Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Charm and Beauty Wang Shanxi's Wife returned to Wutong Courtyard, and Princess Rongjia looked over expectantly. "Where are Xuan-ge and his brother?" Wang Shanxi's Wife shook her head, hesitantly glancing toward the Marquis. "This old servant finds it hard to say." "What's so hard to say? Didn't you tell them it was my wish?" Song Shulan asked. "To answer the Marquis, this old servant did say so, but Yu-jie refused to come herself, and even stopped Xuan-ge from coming. She... she said that since the Princess hasn't even paid her respects to the Eldest Madam, she, as a junior, would follow that example and not acknowledge the Princess as her legitimate mother." No sooner had Wang Shanxi's Wife finished speaking than she heard the Marquis say, "How insolent." "She's been spoiled beyond all bounds. The Princess and Lady Cui are equals—why should the Princess pay respects to Lady Cui?" Song Shulan rose to go find his daughter, but Princess Rongjia held him back. Princess Rongjia said magnanimously, "Marquis, don't hold a child's actions against her. I know Yu-jie harbors resentment toward me in her heart, but it's fine. Time reveals a person's heart—one day she'll change her view of me. If you go scold her, Yu-jie will truly come to resent me." She patted Song Shulan, signaling him not to get agitated. "Children are like that—having a bit of temper is normal. And with Sister Cui guiding them, they'll surely be taught well." "Her? Hah." Song Shulan knew in his heart that the two women could never coexist peacefully, but he had to maintain appearances. Lady Cui's actions had disappointed him deeply. Princess Rongjia continued considerately, "Everyone in Bianjing says Sister Cui handles matters thoroughly. Marquis, don't worry yourself. Stay here tonight?" Song Shulan's Adam's apple bobbed. It had been a long time since he'd been intimate with Princess Rongjia, and he hesitated. "But you're not yet three months along. Is it all right?" Princess Rongjia took Song Shulan's hand and rose. Wang Shanxi's Wife tactfully withdrew. Princess Rongjia's jade-like hand hooked around Song Shulan's neck as she kissed him proactively. "The child is well-behaved. Nothing will happen. Don't you miss me, Marquis? I've missed you very much." These past days, whenever the Marquis came to see her, he would go to Huadie afterward, making Huadie insufferably proud—she'd even been late to pay her respects several times. She'd lain alone, unable to sleep, wanting Song Shulan's company, so she took the initiative to seduce him. Song Shulan caught the fragrant scent on Princess Rongjia and carried her toward the bed. A good night's sleep lasted until dawn. After rising, Song Shulan still sent someone to reprimand his daughter. Song Yu's arguments were futile. Wronged and aggrieved, she ran to complain to her grandmother. Old Madame Song doted on her granddaughter, but she also looked forward to the child in Princess Rongjia's belly. She held her granddaughter and said, "Your father is right. The Princess is your legitimate mother. No matter what, you must at least go over, pay your respects, and sit for a while." "But—" "Yu-jie, you're grown now. You wouldn't want others to speak ill of your mother because of this, would you?" Old Madame Song knew exactly how to reach her granddaughter's heart, and one sentence made her swallow her argument. "Your upbringing reflects your mother. Everyone in this world has things they must endure. Next time the Princess calls you over, go and sit for a while." Song Yu pressed her lips together and said nothing more. She didn't want to go to Wutong Courtyard. Just thinking about Princess Rongjia annoyed her. But her grandmother made a valid point—Princess Rongjia was indeed her elder. She could refuse once, but she couldn't refuse forever. One thing she didn't understand: Princess Rongjia was going to have her own child, so why bother trying to get close to her and her brother? Could it be that Princess Rongjia foolishly believed that if she treated them well, they would sincerely accept her in return? Ridiculous. How could that ever happen? She hated Princess Rongjia too much to ever change her view. Song Yu didn't get the result she wanted and left Shouan Tang feeling unhappy. On her way back, she ran into He Pingping. They rarely interacted, and Song Yu only wanted to nod and move on, but unexpectedly He Pingping approached her. "Yu-jie, have you been to Shouan Tang?" He Pingping initiated the conversation. Song Yu said yes. "I'm so envious of you. Old Madame dotes on you, the Eldest Madam is capable, and you have a generous maternal uncle." After a pause, He Pingping added, "Oh, I heard your uncle's cloth shop just received a new shipment. Could you take me to have a look?" Song Yu looked troubled. "Father just punished me and won't let me go out. If Sister He wants to buy cloth, just find someone to accompany you. My uncle knows you're a relative of the Marquis's household and will give you a discount—I don't need to be there." He Pingping didn't actually want to buy cloth; she just wanted to get closer to Song Yu. Not discouraged by the refusal, she kept pulling Song Yu into more conversation. Song Yu was baffled by He Pingping's enthusiasm. When she reached Qiushuang Zhai, she complained in confusion, "She used to avoid our main branch like the plague. What's gotten into her today?" Nanny Qiu glanced at the Eldest Madam and said quietly, "Miss He hasn't lost her mind—she's set her sights on Young Master Yu." "What?" Song Yu was shocked. "How do you know?" Nanny Qiu said, "Yesterday when Young Master Yu was leaving, Miss He deliberately arranged to run into him. The Marquis's residence is large, but there's no such thing as a wall that doesn't let wind through—Caixia happened to see it." Nanny Qiu and her mistress hadn't expected that He Pingping would set her sights on Young Master Yu. But upon reflection, it made sense—the He family had fallen into decline, He Pingping's marriage prospects had been unfavorable, and she couldn't marry into an official family. Young Master Yu was actually a very good choice. "Then what does my uncle think?" Song Yu's opinion of He Pingping was lukewarm. "Mother, could you really accept Sister He as a match?" Cui Lingrong didn't particularly care for He Pingping. One reason was the burden of her family background, and another was that He Pingping was Madame Jiang's cousin. If He Pingping married her younger brother, she would be forced into a binding relationship with the second branch of the family. Moreover, He Pingping herself lacked conviction and had no resourcefulness or cunning. Her younger brother was a businessman—he'd be best off marrying a capable woman who could help him in his trade. "The He family is one we know well. It depends on your uncle's wishes—he's very fond of He Pingping, so I can hardly stand in the way." Despite her private thoughts, Cui Lingrong spoke fairly. "Uncle listens to you so well. As long as you disagree, he definitely won't agree. Next time Uncle comes over, just ask him." Song Yu hoped her uncle would reject He Pingping; she felt he deserved a better woman. Cui Lingrong smiled and agreed, then had her daughter sit before the dressing table. Many guests would be arriving today, so she needed to dress her daughter up nicely. Song Yu had inherited her parents' good looks—fair skin, delicate and refined features. After being specially adorned, she appeared even more charming and lovely. Cui Lingrong herself was more reserved, but Yuan Mingzhu loved making friends, so many of the people Cui Lingrong knew had been introduced to her by Yuan Mingzhu. "Among today's guests, both Madam Wu's and Madam Qiu's families have suitable young men. The two families are of similar standing. Madam Wu is more forthright and bold, while Madam Qiu comes from a scholarly family. See which one you prefer." "Mother, are you that eager to marry me off?" Song Yu's cheeks flushed slightly. She knew both madams her mother mentioned. Madam Wu's second son was too childish—every time he saw her, he'd even compete with her over food. As for Madam Qiu's son, he reminded her of her father. She now had some aversion to scholars. If she had to hear about benevolence, righteousness, and propriety all day long in classical platitudes, just thinking about it was irritating. Song Yu didn't want to live her life the way her mother did. She wanted to be more unrestrained, perhaps even a bit willful. But that was a secret in her heart—she knew her mother meant well for her, so she was willing to go along with her mother's wishes. "I'm just making you aware of these people so you can make comparisons in your mind," Cui Lingrong explained. "In marriage, you don't just look at a man's abilities—the family matters just as much. Before I married, my aunt told me that a man's love is the least important thing in a marriage. You need to make him respect you, and have him entrust you with power and money—only then can your days be comfortable." Song Yu looked up at her mother. "Then have you managed to do that?" She always felt that ever since they returned from the mourning visit, her mother had never truly smiled from the heart. Cui Lingrong lovingly touched her daughter's face. "Even if I haven't before, I'll gradually make it happen now. It's about time—let's go to the flower hall to receive the guests." Not long after they arrived, Madam Wu and the others came one after another. Those with daughters brought them along. Song Yu got along well with Madam Wu's eldest daughter, and the two young friends went off to whisper secrets to each other. As for Yuan Mingzhu, she couldn't come today—after all, she'd caused a scene at the Duke of Dingguo's residence and was still copying Buddhist scriptures as penance. But what surprised everyone was that Yuan Yuzhu came. Cui Lingrong's invitation had been sent before the passing of the Duke of Dingguo's heir. She'd assumed the heir's wife wouldn't come, since the heir had only recently passed away. Seeing Yuan Yuzhu, everyone was taken aback. "I received the Marchioness Song's invitation some time ago and was quite looking forward to it. I hadn't planned to come today, but since I'd received the invitation, I thought I should at least deliver a congratulatory gift." As Yuan Yuzhu spoke, a maidservant had already presented her gift. Cui Lingrong went over to thank her and invited Yuan Yuzhu to stay for tea. "Mingzhu can't come today, and without her silver tongue to liven things up, would Sister Yuan help me hold down the fort?" For the heir's wife to grace the occasion was a show of respect. Cui Lingrong genuinely wanted her to stay and didn't care about worldly conventions. Yuan Yuzhu was somewhat surprised, because Cui Lingrong was known for being thoroughly proper in all things. Having just lost her husband, Yuan Yuzhu wasn't suited to such occasions. She studied Cui Lingrong carefully—her appearance hadn't changed, but something felt different about her. Yuan Yuzhu had never been one to be constrained by convention. After Cui Lingrong spoke and others chimed in to urge her to stay, she sat down and said she'd have a cup of tea before leaving. The people Cui Lingrong had invited were all those she got along with, and most didn't care much about the matter of the Duke of Dingguo's heir. Everyone chatted pleasantly together. But until midday when the feast was served, Song Shulan still hadn't appeared. He had promised her. He would give her that honor. Nanny Qiu noticed her mistress's thoughts and said she'd go check at the gate. When she reached the fork in the path, she saw Wang Shanxi's Wife leading the Marquis in another direction. "The Commandery Princess suddenly has a stomachache. The physician has already been called, but the Princess is very frightened and would like the Marquis to come see her." Wang Shanxi's Wife walked hurriedly. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Nanny Qiu and deliberately shifted her body slightly to block the Marquis's line of sight.