tallest building

Chapter 81 Wife and Concubine Pleasure

Gong Xu officially took Yunying as his concubine, and these past few days happened to be his days off.

Every year in June or July, officials would have three summer holidays, with people from the same department taking turns to rest for five days.

During these five days, apart from paying his respects to his mother every day, Gong Xu never left the secluded bamboo garden where Yunying lived.

That day, the kitchen staff came to deliver snacks and fruits to Mrs. Song.

"Young Madam, this is freshly made lychee cake. It tastes quite good. Please try it," said Sister Qi with a smile.

"Didn't you say there were fresh lychees? Why don't I see any?" Madam Song asked, glancing at the things on the table.

"Uh... the manor received a total of five catties of lychees. Two catties were sent to the old lady, half were kept for the madam and the fourth young master, and the rest were sent to Concubine Yun's room by the master." Sister-in-law Qi explained with some difficulty, "These precious things are never up to us to decide. Naturally, we just do as the master tells us to..."

However, this lychee cake is full of lychee sweetness, with an added layer of milky aroma..."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Sister-in-law Qi, but I didn't mean to blame you," said Madam Song with a smile. "Go on with your work!"

But after Sister Qi left, she turned cold and said to Granny Yang, "Take this plate of food back to your little granddaughter. I don't want it."

"Young Madam, please don't be upset. Master just couldn't think of that for a moment..." Granny Yang understood why Madam Song was unhappy, so she tried to comfort her.

"I don't need to get upset over a few lychees; my brother has already sent some to me anyway." Madam Song scoffed. "What's so special about them?!"

"That's true. Is there anything the young mistress would like to eat?" Granny Yang hurriedly said. "It seems that Yunying is greedy and, taking advantage of the fact that the master's novelty towards her hasn't worn off, she's started to act arrogantly."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Wen Mingqian sent Zhu Mama to deliver a message: "Aunt Song, Madam said that a banquet will be held at Lingyue Pavilion at noon today, and she invites Master, Aunt Yun, and you to attend!"

"I understand," Madam Song replied. "Please trouble you to go back and tell Madam that I will definitely be there."

"Wen Mingqian's really smug now. He called you over just to show off in front of you," Granny Yang said after Zhu Mama left. "Let's see how long he can keep up his smugness."

"Let her be smug! People are always like that; they tend to be careless when they're feeling triumphant!" Madam Song smiled, arms crossed.

Wen Mingqian had the banquet set up on the waterside pavilion of Lingyue Pavilion. The weather was too hot these days, especially at lunchtime, and people were often drenched in sweat by the end of the meal.

This place is exceptionally cool because it is surrounded by water, and the sight of lotus flowers filling the pond is truly delightful.

When Song arrived, she found that Wen Mingqian and Gong Xu were already seated, with Yunying standing to the side.

The table was set with exquisite dishes and fruits; though not many, each one was carefully prepared.

She glanced at the table and saw that most of the dishes on it were Gong Xu's favorites.

Wen Mingqian is now increasingly adept at catering to people's preferences.

"Sister is here." Yunying greeted Song Shi with a smile.

With her hair in full bloom, Yunying appeared even more gentle and charming, truly a delicate and beautiful woman, so lovely that I felt sorry for her. "It was my rudeness to arrive so late," Madam Song apologized with a smile.

“This is a family dinner, so let’s not stand on ceremony. You’re pregnant, so you’ll naturally move a little slower, but that’s alright. Please sit down!” Wen Mingqian smiled calmly, showing no sign of any animosity between her and Madam Song.

“Like Yunying, I’ll stand and serve you!” Madam Song quickly said. She was very polite, and since they were in front of Gong Xu, how could she be impolite?

"Both of you sit down. There are no outsiders here, so why be so reserved?" Gong Xu's brows relaxed, and his face was full of smiles.

“Yes! If you are all reserved, the master won’t be able to enjoy himself, will he?” Wen Mingqian said. “I have set up this banquet today not for any other reason than so that we, the family, can sit together, chat and laugh, and keep the master company. The master is usually busy with official duties and has not had the chance to truly enjoy himself.”

There's not much we can do, so we should cherish this opportunity and use it as a way to congratulate the master!

Just then, two magpies flew over, chattering, and landed on the upturned eaves of the waterside pavilion, hopping around with their tails wagging.

"Oh my! What a coincidence! Just as I was saying congratulations, the magpie flew over," Wen Mingqian said. "How fitting!"

Madam Song and Yunying sat at the lower end of the table. Wen Mingqian personally poured a cup of wine for everyone: "This is rice wine. Even if Aunt Song is pregnant, she can eat a little. I asked the doctor, and one or two cups will not harm the fetus."

"How could I trouble you, Madam? You're too kind." Madam Song quickly picked up the cup with both hands.

"Please sit down, please sit down. I told you not to be so polite." Wen Mingqian gently pressed down on Song Shi, preventing her from getting up.

He then said to Yunying, "You should learn more from Aunt Song and quickly give the master a son."

As she spoke, she took an exquisite white jade hairpin from her hair and put it in Yunying's temple: "I have already asked someone to prepare a lot of clothes and jewelry for you. It is your good fortune to win the master's favor. You must serve the master well, and our family will never mistreat you."

"You have already bestowed so much upon me, Madam. I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude." Yunying said, feeling both grateful and uneasy. "I really don't know how to repay your kindness, Madam. You have so highly praised me."

“We’re family, so let’s not be so formal. We’re all sisters, and it’s our shared duty to serve our master well,” Wen Mingqian said. “I have a lot of affairs to manage in the inner quarters, and I also have to look after Chang’an. Concubine Song is pregnant, and she also has to take care of the Fifth Young Master. You are young and beautiful, and you are the perfect person to relieve our master’s worries. I see how much our master likes you, and I am naturally happy for him as well.”

Seeing his wives and concubines so harmonious, Gong Xu was naturally delighted.

These days he has started to smile at Wen Mingqian. Yunying was personally selected and bought by her, and the wedding banquet was also organized by her.

Relatives and friends all praised Wen Mingqian for being capable and virtuous. She gave him face in public and always catered to his wishes at home.

Therefore, without realizing it, Gong Xu's attitude towards Wen Mingqian also underwent a significant change.

Throughout the meal, Song wore a smile, but only she knew that she couldn't taste the food and found it hard to swallow.

She could tell outsiders that she didn't mind or get angry. But seeing Gong Xu and Yun Ying exchanging affectionate glances and flirting, and Wen Mingqian looking so carefree and smug, she was already consumed by jealousy and wanted to kill someone.

Back at Ruixiang Residence, Madam Song sat down and sneered, "See? They've forgotten everything from back then. Grandpa swore to me countless times that he would sever all ties with Wen Mingqian in this life, but what about now? He can't help but extend his affection to Wen Mingqian now, and he won't leave me an inch of trouble in the future."

"That's why we have to strike first," said Granny Yang. "What man doesn't get tired of the old and crave the new? Wen Mingqian, relying on being the legal wife, can easily arrange for the master to take concubines. With that vixen Yunying by his side, why would he still remember you?"

(End of this chapter)