Chapter 116

Chapter 116: Late Spring When County Princess Rongjia returned, her expression was heavy again. "Mother-in-law wants me to suggest a concubine-born nephew for Yu-jie. How could Master Song possibly agree?" From legitimate eldest son to concubine-born son—even if Yu-jie was still marrying above her station, Master Song would certainly be displeased. County Princess Rongjia now deeply regretted bringing this up in the first place. But what was done was done. On returning, she could only say that the nephew's marriage would be decided by the Emperor, and she hoped Master Song wouldn't press further. After she returned and finished speaking, Song Shulan's face immediately darkened. He had thought that with County Princess Rongjia's intervention, the Rong Prince Mansion would at least give it some consideration. Now she said the Emperor would decide—that was clearly just an excuse, not the truth. Song Shulan forced a smile. "It's fine. Yu-jie is still young. There's no rush." County Princess Rongjia breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the matter was settled. "If I could have a child with the County Princess, that should bring our families closer." Song Shulan still refused to give up. At the end of the day, the Rong Prince Mansion looked down on Lady Cui's family background, not on him personally. At the mention of having a child, County Princess Rongjia's face stiffened. She wanted to have one too. When she had chosen Song Shulan for her second marriage, she had thought that since he already had children, he wouldn't pressure her to bear more. But now he kept bringing it up again and again, and with each mention, her irritation grew. "What's wrong?" Song Shulan noticed the County Princess's displeasure. "Nothing. Just a bit tired. You're not upset that I didn't manage this matter well, are you, Master Song?" County Princess Rongjia leaned against Song Shulan's chest. Song Shulan said no. Just then, Zhuqing entered carrying tea, and Song Shulan's gaze followed her. "Marquis, County Princess, please have some tea." As Zhuqing spoke, she deliberately glanced toward the Marquis, her eyes alluring. Song Shulan sat in Wutong Court for a while, then made an excuse to leave, and went off to find Zhuqing. When Chen De's Wife came to deliver the news, County Princess Rongjia smashed her teacup. "She's a little slut too. Does she really think that just because she's climbed into her master's bed, she can seduce men right under my nose? Bitch!" "Don't be angry, County Princess. Zhuqing may lack some sense, but as long as she can please the Marquis, that's what matters," Chen De's Wife said. "Speaking of which, Lanxin is much more sensible. When the Marquis comes to Wutong Court, she never pushes herself forward." "If both of them turned into vixens, wouldn't that just enrage me to death?" County Princess Rongjia had learned from her lesson and wouldn't treat Zhuqing the way she had treated Huadie. "Best if their bellies prove worthy and give me a son soon!" Chen De's Wife agreed. Wang Hechun's Wife came in and said she had seen Caiyue again today. "This servant observes that Caiyue has no scheming in her heart. Would the County Princess like to win her over?" These past few days, she had been getting close to Caiyue, and Caiyue had even told her how much savings she had. "Truly no scheming, or just pretending to have none?" Chen De's Wife spoke up first. "Mama Wang should be careful not to harm the County Princess." "What do you mean by that, Mama Chen? I work hard on the County Princess's behalf—how does that become harming her?" The two had grown increasingly at odds lately, and Wang Hechun's Wife retorted irritably, "Or is it that Mama Chen is jealous that I found Caiyue, and so you're trying every way to belittle me?" "I meant no such thing!" "Then what did you mean?" "Enough!" County Princess Rongjia's head was throbbing. "You're both people from my household. Do you want to make a spectacle for others to laugh at?" Knowing the County Princess was displeased, both women fell silent at once. County Princess Rongjia looked at Wang Hechun's Wife. "Since there's a chance to win over Caiyue, then give it a try. But don't talk too much about Wutong Court's affairs. First, see where her sincerity lies. I can't be giving her benefits before she's done anything for me." "This servant understands. But winning someone over requires some incentives, and it's not—" The County Princess caught her meaning and told Wang Hechun's Wife to take some money herself. After Wang Hechun's Wife left, County Princess Rongjia said, "Don't argue with her over everything. You were sent by Mother to take care of me. You know all my affairs, and I trust you more. She's eager to earn face, so let her do it. Why bother contending with her?" In County Princess Rongjia's view, Wang Hechun's Wife acted with her interests in mind, so she would let her be. Chen De's Wife nodded in agreement. "This old servant was too narrow-minded." County Princess Rongjia sighed and brought up the expenses at Shouan Tang. "It's not Old Madame's own money, so she doesn't feel the pinch. How many days has it been, and the money at Shouan Tang is flowing out like water?" If not for the house arrest, the County Princess wouldn't have thought of spending money to curry favor with the old lady. She had assumed Old Madame would show some restraint, but instead, she was consuming bird's nest and such even more extravagantly than the County Princess herself. "Perhaps we could give less next month, and inform the main kitchen to set a fixed allowance. We can't just let Old Madame demand things as she pleases." Chen De's Wife knew how much money her mistress had. After paying that large sum to the eldest young mistress, her funds were even tighter now. County Princess Rongjia frowned deeply. "Give it another two months. Old Madame has been watching my belly closely. If I cut her allowance now, she'll certainly be displeased. Rather than economizing, I should find ways to increase income. I need to think of a way to earn some money." Otherwise, she absolutely couldn't sustain this kind of life for much longer. Chen De's Wife thought of her own husband, and a smile crept onto her face. "The County Mistress is right—opening new sources and cutting expenses, the more important part is opening new sources. Why not let my old man think of a way for you?" "Fine. You're all my trusted people. I feel at ease leaving matters in your hands." County Princess Rongjia was eager to get money quickly. "Ideally, a lot of money in a short amount of time." Lately, her mother hadn't been giving her money, and her elder brother and sister-in-law certainly wouldn't either. Back when she left the Du family, she had to surrender all her dowry just to protect herself. The dowry for her remarriage had been scraped together by her brother and sister-in-law through gritted teeth. Now, only her father and mother gave her some, but it wasn't enough for her needs. Not to mention having to cover the expenses of Shouan Tang. Just thinking about it exhausted County Princess Rongjia. She waved her hand to dismiss Chen De's Wife to go think of a solution, then gazed at the moon outside the window. It was a late spring night, with a cool breeze drifting in. The wind slipped through the collar of County Princess Rongjia's clothes. Thinking of Song Shulan lying in another woman's bed, she gnashed her teeth in hatred. She truly couldn't understand how Cui Lingrong could tolerate it. Was it that Cui Lingrong had never loved Song Shulan, or was that just the kind of person she was? At that same moment, Cui Lingrong was sketching patterns for the children. The season was about to change. Although the Marquis's household wasn't having new clothes tailored, Cui Lingrong had the money to make some for the children. Yu-jie needed to go out and socialize, so proper clothes were essential. Xuan-ge had the Imperial Examination coming up and needed to look respectable. As for Jin-ge, since his elder siblings were getting new clothes, his couldn't be left out. After finishing the patterns, Cui Lingrong handed them to Nanny Qiu. "Take these to the cloth shop clerk tomorrow and have them find a tailor." Nanny Qiu agreed. "Counting the days, in another ten days or half a month, Young Master Yu will be back." "Yes. If it hadn't been for the rainy weather, he would have already arrived." After speaking of her younger brother, Cui Lingrong smiled again. "Speaking of which, Shuyi should be arriving within the next couple of days." "Yes. This time, we'll be relying on Mrs. Luo." Nanny Qiu was full of anticipation. If the Marquis were to learn that County Princess Rongjia couldn't bear children, what would his reaction be?