Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Turning the Tables "I didn't mean it that way." Wang Hechun's Wife wouldn't dare have her mistress go to the eldest young mistress in person. "What I meant was, why not send someone to the Luo family instead?" Seeing that the County Mistress remained silent, she continued, "She's just a medical woman. We'll offer her more silver, and promise her the favor of the Rong Prince Mansion. She won't turn down money." Over the years, County Princess Rongjia had secretly taken many medicines, but the physicians all said she had a congenital deficiency and would find it difficult to conceive. In recent years, County Princess Rongjia had given up on having children. Now, seeing Madame Jiang with child, she felt a pang of resentment. Hearing Wang Hechun's Wife's suggestion, a flicker of hope reignited in her heart. Indeed—it wasn't as if Cui Lingrong herself could practice medicine. There was no need to beg Cui Lingrong. It would be better to send someone directly to the Luo family. County Princess Rongjia's mind was made up, and she immediately made arrangements. If she could have a child—son or daughter—that child would be noble beyond compare. How could any child of Cui Lingrong's measure up? County Princess Rongjia sent someone with her personal letter to the Luo family. The round trip would take time. In the meantime, her house arrest was lifted, and the matrons returned to the palace. The moment she was free, she went to Shouan Tang to pay her respects to Old Madame Song. As it happened, Cui Lingrong and Madame Jiang were both there. When County Princess Rongjia saw Cui Lingrong, the hatred in her eyes was barely containable. Cui Lingrong pretended not to notice the County Mistress's glare and rose to take her leave. "Wait a moment," Old Madame Song said. "I know you work hard managing the household, but think over what I just told you. We're all one family—why make things so unpleasant?" Old Madame Song was referring to the marquis mansion's expenses. She had specifically summoned Cui Lingrong, offered a few words of concern, then brought up the household's recent problems with food and clothing. In previous years, the marquis mansion would have new clothes tailored every season, and banquets were a regular affair. Spring was nearly over this year, yet Cui Lingrong had not ordered new clothes for anyone, let alone held a spring banquet. Old Madame Song was unaccustomed to such frugal living. She brought up Xuan-ge and Jin-ge, and finally mentioned that even Song Shulan's official robes were fraying at the edges, urging Cui Lingrong to pay more attention to such matters. But Cui Lingrong treated these words like wind passing her ears. As she left Shouan Tang, she said to Nanny Qiu, "Even if I restored the previous allowances, would Old Madame be grateful to me? No. She would only resent me for having made her live frugally all this time." Cui Lingrong saw it clearly—Old Madame cared only about her own dignity. As for Cui Lingrong's own concerns, they rarely weighed on Old Madame's heart. Nanny Qiu used to advise the eldest young mistress that harmony in the family brought prosperity, but she no longer did. "Ever since you came into money, Old Madame has enjoyed a few years of comfortable living. Now that expenses have been cut in half, they say it's harder to go from luxury to simplicity—Old Madame must be finding it difficult to adjust." "Difficult or not, she must adjust," Cui Lingrong said. "If she had shown me even a little support, I wouldn't have been so heartless. If she wants better food and clothing, she can spend her own money, or ask County Princess Rongjia to provide for her. As for my seventy thousand taels of silver notes—I intend to slowly take them all back." Having kept money in her own hands, Cui Lingrong now fully understood the benefits of wealth. As for the second and third branches of the family—whatever the marquis mansion could afford, that was what they would get. She would never again pour her own money into the household. A few days later, Cui Lingrong received a letter from You Shuyi, learning that County Princess Rongjia had sought You Shuyi's medical services. You Shuyi, knowing something of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion's affairs, stated that she would absolutely never yield to the Rong Prince Mansion's intimidation. Cui Lingrong hadn't expected County Princess Rongjia to approach You Shuyi. She immediately wrote back, instructing You Shuyi to accept the County Mistress's request—but not right away. You Shuyi was her close friend; agreeing too readily would look suspicious. So when County Princess Rongjia's people returned, they reported that You Shuyi kept refusing, citing inconveniences. In a fit of anger, County Princess Rongjia sent more money to win You Shuyi over. Only then did You Shuyi agree to the County Mistress's request. She told the County Mistress's attendant, "I can go and treat your mistress, but you know that I am a close friend of your eldest young mistress. This absolutely cannot come to her knowledge. Either the County Princess Rongjia comes to Suzhou, or I will quietly travel to Bianjing. As for the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion—I will not set foot there." She emphasized, "I am agreeing to treat her only out of respect for County Princess Rongjia's sincerity. Do not ruin my friendship with your eldest young mistress, or I will leave at once." The servant relayed her words verbatim to County Princess Rongjia. Now married, the County Princess naturally could not travel to Suzhou. She mulled over You Shuyi's words and found them reasonable. "Hmph! Sincerity? Close friendship? She's just after money!" Wang Hechun's Wife said, "Mrs. Luo's demands are only natural. If she came openly to treat you, she would not only fall out with the eldest young mistress but also earn a reputation for greed. By coming quietly, she gets her money without damaging her friendship with the eldest young mistress. That woman is quite shrewd." "Yes," County Princess Rongjia agreed. She decided to have You Shuyi come to Bianjing. She would arrange a separate residence for You Shuyi and have her perform acupuncture and consultations there. Wang Hechun's Wife immediately set about making arrangements. Chen De's Wife was worried. "County Mistress, Mrs. Luo is the eldest young mistress's close friend. What if she colludes with the eldest young mistress and harms you?" A physician's diagnosis and prescription are such that a single missing ingredient can make all the difference in efficacy. County Princess Rongjia grew uneasy at these words and asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?" "It might be better to invite another physician you trust. Every time Mrs. Luo gives you a prescription, have that person review it," said Chen De's Wife. County Princess Rongjia agreed that this was a good approach. "Fine, I'll do as you say." The quacks of the past had all failed to regulate her body. If You Shuyi could cure her, she wouldn't even need to scheme—she could defeat Cui Lingrong without a fight. While waiting for You Shuyi to arrive in Bianjing, the days at the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion passed peacefully. Cui Lingrong simply pretended not to know that You Shuyi was coming. She wanted to thank whoever had given County Princess Rongjia that advice, for otherwise she would have been at a loss as to how to let Song Shulan learn that County Princess Rongjia could not bear children. Before that, Song Shulan had sought out a former classmate who now taught at the Guozijian, asking him to keep an eye on their two sons. The man agreed, hoping to leverage Song Shulan's influence to secure an official position in the future. When Cui Lingrong learned of this, she called her two sons before her. She did not expose the matter of Zhao Xu—children had their own secrets among themselves, and if she revealed it, it would undermine the trust between siblings. She only mentioned that there was a man, a former classmate of their father, whom they could turn to if needed. Before long, it was early April. Cui Zeyu wrote to say he was preparing to set out on his journey back to Bianjing. Cui Lingrong went ahead to the fabric shop to sort through her brother's account books for this period. As she reached the staircase, she heard the voice of the Duke of Dingguo and turned to look. Their eyes met, and Cui Lingrong had no choice but to descend and offer her greetings. "Is the Duke here to purchase fabric?" The Duke of Dingguo was there to find someone. The men he had dispatched had learned that Cui Lingrong had taken in a younger brother more than a decade ago. And that younger brother might very well be the young man he had seen on the street. When he had been separated from his son, the boy had already been eight years old. If he could see him again, he would surely recognize him.