Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Begging Her Madame Jiang had barely left Qiushuang Zhai when she was summoned to Wutong Yuan. Princess Rongjia looked considerably haggard. She lay on her side, watching Madame Jiang. "What did Sister Cui summon you for?" "It wasn't Sister-in-law who summoned me—I went to see her on my own." Madame Jiang said cautiously. "Oh, so you two are that close?" Princess Rongjia lifted her eyelids. These past few days, she had been thinking about why her path had become so difficult ever since Cui Lingrong returned. At first, Princess Rongjia hadn't understood. But gradually she came to realize—she had been too careless, had underestimated Cui Lingrong. Whether it was the matter with Sande at the gatehouse, or the recent autumn crabs, Cui Lingrong appeared not to be involved, yet in reality, every time, Cui Lingrong had played the crucial role. When she had sought the imperial decree for marriage, many in the family hadn't understood. She was a Commandery Princess—even as a widow, she could marry into a prestigious family as a proper wife. Why come as an Equal Wife? At the time, she had thought: a mere Cui Lingrong, what could she possibly do to her? Seeing Madame Jiang shake her head in denial, Princess Rongjia smiled slightly. "That's right. If she were close with you, she wouldn't have suggested that you offer me guidance." This was something Wang Shanxi's Wife had pointed out to her—otherwise, she would have made trouble for Madame Jiang. What nonsense—she was a Commandery Princess, why should she need Madame Jiang to guide her? Madame Jiang's heart raced. "Yes, Sister-in-law has the deepest schemes. She's the best at playing tricks and conspiracies." "So when you went to Qiushuang Zhai, what did she say to you?" Princess Rongjia asked. Madame Jiang hesitated for a moment, thinking that Princess Rongjia certainly wouldn't pay for the charcoal. If she mentioned it, she'd have to cover the cost herself. But it was such a large sum—if she paid it out of her own pocket, she'd be stretched thin all winter. "Sister-in-law asked some questions about the marquis household. I could tell she's eager to take over quickly." Madame Jiang said. "Is that so?" Princess Rongjia kept staring at Madame Jiang, trying to spot any flaw, but finally waved her hand to let Madame Jiang leave. When Madame Jiang walked out of Wutong Yuan, she let out a long breath. Before, she had wished to manage the household; now she couldn't wait to wash her hands of it. She was caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to offend anyone. After thinking it over, Madame Jiang went to Shouan Tang to cry to Old Madame. Old Madame would protect Princess Rongjia's dignity anyway and wouldn't bring up the charcoal matter with her. After Madame Jiang left, Princess Rongjia stared blankly at the tea in her cup. After a long while, she said thoughtfully, "Wang Shanxi's Wife, do you think Cui Lingrong is really ill?" "Logically speaking, she should be. She schemed so much precisely to gain control of the household. Now that Old Madame has spoken, she should be eager to take over. What Second Mistress just said also confirms this." Wang Shanxi's Wife knew her mistress hadn't been eating or sleeping well these days, and replaced the tea with a fresh cup. "Don't overthink it, Your Highness. What's done is done. We must look forward." "Yes, does she think she's won against me just like that?" Princess Rongjia let out a cold laugh, hatred burning in her eyes. "That girl who argued with Song Yu at the banquet—have you found out who she is?" "Reporting to Your Highness, she is the Second Young Miss of the Su family, the legitimate daughter of First Young Mistress Su. She and Yu-jie have never gotten along since childhood—they clash the moment they meet." Wang Shanxi's Wife said. "Isn't Cui Lingrong most precious about her three children? Let me see how she protects her precious daughter when she gets into trouble." Princess Rongjia ground out through clenched teeth, then beckoned Wang Shanxi's Wife closer and whispered a few words. "Go find the physician who takes the pulse at Rong Prince Mansion. Have him take my pulse as well." Wang Shanxi's Wife understood and immediately left with her mistress's token. As for the charcoal matter, no one knew what Madame Jiang had told Old Madame, but in the end Old Madame produced the silver to cover it, then sent someone to Qiushuang Zhai to urge Cui Lingrong, both openly and subtly, to take over the household quickly. Cui Lingrong still made excuses, showing no intention of taking over. Only then did Old Madame Song catch on—Cui Lingrong was holding herself aloof, waiting for them to lower their heads and beg her. Ridiculous. Since when did a mother-in-law lower her head to a daughter-in-law? She thought that if Cui Lingrong wanted to drag things out, then drag things out they would. But then she thought of her other daughters-in-law in the household and began to worry again. Just then, Mama Xu returned from the Second Branch and said, "You filled the gap for the Commandery Princess. Second Mistress didn't say anything aloud, but she's probably resentful inside. After all, this time it was the Princess's fault. This old servant has something to say, though I'm not sure if I should." "Between you and me, what can't be said?" Old Madame Song wasn't afraid of Madame Jiang's resentment—she was a fool who couldn't stir up much trouble. "Could it be that the Commandery Princess is short on funds?" Mama Xu had always been puzzled. Princess Rongjia had married into the marquis household with forty-eight loads of dowry. Even if the Princess's expenses were high, it should have been enough to cover her spending. Only then did Old Madame Song realize something was off. "Indeed. The Rong Prince Mansion gave forty-eight loads of dowry, plus fields and shops. By all rights, the Princess should have plenty of money." When the Rong Prince Mansion had sent over the dowry list, Old Madame Song had given it a cursory glance without reading it carefully, because she had assumed Princess Rongjia's dowry would be substantial, and she had no intention of touching it anyway. Any family with any sense of face would never covet their daughter-in-law's dowry. Even if Old Madame Song was dissatisfied about the cloth shop, she had never said anything directly to Cui Lingrong. Old Madame Song valued her dignity. She pondered for a moment, "Could it be that many of those dowry chests of hers are empty?" Mama Xu said that was very likely. "How strange. Prince Rong and his wife have only Commandery Princess Rongjia as their legitimate daughter. They managed to secure an imperial marriage decree from the Emperor, which suggests they dote on her greatly. Why would they be stingy with her dowry?" When she had first learned of the betrothal, Old Madame Song had thought not only of the Rong Prince Mansion's prestige, but also of its wealth. "This old servant is not certain. However, at the autumn banquet that day, this old servant observed that the Consort of the Heir to Prince Rong did not seem particularly protective of the Commandery Princess." Mama Xu could not say it directly, but her implication was clear enough. "You mean to say that Commandery Princess Rongjia is not actually that well-liked? Or to put it another way, not everyone in the Rong Prince Mansion is fond of her?" Old Madame Song thought of how she had been defending Commandery Princess Rongjia all this time, and suddenly felt some regret. "She has been married to the Marquis for several months now, yet I haven't heard anything about his standing in official circles. When the Marquis returns, have him come see me." She wanted to discuss the matter of Cui Lingrong and Commandery Princess Rongjia. Mama Xu acknowledged the order and went out to have someone relay the message. When Song Shulan returned home, he came straight to Shouan Tang. When the conversation turned to Commandery Princess Rongjia, he still defended her on many points. "Matters of officialdom cannot be accomplished overnight. Even if Prince Rong wishes to promote his son, he must wait until the son has some achievements to his name. Rest assured on this matter—Prince Rong and the Heir have been quite attentive to me. Now that I am in the Ministry of Revenue, no one gives me a hard time anymore." Song Shulan had personally felt the benefits. Hearing this, Old Madame Song felt somewhat better, then brought up Cui Lingrong's disposition. "In the past, I thought she never fought or argued, but it turns out she has a temper after all. Go and appease her. Madame Jiang is truly hopeless!" Speaking of Madame Jiang, Old Madame Song grew irritated. The woman had no ability whatsoever, causing her to waste a hundred taels of silver to fill Commandery Princess Rongjia's debt, without even receiving a word of gratitude in return. Song Shulan furrowed his brow, reluctance written across his cold, handsome face. Since his quarrel with Cui Lingrong last time, he had not returned to Qiushuang Zhai. In his eyes, Cui Lingrong had always been obedient, sensible, and someone he could treat however he pleased, because she had never defied him, which had become a habit for him. Now he was being asked to appease her, to beg her. Song Shulan could not lower himself to that. Old Madame Song could see what her son was thinking and said in a deep voice, "If you wish to make great strides in your official career, the inner quarters cannot be in disarray. Appease Cui Shi, and only then can you have no worries behind you and serve as an official with peace of mind." "But Mother, Cui Shi has changed somewhat." Song Shulan said. "It is only natural that she has changed. What woman could happily accept her husband taking an Equal Wife?" Old Madame Song hoped her son would bring glory to the family, so that her later years would be more dignified. "Since she is angry, it means she cares about you. Close the door and appease her—no one else will see. Women are very simple. Say a few sweet words, beg her a little, mention the three children, and how could she still refuse?" Song Shulan remained conflicted, but Old Madame Song pressed him, "Are you trying to anger me to death?" Song Shulan said he would not dare, and could only steel himself to go to Qiushuang Zhai. He had never lowered his head to Cui Lingrong before. In the past, it was always Cui Lingrong who carefully curried favor with him. Now that it was his turn to appease her, he felt deeply uncomfortable. When he reached the entrance of Qiushuang Zhai, Song Shulan's brows were knitted into a deep frown. Recalling his mother's words, he could only walk into the courtyard with reluctance.