“Master, I made this braised beef myself. Please, have a taste—”
Hong Wenjun picked up a slice of beef for Sheng Yong, then refilled his wine cup.
Tonight, Sheng Yong had gone to the Peony Courtyard, hoping that Madam Huang would consider the bigger picture and stop targeting Mingzhu so much.
To his surprise, Madam Huang had ordered the courtyard gate closed early. Dongsheng frantically knocked, but those inside pretended not to hear.
Enraged, Sheng Yong kicked the gate twice and even threatened to have someone remove the gate of the Peony Courtyard…
Just as he was fuming with anger, Hong Wenjun arrived, speaking softly and gently. She said she had already prepared wine and had personally cooked his favorite dishes…
Sheng Yong took the offered step down and went with her.
He downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, feeling the liquor tasted particularly bitter today.
Seeing this, Hong Wenjun quietly poured more wine for him. She had specifically asked the kitchen to send the strongest liquor. He had nearly finished a whole pot—why wasn’t he drunk yet?
Would this old man end up staying overnight in her quarters later?
The thought of Sheng Yong staying over made Hong Wenjun feel sick to her stomach.
Nowadays, Hong Wenjun had secretly pledged her loyalty to the Madam, and her life had become incredibly comfortable.
During festivals, when the Madam sent gifts to each courtyard, Hong Wenjun’s gifts always included several large-denomination banknotes.
While gold and silver jewelry were nice, nothing was as practical and easy to hide as banknotes.
In a year, the real silver the Madam gave her far exceeded what Sheng Yong provided.
Hong Wenjun no longer needed to spend extra money currying favor with the estate’s stewards, because if she suffered even a slight injustice, she would go straight to the Madam to seek justice.
Although the estate’s stewards thought she was reckless and impulsive, cursing behind her back that one day she would push the Madam too far and suffer the consequences, they no longer dared to shortchange the supplies for her courtyard.
In previous years, Hong Wenjun had spent quite a bit on such greasing of palms. Now, all that wasted money could be saved.
Her private savings grew larger and larger. With this financial security, she lived with confidence and strength.
This kind of life was so much better than before! Every time she thought about it, Hong Wenjun felt immensely grateful for her decision.
At the same time, having enjoyed this good life for so long, Hong Wenjun no longer wanted to serve Sheng Yong.
If it weren’t for the special circumstances today—fearing that Sheng Yong might damage the Madam’s reputation—Hong Wenjun would never have invited him over.
The warm orange lamplight shone on Hong Wenjun’s beautiful face.
A beautiful woman, fine wine, delicious food…
Sheng Yong’s heart stirred, feeling a sense of being cared for.
There was a time when Madam Huang had also devoted herself wholeheartedly to him, her heart and eyes full of him.
Although he had been somewhat indifferent to her, he had actually enjoyed her love and devotion.
When did it start? When did Madam Huang stop caring about him?
And when did she stop expecting him to stay overnight?
Over the past two years, Sheng Yong had very much wanted to mend his relationship with Madam Huang, but she simply gave him no opportunity.
Sheng Yong sighed softly and murmured,
“Wen Niang, why is she so inconsiderate, so lacking in broader perspective…”
Hearing this, Hong Wenjun’s hand holding the wine jar trembled, nearly spilling wine on Sheng Yong.
She inwardly cursed a couple of times before barely steadying her hand.
“Master, are you referring to the Madam?”
“Who else could it be? She’s become increasingly arrogant lately, throwing tantrums at the slightest displeasure, even refusing to see me…
“When such a major incident happened with Mingzhu, she paid no mind…
“Why doesn’t she understand my painstaking efforts? Taoniang may be despicable, but Mingzhu is innocent!
“Mingzhu’s heart has always been with our Sheng family. If the Madam would just care for Mingzhu for a few more years, Mingzhu would be married off, no longer in her way—
“With Mingzhu’s capabilities, she is sure to marry well. Then, Mingzhu would naturally help her brothers and the Sheng family. If the Sheng family prospers, she would benefit too…
“Why can’t she endure for a few years? Must she be determined to ruin Mingzhu…
“And Little Seven, why is her temper so stubborn?
“She suffered greatly in her childhood, but I’ve already compensated her. I’ve been very lenient despite all the domineering things she’s done…
“Why can’t she coexist peacefully with Mingzhu and support the family together in the future…”
Sheng Yong spoke on and on, unable to hold back, while Hong Wenjun felt increasingly disgusted the more she listened.
Her hand itched unbearably; she truly wanted to slap that arrogant face of his a dozen times.
If she were the Madam—her own flesh-and-blood daughter swapped out by a vile servant to be treated like cattle, while she coddled the daughter of her enemy in her palms—
Upon learning the truth, she would have wanted to slice the chief culprit into a thousand pieces!
She would have brought her true daughter back, showering her with endless love and favor. As for the false young mistress, if she hadn’t been corrupted, she would be driven out of the estate.
If she had been corrupted, coveting things that didn’t belong to her—
like Sheng Mingzhu, who monopolized the affection of her brothers and sowed discord within the family—
Hong Wenjun felt she would have at least a thousand ways to torment Sheng Mingzhu to death!
Unfortunately, Prince Qi wanted to protect Sheng Mingzhu, and by extension, Taoniang and the Feng family.
Every time Hong Wenjun put herself in the shoes of the Madam and the Seventh Young Lady, she felt ready to explode with rage!
Prince Qi bullied others too far; Sheng Yong was selfish, caring only for his own prospects; Sheng Mingzhu was insatiably greedy, always pushing for more.
The three legitimate children of the Sheng family were all fools and ingrates.
Hong Wenjun felt the Madam and the Seventh Young Lady had already given Sheng Yong immense face. Both had suffered such great wrongs and endured so much injustice.
The Seventh Young Lady had only broken one of Sheng Mingzhu’s legs and shattered both of Taoniang’s legs.
The Madam had merely distanced herself from Sheng Yong and her own sons, turning instead to nurture the two young masters born of concubines.
If this wasn’t considering the bigger picture, then what was?
Now that Sheng Mingzhu’s own wickedness had been exposed by outsiders, and the Madam and the Seventh Young Lady were merely watching the drama unfold, why should they be blamed by Sheng Yong? Where was justice?
While pouring wine for Sheng Yong, Hong Wenjun cursed and grumbled incessantly in her heart.
Sheng Yong drank more and more, finally beginning to show signs of drunkenness.
At that moment, Ligu suddenly walked in and whispered a few words into Hong Wenjun’s ear.
Hong Wenjun couldn’t contain her joy but feigned anger on her face.
“She actually dares to come snatch him away? Has she no shame left?”
“What happened?” Sheng Yong asked, massaging his temples.
Auntie Hong put on a jealous expression. “Master, you truly are a coveted treasure. Your beloved concubine, Auntie Bai, has suddenly fainted. You should go see her quickly—”
Before she could finish, cries were heard from outside. It was Shuixian, weeping and shouting.
“Master, please save Auntie Bai! She suddenly fainted—”
Shuixian was Bai Yiren’s personal maid. Sheng Yong felt a headache coming on; he actually didn’t really want to go to Bai Yiren’s place tonight.
However, Shuixian kept weeping and pleading. Annoyed by the noise, Auntie Hong directly had the servants prepare a sedan chair.
Sheng Yong had no choice but to get on the sedan chair.
As soon as Sheng Yong left, Hong Wenjun immediately smiled, turning to Ligu.
“That was close. I almost had to serve him again tonight—”
Ligu facepalmed, having somewhat grasped her mistress’s attitude toward Sheng Yong over the past few years.
“Auntie, please only say such things to me. Never let anyone else hear—”
“Of course!” Then, looking disdainfully at the table full of food and drink, she added, “Call a maid in to clear all this away. Is there any more of the braised beef the kitchen sent? I remember you like it too—”
Ligu was deeply moved. “There’s still half left uncut. The pickled lotus root tips you like are also saved, along with four other great dishes to go with wine…”
“Quick, go get them. Let’s have a proper drink together—”
Tonight, the Sheng household was quite lively. Some drank in celebration, while others burned with anger.
And Huang Yaning was having a “heart-to-heart” with Xia Zhi!
