Chapter 233

Chapter 233: Feigning Illness As soon as Song Yu entered the inner chamber, she heard Old Madame's groans of discomfort. She went to the bedside and called out "Grandmother," and Old Madame took her hand. "My good Yu-jie, you've finally returned." Old Madame Song held Song Yu's hand and wouldn't let go. Cui Lingrong came over and patted Old Madame Song's hand. "Old Madame, Yu-jie has just returned and hasn't eaten yet. The County Princess is here—let her attend to you. Tomorrow, we'll have Yu-jie come keep you company again." "But—" Before Old Madame Song could finish, Cui Lingrong grabbed her daughter's hand, and they happened to pass County Princess Rongjia as she entered. County Princess Rongjia shot Cui Lingrong and her daughter an exasperated glare before walking inside with a look of impatience. Only after they had left Shouan Tang did Song Yu ask in a low voice, "Mother, what illness does Grandmother have?" "The day you went to the Zhuang estate, she said she caught a chill during the night. She wanted us daughters-in-law to take turns attending to her. She doesn't like your Third Aunt, so she specifically makes things difficult for the three of us." Cui Lingrong said. "She's not actually sick—she's just making trouble for everyone." "How do you know?" "I mentioned that since she was so ill she couldn't get out of bed, perhaps your father and uncles should also take turns attending to her, so no one could accuse them of being unfilial. She immediately sat up and said no need, no need—with that much vigor, she clearly wasn't sick." Cui Lingrong said. "It's simply that she's displeased. I refused to give money for the Marquis's household, and County Princess Rongjia no longer funds Shouan Tang either. Her days aren't easy, so she came up with this excuse to torment us." With the weight of filial piety pressing down on her, Cui Lingrong had no choice but to make the trip to Shouan Tang every day. But Cui Lingrong had her own methods. She arranged a schedule where she and County Princess Rongjia—the three of them—would take turns attending to Old Madame. Today, it was County Princess Rongjia's turn to keep the night watch. Cui Lingrong didn't want to stay a moment longer, so she took her daughter back to Qiushuang Zhai. "But what if Grandmother keeps pretending to be sick?" Song Yu thought that would be terribly exhausting for everyone. "A sick person can only eat plain broth and isn't allowed to get out of bed." Cui Lingrong laughed. "If your grandmother can endure that kind of life, then I'll play along with her act." Cui Lingrong left Nanny Qiu at Shouan Tang—to put it nicely, to attend to Old Madame Song, and if anything happened, Nanny Qiu could notify Cui Lingrong at any time. In truth, she was there to keep watch, making sure Old Madame Song couldn't sneak extra food or privileges. Song Yu pursed her lips. "Grandmother really is something. At her age, she still won't settle down." Cui Lingrong patted her daughter's arm and took her back for a meal. But there was someone else who wished even more fervently for Old Madame Song to recover quickly. Song Shulan couldn't afford to go into mourning at this time. As soon as he returned, he went to Shouan Tang, asked a great many questions, and then started scolding people. "How are you all attending to her? Why hasn't Old Madame recovered after all this time?" After berating the servants, Song Shulan turned to County Princess Rongjia. "County Princess, attend to her with more diligence, and let Old Madame recover quickly." County Princess Rongjia was displeased by what she heard. She had been forced to attend to Old Madame Song, and the old woman was demanding—feeding, washing, everything had to be done by her. She didn't know how Cui Lingrong and Madame Jiang managed it. As a daughter-in-law, she couldn't very well refuse. Now being scolded by Song Shulan made County Princess Rongjia even more resentful. "I've been attending to her with all my heart. If Master Song thinks my care isn't good enough, then I simply won't come anymore!" In truth, Song Shulan did think County Princess Rongjia wasn't as good at caregiving as Cui Lingrong. He was about to agree when Old Madame on the bed began groaning again. "Ouch, I feel so unwell." Old Madame Song gestured for her son to come closer, coughed a few times, and said, "Don't worry about me. I'm not seriously ill. The County Princess has been taking excellent care of me. You just focus on your official duties!" "How can you say it's nothing? It's been so many days now!" Song Shulan was genuinely afraid Old Madame might pass away—then he'd have to observe three years of mourning, and by the time that was over, what position would be left for him at court? "Truly, it's nothing. Just listen to me—go about your business and don't worry about me." Old Madame Song emphasized this repeatedly and urged Song Shulan to go back and rest quickly. She sent Song Shulan off to rest, but insisted that County Princess Rongjia stay. The County Princess accompanied her all night, and throughout the night Old Madame Song needed to get up to use the chamber pot and drink tea, leaving County Princess Rongjia with barely any sleep. When she left, she had to be supported by Wang Hechun's Wife. Just as they arrived at Wutong Yuan, County Princess Rongjia couldn't hold back her curses. "That old hag—what does she want? If she's going to die, just die already! All this tormenting people!" Wang Hechun's Wife yawned as well. If her mistress hadn't slept well, she had rested even less. "Why don't you say you're ill too?" "Go fetch a physician and tell them I'm at death's door." County Princess Rongjia thought this was a good idea. "If she can play sick, so can I!" Soon, word spread to Shouan Tang that County Princess Rongjia had fallen ill. She even sent Wang Hechun's Wife over to deliver the message. "The County Princess collapsed as soon as she returned today—she truly cannot get out of bed. She sent this old servant to ask for leave. Once she rests for a couple of days, she'll come back to attend to Old Madame with all her heart." Wang Hechun's Wife spoke while letting out sighs. After hearing this, Old Madame Song waved her hand dismissively. "It's only been a few days, and she can't take it anymore. If she doesn't want to serve me, she should just say so. I, as her mother-in-law, shouldn't have to read her expressions. Go back and tell her—if she doesn't have the heart for it, she shouldn't pretend. I don't need her to wait on me!" "Returning to Old Madame, the County Mistress truly—" "Shut your mouth! I've been ill for only a few days, not a few years. How can she not endure it?" Old Madame Song's voice was full of vigor even as she scolded. "Don't think I'm senile. Whether she's truly ill or faking it, I know perfectly well in my heart!" She gave Wang Hechun's Wife a thorough tongue-lashing, sending her off with her tail between her legs. Then she turned to look at Madame Jiang. "If you don't want to serve me either, you can get out too!" "Old Madame, what are you saying? It's only natural for your daughter-in-law to take care of you." Madame Jiang had become much more subdued these days. She had learned to conduct herself the way Madam Li did, and discovered that a life without trouble was indeed far more comfortable. As for things like face and pride—none of that mattered anymore. "Hmph." Old Madame Song lay back down. "I'm not a stubborn old fool. I'll rest for a while. You go back and see to the children, then come back in two hours." After dismissing Madame Jiang, Old Madame Song immediately sat up. Lying in bed pretending to be ill was uncomfortable in its own way. "Go to the Wutong Courtyard, bring the medicine, add extra coptis, and watch with your own eyes as County Princess Rongjia drinks it!" Old Madame Song said to Mama Xu. "Old Madame, this is—?" "Playing tricks right in front of me—who does she think she is!" Old Madame Song continued, "And send someone to the Rong Prince Mansion to deliver a message. I'd like to see whether the Rong Prince Mansion dares to let County Princess Rongjia bear the name of an unfilial daughter-in-law!" If they wouldn't give her money, then they could all come and serve her in person. No one was going to have an easy time! Her life now wasn't even half as good as before. Neither Cui Lingrong nor County Princess Rongjia would give her money, and she was afraid of running into acquaintances every time she left the house. Mama Xu had no choice but to follow orders, bringing the medicine to the Wutong Courtyard. "Old Madame said this is a tonic she specially had prepared. She instructed this old servant to watch the County Mistress drink it." The medicine was brought to her side, and before she even took a sip, County Princess Rongjia could already smell the bitter aroma wafting from it.