Chapter 28

Chapter 28: A Fondness in Her Heart "Really?" Old Madame Song was overjoyed. "Yes, Old Madame, it's true. When this old servant went there, the physician was still present. He said the Commandery Princess is already pregnant—about a month and a half along—and it's the most critical period right now," Mama Xu said. "You've been hoping for more descendants in the household, and now you're going to have another grandchild." "How is the Commandery Princess's health?" Old Madame Song was more concerned about this. "She wasn't feeling well, was she? Where does she feel unwell?" Mama Xu said the Commandery Princess needed to rest quietly, and said tactfully, "There have been too many matters these past days. Wang Shanxi's Wife said the Commandery Princess has had trouble sleeping day and night, her heart never at ease. Today, the Eldest Young Madam called Wang Shanxi's Wife over for a talk, saying that things like the screens in the Commandery Princess's chambers were taken privately by the Commandery Princess herself. Wang Shanxi's Wife asked this old servant to come and relay the question—could those things wait to be moved until after the Commandery Princess gives birth?" So many treasures—Old Madame Song felt a pang of reluctance, but she also feared disturbing the pregnancy. After a moment's thought, she said, "Then let it wait until after the child is born. Go tell Lady Cui that since the Commandery Princess is pregnant, the allowance for Wutong Courtyard will be increased by fifty percent. Oh, and send someone to the Rong Prince Mansion as well." Now that Princess Rongjia was with child, the Rong Prince Mansion would certainly be delighted. Mama Xu smiled and said yes, then lowered her voice to ask, "And the things used in Wutong Courtyard—should we keep an eye on them?" After all, the Eldest Young Madam and the Commandery Princess did not get along. If the Eldest Young Madam were to pull something, how could the Marquis Mansion explain it to the Rong Prince Mansion? Old Madame Song narrowed her eyes slightly. Based on her understanding of Cui Lingrong, Cui Lingrong would not do something so underhanded. Still, one could never be too careful. "Doesn't the Commandery Princess have her own small kitchen? From now on, all of the Commandery Princess's meals will be prepared by Wutong Courtyard itself. That way, even if Cui wants to interfere, she won't be able to." Old Madame Song was especially pleased and had Mama Xu take a number of nourishing medicines from her private stores to send to Wutong Courtyard. Mama Xu went first to Wutong Courtyard, then to Qiushuang Zhai. When Cui Lingrong learned that the Commandery Princess was pregnant, her heart tightened slightly. She had known Princess Rongjia would become pregnant sooner or later, but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. Even before Princess Rongjia was pregnant, Old Madame and Song Shulan had already favored Princess Rongjia more. Now that she had just become pregnant, Old Madame was already increasing Wutong Courtyard's allowance. Once Princess Rongjia gave birth to a son, would her Xuan-ge and Jin-ge still matter to the Marquis Mansion? Cui Lingrong's expression remained indifferent on the surface, but her heart was racing. Her husband had already been taken half away by Princess Rongjia. Now, was the Marquis Mansion that rightfully belonged to her children going to be divided away as well? Cui Lingrong had only just regained control of the household management. Many people in the Marquis Mansion were not on her side—she had to guard against them causing trouble while also being wary of the child in Princess Rongjia's belly. Princess Rongjia held a noble status and had the Rong Prince Mansion as her backing. Behind Cui Lingrong, she only had her adopted younger brother who was in trade—she was no match for the Rong Prince Mansion. If the Rong Prince Mansion so much as mentioned it to Song Shulan, Song Shulan would surely let Princess Rongjia's child inherit the Marquis Mansion. Just hand over what rightfully belonged to her sons like that? Could she be content with that? Seeing that Mama Xu was still waiting for her reply, Cui Lingrong smiled calmly and said, "Congratulations to the Commandery Princess and the Marquis. But since Old Madame wants to increase the Commandery Princess's allowance, there's something I need to mention." "Please speak, Eldest Young Madam." Mama Xu sized up the Eldest Young Madam from the corner of her eye. The Marquis had said the Eldest Young Madam had changed. Looking at her, she didn't seem all that different—still the same unflappable demeanor. But after spending time with her, one could tell the Eldest Young Madam's way of dealing with people was no longer the same. "In the past few days, the Commandery Princess managed the household and spent a considerable amount of silver. Now that we need to prioritize Wutong Courtyard's allowance, the other branches will have to cut back on their expenses." Not a trace of emotion showed on Cui Lingrong's face. Her aunt had told her that when scheming against others, one must never reveal one's true feelings. Cui Lingrong had already planned to reduce expenditures anyway—Old Madame had just handed her a convenient excuse. She would have to plan slowly and not allow anyone to take what belonged to her children. "Adding to that, the autumn banquet cost a good deal of silver. My plan is that until the end of the year, the household will hold no more banquets. Food and clothing—those for Old Madame and the Marquis will be reduced accordingly as well. And half of the mountain goods sent from the estates will be sold for cash…" Cui Lingrong listed several measures, and Mama Xu's expression grew heavier with each one. Finally, unable to hold back, Mama Xu ventured a question, "Now that the Eldest Young Madam manages the household, the cloth shop's—" "You mean the cloth shop's dividends? There won't be any for the next year. Because I want to give Yu-jie a respectable dowry, I borrowed money from the money shop to prepare it, and the dividends will all go toward repaying the loan." Cui Lingrong finished speaking, then looked at Mama Xu again. "Any other questions?" For a moment, Mama Xu couldn't think of how to refute the Eldest Young Madam. But if the Eldest Young Madam wouldn't let Old Madame hire opera troupes or host banquets, and even set limits on the number of jewelry pieces—making Old Madame live frugally again—would Old Madame be pleased? Seeing Mama Xu frozen in place, Cui Lingrong curved her lips slightly. "This standard of living is much better than when I first married into the Marquis Mansion. I trust Old Madame will understand, since the Marquis Mansion has no other major sources of income right now. Once the Marquis is promoted, life will improve." They were all hoping for the Marquis to be promoted, weren't they? Then they could enjoy the good life when that day came. In any case, Cui Lingrong would not be pouring more of her own money into the Marquis Mansion. Mama Xu held in her anger as she left, thinking to herself that the Eldest Young Madam was far too calculating. Old Madame Song was also angry, yet she could find no fault with the reasoning. Moreover, Cui Lingrong's justification was perfectly proper—preparing Yu-jie's dowry was a serious matter, and only with a well-prepared dowry could the Marquis's household maintain its dignity. She could hardly tell Cui Lingrong to make it simpler. Mama Xu cautiously glanced at her mistress. "I imagine that once the Marquis is promoted, the household's fortunes will improve." "I too look forward to that day, but who knows when it will come?" Old Madame Song sighed. Her son was no longer young. To advance further, he needed someone to champion him. If not for that, she wouldn't have shown Princess Rongjia such deference. Mama Xu said it would surely be soon. "The Marquis was born with good fortune; he is certain to reach the highest rank." "You do have a way with words," Old Madame Song said, then thinking of Madame Jiang, added, "Go tell the Commandery Princess to have the Rong Prince Mansion's physician take Madame Jiang's pulse as well. She has been married into the Song family for so many years without bearing a single child—we cannot let Shucheng's line end." Mama Xu agreed. Princess Rongjia naturally had no objection and immediately sent someone to take Madame Jiang's pulse. Madame Jiang was mortified. She had always consulted physicians and taken medicine in secret. Now that Princess Rongjia had summoned the Rong Prince Mansion's physician, wouldn't the entire Rong Prince Mansion know she was barren? But since it was the Old Madame's order, Madame Jiang could only steel herself and let the physician take her pulse. The physician said her constitution was cold-natured and required regulation, but Madame Jiang had heard such words countless times. Seeing that he had no new findings, she felt somewhat disappointed. After the physician left, Madame Jiang sat sighing. "Why is my fate so bitter? Cui Lingrong and Li Shu give birth one after another, even Princess Rongjia is pregnant—only I remain childless." The matron beside her spoke softly to comfort her. "Second Mistress, don't take it too much to heart. Sometimes it's better to relax and let things take their natural course." "How can I not be anxious? If this continues, I fear the Old Madame will have a Noble Concubine brought in for the Second Master." Madame Jiang truly feared this. A Noble Concubine was not like an ordinary concubine—she could not be scolded or punished at will, and if she bore a son, she might even rise above Madame Jiang. As she spoke, a maidservant came to deliver a message, saying a letter had arrived from the He family. Madame Jiang hastily tore open the envelope. It was from her aunt, saying the He family had more or less settled down in their hometown, and if He Pingping still could not find a match in Bianjing, Madame Jiang should send her back. After all, He Pingping was no longer young and could not delay any longer. Madame Jiang felt worried and took the letter to find her cousin. Just as she entered the room, she saw her cousin leaning by the window in a daze. Madame Jiang sat down beside her with a pang of sympathy. "The weather has turned cold—why aren't you taking better care of yourself?" "When did you arrive, cousin?" He Pingping had been lost in thought and truly hadn't heard anyone come in. "Look at you, spacing out like that." Madame Jiang produced her aunt's letter. "I'll give the matchmaker more money to hurry things along. When you meet her, at least smile a bit more—that way you'll leave a good impression." "Cousin, I..." He Pingping had something weighing on her mind. Gritting her teeth, she suddenly knelt down. "Please, cousin, help me." "Oh my, what are you doing?" Madame Jiang hurriedly reached out to lift her up. He Pingping refused to rise. Madame Jiang asked what was wrong, but He Pingping kept her lips pressed together, unable to speak for a long while. "Are you trying to worry me to death?" Madame Jiang panted heavily. "Whatever it is, just say it. I'm your cousin—if I can help, I will!" Only then did He Pingping speak in a small voice. "It's... it's just that... I already have someone in my heart." "Who?" He Pingping whispered a name, blushing from her cheeks to the tips of her ears, keeping her head lowered and not daring to look at Madame Jiang. Madame Jiang froze for a moment, then flew into a rage. "How could it be him? You... how could you take a liking to him? No, absolutely not. Anyone but him!" Madame Jiang clenched her teacup and set it down heavily. "If you marry him, it would be pure spite toward me!" He Pingping's eyes brimmed with tears. She knew she could no longer delay at her age, and had mustered all her courage just to speak. She knelt before her cousin, pleading sorrowfully, "I know I've disappointed you, but... but I truly like him. Please, cousin, help me."