tallest building

Chapter 97 Can’t Stay

Gong Xu just stared coldly at Song Shi, letting her spout nonsense without believing a single word.

But Madam Song thought that Gong Xu's silence gave her hope, so she put on an even more pitiful act: "Master, please have mercy! Even if I have a thousand faults, there will always be a day when I am good. How could so many years of affection be fake?"

I've been regretting this so much these past few days. If you could forgive me, sir, I would do anything to repay you! Besides, there's Bao'er! He's so young, how can he be separated from me?"

Gong Xu looked at her and wondered if he had been blinded by a demon all these years.

The Song family member before me was so wretched; she was bloated, filthy, and even looked old and frail.

Over the years, he had held her in his arms countless times, showering her with affection, but what about her? Did she not secretly laugh at his own foolishness?

Song's mouth opened and closed, but he couldn't hear what she was saying at all.
It doesn't matter what I say anymore.

Her pitiful state that night was already deeply etched in his heart, and how could it be erased by pretending to cry and beg?
Do you really think you're a three-year-old?!
"Master, say something!" Song Shi grew increasingly anxious as she was being pulled along. She had finally managed to see Gong Xu, and naturally, she wanted to do everything in her power to make him remember some of their past affection. "Master, have you forgotten? That year we admired the moon together. I asked you, if one day I accidentally made a mistake, could you still forgive me? You told me that no matter what happened, you would treat me as before. Have you forgotten?"

Song's words reached Gong Xu's ears, and to him they were not only grating but also heartbreaking.

Song repeatedly brought up the past with him, but Gong Xu had no desire to recall it. Because it meant that he had been kept in the dark for a long time, coaxed and manipulated by a few gentle words and tears.

Anyone would find this laughable. Yet she keeps bringing it up again and again—how disgusting!

"That bitch!" Gong Xu cursed inwardly.

Not only did they deceive me, they also tried to coerce me with past vows.

He glared fiercely at Madam Song, his usual tenderness and affection gone.

Madam Song was startled by that look. Of course, she knew Gong Xu would hate her, but a sliver of hope lingered in her heart. She always felt that he had been so good to her in the past, that even keeping a cat or dog as a pet would be a little unbearable.

She gambled on Gong Xu's reluctance, unaware that Gong Xu regarded the past as a great disgrace.

He hated himself even more for his reluctance. If he hadn't been reluctant to bring her back to the manor, how could things have turned out this way?
“Aunt Song has gone mad.” Gong Xu stood up with a cold face. “Take her back and keep a close eye on her. Anyone who lets her out again will receive fifty lashes.”

"Master, I'm not crazy, I'm perfectly sober. Since you're unwilling to take me in any longer, then just expel me from the manor. I'll go and seek refuge with my brother." Madam Song had already thought of another way out for herself. Her brother, Song Xiang, was a favorite of the Prince of Zhao and was someone who could take her in.

"Master, if we let Concubine Song go, she'll definitely slander us to protect her reputation," Yunying whispered from the side. "Besides, letting her go so easily would be unfair to Madam!"

“We will not let her go,” Gong Xu said. “She was born a member of the Gong family, and she will die a member of the Gong family.”

"Gong Xu, you heartless man! Even if I was wrong back then, I didn't mean to deceive you. How could you be so cruel?!" Seeing that Gong Xu was determined, Madam Song cursed angrily, "It's your own stupidity, why do you hate me?! You want to lock me up and never let me see the light of day, let me tell you, my brother won't let you do as you please!"

"That bitch! She actually dares to threaten me!" Gong Xu gritted his teeth in genuine hatred. "Do you think I wouldn't dare to do anything to you? You're really courting death!"

"Didn't you hear what the master said? Take her away quickly and take a good look at her." Seeing that Gong Xu was swaying with anger, Yun Ying quickly supported him and said to the crowd.

Upon receiving the order, the crowd hurriedly tied up Song Shi and gagged her. "Master, don't be angry," Yunying comforted Gong Xu. "She's just desperate; she'll say anything."

Gong Xu's face was extremely ugly. Anger was bad for his health, and coupled with the fact that he had drunk a lot of wine these days, he felt his blood surging when he was provoked by Song Shi.

He clutched his chest and involuntarily hunched over.

"Master, Master, what's wrong? Don't scare me," Yunying asked hurriedly.

Gong Xu coughed up a mouthful of blood, swayed, and collapsed to the ground.

Yunying cried out in surprise and called for help. The group quickly helped Gong Xu into the house and then sent someone to fetch a doctor.

Wen Mingqian had gone out on business and was not at home. When Old Madam Gong received the news, she was naturally anxious.

Madam Wei quickly comforted him, "Grandma, don't be afraid. In my opinion, it's actually better for him to vomit blood. Second Master is quite upset by Madam Song and is holding it in. If he keeps it bottled up like this, it will be bad for his health."

Fortunately, a doctor was called in time. After taking his pulse, the doctor said, "It's nothing serious. It's just a temporary blood disorder. You need to recuperate for a while and pay extra attention to your diet. You must not drink alcohol again."

Only after hearing this did Madam Gong feel relieved.

He then sent his trusted servant, Madam Xu, away, saying, "Go and fetch the box of snow lotus I received last year for my birthday and deliver it to him. Also, ask him what he's going to do about the Song family. Such a menace cannot be allowed to live."

Xu's mother agreed and brought the snow lotus to Gong Xu's side.

At this moment, Gong Xu had just taken his medicine and was lying in bed, with Yun Ying fanning him.

"Is the Second Master feeling any better? The Old Madam sent me to deliver this snow lotus. She told them to stew it into soup every day, as it's best for your health."

"Tell the old lady not to worry, the doctor said there's nothing serious. We're the only ones taking care of the master." Yunying quickly agreed.

"The old lady also said that the second master should make a decision on how to deal with Concubine Song as soon as possible," said Mama Xu. "Such a troublemaker should not be allowed to live."

Gong Xu was still somewhat weak, and his breathing was unsteady as he spoke, but his tone was resolute: "Since her miscarriage, Consort Song has been mentally confused and often talks nonsense. Although she has been taking medicine, the bleeding continues unabated. In addition, the hot weather makes it difficult to take care of herself, and she gradually developed into a postpartum hemorrhage. Medicine was ineffective, and there was no way to save her. She passed away tonight."

Since she was of low status, there was no need to hold a grand funeral. After cremation, she could be buried in a cemetery outside the city.
There's really no need for relatives and friends to come and offer condolences. I'm deeply saddened by her passing and am bedridden, so it's inconvenient for me to receive guests.

Gong Xu's words were very clear.

His beloved concubine, Consort Song, whom he had favored for many years, died from a miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage. He was so grief-stricken that he fell ill and was bedridden. His funeral was kept simple, and he did not accept condolences from relatives and friends.

Aunt Song is still alive and kicking, but with just one dose of blood-activating medicine, she'll be meeting the King of Hell before midnight.

“This old servant understands.” Madam Xu nodded. “The rest is none of your concern, Second Master. You should rest and recuperate.”

(End of this chapter)