Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Mother "What are you saying, Sister-in-law? Even if you remarried, you spent so many years in the Du family. Are you going to turn your back on us now?" Mrs. He was not afraid of County Princess Rongjia. In their hands, the Du family held leverage that could ruin the County Princess. Du Shinan pulled Du Cheng up. "That's right. Even if you don't care about us, what about my eldest brother's child? Don't you want to take care of him?" The Du family hadn't finished their meal, so Du Shinan threw down his chopsticks as he spoke. Dongyun took another small step back to avoid getting hit on the head. So the Du family's relationship with County Princess Rongjia was this hostile—they couldn't even exchange a single kind word. County Princess Rongjia swept a cold gaze over them. When she was still there, the Du family had talked about adopting a child. But she had refused. Why should she, in the prime of her life, rot away in the Du family raising a child with no blood relation to her? Yet the moment she left the Du family, they wrote to her, saying they had adopted a child in her late husband's name—also her child—and asked her to look after him. Now looking at Du Cheng, who was nearly twenty, where was the child in this? And why should she acknowledge such a son? The sight of Du Cheng infuriated County Princess Rongjia. In the last few years of Du Shibei's life, their relationship had deteriorated to the point where they argued at every meeting, sometimes even coming to blows when tempers flared. To say they loathed the sight of each other would be an understatement. One could say they both wished the other would die sooner. If she felt this way about Du Shibei, it went without saying how she felt about the rest of the Du family. Had it not been for the old master of the Du family's considerable prestige and high position, County Princess Rongjia would never have married into the Du family. She had never returned since leaving Bianjing, and this was another grievance she held against them. "Your eldest brother's child is not mine. I never agreed to the adoption. Don't come here to disgust me!" County Princess Rongjia gritted her teeth and declared that the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion did not welcome them. "The Du family and I parted ways long ago. When I left my dowry behind, we all pressed our fingerprints to the agreement. Now that you've come running to Bianjing, don't come looking for me. I'm not so kind-hearted as to take in freeloaders!" "Sister-in-law, that's not right. How is it a clean break?" Du Shinan pulled Du Cheng forward. "Cheng'er, come meet your mother quickly. You don't know this, but your maternal grandfather's family is the illustrious Rong Prince Mansion. If you can gain the support of the Rong Prince Mansion, your path in the Imperial Examination and your official career will soar." Whether by the Du family's design or not, Du Cheng bore a five-part resemblance to Du Shibei. When County Princess Rongjia had married into the family, Du Shibei had looked roughly like this. Du Cheng met County Princess Rongjia for the first time, nervous and unfamiliar. He stole a cautious glance at her, then quickly lowered his head. Before Du Cheng could utter the word "Mother," County Princess Rongjia cursed, "Get lost!" Du Cheng's entire body stiffened, frozen in embarrassment, not knowing what to do. "An illegitimate brat of unknown lowly birth, and you dare to dream of being my son? Du Shinan, you're just as shameless as ever!" County Princess Rongjia flew into a rage at the sight of the Du family. "Wang Hechun's Wife, go call people to throw them out!" Wang Hechun's Wife glanced at the County Princess and was about to turn around when she saw the eldest young mistress arriving with her people. "Oh, County Princess, why do you look so upset?" Cui Lingrong said with a smile, then turned to look at the Du family and took the initiative to greet them. "This must be Second Master Du, and Second Mistress Du. When I learned you were coming, I had a courtyard prepared for you. My apologies for not being able to welcome you right away—please forgive our poor hospitality." Cui Lingrong and County Princess Rongjia had completely different attitudes. Before the Du family could react, the County Princess came over to demand what Cui Lingrong was doing. "County Princess, what a strange question. The Du family is your former husband's family. Now that they've come, the Marquis Mansion must show some magnanimity. If we just send them away like this, where would the Marquis Mansion's face go?" Cui Lingrong said she had already informed Song Shulan. "I've also sent word to Old Madame. I imagine she will agree as well—guests are guests. Surely the County Princess doesn't intend to deny the Du family as relatives?" If she refused to acknowledge them, then she would need a justification. What justification? County Princess Rongjia was still fuming, but Wang Hechun's Wife retained her senses and came over to whisper, "County Princess, Old Madame already knows. Perhaps we should let them stay for now?" County Princess Rongjia glared at Cui Lingrong, knowing full well she was doing this deliberately. Just then, Mrs. He stepped forward, smiling sweetly at Cui Lingrong. "So you're Marquis Song's first wife. Sister looks so young. I hear you're the one managing the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. It takes a first wife to do it properly—your way with people is beyond compare." Mrs. He was mocking her openly. County Princess Rongjia wished she could stride over and slap Mrs. He across the face, but Cui Lingrong had already fallen into warm, animated conversation with Mrs. He. With things as they were, County Princess Rongjia swept her sleeves and left, leaving Wang Hechun's Wife to keep watch. Cui Lingrong met each member of the Du family, greeting everyone and forming a general impression of each. Mrs. He kept talking with Cui Lingrong, and when she noticed a pretty young girl following beside Cui Lingrong, she learned it was Cui Lingrong's daughter. She pulled Song Yu over and showered her with praise. "Just as expected of Sister Cui's daughter—with looks like these, even the celestial maidens in heaven can't compare." As she spoke, Mrs. He pulled out her eldest son. "Qian-ger, come quickly and greet your Yu-jie." Du Qian had a wheat-colored complexion and looked reluctant when his mother pulled him out, but when he saw Song Yu, his eyes lit up. He stammered out, "Yu-jie, are you well." Song Yu returned the greeting according to propriety. "It's getting late. You must all be tired—why don't you go rest first." Cui Lingrong called for Dongyun and had her lead the way. Watching the Du family's retreating figures, Song Yu said in a low voice, "I think the Du family is exactly what the County Mistress deserves. Just now the County Mistress's face turned black with anger, yet she didn't push back against the Dus. She must be holding back for some reason." "That's right." Cui Lingrong praised her daughter for her growing insight. "Let's wait and see—perhaps the Du family is the breakthrough for dealing with County Princess Rongjia." It was already dark. Cui Lingrong brought Yu-jie back. Du Shinan's party arrived at Linglong Pavilion and were quite satisfied to see how grand it was. Dongyun said, "The eldest madam said she'll arrange other quarters for the young masters tomorrow. For today, please bear with squeezing together. This servant is called Dongyun, and I'll be attending here at Linglong Pavilion today. If you need anything at all, just call for me." Though she said "attending," she was really there as the eldest madam's eyes and ears. Mrs. He said there was nothing lacking. "Thank you for your trouble, Dongyun. You should go rest—we wouldn't dare impose on you further." As she spoke, her maid produced a pouch of money and gave it to Dongyun. Dongyun accepted it with a smile. "Then this servant will be in the side room. Please don't stand on ceremony—if I don't take good care of you, the eldest madam will scold me." Dongyun withdrew, leaving the space to the Du family. Du Cheng was the most silent of them all. Du Qian spoke first. "The Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion is quite impressive—this residence rivals the Du family's." "If it were a fallen household, do you think your eldest aunt would have remarried into it?" Mrs. He snorted, her gaze flicking to Du Cheng as she dismissed him. "Cheng-ger, you've had a long day too. Go rest—if anything comes up, we'll discuss it tomorrow." Du Cheng knew his second uncle and aunt were wary of him. He took the hint and rose, but instead of returning to his room to rest, he went next door. He had heard Dongyun say that the Wutong Courtyard where his mother lived was right there. "Who are you?" A maid suddenly snapped, blocking Du Cheng's way. "I... I am Cheng-ger of the Du family. I want to see my... my mother." Saying the word "mother" was deeply embarrassing for Du Cheng, but he also knew that County Princess Rongjia was his most powerful path forward.