Overdo

Lei Shaogong stopped at the entrance to the drawing room and made his way along the cobblestone path to the duty room of the aides-de-camp office. The duty room was in the midst of receiving the day’s newspapers and mail—sorting and checking them, preparing to clip and open them for review. Though he only held a nominal position and didn’t need to handle these tasks, he casually helped organize them. While busy, he heard someone enter the doorway—it was Wang Linda, deputy director of the First Aides-de-camp Office. Though he and Lei Shaogong were very familiar, Wang only gave him a slight nod. Lei Shaogong asked, “What exactly happened?” Wang Linda replied, “There’s been an incident at Mang Lake—a landslide.” Lei Shaogong’s heart sank with unease. “When did it happen?” Wang Linda said, “We received the call a little after five. Song Mingli and Zhang You were summoned immediately—he’s bound to be angry.” Lei Shaogong knew it was bad, but he couldn’t say it outright.

Wang Linda added, “There’s another matter.” Noticing his hesitation, Lei Shaogong walked out of the duty room with him. By then, it was only a light drizzle, the kind that dampens clothes without soaking them. The bluestone pavement in the courtyard had been washed clean by the rain. A sparrow hopped about in the middle of the yard, but as the two men passed, it fluttered up to a tree branch. Wang Linda watched the bird take flight, a shadow of worry crossing his face. “Last night, the Master found out about Third Young Master’s overdraft from somewhere. His expression turned grim immediately. It’s a private matter, and by rights I shouldn’t speak out of turn, but with the Mang Lake incident this morning, the Master is likely to lose his temper.” Lei Shaogong knew things were dire, breaking into a cold sweat. Steadying himself, he asked, “Where is Madam?”

Wang Linda said, “She left for Suigang with the Eldest Young Lady yesterday morning.”

Lei Shaogong realized it was too late for distant help and asked, “Who else is here?”

“Those attending the meeting now are Tang Haoming and the others.”

Lei Shaogong stamped his foot in frustration. “They’re useless. I’ll call Mr. He.” Wang Linda said, “I’m afraid it may be too late.” Before the words faded, an aide-de-camp approached from a distance and called, “Director Wang, telephone.” Wang Linda had to hurry off. Lei Shaogong immediately went to call He Xu’an, but the line was busy. Fortunately, as soon as the operator reported the incoming call, the other end picked up. He said, “This is Lei Shaogong. Please put Mr. He on the line.” The other party, not daring to be careless, promptly replied, “One moment, please.” Anxious, his hand gripping the receiver grew sweaty. When He Xu’an finally came on the line, Lei Shaogong only said a few words before He, being sharp and perceptive, responded at once, “I’ll come right away.” Only then did Lei Shaogong feel slightly relieved. Hanging up, he returned to the duty room.

The aides-de-camp office was empty and silent, amplifying his unease. As he fretted over the situation inside, an aide-de-camp hurried in and said, “Director Lei, you’re here—the Master is in a terrible rage and has taken the family discipline rod in hand.” This was the last thing Lei Shaogong wanted to hear, yet it was unavoidable. He quickly asked, “Did no one try to stop him?”

“No one dared to intervene, and Third Young Master refused to beg for mercy.”Lei Shaogong could only stamp his feet in frustration. "How could he ever admit defeat? That little ancestor's temper has gotten him into trouble so many times before." Yet he knew there was nothing to be done and could only fret anxiously. After a moment, he heard that the more everyone tried to intervene, the more it fueled the anger, leading to even harsher blows—even the family discipline rod had been broken. Then came the fireplace poker, which was made of white copper. Jin Yongren, the head of the attendants' office, rushed forward to block it but was shoved aside, stumbling as harsh words were spat: "All of you, get out!" Jin Yongren, who was usually highly trusted, realized the situation had escalated badly and hurried out to instruct the attendant officer, "Why are you still standing there? Go quickly and call Madam."

The attendant officer rushed off. Hearing Jin Yongren's words, Lei Shaogong knew things were beyond control. He had no choice but to walk to the corridor entrance, where he spotted He Xu'an's car approaching from a distance. Hurrying over, he opened the car door for him. Seeing Lei Shaogong's expression, He Xu'an had already guessed most of the situation and, without asking a single question, strode swiftly toward the east wing. When Jin Yongren saw him, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and personally opened the door for him.

Lei Shaogong paced back and forth in the corridor several times before finally seeing two people supporting Murong Qingyi out. He hurried forward to meet them. Noticing Murong Qingyi's ashen complexion and unsteady steps, he quickly stepped in to help, ordering those around, "Go call Dr. Cheng."

Madam Murong and Jin Rui didn't return until the afternoon. As soon as they stepped out of the car, they went straight upstairs to the second floor. Lei Shaogong happened to be coming out of a room and promptly bowed upon seeing Madam Murong. "Madam." With a wave of her hand, Madam Murong entered the room with Jin Rui. Seeing the injuries, she couldn't hold back her distress, anger, and pain, shedding tears as she comforted her son. She stayed for a long while before emerging.

Once outside, she noticed Lei Shaogong still waiting there and asked, "What on earth happened to make him beat the child so brutally?" Lei Shaogong replied, "It was because of the Mang Lake incident, the unauthorized bank overdraft, and a few other minor matters that all came together." Madam Murong dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief and said, "For some official business, is it worth all this?!" Then she asked, "How much did Third Young Master overdraft? Where could he possibly need to spend so much that he'd have to overdraw?"

Lei Shaogong found the question difficult to answer and hadn't yet spoken when Jin Rui interjected, "Mother, Third Brother has been too playful. It's good that Father taught him a lesson to prevent him from running wild without any restraint." Madam Murong said, "Look at those wounds—they must have been inflicted with an iron tool." Tears fell again as she added, "So heartless, it's as if he almost wanted the child's life."

Jin Rui said, "Father was in a rage, so of course he grabbed whatever was at hand." Then she added, "Mom, why don't you go back to your room and rest? You must be tired after sitting in the car for half a day." Madam Murong nodded and said to Lei Shaogong, "Xiao Lei, please keep a close watch on Third Young Master for me." Only then did she leave.

By dusk, rain had begun to fall again. Outside the bedroom window stood an old locust tree, its branches swaying like a canopy in the misty rain. When Murong Qingyi woke, he was drenched in sweat. Seeing that it was already dark, he asked, "What time is it?" Lei Shaogong hurried over to answer, "It's almost seven o'clock. Are you hungry?" Murong Qingyi said, "I don't feel like eating anything." Then he asked, "Where's Mother?"

Lei Shaogong replied, "Madam is downstairs." He added, "This afternoon, Madam went to speak with the Master. The attendants all said it was the first time in so many years they had seen Madam angry with the Master."Murong Qingyi said weakly, “She feels sorry for me—I’m in pain all over. Please go and tell Mother for me that Father is still angry, and saying more won’t help. It might even make things worse.”

Lei Shaogong said, “The master said he wants to send you abroad. That’s what Madam is upset about.”

Murong Qingyi let out a bitter laugh and said, “I knew it. Father is determined to deal with me harshly this time.”

Lei Shaogong said, “The master might just be angry for the moment.” Just as they were speaking, Madam Murong arrived. Lei Shaogong quickly withdrew. Seeing that his mother still had tear stains on her face, Murong Qingyi called out, “Mom.” This only made Madam Murong feel even more distressed. She took his hand and said, “I don’t know what’s gotten into your father, insisting that you go abroad. How could I bear to part with you?”

Hearing this, Murong Qingyi knew the matter was beyond redemption, and his heart grew calm. “Going abroad isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” he said. Madam Murong nodded upon hearing this. “Your father’s intention is for you to study abroad for another two years. I’ve thought it over—I’ll apply to a good school for you. Learning something and returning will surely be useful.” After a pause, she added, “Your father means well for you. Although I don’t agree with his methods, you are sometimes too willful. When you’re abroad, it won’t be like being at home. It might be good to temper your stubbornness.”

Murong Qingyi then said, “Father beat me half to death, and you only felt sorry for me for a moment before turning around to lecture me on his behalf.”

Madam Murong said, “Look at you, child. Do you think your father doesn’t feel sorry for you? When you make a mistake, you should admit it properly. Why provoke your father into such a rage?”

Murong Qingyi knew that, despite her words, she was ultimately biased in his favor. So he playfully changed the subject, saying, “Which university will you apply to for me, Mother? How about I attend your alma mater?” Finally, he made Madam Murong laugh. “You’ve only just started feeling a little better, and you’re already being mischievous. You know perfectly well that my alma mater is a church-affiliated girls’ school.”