Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Equal Wife "Mother!" Even as slow as Song Yu was, she could tell something major was happening in the household. She had just started walking toward her mother when her mother shook her head at her. "Your grandmother only asked for me to come—it seems to be a matter for the elders. You've had a tiring journey; go back, wash up, and rest. If it's something important, I'll send word to you tomorrow." Cui Lingrong brought only Nanny Qiu with her and headed toward Shouan Tang, where the Old Madame resided. Old Madame Song was in good health and enjoyed lively gatherings, which was why the three branches of the Song family had not yet divided the household. However, before the Old Master passed away, he had purchased the eastern courtyard and divided the family estate in advance. The First Master and Second Master were of legitimate birth, and both had entered officialdom. The Third Master, born of a concubine, had no aptitude for scholarship. He had barely managed to pass the tongsheng examination but never even attained the xiucai degree. After marrying, he was put in charge of managing the family's properties. Just as Cui Lingrong entered the courtyard of Shouan Tang, she heard sounds of laughter and cheerful conversation coming from within. Given this atmosphere, could it be something good? The maids rolled up the curtain, and Cui Lingrong stepped over the threshold, greeted by warm air mingled with the scent of rouge and face powder. She swept her gaze across the room and saw that all the women of the household were present. Beside the Old Madame sat an elegant, richly dressed woman. Though doubts arose in her mind, Cui Lingrong first performed the greeting ritual before the Old Madame. "This daughter-in-law pays her respects to the Old Madame. I returned home late in the night and apologize for disturbing your rest." "Not late at all—you've arrived just in time. The Commandery Princess has been speaking of you constantly, so I had you come over to meet her." Old Madame Song's hair was silver, yet her complexion was rosy and radiant. After speaking, she looked affectionately toward the noblewoman beside her. After rising, Cui Lingrong discreetly studied the woman. Just as she was wondering who this person might be, the other woman spoke first. "Mother is right—Sister's beauty is refined and graceful, and you are dignified and proper. I cannot compare to you. Mother said you have the best temperament, and I was rather anxious at first, but now that I've met you, I can rest easy." As soon as Princess Rongjia finished speaking, the maid behind her stepped forward with an ornate brocade box and presented it to Cui Lingrong. "A small gift for our first meeting—I hope Sister won't think little of it." Cui Lingrong was utterly bewildered. All three branches of the Song family had wives. The woman before her had called the Old Madame "Mother"—had she taken the Old Madame as her adoptive mother, or what was going on? She looked toward the Old Madame and noticed her expression seemed somewhat unnatural, which only deepened her suspicion. At that moment, Madame Jiang, the Second Mistress who had never gotten along with Cui Lingrong, stepped forward. With a tone of someone eager to watch the drama unfold, she said with a bright smile, "Elder Sister-in-Law has been busy with affairs in Suzhou, so surely you haven't heard—the Commandery Princess lost her husband and returned to the capital. The Emperor, moved by her past hardships, has bestowed a marriage upon her and the Marquis." Madame Jiang paused deliberately, then emphasized, "Now, the Commandery Princess is the Equal Wife the Marquis has married. With such a noble and graceful sister as the Commandery Princess, Elder Sister-in-Law is truly blessed." Madame Jiang's father held a second-rank official position, while Cui Lingrong's father was merely a fifth-rank minor official. Yet in the Song household, Madame Jiang was constantly overshadowed by Cui Lingrong. She had long harbored jealousy and had been waiting for Cui Lingrong to return to the residence, eager to watch the spectacle unfold. A thunderous crash echoed in Cui Lingrong's mind. What Equal Wife? Why hadn't she received even a hint of news? Her face turned deathly pale, and her knees went weak. Had Nanny Qiu not caught her in time, she would have collapsed to the ground. Nanny Qiu was even more shocked. The Eldest Mistress had been married into the Song family through proper, formal rites. Setting aside taking an Equal Wife—even if the Marquis wished to take a concubine, he would need the Eldest Mistress's consent before he could do so. Now, an Equal Wife had been brought into the household without a word. How could anyone be expected to accept this? Nanny Qiu felt indignant on her mistress's behalf but still maintained some composure. "Second Mistress, surely you must be joking. Such a major matter—why was no one sent to inform our Eldest Mistress? And with the Commandery Princess's noble status, how could she possibly become an Equal Wife?" Madame Jiang's gaze flickered toward Princess Rongjia, and seeing that the Princess's expression remained unchanged, she felt even more emboldened. "Elder Sister-in-Law went to Suzhou to mourn her aunt's passing, but taking an Equal Wife is a joyous occasion. The two matters clash, so it wouldn't have been appropriate to send word to Suzhou. Moreover..." Her tone rose involuntarily. "Moreover, this marriage was decreed by the Emperor himself. Is Elder Sister-in-Law dissatisfied with the Emperor, or does she dislike the Commandery Princess?" In the past, whenever Madame Jiang tried to cause trouble for Cui Lingrong, she always came out on the losing end. But this time, with the Commandery Princess backing her, she was full of confidence. After speaking, Madame Jiang turned to look at the Old Madame. "Mother, it seems Elder Sister-in-Law isn't as magnanimous as you thought." Old Madame Song's expression darkened slightly. "Cui, you have always been sensible. Don't disappoint me." That single address—"Cui"—made the Old Madame's stance clear. The words struck Cui Lingrong's heart like a heavy hammer. Everyone in the room was watching her. Her aunt had passed away, the Cui family was far away in Yangzhou, and there was no one in Bianjing who could stand up for Cui Lingrong. Moreover, Princess Rongjia had already entered the household, and the marriage was decreed by the Emperor. She had no power to oppose it. Having managed the Marquis's household for years, Cui Lingrong believed she had given her all—serving her in-laws with filial devotion, raising her children well, and being worthy of the honor the Marquis's household had bestowed upon her. She had been married to Song Shulan for over a decade, and they had always discussed matters together, never once having a quarrel. All along, Cui Lingrong had considered herself happy. Now, an Equal Wife had suddenly appeared. How could she possibly accept this? "Elder Sister-in-Law, why have you gone stiff?" Seeing Cui Lingrong's cheeks trembling, Madame Jiang felt a surge of satisfaction. She had always thought that even if the sky fell, Cui Lingrong would remain as calm and composed as drifting clouds. Madame Jiang said with a smile, "You should be happy. The Commandery Princess is approachable and generous with her gifts. Look at this set of jeweled hair ornaments—exquisite and delicate, craftsmanship only imperial artisans possess. Clearly, the Princess truly treats you like a sister. Since the Princess entered the household, she has taken over the estate affairs. Is there anyone in the entire household who isn't wholeheartedly convinced by her? With the Princess managing the household, you can finally rest a little. Isn't that wonderful?" On this point, Madame Jiang was not entirely pleased. Originally, after Cui Lingrong left, the authority to manage the household fell into Madame Jiang's hands, and she had just begun to taste some of its benefits when Commandery Princess Rongjia entered the household. She had thought that when Cui Lingrong returned, Madame Jiang could still contend with her—as long as Old Madame didn't speak up, she wouldn't hand over the managerial authority. But when Commandery Princess Rongjia sent someone to collect the account books and keys, how would she dare oppose the Princess? After all, everyone knew the Emperor had no sons. The court officials had suggested the Emperor adopt a son from the imperial clan, and Commandery Princess Rongjia's young brother had recently been frequenting the palace. If the Princess's young brother were chosen by the Emperor, the Princess's status would become even more exalted. Madame Jiang had a scale in her heart—whose prospects were better, there was no need to even think about it. "Eldest Young Madam?" Nanny Qiu was about to explode with anger, but she couldn't speak recklessly. Otherwise, if others caught hold of a handle, it would only bring trouble to her mistress. She could only quietly remind her mistress that it was time to take a stance. Cui Lingrong still had many questions in her heart, but the most important matter had already been made clear—Commandery Princess Rongjia marrying the Eldest Master was a settled matter, and her objections were futile. So was she to be trampled and manipulated at will? The Princess's status was more exalted. Calling it an Equal Wife, yet as the one who entered later, she kept addressing Cui Lingrong as "sister" with every word—one could see the Princess's true intentions. She must not panic. Cui Lingrong told herself. Every situation can be turned around. Since it was the Emperor who arranged the marriage, the Princess and the Marquis might not necessarily get along well. Since returning home, Cui Lingrong had not yet seen the Marquis. She had been married to the Marquis for over fourteen years, and she refused to believe he was the kind of fickle, heartless man who would abandon the old for the new. Cui Lingrong pinched Nanny Qiu's palm, closed her eyes, and collapsed backward. "Eldest Young Madam!" Nanny Qiu caught her mistress's meaning with perfect understanding, "Old Madame, the Eldest Young Madam has endured a long, tiring journey, rushing to return before the Mid-Autumn Festival so she could fulfill her filial duties at your side." Today's matter came as such a sudden shock—might I ask Old Madame, in consideration of the Eldest Young Madam's years of diligent household management, to allow her to return first and recover?" Old Madame Song sighed inwardly. Lady Cui, aside from her humble birth, was impeccable in conduct and character. Having lived together for over a decade, her heart was not made of stone. Old Madame Song made the decision to have Nanny Qiu and several matrons carry Lady Cui back first. Putting herself in the other's shoes, the matter of the Equal Wife was indeed sudden, and it was only natural that Lady Cui couldn't accept it all at once. "Rongjia, Lady Cui, she—" "Mother, this daughter-in-law understands." Commandery Princess Rongjia wore a smile, not a trace of displeasure visible. "It was my sudden appearance that wronged Sister Cui. Tomorrow I will personally go attend to her, so she may know my sincerity—I am not here to tear her and the Marquis apart." Seeing Commandery Princess Rongjia's magnanimity and tolerance, Old Madame Song felt considerably soothed and said with heartfelt approval, "You truly understand what matters most." With such a virtuous helpmeet, her eldest son's official career would surely flourish even more. Commandery Princess Rongjia proactively offered tea to Old Madame with a respectful demeanor, earning even greater satisfaction from Old Madame Song. Meanwhile, at Qiushuang Zhai, Nanny Qiu bustled about for a good while, sending everyone else away before she approached the edge of the bed and whispered, "Eldest Young Madam, everyone has left." Cui Lingrong sat up. "Nanny Qiu, where is the Marquis?" She had been back for so long, yet her husband had not shown his face. Did he not want to see her? Or was he too ashamed to face her?