Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Asking for Money One of Song Shulan's colleagues, drunk and unaware, blurted out, "Marquis Song, since when did you start keeping a tab? Did you run out of money after taking an Equal Wife?" As soon as he said this, the others dragged him to the back and covered his mouth. Someone tried to smooth things over, "Brother Song, don't mind a drunkard. Everyone forgets to bring money sometimes—keeping a tab is the same." At this point, Song Shulan only wanted to leave quickly. He told the shopkeeper to put it on his account and watched his colleagues file out one by one. As he climbed into his carriage, a knot of anger tightened in his chest. "Didn't I send you to ask for money this morning? How could you have no money?" "Forgive me, Marquis. The Eldest Madam said the marquis mansion has no money," Qingshan said cautiously. "How can there be no money? My vast marquis mansion falls into her hands, and she can't even spare the little bit I need for social engagements? How is she managing the household?" Song Shulan grumbled inside the carriage, unaware that Cui Zeyu, standing outside, had heard every word. Cui Zeyu had been discussing business with a client and was heading to Fan Tower when he spotted the Song family carriage and stopped to look. Song Shulan deserved to die! His sister had given so much to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, and Song Shulan, ungrateful as he was, actually blamed her. Cui Zeyu thought once more—if, just if, Song Shulan were to die, would his sister have an easier time? The thought flashed through his mind, but Cui Zeyu quickly regained his composure. If he ended up in prison over this, his sister would surely grieve. He didn't want to see her sad, so he would have to find another way. Cui Zeyu went on to Fan Tower, while Song Shulan returned to the marquis mansion and stormed off to find Cui Lingrong. The moment he entered the room, he pointed at Cui Lingrong with a fierce face. "Mother and I trusted your abilities and put you in charge of the household. My Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion may not be extravagantly wealthy, but it's a large family with substantial assets. How can you not even have money for my social engagements? Do you know how humiliated I was at Fan Tower today?" The last sentence was shouted. Nanny Qiu and Caixia flinched, their shoulders trembling. Cui Lingrong's heart also pounded for a moment, but her expression remained calm. She had Nanny Qiu bring the account books and casually flipped one open. "The Marquis said the past need not be investigated and asked me to manage the present. But the past accounts won't balance just because I don't look into them. When the Commandery Princess managed the household, she had bird's nest every month, ordered snacks and treats from outside daily, and bought jewelry and headpieces—all of it money the Princess spent." Song Shulan was confused. "Why are you bringing this up?" "What I mean is, I have to fill those gaps left by the Princess's spending before the marquis mansion can function. Otherwise, where would the money come from for year-end gifts, servant bonuses, and new winter clothes?" Cui Lingrong looked at Song Shulan. "I didn't deliberately embarrass you, Marquis. I told Qingshan this morning that the marquis mansion would be living frugally this winter. And the Marquis has his own private property—you should have money in hand. How was I to know you would..." Cui Lingrong didn't finish. She truly hadn't expected Song Shulan to not even have money for a meal. Song Shulan had his own estates and shops, collecting rent himself each month. By all rights, he should have had enough money. But recently, the position of Vice Minister of Revenue had opened up, and Song Shulan was desperate to climb the ladder. Not only was he treating colleagues to drinks, but he had also sent many gifts to the Rong Prince Mansion. Added together, it was a considerable expense. Song Shulan didn't manage the household and didn't understand that money could run short. Especially in recent years when he'd had plenty—it was hard to go from extravagance to frugality. He hadn't worried about money in a long time. The couple stared at each other in silence. Song Shulan harbored resentment—resentment that Cui Lingrong couldn't just do as before and contribute her cloth shop dividends. But she had used them for Yu-jie's dowry, and he had no argument against that. Cui Lingrong set down the account book. "Since the Marquis has brought up money, let me make things clear. When the late Marquis was alive, he sold off many fields and shops, so the marquis mansion now has very little income. I am a woman, and I must consider the Marquis's reputation—I can't go out and earn money in public. That being the case, we can only live frugally." It was the marquis mansion that lacked money, not Cui Lingrong—that was why she spoke this way. Song Shulan's brows knitted tightly as he stared at Cui Lingrong, trying to discern her true intentions. "But a few years ago..." "A few years ago, there were cloth shop dividends. Now there aren't. So the marquis mansion must return to how things were before. And since Commandery Princess Rongjia is pregnant, both the Old Madame and the Marquis have instructed that the Wutong Courtyard's expenses take priority, so the other courtyards must cut back on food and clothing." Cui Lingrong looked straight at Song Shulan. She wasn't afraid of his anger now, because she was in the right. "So in the future, when the Marquis needs to spend money, you should keep that in mind. I still owe money to the money shop. Perhaps the Marquis should go ask the Princess. Today she even sent someone to find me, hoping I would allow her maidservants to go out for shopping." She paused, then continued slowly, "From what I understand, the Princess bought three kinds of pastries today alone, plus two bowls of sweet soup. It seems she has plenty of money on hand. If I were that wealthy, I would certainly be willing to give it to the Marquis—after all, I know your social engagements are also for the sake of the marquis mansion." That last line struck a chord with Song Shulan. He wasn't spending money recklessly—it was all for the marquis's household. Song Shulan couldn't find a single fault in Cui Lingrong's words; instead, he felt she made perfect sense. If not for Commandery Princess Rongjia embezzling from the household coffers, why would he be scraping by so tightly? Meanwhile, Commandery Princess Rongjia continued living extravagantly. For a moment, resentment welled up in Song Shulan, and he stormed off to Wutong Yuan in a huff. When he arrived at Wutong Yuan, Commandery Princess Rongjia was eating peach gum stewed in milk, though she stopped after just two bites. "Take it away. Without bird's nest in the stew, it has no flavor." Commandery Princess Rongjia pushed it aside with disdain, only then noticing Song Shulan had entered. She immediately broke into a smile. "Master Song, you've finally come to see me. I haven't been eating or sleeping well these past few days—it's been so hard." Song Shulan, remembering that Commandery Princess Rongjia was pregnant, said patiently, "The early stages of pregnancy are indeed difficult, but it will pass once you get through it." He watched Qingxue carry away the peach gum stew, then recalled Cui Lingrong's words and cleared his throat. "Lingrong said you found a maidservant to make purchases outside the residence for you?" "Yes, my palate has become terribly picky now. I can't just have someone run all the way to Qiushuang Zhai every time a craving strikes—wouldn't that be a bother?" Commandery Princess Rongjia stroked her belly and said coquettishly to Song Shulan, "And it's not me who wants to eat—it's our child." When his gaze fell on Commandery Princess Rongjia's belly, Song Shulan's eyes unconsciously softened. "You're carrying a heavy burden now—eat whatever you want. But the marquis's household has had considerable expenses lately. If you have spare funds, you might consider investing in some properties. Today Qingshan went to Lingrong to request money, and she wouldn't even give me any." With that, Song Shulan let out a long sigh. At this point, everyone in the room could tell what he was getting at. Commandery Princess Rongjia glanced at Wang Shanxi's Wife, who hesitated for a moment. Only after her mistress pressed her lips together did Wang Shanxi's Wife go fetch a hundred-tael banknote. She said considerately, "I know Master Song is devoted to the marquis's household. I can't help you much, but take this money to smooth things over with your colleagues." Song Shulan glanced at the denomination, not entirely satisfied, but it was far better than what Cui Lingrong had offered. Still, he made a show of politeness. "This... this is your money. How could I possibly take it?" "Why be so formal with me, Master Song? We are husband and wife—one body. Once you rise in rank and position, you'll surely treat me twice as well." Commandery Princess Rongjia leaned against Song Shulan, hoping he would stay. Song Shulan sat with Commandery Princess Rongjia for a while, then said he would take his leave since she was not in a convenient condition. Wang Shanxi's Wife had someone follow the marquis. Before long, the person sent returned to report that the marquis had gone to Huadie's place. "That vixen Huadie—she certainly knows how to seduce men!" Commandery Princess Rongjia gnashed her teeth in fury. Wang Shanxi's Wife reminded her, "It's a good thing the marquis went to Huadie's. In your current condition, it's better for Huadie to attend to the marquis than anyone else. You must not throw another tantrum. If Huadie can conceive early, that would be to your benefit." Ever since learning that her mistress had sent abortifacient medicine to Huadie, Wang Shanxi's Wife would periodically bring up the advantages of Huadie becoming pregnant, afraid that her mistress might fly into a rage one day and dose Huadie with the medicine again. "I know that once she gives birth, the child will be mine to raise. But thinking of the marquis being intimate with her makes my heart ache." Commandery Princess Rongjia grabbed Wang Shanxi's Wife's hand. "Tell me, why am I..." "Shh." Wang Shanxi's Wife made a hushing gesture and shook her head at her mistress. "This old servant understands everything. You need not say it aloud." "It's truly miserable—even in my own room, I have to watch what I say. Isn't that Cui Lingrong supposed to be so capable? How can she not even afford to cover the marquis's expenses?" Commandery Princess Rongjia finished indignantly, then sighed. "I know you don't want me to part with money, but since Master Song put it that way, how could I refuse?" She felt deeply uneasy. "I'm afraid that if I'm of no use to the marquis, he'll stop doting on me. I'm also afraid he'll treat Cui Lingrong better—after all, they've been husband and wife for over a decade." "Don't be afraid, Commandery Princess. No matter how capable that one at Qiushuang Zhai is, we have ways to deal with her. Since she returned to the household, the marquis has only spent two nights there—most of the time he comes to Wutong Yuan. Clearly, the marquis favors you more in his heart." Wang Shanxi's Wife comforted her mistress, for they had already witnessed the elder madam's abilities and knew she must not be underestimated. Commandery Princess Rongjia still felt unsettled. She took a deep breath. "Tomorrow I'll visit my natal family." She needed to find a way to get some money from her mother—she truly could not live a frugal life.