Chapter 182

Chapter 182: A Son Those who had their eyes on the gambling house were not only Cui Zeyu, but others as well. A tall tree catches the wind, especially for a place like a gambling house where making money was as easy as breathing. However, County Princess Rongjia still did not know that she had invested in the gambling house. Chen De's Wife did not know either—her son had said he was doing legitimate business, so she had no other suspicions. That night, County Princess Rongjia was pained by the loss of money. Sitting by the windowsill, she sighed repeatedly. "Chen De's Wife, what if Zhuqing gives birth to a girl? What do we do then?" Given Song Shulan's condition, it was impossible for him to have more children. The child in Zhuqing's womb was County Princess Rongjia's last hope. She had no son of her own—she couldn't very well snatch Cui Lingrong's, could she? The thought made County Princess Rongjia laugh. Unless Cui Lingrong died, how could Xuan-ge and Jin-ge ever acknowledge her as their mother? "To answer you, County Mistress, if it truly comes to that, we can only think of another way," Chen De's Wife said. "What do you mean?" Chen De's Wife lowered her head, not daring to say it outright. "If you want a son to contend for the Marquis Mansion's properties, then you must ensure that Concubine Zhuqing gives birth to a son." County Princess Rongjia slowly furrowed her brows. "You mean... substituting the cat for the prince? No, no. The risk is too great, and the Marquis Mansion is currently managed by Cui Lingrong. To do something like that right under her nose—I'm afraid I'd lose the bait to catch the fish." After several confrontations, the mere thought made County Princess Rongjia lose confidence. Chen De's Wife said, "It definitely won't work in the Marquis Mansion. But if it were done in the Rong Prince Mansion, the Eldest Young Madam's reach wouldn't extend there." County Princess Rongjia understood instantly. She truly was in desperate need of a son, but this matter could not be accomplished by her alone—she would need her mother's help. After mulling it over, County Princess Rongjia returned to her natal home the next day. She first spoke of Song Shucheng's gambling debts, sighing repeatedly until even Princess Consort Rong's brows were creased with worry. Then she said, "There's one more thing. I'll only tell you, and you absolutely must not tell anyone else—not even Father!" "What is it exactly?" Princess Consort Rong instinctively assumed her daughter had gotten into trouble again. "What have you done now?" Over the years, she had cleaned up countless messes for her daughter. The moment she heard such words, her heart skipped a beat. "Mother, how could you think that of me?" County Princess Rongjia glanced around, signaling Chen De's Wife to take everyone else out, leaving only mother and daughter in the room. "It's not about me—it's about Master Song." "Song Shulan? What happened to him? Just say it directly—there's no one else here now." Princess Consort Rong grew even more anxious, fearing it was something serious. "This is a bit hard to say." County Princess Rongjia was indeed embarrassed to speak of it. She took two deep breaths, then said in a low voice, "A few days ago, didn't Master Song request leave?" Princess Consort Rong nodded. She knew about that. "It wasn't that he fell. It was... it was that he drank too much tonic wine, and in the middle of the night, with that slut Huadie, he... he ruined his... that thing." By the end, County Princess Rongjia's cheeks were bright red. Princess Consort Rong thought she had misheard. After confirming again, she knitted her brows tightly. "Foolish! He truly is foolish!" Thinking of her daughter spending the rest of her life in a loveless, barren marriage, Princess Consort Rong's heart ached. "I told you back then not to marry him, but you wouldn't listen. You said you had a childhood bond, and that Lady Cui was just a girl from a minor family—once you married in, you could take control of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. And now?" County Princess Rongjia said nothing. "Now not only is your life a complete mess, but this happens too." Princess Consort Rong took a deep breath. "I won't even mention how you can't outmaneuver Cui in the inner quarters. Song Shulan is like this now, and you can't seek a mutual divorce. What do you plan to do?" "That's exactly why I've come to you, Mother," County Princess Rongjia said. "Why didn't you come to me earlier?" Princess Consort Rong felt a lump in her chest, deeply uncomfortable. "You've been willful since you were young. You're grown now—can't you be more sensible?" County Princess Rongjia cried in grievance. "But this time it's not my fault. I never expected Master Song would do something so foolish. Mother, please, help me one more time. You said it yourself—I've already remarried. Father would never allow me to seek a mutual divorce and marry again. I can't be suppressed by Cui for the rest of my life, can I?" Princess Consort Rong asked, "What do you want to do?" "I want a son," County Princess Rongjia said. "Isn't Zhuqing pregnant?" Princess Consort Rong said instinctively, but after speaking, she quickly realized—there was no guarantee the child in Zhuqing's womb would be a son. Mother and daughter's eyes met. County Princess Rongjia looked away without confidence, but Princess Consort Rong immediately had an idea. After all, she was a princess consort who had managed a household for many years—she made up her mind decisively. As long as Zhuqing did not give birth in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, this matter would be easy to handle. Princess Consort Rong looked at her daughter's red, tearful eyes and still felt pity. She took her daughter's hand. "Ah, you truly are my tribulation sent by heaven. Alright, stop crying. Song Shulan is finished, and Cui has two sons. If you don't have a son, there's indeed no way you can defeat Cui in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion." "Mother is willing to help me?" County Princess Rongjia said happily. "I won't help you—do you think I'd just stand by and watch you get bullied?" Princess Consort Rong narrowed her eyes. "That Cui woman is just plain lucky. With her lowly background, she picked up some bastard child, and yet the Duke of Dingguo actually took a liking to her." Even now, Princess Consort Rong felt the Dingguo Duke Mansion had been blind to take her in. County Princess Rongjia immediately said that the Duke and Duchess of Dingguo were at odds, and relayed everything Madam Qin had told her. Her mother's brows furrowed deeper and deeper as she listened. "You've been associating with Madam Qin?" Princess Consort Rong warned. "Madam Qin is not an easy person to deal with. Her methods—though many don't know of them—I'm somewhat familiar with, and they're truly ruthless. I understand your good intentions, but someone like Madam Qin is best kept at arm's length. Otherwise, you won't even know you've been played until it's too late." County Princess Rongjia didn't think it was that serious. "I'm not a teenager anymore. I'm on my guard with her too." "Better to keep your distance. When Madam Qin decides to trap you, you might not even realize it." Princess Consort Rong looked at her daughter, feeling uneasy, and called Chen De's Wife in for a thorough set of instructions. As for Zhuqing's child, Princess Consort Rong would handle it properly—she told County Princess Rongjia not to worry. After County Princess Rongjia left, Princess Consort Rong sighed to her trusted confidante. "Tell me, why can't Rongjia just give me less to worry about?" "Children are debts from a past life. The County Mistress is just a late bloomer." Mama Xue brought over hot tea. "The good news is this matter is easy to handle. As long as the County Mistress has a son, with the support of the Rong Prince Mansion, no matter how capable Cui is, she can't compare to our County Mistress's child. In time, the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion will belong to our County Mistress. And the County Mistress is far better than that bastard child of the lowborn woman by countless measures." The "lowborn woman" Mama Xue referred to was Princess Consort Rong's half-sister by a concubine. The two sisters were the same age and had their marriage negotiations conducted at the same time. Initially, Prince Rong had set his sights on Princess Consort Rong's half-sister. But through the maneuvering of Princess Consort Rong and her mother, she successfully married the prince, while her half-sister married an ordinary Hanlin scholar. Later, the two became pregnant around the same time, and on a rainy day, both gave birth to daughters while praying at the same temple. At the mention of her half-sister, Princess Consort Rong finally wore a satisfied smile. "That lowborn woman—she's always loved competing with me in secret, but has she ever won once? By the way, how is Shuang-jie'er's husband's family doing now?" Shuang-jie'er was the daughter of Princess Consort Rong's half-sister, born on the same day as County Princess Rongjia at the temple. She had married a Jinshi years ago and later followed her husband to an out-of-town post. Princess Consort Rong hadn't heard news of her in many years. "Your Highness, we did receive a letter from Shuang-jie'er around New Year's last year. She wanted to ask His Highness to help her husband secure an official post in Bianjing. This old servant knew you wouldn't care for it, so I didn't bring it up. Later I heard her husband had his legs broken by mountain bandits and was forced to resign and return home." "Ha, then she's truly unfortunate." Princess Consort Rong smiled knowingly—this was exactly the outcome she wanted to see.