tallest building

Chapter 6 Deep Hatred

As dusk fell, the Second Master, Gong Xu, returned home after finishing his day's work.

As soon as I entered, the butler came to greet me.

Gong Xu asked with a smile, "How was the peony banquet today? Are you tired, young mistress?"

The steward said, "I have been waiting for you, sir, for quite some time, not for the banquet."

Gong Xu then asked, "And what is that?"

He kept asking questions but his feet didn't stop; he kept walking towards the back.

The steward could only say, "Master, please slow down and allow me to explain the situation."

Gong Xu slowed his pace and asked, "What is it that you are taking so seriously?"

The butler said, "Madam returned to the manor today, taking the Fourth Young Master with her."

Upon hearing this, Gong Xu tensed up involuntarily and asked in an unfriendly tone, "What is she doing back here?! Who gave her permission to step through this door again?!"

"How could I know? Madam's demeanor is extraordinary. She even had the young mistress come out to greet us personally and meet all the guests who came today."

Upon hearing this, Gong Xu became even more enraged. Ignoring the presence of other servants, he gritted his teeth and said, "That vile woman! Has she lost her mind?! How dare she come back! Where is she now?"

The steward said, "Madam said she wanted to stay at Lingyue Pavilion, but the young mistress said that it had been uninhabited for a long time and needed to be cleaned. For now, she will be settled at Yunfengzhai, and maids and servants have been sent over to serve her."

Gong Xu stopped asking questions. The steward thought he was going to argue with Wen Mingqian, but to his surprise, although he was furious, he still went to Ruixiang Residence.

The Song family's courtyard was small and exquisite, with most of the flowers and trees planted by Gong Xu himself, displaying a refined and elegant beauty.

Song's second son, Gong Bao'an, was playing on the steps in front of the house. When he looked up and saw Gong Xu, he immediately ran up to him with a smile like a swallow and called out "Father!"

Gong Xu held him in his arms and asked him about the day's events at school, one question at a time.

Gong Bao'an was personally taught by Gong Xu from the age of four. Now that he is six, he no longer teaches himself, but studies at the private school of the Wang family, a relative of the Gong family.

It's not that the Gong family can't afford to hire a tutor, but the eldest son's children are all grown up, and Gong Bao'an is the only one left, which is really boring.

Moreover, the Wang family's private school is quite good. Not only does Gong Bao'an study there, but many relatives and friends of the clan also attend, and the children progress faster when they are all in the same place.

Gong Xu and his son were chatting and laughing when Song Shi came in from outside and saw this scene. She was naturally pleased and said softly, "Bao Ge'er, come down quickly, don't be naughty."

He then said to Gong Xu, "Master, you must be tired after a long day. Come inside and loosen your clothes. It's time for dinner."

Gong Xu then took out a straw-woven dog for his son and told the maid to take good care of the young master and let him play with it.

Knowing that Madam Song had come from the kitchen, he took her hand and led her into the house: "You've been busy enough today, just have the servants prepare dinner."

Madam Song said, "I'm not tired. I don't trust anyone else to handle the dishes that Master likes to eat."

As she spoke, she hurriedly removed Gong Xu's outer clothes, and Hua Hong brought over a copper basin.

Gong Xu washed his hands and face, tidied himself up, and sat down. By then, the food had already been laid out.

Gong Xu looked closely at Song Shi's face and saw that her expression was normal, but he felt even more sorry for her.

Feeling a little shy under his gaze, Madam Song couldn't help but smile and ask, "Does my lord not recognize me?"

Gong Xu looked at her and said softly, "I already know."

Madam Song immediately understood what she meant, lowered her eyes slightly, and then said gently and obediently, "Master, please eat first! You've all had a long day."

As he spoke, he placed the spoons and chopsticks, served the dishes and poured the wine, as attentive and meticulous as ever.

Gong Xu was used to taking a stroll after dinner, usually in Song's courtyard, watching the newly sprouted bamboo shoots by the wall, and picking a branch of late peach blossoms to display in a vase.

Seeing that it was completely dark, he then went inside.

As was customary, Mrs. Song had already prepared bathwater for him, but not today.

Just as Gong Xu was about to ask, Madam Song cautiously inquired, "Master, aren't you going to go over there and take a look?" Gong Xu sneered, "How could I have time to see that poisonous woman?"

Madam Song frowned and advised, "It has been many years since we last met, and besides, there is also the Fourth Young Master!"

Gong Xu retorted angrily, "She came back on her own initiative, and I haven't even questioned her yet! How can I give her any face!"

Just then, Granny Yang came in and said, "Master, Madam, Madam and Fourth Young Master have come to pay their respects to you."

Gong Xu resolutely replied, "Tell them to go back; I will not see them."

Granny Yang responded and walked out, but Gong Xu called her back and said, "Let them stay in that courtyard and behave themselves until the old lady returns to deal with them."

It turns out that Madam Gong would go to Jinghua Nunnery in the mountains every year in March or April to stay for a while, observing a vegetarian diet and practicing Buddhism.

This was a vow she made in her early years, and she has held onto it for twenty years without wavering.

The first wife, Madam Wei, was worried about her mother-in-law, so she accompanied her to visit her in recent years.

Gong Xu's elder brother had also gone out of the capital on official business, and none of the heads of the eldest branch of the family were at home.

Granny Yang approached Wen Mingqian and his mother, her tone tinged with apology but also helplessness: "Madam, Master says he won't see her. He also said..."

She hesitated, looking at Wen Mingqian, waiting for him to ask so she could continue.

But Wen Mingqian didn't ask any questions. He just nodded and said, "Master has had a long day and should rest. Let's talk about it another day."

After saying that, she took her son's hand and turned to leave.

Granny Yang hurriedly caught up from behind. Gong Xu had told her that she hadn't finished delivering the message yet, and besides, how could she let go of this opportunity to openly humiliate Wen Mingqian?

"Madam, please wait. Master also said that you and the Fourth Young Master should stay in the manor these days. We'll decide what to do when the Old Madam returns," said Granny Yang.

She expected to see Wen Mingqian looking sad and disappointed, but instead, Wen Mingqian slightly curled the corners of his mouth and drifted away without stopping.

"What is she laughing at? What's so funny?" Granny Yang muttered to herself...

After Gong Xu had bathed, he sat down at his desk to read. Song Shi knelt beside him, wiping his hair again and again.

Gong Bao'an had already been taken to sleep in the opposite room by the wet nurse, leaving only a young maid to light the lamp in this room.

"Go to sleep first!" Gong Xu said, holding Song's hand. "You've worked hard today too."

Madam Song looked up at Gong Xu and gently shook her head: "If you don't rest, I won't be able to sleep either."

Gong Xu undoubtedly favored Song Shi, and what touched him most about Song Shi, besides being sensible and considerate, was the deep affection and tenderness in her eyes when she looked at him.

Unlike Wen Mingqian, whose eyes, though beautiful, always carried an untamed arrogance and stubbornness.

Gong Xu waved his hand, and the little maid picked up the lamp from the desk and moved it to the bedside.

Gong Xu and Song Shi went to bed. The little maid put down the bed curtains and took the lamp out.

Soon after lying down, Song's breathing became long and deep.

Gong Xu couldn't help but chuckle. He said he wasn't sleepy, but he was clearly this sleepy.

But then he thought of Wen Mingqian, and the resentment that had been temporarily suppressed surged up again.

That bitch! She should die in Frost Creek!

Now they have the audacity to come back and disgust themselves again; they are utterly shameless!
Gong Xu's anger burned fiercely, and his breathing became heavy.

Madam Song, who was standing nearby, shifted her body and murmured, "Kang'er... Kang'er... let Mother hold you one more time! Mother... I'm so sorry..."

Gong Xu immediately felt a pang of heartache and pulled her into his arms.

On the surface, Song kept silent about what happened back then, but how could she erase the pain in her heart?
She lost her beloved son, yet she still had to consider the family's reputation and bow her head in submission to the enemy who killed her son. What an injustice this was!
The contrast between the two situations makes Wen Mingqian appear even more vicious and shameless.

(End of this chapter)