Chapter 306

Chapter 306: A Warning "Old Madame, it's not that I'm being precious, but the difference in our daily lives is just too great." Madame Jiang said tearfully, "Never mind me, even Sixth Ger can't bear it. He's at the age where he's growing, and sending only vegetables over—are they bullying us because Second Master isn't here?" "Don't talk nonsense. There's still one meat dish every day." That was how it was here at Old Madame Song's. "If I'm spouting nonsense, may heaven strike me down with lightning and I die a terrible death!" Madame Jiang swore a solemn oath. "If you don't believe me, you can call over everyone from my courtyard and the main kitchen, and question them one by one. I refuse to believe that Wutong Court's food, clothing, and living arrangements are the same as ours!" Madame Jiang said that Wutong Court demanded hot water every single day, which cost no small amount of money, yet they were cutting back on the allowances of the Second and Third Branches. Life was simply unbearable. Old Madame Song did indeed sense the disparity, though hers wasn't as extreme. Hearing Madame Jiang's tearful complaints, she summoned the main kitchen staff. The cook tried to cover things up at first. "It's not vegetables every day—there's still meat every other day. If Second Madam wants meat, she can buy it with her own silver. This servant..." Before the cook could finish, Madame Jiang strode over and slapped her across the face. "I'm standing right here, and you still dare to spout nonsense! And what do you mean, I can buy it with my own silver? If the Marquis's household can't even afford meat for its people, then what kind of life is this?" Madame Jiang had never had a good temper to begin with—she'd only been suppressed by Cui Lingrong before. "If the masters can't even afford meat, then why are you sending hot water to Wutong Court every single day?" Water wasn't expensive, but hot water was. The firewood used to boil it had to be bought with real silver and gold, and in winter, firewood prices only went up. The expense was hardly trivial. Just as Madame Jiang finished her tirade, Zhao Susu walked in from outside. She narrowed her eyes at Madame Jiang. "What is Second Sister-in-law doing? The Marquis's household is facing difficulties right now—can't you bear with it a little?" "First Sister-in-law, that's quite amusing to say. If there are difficulties, then why do you demand hot water every day? And I'm sure your courtyard isn't eating vegetables every day either, is it?" Madame Jiang snorted. "I ask for hot water because I paid silver for it!" Zhao Susu said. "You're the one managing the household now—who knows whose silver you're using?" Madame Jiang made it clear she didn't believe a word. In the past, when Zhao Susu was a County Mistress, Madame Jiang had kept her distance and deferred to her. But now that it affected her own daily life, and she watched Wutong Court eat and drink lavishly, she couldn't stand it anymore. "What do you mean by that? Are you accusing me of embezzling silver?" Zhao Susu's face immediately darkened. "And it's not like you've never done it before?" No sooner had Madame Jiang spoken than Old Madame Song slammed the table and said enough. "I'm not dead yet! What are you all squabbling about?" Old Madame Song indeed didn't fully trust Zhao Susu. "Second Daughter-in-law, since you don't trust Madam Zhao, then you can co-manage the household. From now on, the kitchen is under your charge. Is that acceptable?" Hearing the Old Madame say this, Madame Jiang nodded immediately. The kitchen was a good place—even if she couldn't skim any money, at least she could eat better. "Thank you, Old Madame, for your kindness. Thank goodness you're here—otherwise, I'd be bullied to death!" Zhao Susu, however, disagreed. If the main kitchen fell under Madame Jiang's control, it would be terribly inconvenient for her in the future. "Old Madame, how can you arrange things this way?" Zhao Susu said with dissatisfaction. "What, are you going to question me?" Old Madame Song said irritably. "If you think it's inappropriate, then don't manage the household at all—give it all to Jiang to handle!" Zhao Susu opened her mouth to speak again, but was glared back into silence by Old Madame Song. Having gained control of the main kitchen, Madame Jiang felt smug. The very next morning, she went to the main kitchen to lay down the law and cut off the hot water supply to Wutong Court. When Zhao Susu couldn't get hot water that day, she nearly stormed over to the main kitchen to pick a fight. It was Wang Hechun's Wife who held her back and boiled some water in the small kitchen instead. However, the firewood for the small kitchen had to be purchased by Zhao Susu herself—the Marquis's household no longer covered that expense. If this went on for months on end, it would become a considerable expenditure. A few days later, Zhao Susu couldn't hold back any longer and went to find Song Shulan, playing the victim and striking first. "Second Sister-in-law is simply a bully who fears the strong and preys on the weak. When Cui Lingrong was here, would she have dared to act like this? If it weren't for me being so easygoing, how could I have been bullied into such a state!" Song Shulan had no interest in managing the inner household affairs. "Since Old Madame has said so, just listen to her. Besides, it's cold now—surely you don't need to bathe every day?" "I want to bathe every day! Are you telling me that after marrying you, I can't even take a bath anymore?" Zhao Susu snatched the writing brush from Song Shulan's hand. "Listen to me!" "I'm listening." Song Shulan looked over impatiently. "If you have something to say, just say it directly. I have plenty of worries right now." "I want to divide the family." Zhao Susu said. "The Second and Third Branches are nothing but burdens anyway. Why not split the household and send them off on their own? What do you think?" If the family were divided, everything in the Marquis's household would be under Zhao Susu's control, and she wouldn't have to worry about certain things being discovered by the Second or Third Branches. Song Shulan, however, disagreed. "Old Madame is still in good health, and she enjoys lively gatherings. She definitely won't agree to dividing the family." "Old Madame doesn't agree—why don't you go persuade her?" Zhao Susu was adamant. "Either way, I want to split the family. Madame Jiang has already bullied me to my face—am I supposed to just keep tolerating her? If you won't agree, I'll go speak to my father and have him help us divide the household!" Hearing Zhao Susu invoke Prince Rong, Song Shulan grew even more exasperated. "Susu, when did you become so unreasonable? Can't you show me a little consideration?" He was already irritated by court affairs, and now he had to worry about matters at home on top of that. "How am I not considerate of you? I'm only asking you to split the family—it's not like I'm asking you to climb to heaven and pluck stars for me!" Zhao Susu was equally displeased. "You... you're being utterly unreasonable. I said no, and that's final. If you don't want to manage the household, let Second Sister-in-law handle it. Back when Cui Lingrong was here, there were never any of these troubles." Song Shulan's offhand remark made Zhao Susu's face change instantly. "Fine, so you're still thinking about Cui Lingrong! She didn't even want you, and you're still pining after her—aren't you pathetic?" Zhao Susu hurled the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from the table to the floor, then stormed off in a huff. Song Shulan was equally furious, staring speechlessly at the mess on the ground. He kicked hard at the table leg, only to hurt himself in the process. When Qingshan came in to clean up, Song Shulan took a long breath. "Any news from Cui Lingrong's place?" "Reporting to the Marquis, General Xie has only visited the Cui residence once recently, and he left quickly," Qingshan said. Song Shulan had been trying to catch Cui Lingrong in an affair, but had found nothing. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Keep watching. I refuse to believe Cui Lingrong simply wanted to leave me." Even now, he couldn't accept that. It had to be that Cui Lingrong had another man in her heart. Qingshan sighed inwardly. The Marquis still couldn't see the truth, but as a servant, he had to do as his master commanded. However, Qingshan had been watching outside the Cui residence for too long and was eventually spotted by Cui Zeyu's men. By the time Cui Zeyu found him, he had already resigned himself to a beating. Qingshan was dragged into an alley. Cui Zeyu looked at Qingshan with disdain in his eyes. "Did Song Shulan send you?" Qingshan said nothing. "Didn't we agree at the time of the Mutual Divorce that we'd never cross paths again? What, can Song Shulan not let go of my sister?" Seeing that Qingshan remained silent, Cui Zeyu warned, "Go back and tell Song Shulan—if he sends anyone else, I'll have people go to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion and smash his plaque!" Cui Zeyu returned angrily to find his sister. When Cui Lingrong heard about it, knowing Song Shulan as she did, she understood he simply wouldn't give up. "Marrying Song Shulan was the worst luck I've ever had." After Cui Lingrong's lament, she told her brother not to worry. "Sister, recently..." "I know what you're going to say—the rumors. In a few days, the Prince Wu's mansion is hosting a birthday banquet. I've obtained an invitation, and I'll bring Yu-jie along," Cui Lingrong said, knowing Zhao Susu would definitely be there. "Some things are better confronted face to face."