Chapter 161

Chapter 161: The Host Family County Princess Rongjia insisted on sending Lanxin away. Chen De's Wife dared not dissuade her, and Lanxin was sent off with her mouth gagged. This kind of matter, Song Shulan would not learn of for some time. Cui Lingrong was the mistress of the household, and someone soon reported it to her. "Why send her away so suddenly?" Cui Lingrong asked. "Even if Huadie had stabbed her in the back, I wouldn't expect the County Princess to act so ruthlessly." Nanny Qiu said she could not find out more. "All I know is that the County Princess went to the study to see the Marquis, and Lanxin happened to arrive first. What happened afterward is unclear. It seems Lanxin did something the County Princess found utterly unacceptable." "Send someone to follow and see. Lanxin is not like Huadie or Zhuqing—she keeps a low profile. If we can find out what happened, we might be able to help, and it could prove useful." Just as Cui Lingrong finished giving her instructions, she saw Caiyue return in a huff and asked what was wrong. "It's that concubine Zhuqing again. She thinks she's so important just because she's pregnant. Just now, I was talking with someone in the garden when I saw her beating and scolding a maid. I said a word or two, and she mocked me for meddling in other people's business. Do you know why she was beating Cuizhi?" Caiyue said. "Only because Cuizhi didn't hold her arm while she walked—she said what if she slipped and hurt the child in her belly?" Though Cui Lingrong governed her household strictly, she never beat or scolded servants without cause. Someone like Zhuqing was rare in the Marquis's household. "Privately, send Cuizhi some ointment for bruises and sprains," Cui Lingrong said. "Don't let anyone see it, or Cuizhi will suffer even more." Caiyue remarked that the Eldest Young Madam was truly kind-hearted. Cui Lingrong smiled and told Caiyue to go quickly. These were the only matters in the household—when the men were away, it was just friction among the women. Fortunately, the Second Branch had been quiet lately, and the Third Branch kept an even lower profile. The only matters requiring her attention were those of the First Branch. As for Shouan Tang, the Old Madame was only too glad to have her meddle less. When Caiyue returned, Cui Lingrong had her bring some pastries, intending to deliver some treats to the young ladies and Nanny Hu. But before she even reached the courtyard, a young maid came looking for her, saying the young ladies were quarreling and asking the Eldest Young Madam to come quickly and settle the matter. Cui Lingrong had expected this day to come, but not so soon. She asked what the matter was, and the young maid said it was over an inkstone. When she hurried over, she saw the four young ladies seated in three separate spots. Jiang Zifang stood beside Yu-jie, Li Jinhe sat on the other side, while Sun Qinwan glared with wide eyes. "Mother!" Song Yu saw her mother arrive and felt a glimmer of hope. "You're finally here." Cui Lingrong asked what had happened. "Uncle gave me a piece of Huizhou ink, and Qin-jie saw it and wanted it too, saying I have so many nice things—what harm is there in giving her one?" Song Yu said indignantly. "Why should I? It was a gift from my uncle, and she actually tried to snatch it. You don't know what these past few days have been like. She asks for anything she likes, and she's ruining our family's reputation!" She truly didn't understand why Grandmother had let Sun Qinwan come. Just as Song Yu finished speaking, Sun Qinwan stormed out, fuming. "I only asked for an inkstone you'd already used, and you're being so stingy. And here you claim to be so well-bred—you're actually extremely tight-fisted!" "You ask for something every single day—have you ever asked whether anyone was willing to give? Fang-jie and He-jie couldn't refuse out of politeness, so they put up with you everywhere, but you just keep pushing. Sun Qinwan, how destitute has your family become that you'd beg without even a shred of dignity?" Song Yu had been holding this in for days and simply couldn't swallow it today. When she finished, she saw her mother shake her head at her, and she turned away. Cui Lingrong went to Nanny Hu. "I'm sorry, Nanny, that you had to witness this." "It's fine. Every household has its quarrels—this is quite ordinary. But the young ladies all have trouble getting along with Qin-jie. If they're to be educated together, I'm afraid it won't yield good results." Nanny Hu was experienced and worldly; she could see at a glance what each of the four young ladies was thinking and feeling. Yu-jie was articulate and likable, with an easygoing temperament, though not entirely thorough in her considerations. Jiang Zifang had a somewhat impulsive personality, but she acted with integrity and was a kind-hearted girl at her core. Li Jinhe was a bit petty, though that was understandable—she came from the humblest background and found it hard to have confidence among a group of young ladies. She was inevitably timid in speech and action, but she could be cultivated to develop poise. As for Sun Qinwan, Nanny Hu could not find a single good quality in her. She was lacking in every way. Cui Lingrong understood Nanny Hu's meaning. "I understand. Qin-jie, come with me to Shouan Tang." "Wh—why?" Sun Qinwan was somewhat afraid of this aunt by marriage, and besides, she had only asked for an inkstone—it wasn't some precious item. It was clearly Song Yu who was being stingy. "You are a guest invited by the Old Madame, so it's only fitting that you go to Shouan Tang to speak with her, lest anyone say I'm disregarding the Old Madame's wishes." Cui Lingrong's tone grew firmer. "Come now, Qin-jie." Sun Qinwan let out a reluctant snort and walked quickly ahead. Cui Lingrong then turned to Nanny Hu and the others. "Yu-jie, you are the host. Between sisters, you should learn to maintain balance. Today's matter was Qin-jie's fault, but since you noticed that Qin-jie had been making Fang-jie and the others uncomfortable for the past few days, you should have dealt with it earlier. How could you let a guest feel ill at ease?" She said this for Nanny Hu's benefit as well, since no one had informed her. "Yu-jie, go back and think it over carefully, then apologize to Fang-jie and He-jie. It was our failure as hosts." As the host, having invited guests into her home, it was her duty to make them feel comfortable and at ease—this was the most fundamental responsibility of a host family. Song Yu simply found Qin-jie annoying and had tolerated her for the past few days without thinking to deal with the situation for Fang-jie and the others. It was indeed her oversight, forgetting her role as host. After hearing her mother's words, she quickly apologized to Fang-jie and He-jie. "It was truly inconsiderate of me. The things Sun Qinwan snatched away these past few days, I'll buy new ones to replace them for you." "We've been good friends for years—why mention such things?" Jiang Zifang was not so petty. Though she had been angered by Sun Qinwan a few days prior, she did not blame Song Yu. Now that Song Yu was apologizing, she felt even more guilty. "It's your mother who's thorough, but I'm truly not that narrow-minded." Li Jinhe smiled faintly and quietly said she wasn't either. "Still, I must repay you. It's my fault for not stepping in the first time—I shouldn't have let Sun Qinwan take advantage again and again." Song Yu then turned to offer her apologies to Nanny Hu. "I've made a spectacle of myself before you, Nanny. Whatever punishment you see fit, I'll accept it without complaint." Nanny Hu looked at Yu-jie with approval. Being able to immediately set aside one's pride was a rare quality. Especially given that Marchioness Song was no ordinary woman—with such a perceptive and sensible mother, Yu-jie's future prospects would not be poor. "A young lady should remain composed when faced with difficulties. Arguing like a shrew in the streets—wouldn't that make you no better than a common market woman?" Nanny Hu offered this piece of advice before continuing her lessons. Meanwhile, at Shouan Tang, the moment Sun Qinwan entered the room, she threw herself into Old Madame Song's arms, sobbing, "Grandmother, Yu-jie and the others are all bullying me. I... I can't stay here any longer!"