tallest building

Chapter 89 Sending Someone Off

Mid-June nights are the most pleasant time of day.

Mr. Song was particularly pleased tonight.

Gong Xu told her that Wen Mingqian had agreed to commit suicide, which was truly wonderful news!

Moreover, she wanted to see him before she died, and he wanted to see her just as much.
"The old lady has already prepared arsenic, saying she'll send it to her late at night," Gong Xu said. "When you go, have a few more people accompany you."

"Doesn't the master want to see her?" Madam Song asked, a hint of reluctance in her expression.

“I’ve severed all ties with her long ago, so it’s better if we never see each other again,” Gong Xu said indifferently. “But she owes you too much. It would be good if you could hear her confession before she dies.”

"No matter what, she was willing to atone with her death, so she didn't completely lose her conscience. I did know her once, so let me go and see her off on her final journey!" Madam Song sighed softly. "Perhaps we were karmic enemies in our past lives, otherwise, how could things have turned out this way?"

"Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so rest for another hour or so," Gong Xu said. "I have some official business to finish, so I'll go to my study first and come back here later."

"Please go ahead with peace of mind, sir! Official business cannot be delayed," Madam Song hurriedly said.

"Young Madam, would you like to rest?" Granny Yang asked.

"How can I possibly sleep at a time as important as this?" Madam Song smiled gently. "Don't you know how anxious I've been waiting for this day?"

"Congratulations, young lady, your long-cherished wish has come true!" Granny Yang's eyes narrowed into slits. "That man surnamed Wen will die tonight."

"Since I'm here to see her off on her final journey, shouldn't it be done in a grand manner?" Madam Song sat in front of her dressing table, looking proudly at herself in the mirror. "Call Hua Hong and Liu Yun in to do my hair and makeup. Use the best osmanthus oil to comb my hair, and choose the brightest and most expensive clothes for me."

"I know, young mistress. Wen Mingqian must be looking disheveled right now, so you should shine even brighter." Granny Yang said happily, "Just thinking about it makes me feel good!"

Song Shi didn't usually dress up, especially after Wen Mingqian returned, she became even more low-key.

Tonight, however, she is dressed in her finest attire, which is quite unusual.

Inside the study, Gong Xu sat lost in thought under the lamp.

After an unknown amount of time, footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Master, aren't you asleep yet, it's so late?" Yunying walked in with a young maid who had just started growing her hair.

"Why aren't you asleep either?" Gong Xu was pulled back to his senses by her.

"I was thinking of you, Master, so I didn't sleep. I thought you were at Concubine Song's place, but I just heard that you're still in your study! So I prepared some wine and dishes and brought them over." Yunying was gentle and quiet, which pleased Gong Xu.

Especially after Wen Mingqian's incident, she remained silent, which pleased Gong Xu even more.

"You're so thoughtful." Gong Xu forced a smile. "Sit down and have a couple of drinks with me."

"How dare I? I should serve you, sir!" Yunying said, pouring Gong Xu a full cup of wine with her delicate hands and holding it to his lips. "Please have a drink, sir."

Gong Xu drank from her hand, and Yun Ying put down her wine cup and served him food.

With a beautiful woman so attentive and urging him to drink, how could Gong Xu resist?

Before I knew it, I'd downed several drinks.

"Yunying, the wine you drank today is quite potent," Gong Xu said, feeling dizzy. "Master must have something on his mind, which is why he gets drunk so easily."

"Ha, you're right!" Gong Xu chuckled foolishly, "The wine doesn't intoxicate people, people intoxicate themselves..."

"This wine was a gift from the old lady, sir, please have another cup." Yunying poured another cup of wine. "No, I'm too drunk right now." Gong Xu tried to push her away but was too weak; his hands and eyes were no longer able to coordinate.

"Then I'll help Master lie down to rest," Yunying said hurriedly. "Chun'er, bring me a pillow."

The moon rose high in the sky, then gradually began to slant westward.

Almost everyone in the mansion had gone to bed.

Song's door opened, and two maids carrying lanterns, along with Granny Yang, helped her out.

Several strong and sturdy maids followed behind her; they were all people that Song Shi was used to employing.

They walked towards the backyard, and after a long time, they finally arrived at the Buddhist hall.

Meanwhile, Xu Mama, who was standing beside the old lady, was already waiting there.

"I'm sorry to have kept Mrs. Xu waiting," Mrs. Song said apologetically.

"I just arrived too," said Madam Xu, taking a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve. "This was given to me by the old lady; please let Auntie take it inside!"

"Don't worry, Madam Xu, this matter doesn't need to be dirtyed by others." Madam Song carefully accepted the gift. "It's late and the dew is heavy, you should go back and rest!"

"Then I'll leave it all to Aunt Song." Madam Xu also seemed genuinely tired. "Older people just can't stay up all night."

Then, lowering his voice, he instructed, "The old lady said not to make too much noise, lest it cause gossip."

"Don't worry, the people I brought are all tight-lipped and won't utter a single word." Song's voice was also very low.

"Alright, I'll head back now. The rest is up to you, Auntie," said Mama Xu as she left.

“Aunt Yang, you can come in with me by yourself,” said Madam Song. “The rest of you can stay outside and keep watch.”

"You all stay outside and keep watch. No one is allowed to go in unless you're told to," Granny Yang instructed the servants and maids. "And no one is allowed to come near."

The door to the Buddhist hall was locked from the outside. Granny Yang unlocked it and helped Song Shi inside.

The temple was lit, but still very dark. The Buddha statue was hidden behind a curtain, its appearance obscured.

Wen Mingqian huddled on the prayer mat, looking thin and pitiful.

"I wonder if you've been repenting or making vows before the Buddha these past few days?" Madam Song asked with a smile. "Even though you've pierced your own blood to copy scriptures, the gods and Buddhas still refuse to bless you."

"You've finally arrived," Wen Mingqian slowly stood up, her face somewhat pale. "It's really not easy to see you."

"Don't worry, I will definitely see you one last time before you die. After all, we have too deep an entanglement, and I must come to see you off on your final journey," said Madam Song with a cheerful mood.

“You are dressed up tonight, completely unlike your usual self, or perhaps this is your true self.” Wen Mingqian sat upright on the futon, his hair half-draped over his shoulders, obscuring his face.

"Wen Mingqian, I know you hate me, but who told you to be less skilled? We've known each other for a while now, so I advise you to be more discerning when you reincarnate."

“Song Xiulian, more than hating you, I have more doubts in my heart. The Gong family doesn’t believe me, and I can’t defend myself. But I still want to ask you, why are you so determined to harm me in every way?” Wen Mingqian raised his head and stared at Song Shi with his eyes fixed on her. “Today, before the Buddha, neither of us should lie.”

"It's no wonder the Gong family doesn't believe you. Who told you to be so aloof and stubborn, and not know how to adapt to circumstances? It's never been the East Wind prevailing over the West Wind, or the West Wind prevailing over the East Wind. It's impossible for us to be of one mind and one heart." Madam Song spoke very frankly at this time, unlike her usual pretense.

“I know you covet my position and want to take it from me. But why do you always have to use your own child’s life to harm me? I know people are wicked, but I don’t believe they can be so vicious as to kill their own child.”

It's almost the end of the month, time for the game tickets!
(End of this chapter)