Chapter 151

Chapter 151: Maternal Aunt When County Princess Rongjia learned that Zhuqing was pregnant, she was both angry and pleased. You Shuyi had refused to help regulate her body, and she had lost hope once again. Learning that Zhuqing was pregnant—well, it was essentially her child. But she was deeply jealous. Why could every one of these women get pregnant, but not her? Only after Chen De's Wife and Wang Hechun's Wife persuaded her did County Princess Rongjia compose herself and bring Zhuqing to report the happy news to Old Madame. Old Madame Song was naturally delighted, but she was also puzzled. Zhuqing had been demoted to a menial maid and hadn't been attending to anyone for quite some time—how could she be pregnant again? When she learned that Zhuqing was over a month pregnant, and counting the days, it fell right after she entered the mansion, Old Madame Song's doubts were dispelled. "Since she's with child, pick an auspicious day and give her a proper status." Old Madame Song had also learned of County Princess Rongjia's inability to bear children. This matter couldn't be publicized, and it had angered her so much she hadn't slept well for days. She had even sent many tonics to Wutong Courtyard, all for nothing. Now, facing County Princess Rongjia, Old Madame Song wore no pleasant expression. County Princess Rongjia smiled cautiously. "It's Zhuqing's good fortune. Zhuqing, hurry and thank Old Madame!" Zhuqing knelt and kowtowed with a beaming smile. "This servant thanks Old Madame." "No need to thank me. It's the County Mistress who's elevating you. Serve the County Mistress well in the future and don't forget your place." Old Madame Song turned her gaze back to County Princess Rongjia, deliberately admonishing her. "Take good care of Zhuqing. Don't be like before. If anything happens to this child, it will be your incompetence!" County Princess Rongjia's smile froze. Hearing how heavily Old Madame spoke, she knew the Marquis must have told Old Madame everything. She forced a smile and said yes. Old Madame Song hummed in acknowledgment, signaling that they could leave. County Princess Rongjia had wanted to stay and chat longer, but now she could only take her leave. Mama Xu saw Old Madame frowning and went over to massage her shoulders. "I originally thought the County Mistress was just bad-tempered, but I never expected she's a barren hen!" Old Madame Song grew angrier as she spoke. "This matter even affects the Marquis's mansion's reputation. Otherwise, I would have given her a proper scolding. If not for Lady Cui bearing Shulan's children, I would wait until death and still never see her give me a grandson!" "Old Madame, don't be angry. You said it yourself—with the eldest young mistress having given the Marquis three children, whether the County Mistress bears children doesn't matter much. What matters most is the County Mistress's character." Mama Xu pointed out. "Yes. She nearly ruined Yu-jie's reputation. I used to think she had a good heart, but now I see—from now on, I must keep Yu-jie and her siblings away from her." Old Madame Song took a deep breath. "If my son didn't still rely on the Rong Prince Mansion, I would have him divorce her!" Mama Xu said that the County Mistress was very filial to Old Madame. "Two tigers cannot share one mountain. It's natural for the County Mistress to harbor hostility toward the eldest young mistress. But she is good to you—the expenses of Shouan Tang are still paid by the County Mistress." At that point, Old Madame Song's anger eased somewhat. "At least she's sensible and knows filial piety, unlike that heartless Cui!" Neither daughter-in-law was easy to deal with, and Old Madame Song felt deeply weary. As for Jiang of the second branch, there was no need to even mention her—since becoming pregnant, she barely left her room. As for the third branch, forget it—that one wasn't born from her own womb, so she could never be of one heart with her. Old Madame Song now only hoped that the Rong Prince Mansion would feel guilty and promote her son further, so the Marquis's mansion could gain more face. On the other side, when County Princess Rongjia returned, Caiyue happened to be bringing things for Zhuqing. Zhuqing had been elevated to concubine and was moving out of the servants' quarters, her chin held high. Previously, when she'd been demoted from bedchamber maid to menial maid, her roommates had never missed a chance to ostracize and mock her. Now that she'd become a concubine, she swept her gaze across each face in the room one by one, then smiled at Caiyue. "The eldest young mistress is thoughtful. Please, Miss Caiyue, wait a moment—the County Mistress has arranged other quarters for me." Caiyue looked down on Zhuqing's petty triumph. Why should she wait here? Wasn't it so others could see that even the eldest young mistress had to show Zhuqing face? The eldest young mistress was just following protocol—she wasn't trying to curry favor with Zhuqing. Caiyue wouldn't give her that satisfaction. She had the things set down, though her face wore a smile. "Qiushuang Zhai is busy, so I won't stay long. The eldest young mistress said that now that you have your status as concubine, these things are due to you by regulation—every concubine receives them. She also said to take good care of yourself in your pregnancy, and if you need anything, you may send someone to Qiushuang Zhai." Before Zhuqing could reply, Caiyue gave a slight bow and turned to leave. Zhuqing let out a soft snort. Just a maid, and she wouldn't show her respect? Once she gave birth to a ger, let's see who would dare look down on her! She wasn't like Huadie, who would listen to others' instigations. Her child would be raised by the County Mistress, with boundless prospects ahead—perhaps even inheriting the Marquis's mansion. Then she would be the Marquis's own birth mother. Zhuqing was already lost in sweet dreams, cheerfully directing the servants to move her things. Once she was settled and saw that she had a room to herself, she felt immensely satisfied. After all those days as a menial maid, her hands had grown calluses, she hadn't seen meat in five days, and she'd had to share a room with four or five others—some who ground their teeth and snored. She couldn't wait to go out and see what expressions Huadie and Concubine Zhang would have. But at the doorway, she was stopped by her maternal aunt. "Aunt... Auntie, why are you here?" Zhuqing's uncle's family had come as part of County Princess Rongjia's dowry entourage. Nanny Zheng pursed her lips, forcing out an extremely strained smile. "The young lady has risen in the world. As your auntie, of course I had to come and pay a visit." Zhuqing caught the sarcasm in her auntie's tone and sent a young maid to the kitchen for refreshments, then led the woman inside. "Auntie, I... I truly never imagined I would conceive the Marquis's child." Life as a menial maid had been too bitter, and Zhuqing didn't want to waste her whole life away. After all, she was young and beautiful, so she had spent money to have her auntie arrange a good marriage for her. Though she had been with the Marquis—something everyone in the household knew—she was still pretty. Coincidentally, Nanny Zheng's younger brother had just lost his wife and was a farm overseer, so the two were matched together. Nanny Zheng had run back and forth between both parties, arranged their meetings, and expended no small amount of effort. Now that Zhuqing had become a concubine, how was she supposed to explain this to her brother? "Are you certain the child you carry is truly the Marquis's?" Nanny Zheng stared at Zhuqing. "This... how could it be false?" Zhuqing, afraid her auntie might say something reckless, quickly added, "The silver I gave you before—consider it a token of my filial respect. As for Brother Zheng, please help me tell him I'm sorry. It's simply fate playing tricks on us." "Zhuqing, I know your ambitions soar higher than the sky. Now that you've become a concubine, rest assured—we're family. Betraying you would do me no good. On the contrary, I'll be counting on you in the future." Nanny Zheng lowered her gaze to Zhuqing's belly. "But you must tell me the truth: is the child in your womb the Marquis's, or my brother's?" If it were her brother's, she couldn't drag her whole family into danger alongside Zhuqing. After all, her brother had told her that he'd gotten what he wanted from Zhuqing in the garden the very first time they met. "Auntie, why won't you believe me? How could I possibly lie about something like this?" Zhuqing grew anxious. "Fine. I've asked you today, and now I can rest easy. What happened between you and my brother—let it be as if it never occurred. From now on, our family will rely on your kindness, Concubine." Nanny Zheng's use of the word "concubine" allowed Zhuqing to relax somewhat. "You're too kind, Auntie. We're family—of course we should help each other." Zhuqing finished speaking awkwardly, her back already soaked with sweat. After her auntie left, she felt as though all her strength had drained away, and she had no energy left to go flaunt herself before Concubine Zhang and the others. Meanwhile, Caiyue, upon returning, had thoroughly vented her complaints about Zhuqing. It was only when Nanny Qiu told her to stop being angry that she finally quieted down. The next day, Cui Lingrong brought only Nanny Qiu with her when she went out, arriving at the teahouse first.