Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Menstruation Cui Lingrong had just arrived at Qiushuang Zhai when someone came to report that Wang Shanxi's Wife had intercepted Li Fugui at the main gate. Nanny Qiu let out a cold snort, her eyes filled with undisguised disgust. "She's probably off stirring up trouble." "The Commandery Princess is too proud and looks down on ordinary people. But often, it's those very people who are the most numerous and most likely to influence the outcome." After Cui Lingrong sat down, she noticed that most of the autumn crab-apple blossoms had fallen, lending the courtyard a somewhat desolate air. She sighed, "Wang Shanxi's Wife truly is a good asset. Only she would think to go find Li Fugui again to smooth things over." "Without her, the Commandery Princess would be like a headless fly," Nanny Qiu added. "Indeed. When the most important person by your side is gone, anyone would lose their composure. But Wang Shanxi's Wife is the Commandery Princess's most favored aide—she won't be easy to topple. Let's just wait and see who the Commandery Princess pushes forward to take the blame after this affair." Cui Lingrong was in no hurry. She could wait. Wait until the Commandery Princess was at the end of her rope. Wait until Song Shulan and Old Madame came to beg her. If you take what belongs to someone else, you have to pay a price. Otherwise, how would you ever learn regret? Five or six days passed. On a clear, sunny day, as Cui Lingrong was returning home with her daughter after buying jewelry, Xing'er, the maidservant of Concubine Zhang, came looking for her, saying that Concubine Zhang had fallen ill and wanted to request a physician. Cui Lingrong asked, "The Commandery Princess is managing the household now. Did you go to her? Did she refuse?" "Reporting to the Eldest Madam, this servant never got to see the Commandery Princess. It was Mama Wang who relayed the message. She said not to call a physician over every little thing—the Marquis's silver doesn't blow in with the wind. Since she's unwell, let her lie down and rest for a couple of days. If she truly becomes too ill to get up, then they'll call a physician." Xing'er was on the verge of tears. "Eldest Madam, you know my mistress. She's always kept the lowest profile. She endured and endured before letting this servant go to request a physician." Cui Lingrong's brows furrowed slightly. The Commandery Princess had gone too far this time. "Nanny Qiu, make a trip. No need to ask Wutong Court for permission—just bring Physician Zhou over directly." Xing'er was overwhelmed with gratitude. "Thank you, Eldest Madam. Your great kindness, my mistress will surely remember." Nanny Qiu left with Xing'er. It wasn't until after Physician Zhou had finished examining Concubine Zhang that Nanny Qiu returned. "Concubine Zhang has a severe cough. Physician Zhou said it had indeed been delayed for several days. This old servant took the prescription slip to Wutong Court, but they wouldn't acknowledge it. They said since you were the one who called the physician, it couldn't be charged to the household accounts—you'd have to pay for it out of your own pocket." The more Nanny Qiu spoke, the angrier she became. "Just listen to that. What kind of reasoning is that?" She had argued with Wang Shanxi's Wife at Wutong Court for a long while but still hadn't been able to recover the money. Caiyue couldn't bear to listen any longer and said indignantly, "Eldest Madam, we need to get that money back. If Wutong Court won't give it, let's go to the Marquis and Old Madame. If the Commandery Princess is that shameless, then let's make a scene!" Cui Lingrong shook her head. "The Marquis hates nothing more than quarreling within the household. If I go complaining, he'll blame me first for being inconsiderate." She thought for a moment—she couldn't just swallow this loss in silence. "Caiyue, go tell Qingshan that I haven't seen the Marquis in some days. Ask if the Marquis can come for dinner this evening. I'll cook personally." Caiyue knew her mistress was about to put a plan into motion. Delighted at the thought of Wutong Court getting a taste of defeat, she happily went off to find Qingshan. As for Song Shulan, when he learned that Cui Lingrong had taken the initiative to invite him, he thought to himself that she still had him in her heart. Since she was willing to curry favor with him, he would do her the honor. That evening, Song Shulan arrived at Qiushuang Zhai right on time. Seeing that Yu-jie was also there, Song Shulan was a bit surprised. But today Yu-jie was very attentive, and he felt quite pleased by it. He sat down to dinner in good spirits. "Father, knowing you were coming, Mother specially made the dried bamboo shoot and braised chicken you like, and this white jade meatball dish—also your favorite." Song Yu kept going on about how thoughtful her mother was. She hoped her father would treat her mother better, or at least not be so partial to Commandery Princess Rongjia. At that moment, the evening glow slanted through the window, casting a rosy halo across the room. Under that light, Cui Lingrong smiled softly, so beautiful it was hard to look away. Song Shulan wanted to stay tonight. After dinner, even though his daughter was chattering about recent events, he had no mind to listen, his gaze drifting toward Cui Lingrong from time to time. After Song Yu left, Cui Lingrong turned to look at Song Shulan. "The Marquis's presence today has made both me and Yu-jie very happy. But you should also go visit Concubine Zhang and Concubine Zhao. They are old members of the Marquis's household. After all, they once served you. If you go sit with them for a while, their days will be much better." Mentioning only Concubine Zhang would have seemed odd, so she brought up both together. Concubine Zhang's and Concubine Zhao's courtyards were adjacent. As long as Song Shulan went over there, no matter which one he visited, Concubine Zhang would always find a way to see him. Song Shulan's brows furrowed slightly. This was how Cui Lingrong had always been—appearing magnanimous, never showing jealousy or resentment. It was utterly dull. He hadn't been to Cui Lingrong's place in a long time, and tonight he still wanted to stay. "Then I'll go see them tomorrow. Lingrong, I'd like to stay tonight." Cui Lingrong lowered her gaze slightly. "But... my menstruation just started." At those words, Song Shulan's interest evaporated instantly. Again, this. He could only look but not eat—so why call him over for dinner at all? How utterly dull! "Is the Marquis angry?" Cui Lingrong put on a distressed expression. Song Shulan said no. Only then did Cui Lingrong breathe a sigh of relief. "Good, that's good. We've been husband and wife for over a decade—the Marquis understands me, and I'm willing to accommodate him. It's getting late; why don't you go see the concubines?" She had issued her dismissal, and Song Shulan, feeling the lack of interest, took his leave. The next morning, Cui Lingrong learned that Song Shulan had first gone to Concubine Zhao's, then sat for a while at Concubine Zhang's, and in the end stayed at none of their places—he had slept at Huadie's. That same morning, Wang Shanxi's Wife came by to deliver silver, smiling as she said to Cui Lingrong, "Yesterday was truly a misunderstanding. This old servant is advanced in years and didn't hear clearly. Next time the young madam can simply send someone on an errand—no need to trouble the Marquis." Early that morning, the Marquis had sent someone to ask why no physician had been summoned for Concubine Zhang. The Commandery Princess hadn't reacted in time, and it was Wang Shanxi's Wife who answered on her behalf, saying they had been about to send for one—it was Xing'er who hadn't understood properly. Upon further inquiry, they learned that Xing'er had gone to Qiushuang Zhai, and then everything became clear. Princess Rongjia was so furious she smashed her teacup. Wang Shanxi's Wife counseled her again and again, and only then did Princess Rongjia reluctantly take silver from the accounts and send it over. Cui Lingrong knew that arguing further would be a waste of breath, so she didn't dispute with Wang Shanxi's Wife. "Fine, I'll do as you say." After Wang Shanxi's Wife left, someone came from Shouan Tang, saying that Old Madame was at leisure and inviting Cui Lingrong over for a game of leaf cards. Cui Lingrong brought Nanny Qiu along, but she didn't play herself—she said she wasn't feeling well and had Nanny Qiu play on her behalf. Old Madame Song also knew about Concubine Zhang's matter. When she saw Princess Rongjia enter, she set down her leaf cards and asked, as if casually, "How is Concubine Zhang's illness?" Princess Rongjia was taken aback. She hadn't gone to see Concubine Zhang, nor had she inquired after her—she had no idea how Concubine Zhang was doing. Wang Shanxi's Wife hurriedly interjected, "They say it's a chill; she'll rest a few days and we'll see." In truth, she wasn't entirely sure either, but since Old Madame already knew, if the Commandery Princess didn't, then the Princess would appear incompetent in managing the household. So she could only give a vague response. "In a household like ours, we must not mistreat the servants. The concubines have attended the masters—even without merit, they have their toil. When they fall ill, summon the physician promptly, lest they harbor resentment." Old Madame Song had just finished speaking when she immediately put on a smiling face. "Why is the Commandery Princess so dazed? Come sit and play a few rounds with me. Yu-jie has been on a lucky streak today, winning constantly—help me win some back." Song Yu laughed. "It's not that my luck is good, Grandmother—it's that you're letting me win, wanting to give me money to buy candy." "You clever girl, such a sweet tongue." Old Madame Song chuckled twice. She knew her granddaughter was saying it deliberately, but it pleased her nonetheless. Only then did Princess Rongjia sit down, forcing a smile to go along. But inwardly she couldn't help grumbling: the household had lost most of its income, yet Old Madame's quarters still required the finest sandalwood, and the silver-thread charcoal for winter still needed to be stocked. Everything required money, and now the old lady was insinuating that she mistreated the concubines—if she was so capable, why didn't she send over some silver herself! Princess Rongjia was in a foul mood and had no heart for cards. She lost several rounds in a row and could no longer muster a smile. Nanny Qiu and Yu-jie won hand over fist. When their eyes met, they nearly couldn't hold back their laughter. Fortunately, Old Madame Song tired quickly, and the card game broke up—but she didn't let anyone leave, keeping everyone around to chat. Cui Lingrong was somewhat weary, especially with Princess Rongjia present, requiring her to stay on her guard the whole time. Just as she was thinking of an excuse to leave, a page boy came rushing in with a message, saying that the tenant farmers on the estate had started making a commotion. Old Madame Song shot him a glare. "What's going on?" "I don't know either, young miss. The estate steward who brought the message said the situation was urgent and that he must see you and the Commandery Princess immediately." Old Madame Song cast a glance at Princess Rongjia, her brows furrowed deeply as she ordered the steward brought in. Cui Lingrong was no longer sleepy. Good, good, good—finally it was kicking off. She'd sit a while longer, watch this play to its end, and then go home.