Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Following Without any news of her younger brother, Cui Lingrong was deeply anxious. That day, Xuan-ge's results for the prefectural examination were posted—he had placed third. Yu-jie brought Xuan-ge to her side and offered a good deal of consolation. "Uncle is blessed and will surely be fine. Besides, Uncle is clever—he will definitely come back," Song Yu said. Song Mingxuan nodded along. "Yes, Mother. We'll do our best to search for him, but you mustn't let your health collapse first." "You're both right." Cui Lingrong didn't want to sigh in front of the children, so she forced a smile and led them to pay their respects to Old Madame Song. At the entrance to Shouan Tang, they happened to run into County Princess Rongjia again. County Princess Rongjia had brought Zhuqing with her today. "Greetings to the Eldest Young Madam." Zhuqing gave a perfunctory salute. The County Princess had said that once she became pregnant, she would elevate Zhuqing to the rank of concubine. Cui Lingrong nodded and entered Shouan Tang together with them. Old Madame Song had also heard about Cui Zeyu's situation. These days, thanks to County Princess Rongjia's subsidies, she had regained her former comfortable life. She kept a stern face toward Cui Lingrong, but when her gaze shifted to Xuan-ge, her smile was radiant. "Come, come, come over to Grandmother." She completely ignored everyone else—her eyes were only on Xuan-ge, and she didn't even hear County Princess Rongjia's greeting. Old Madame Song took Xuan-ge's hand, her smile full of affection. "Good child, you've finally brought honor to our Marquis's household. You've done even better than your father did in the Imperial Examination back in his day. If there's anything you lack in your room, or any food you want, you can... tell your mother, and have her arrange it." She had initially wanted to say "tell me," but then thought better of it—she'd have to spend her own money. Better to let her grandson ask Lady Cui instead. Song Mingxuan smiled awkwardly, not knowing how to respond. Song Yu went over to tease, "Grandmother is being partial. Now that Xuan-ge has passed the prefectural examination, she only has eyes for him." "You little girl, I'm just doting on Xuan-ge a bit more right now. Haven't I always treated you well?" Old Madame Song had just started speaking when Mama Xu said she had prepared the pastries Yu-jie liked. For a moment, Shouan Tang was filled with harmony and joy. But County Princess Rongjia found it hard to join the conversation. Watching Cui Lingrong bring her children to curry favor with Old Madame Song, she found it especially grating. She was the one funding Shouan Tang's expenses, yet Old Madame Song hadn't spoken more than a few words to her—her eyes were entirely on Song Mingxuan and Song Yu. Children—children again! County Princess Rongjia clenched her fingers tightly. She had undergone acupuncture with You Shuyi several times now, and still didn't know if it was having any effect. She wanted a child of her own too. When she left, she didn't even glance at Zhuqing, and went straight to find You Shuyi with Chen De's Wife in tow. When Cui Lingrong learned that County Princess Rongjia had gone out again, she didn't need to guess—she knew it was to see You Shuyi. That afternoon, she sent Yu-jie back to Shouan Tang to make sure Old Madame knew about this matter as well. Old Madame Song usually didn't concern herself with household affairs, so she hadn't understood why County Princess Rongjia went out so frequently. When her granddaughter came over fuming and mentioned it, she said nothing at the time. But by evening, she summoned her eldest son and asked him what was going on. "The County Princess mentioned it to me briefly—said it was about shop matters," Song Shulan said without suspicion. "What shop requires her to go out again and again?" Old Madame Song wasn't necessarily suspecting County Princess Rongjia of any improper behavior. "Even if it's about shop business, can't she send a clerk to the Marquis's residence? Going out and showing her face in public every day—even more than Lady Cui does—what will others think of our household?" Song Shulan also felt it was inappropriate, but since the County Princess wanted to go out, he didn't feel he could say much about it. "Later, you should remind her—she shouldn't keep going out every few days. People who don't know might think she's up to something," Old Madame Song said. Before his mother, Song Shulan could only agree. Still, he didn't think much of it. That night, he went to Wutong Court and mentioned it casually. "You know how much Mother values reputation. She said that when it comes to business matters, it's better to let the clerks handle things." County Princess Rongjia was momentarily taken aback, then realized she had been going out too often lately. She didn't argue with Song Shulan, and smiled as she agreed. "Alright, I understand." She paused, then added, "But Marquis, I'm also doing this for the dignity of our household. Sister Cui has withheld the household's money—it's no trouble for me to suffer a little, but your and Old Madame's allowances can't be reduced. If I don't find ways to earn money, how can we keep things going?" These words struck a chord with Song Shulan. He pulled County Princess Rongjia into his arms. "You're truly considerate. But earning money—how would you know how to do that?" "Don't underestimate me, Master Song. I've already found a way, and I'm just waiting to make money," County Princess Rongjia said. Song Shulan asked what kind of way. "You'll find out later." County Princess Rongjia initiated a kiss, and drew Song Shulan into another night of pleasure. Early the next morning, County Princess Rongjia went to Shouan Tang and spoke to Old Madame about the money-making matter. "It was careless of me. But I was also hoping to make you happier, and to cover the Marquis's expenses. Since Sister Cui won't contribute, we can't have the Marquis become a laughingstock, can we?" Hearing County Princess Rongjia say this, Old Madame Song immediately became understanding. Most of her recent expenses had been covered by County Princess Rongjia, and thinking back to how she had asked her eldest son to admonish the County Princess yesterday, she felt a pang of guilt. "You truly understand what's important," Old Madame Song said, telling County Princess Rongjia she could go out as she pleased, and that she would explain things to everyone else. County Princess Rongjia wanted exactly this kind of talk. Otherwise, if she continued going out in the future, Old Madame would certainly be displeased. With just a few words, she shifted Old Madame's displeasure onto Cui Lingrong instead. After all, it was Cui Lingrong who had withheld the marquis household's money, which was why she needed to subsidize Shouan Tang. She stayed to chat with Old Madame for a while, and only when Old Madame brought up the matter of children again did County Princess Rongjia find an excuse to leave. She wanted a child so desperately. These past few days, whether it was Old Madame or Song Shulan, everyone's talk was all about Xuan-ge. In their eyes, Xuan-ge had practically become the future hope of the marquis household. That was absolutely not what she wanted to see. If Xuan-ge inherited the marquis household, would he ever give her a good life? County Princess Rongjia felt this wouldn't do—she had to have a child. Two days later, County Princess Rongjia went out again to visit You Shuyi. But what she hadn't expected was to be recognized by one of Song Shulan's friends—both her carriage and her attendants. Gao Jingzhi was on his way to drink with Song Shulan when he spotted County Princess Rongjia's carriage halfway there. After meeting Song Shulan, he casually mentioned, "The County Mistress really does travel in style—I recognized her carriage at a glance." Hearing that County Princess Rongjia had gone out again, Song Shulan paused mid-raised cup. "Her shop is around Donghua Gate. How did you come from that direction today?" "No, no—Donghua Gate is so far from my house, why would I go there?" Gao Jingzhi waved his hands repeatedly, saying he'd come from a different direction. Song Shulan's expression froze. From what he remembered, County Princess Rongjia's shop was at Donghua Gate; there was no such place as Gao Jingzhi described. Could it be that County Princess Rongjia had started a new business? He instinctively tried to find an explanation for her, but Song Shulan couldn't help thinking more deeply—after all, County Princess Rongjia had indeed been going out quite a lot lately. When he returned to the marquis household that night, half-drunk, he went to Huadie's room and had her attend to his rest. He asked about County Princess Rongjia's shop, and when Huadie confirmed the same thing, he felt deeply puzzled. The next morning, he sent Qingshan to make inquiries. County Princess Rongjia could only say she'd taken a detour to the shop because she wanted to eat crystal pork knuckle. Even after learning this, Song Shulan still felt uneasy, so he had Qingshan secretly follow County Princess Rongjia.