Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Children Cui Lingrong and Song Shulan had been married for many years, and she knew very well how to speak with and handle him. She deliberately used Xuan-ge's studies to divert Song Shulan's attention, and sure enough, Song Shulan listened all the way, following her into Shouan Tang. By the time they arrived, the second and third branches were already there. The eldest master, Song Shulan, and the second master, Song Shucheng, were both born to the Old Madame. Above Song Shucheng there was also an elder sister who had been married off for many years. Song Shucheng and Madame Jiang had been married for seven years, and Madame Jiang had never conceived. She had no children of her own, yet she blocked everyone else from bearing them either. It was only two years ago that the Old Madame, unable to bear it any longer, took matters into her own hands and sent one of her personal maids to attend to Song Shucheng—that maid being the current Concubine Meng. Concubine Meng was the Old Madame's person, so Madame Jiang did not dare to force medicine on her openly. But Concubine Meng also knew that Madame Jiang would not tolerate her having a child. Thus, upon discovering she was pregnant, she immediately went to the Old Madame. Under the Old Madame's protection, Concubine Meng successfully gave birth to a daughter. She herself breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that since it was a daughter, Madame Jiang would not resort to murder. The Old Madame and Song Shucheng, however, were deeply disappointed, which drove Song Shucheng to work even harder at his efforts—yet after a full year, there was still no harvest. The third master, Song Shuhe, was concubine-born. The Old Madame did not care much about him and casually arranged a marriage for him when he came of age. The couple were both low-key people. Five years into their marriage, they had produced two sons. The elder, Song Mingzhou, was already four years old and had begun learning characters under a tutor at the start of the year. The younger, Song Minglang, was only half a year old—just at the most adorable stage. As soon as Cui Lingrong entered the room, Song Minglang in Madam Li's arms began bouncing his chubby little legs up and down. Madam Li smiled at Cui Lingrong apologetically. "Elder Sister-in-law, Marquis." Cui Lingrong treated people kindly, and in the past, whenever she encountered Madam Li, she would stop to chat. Song Minglang was fair and plump, and every time she met him, she could not resist holding him. That was why he was so delighted to see her come in. After she paid her respects to the Old Madame, the three children lined up in a row and paid their respects to the Old Madame as well. Seeing her legitimate grandsons, Old Madame Song's smile became somewhat more genuine. She pulled Xuan-ge and Jin-ge over to ask about their studies and whether they were eating well. Song Mingxuan said everything was fine. Song Mingjin, however, whined and leaned against the Old Madame's chair, grumbling that the food at the Guozijian was not good. "Several times when I went to get our meals, the food had already been picked over by others, and Elder Brother wouldn't let me make a fuss. Grandmother, look—don't you think your grandson has grown thinner?" When they had studied at Lingyun Academy, the marquis's household had paid a standing fee at a restaurant near the academy, so they could enjoy specially prepared meals every day. Life had been quite comfortable. But at the Guozijian, outside food could not be brought in, and the people inside were of all sorts. The two boys were young, and being ostracized and bullied was common. Old Madame Song frowned deeply. "Such a thing actually happened?" She turned to look at Princess Rongjia. The two grandsons had been placed in the Guozijian by Princess Rongjia, so the princess should also take an interest in the boys' daily affairs. Princess Rongjia met the Old Madame's gaze and immediately came over, bending down with maternal affection to stroke Song Mingjin's cheek. "Good child, if such a thing happens again, just invoke your mother's name, or go find your cousins at the Rong Prince Mansion. They will naturally stand up for you." Song Mingjin's eyes lit up at this, and he blurted out in admiration, "You're so capable, Mother. You're truly amazing." Cui Lingrong lowered her brows and clenched her fingers tightly. She could not understand—why was Princess Rongjia being so affectionate with her sons? She walked over to her younger son. "The Guozijian is the most reasonable place of all. If you are bullied, you can tell the dormitory supervisor, and they will seek justice for you." As for the people of the Rong Prince Mansion, it was better to keep one's distance. Song Mingjin looked at the princess, then at his mother. The little boy did not know what to do for a moment and turned to his brother with a troubled expression. Song Mingxuan gave his younger brother a slight shake of his head, signaling him not to say anything more. Just then, a maid from the second branch came to report that the young miss from the maternal side had caught a chill and would not be coming to the meal. The Old Madame then ordered the banquet to be set. Since everyone present was family, there was no need to separate the men's and women's tables—they all dined together in the main hall. In the past, it had always been Cui Lingrong and Madame Jiang who attended to the Old Madame's meal from either side. Today, Cui Lingrong sat at the Old Madame's lower left and did not move. Since she did not serve, Princess Rongjia also sat still, leaving poor Madame Jiang to do the work of two people alone. Old Madame Song was particular about her meals. Fish had to be served piping hot from the pot; even a brief pause made it taste fishy to her. Madame Jiang had to pick up the fish, quickly remove the bones, arrange it on a plate, and present it to the Old Madame. By the time the meal was over, Madame Jiang had barely eaten two bites herself and could not help glaring at Cui Lingrong several times. Cui Lingrong pretended not to notice, instead bringing up Madame Jiang's visiting cousin. "The weather is turning colder day by day, and Miss He's health has never improved. If she needs a doctor, you really should call one. If something were to happen to Miss He while she's staying here, how would you explain it to the He family, Princess?" Madame Jiang's mother had passed away early, and her household now had a stepmother. When her mother was alive, she had been closest to her aunt from the He family. Later, when the He family fell into decline, Madame Jiang could not bear to see her cousin return to her hometown to suffer, so she kept her there. She treated this cousin like a beloved younger sister. Old Madame Song also looked over. Keeping one more person in the household wouldn't cost much silver, but she didn't want trouble to arise from it. "I recall Pingping is sixteen now, isn't she? Has the He family still not settled on a marriage for her?" At the mention of her cousin, a faint bitterness touched Madame Jiang's tongue. She shared the same thought as the He family—she hoped her cousin could marry in Bianjing, preferably into an official's household. But the He family had no one serving as an official, and when she brought her cousin to banquets, no one even bothered to engage her in conversation. After several such occasions, her cousin grew disheartened, and her health deteriorated further. "Not yet." Madame Jiang forced a smile, inwardly cursing Cui Lingrong. Why on earth did she have to bring up her cousin out of nowhere? Old Madame Song had eaten her fill and had the servants clear the table. She led everyone to the flower hall for tea, speaking to Madame Jiang as they walked. "Settle it soon. A grown daughter shouldn't be kept at home—don't let it turn into resentment." For the old lady to say such a thing meant she was urging her on. Madame Jiang's heart skipped a beat, and she could only nod in agreement. After everyone took their seats, Princess Rongjia raised the matter of elevating Huadie to the status of concubine. Old Madame Song was somewhat surprised, for Princess Rongjia was still young. By custom, it would have been more proper to wait until the princess conceived before elevating a concubine. "The princess is virtuous. Since both you and Lady Cui agree, I naturally have no objection." Old Madame Song still wished to show Cui Lingrong a measure of respect. Cui Lingrong smiled and said, "I blush to say it, but this matter was actually brought up by me—I spoke out of turn and disrupted the princess's plans. Fortunately, the princess is magnanimous and didn't hold it against me. I think Huadie is a fine girl; perhaps by this time next year, the old lady will be holding another grandson." These words surprised Old Madame Song even more. It was actually Cui Lingrong who had proposed it? But having lived more than half her life, her astonishment lasted only a moment. "Good, good, good. If you can all live in harmony, the Marquis and I will be at ease. You and the princess should also put in more effort—while you're young, have more children, and the days will be livelier." With that, Old Madame Song's gaze fell upon Madame Jiang. When Cui Lingrong had been married into the household, the Marquis's estate had been strapped for funds. Later, when things began to improve, and with the second son's success in passing the Jinshi examination, she had exhausted every effort to arrange the marriage with the Jiang family. Madame Jiang was filial enough, but her belly had never shown any movement, and she was terribly jealous. Madame Jiang guiltily turned her head away. She too wanted to bear a child—year after year she had drunk bowl after bowl of medicine, yet nothing had come of it. Cui Lingrong pressed her lips into a faint smile, knowing the old lady's words were not meant for her ears. Princess Rongjia's expression stiffened, her heart heavy with worry. Old Madame Song was advanced in years and hadn't sat long before saying she was sleepy, and everyone dispersed to their own quarters. As Cui Lingrong's party reached the entrance of Shouan Tang, Song Yu gazed at her father, hoping he would walk with her mother. But her father left with Princess Rongjia instead, and disappointment filled her heart. "Mother, you—" "It's late. Go back and rest early." Cui Lingrong cut off her daughter's words, as calm as ever, showing neither joy nor displeasure as she led Nanny Qiu back to Qiushuang Zhai. The next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mooncakes were to be distributed throughout the household, and offerings were to be placed at the ancestral hall. In previous years, Cui Lingrong would rise before dawn, for as the daughter-in-law managing the household, she had to personally prepare the pastries offered at the ancestral hall. This year, it was not her turn. After waking, she sat quietly on the daybed and picked up a travelogue at random. She was deeply absorbed in her reading when Caixia came to report that Young Master Yu had returned. Cui Lingrong's face instantly brightened. She slipped on her shoes while instructing someone to invite her younger brother in. "Nanny Qiu, Zeyu loves osmanthus lotus root silk cakes. Would you trouble yourself to go to the kitchen? If there are other delicacies, bring some along as well. He wrote that he wouldn't return for another five or six days, yet he's arrived today—he must have traveled through the night and surely hasn't eaten properly." Nanny Qiu was also delighted. "You truly treat Young Master Yu as your own brother. At any other time, I never see you so happy." Her mistress was always composed, rarely showing such joy on her face.