong Xu could be alone together.

"Madam, I'm actually quite busy, and I haven't had a proper opportunity to ask you for advice," Wen Mingqian said with a forced smile after sitting down.

"What are you talking about?" Old Madam Gong was reclining on a daybed, while a young maid knelt on the ground massaging her legs.

"The other day I brought two maids to pay my respects to you. What do you think of them?" Wen Mingqian was referring to Yunying and Sang Er.

When these two girls first entered the manor, Wen Mingqian led them to meet the Old Madam Gong.

"They are two very pretty girls, and they seem quite well-behaved." Old Madam Gong had no complaints.

"With the old lady helping me make an assessment, I feel relieved," Wen Mingqian smiled contentedly. "This is originally just to add someone to the master's household, so the person must not only be pleasing to the master but also have a good character."

I think Yunying is older and more mature, so let the master take her in first.

As for Sang Er, it wouldn't be too late to wait another year or two. Firstly, she's young and mischievous, and secondly, we must consider the master's health.

"Your plan is very thorough," said Madam Gong, satisfied with Wen Mingqian's idea. "Let him take one in first! Aunt Song can't serve him for a year or two, and you're too busy to take care of him all the time."

“Then let’s do it this way! I’ll ask the master for his opinion later, and then choose a suitable day to get it done,” Wen Mingqian said. “There’s no need to be too extravagant; just invite a few close relatives and friends over to celebrate.”

“Yes, it’s been a long time since our family has had a happy occasion. It would be good to have some fun, since it’s a new addition to the family,” said Madam Gong. “You just go ahead and take care of it. If you’re too busy, ask your sister-in-law for help.”

Just then, Zhang Ma prepared dinner for Old Madam Gong and brought it over with someone.

“Zhang Ma’s cooking is really good. The old lady can only eat her food now.” Madam Wei said with a smile. “Especially last night’s medicinal soup. The old lady drank two bowls and said she slept more soundly than usual.”

“I added a little bit of jujube seeds to it, and I think that’s what made it work,” said Zhang Ma. “Today’s porridge is lily bulb and pumpkin, which is also suitable for the old lady’s stomach.”

"I was thinking it's been a while since I've had a meal with the old lady, so I asked Zhang Ma to cook a lot of dishes. I wonder if the old lady would do me the honor?" Wen Mingqian asked with a smile.

"Good, good, good. I'd love for more people to join in the fun right now." Madam Gong was very pleased. "Even if I eat a lot, it's fine. You can keep me company and chat for a while to help with digestion."

Just then, Gong Chang'an and Sang Er arrived, and the two strolled around the garden. Sang Er had woven a small basket from willow branches and decorated it with many fresh flowers; it looked quite pretty.

"Sang Er is such a beautiful girl," Madam Wei said with a smile, looking at Sang Er. "Why didn't Yun Ying come?"

“Sister Yunying is serving Master his meal!” Sang Er said innocently. “Our mistress said I’m clumsy and can’t do delicate work, so she told me to play with the Fourth Young Master.”

Both Madam Gong and Madam Wei understood immediately; Wen Mingqian was intentionally trying to bring those two together!
In no time, the food was laid out on the table, and as usual, four more dishes were delivered from the main kitchen.

"Both of you sisters-in-law, sit down and eat with me. Don't stand there." As Madam Gong gets older, her temper becomes more amiable, and she's less strict about rules. "There's so much food. How can I finish it all by myself? By the time I finish, it will be cold for you to eat."

“Sister-in-law, sit down! The old lady has spoken. If we compete with her for food, maybe we can get her to eat more,” Madam Wei said with a smile. “Chang’an, sit next to your mother. Don’t eat too much meat for dinner. Let Sang’er serve you some vegetables.”

It took almost half an hour to finish the meal. Madam Gong always ate slowly and carefully, so no one else dared to eat quickly. After each meal, Madam Gong would sit for a short while, then be helped to walk a hundred steps around the room.

"It's true that food tastes better when there are more people around. I drank half a bowl more porridge today than I usually do. I can't do that tomorrow; it's a big no-no for the elderly to eat too much at dinner." Old Madam Gong was quite regretful.

“Half a bowl of porridge is nothing, and besides, the old lady can stay up a little later now,” Wen Mingqian said. “We’ll spend more time talking to you, and Sang Er is very good at massage. She can take care of you in a bit, rub and press your stomach, and I guarantee you won’t have indigestion.”

"This little girl has such talent," the old lady of the palace said with a smile, glancing at Sang Er. "What a clever girl."

"It is my honor to receive praise from the old lady, and it is even more of an honor to serve you!" Sang Er said with a smile.

Wen Mingqian and Madam Wei helped the old lady onto the bed, and Sang Er began to massage her methodically.

"I must say, this little girl is really strong; it feels quite nice." Old Madam Gong was very satisfied.

“Grandmother, may I stay with you tonight?” Gong Chang’an asked.

“What’s wrong with that? Didn’t Grandmother say that you should stay here with me more often?”

"Then I need Sister Sang Er to pat me to sleep," Gong Chang'an said, pushing his luck. "Otherwise, it's kind of boring to be alone."

"Let Sang Er stay!" Wen Mingqian knew that Gong Chang'an would need someone to cooperate with him if he wanted to put on an act later.

After some time, seeing that it was about time, Wen Mingqian and Madam Wei helped the old lady of the palace to rest before leaving.

Wen Mingqian reminded his son, "Read for a while and then quietly go to sleep! Don't make any noise and disturb the old lady."

When I came out of Madam Gong's room, it was already completely dark.

When Wen Mingqian returned to Lingyue Pavilion, Gong Xu was no longer there; he had gone to the study.

"How was your day?" Wen Mingqian asked Yunying.

"It went fairly smoothly; you could tell he was interested," Yunying said. "But he was still a little hesitant."

“Well, wait another half an hour, then go to the study to deliver some snacks,” Wen Mingqian said. “I’ve already spoken to the old lady today about choosing a day to formally take you as a concubine. But we need to ask Gong Er’s opinion first.”

"Madam, why does Gong Er only have Aunt Song as a concubine? Gong Er is quite devoted."

“There was also a concubine Zhang and a maidservant, but they were defeated by Song. Zhang has already left this place, and the maidservant is said to have died of smallpox one year,” Wen Mingqian said. “Gong Xu was bewitched by Song, and it was only after you came that his mind was stirred up.”

Besides, taking concubines has always been the wife's responsibility. Since I'm not home, he can't just keep bringing one in at a time.

"Heh, today Gong Xu even asked me where Sang Er went. Men are all the same, they're already eyeing what's in the pot before they've even gotten what's in their bowl," Yun Ying sneered.

(End of this chapter)