Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Playing With Her "So this is consensual, then. If the He family were to find out that you've been with a man without a proper matchmaker, ruining the He family's reputation, would they still acknowledge you?" Cui Lingrong saw He Pingping's face turn deathly pale, then walked over to Song Shucheng's side. "Second Brother is a man of official rank. Do you not know how important your reputation is?" "Sister-in-law, for something like this where both parties are willing, others will at most call me a flirt." Song Shucheng was unconcerned. Cui Lingrong saw that Song Shucheng showed not a trace of remorse and found him even more detestable. He Pingping was no good, but Song Shucheng was even worse. "A flirt?" Cui Lingrong smiled slightly. "Strictly speaking, I have no say in what goes on in my brother-in-law's chambers. But since Old Madame has asked me to step in, I'll presume to say a few words. Second Sister-in-law has been married to you for years—even if she has no great merit, she has worked hard. If you truly don't care for her in your heart, you could simply write her a divorce agreement. Why must you carry on with Miss He and disgust everyone?" At the words "divorce agreement," everyone in the room was even more shocked. Old Madame had sent Cui Lingrong to persuade Madame Jiang to be magnanimous, yet here Cui Lingrong was talking about divorce. Even Madame Jiang herself was stunned. Having married into the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion all these years, she had never once considered divorce. She murmured softly, "Sister-in-law." Cui Lingrong turned to look at her. "Today's matter is very clear. Second Sister-in-law, if you don't want He Pingping to stay, I can arrange for someone to send her back to the He family. Since Second Brother is the one at fault, I'll take compensation from the household funds for the He family, and it will be deducted from Second Brother's monthly allowance in the future. The He family has fallen into ruin—if they receive that much money, they certainly won't make a fuss, and the Marquis Mansion's reputation will be preserved." As for Song Shucheng, she very much wanted to say that someone should drag him out and beat him with boards, but punishing a brother-in-law was not her place—and Old Madame was still listening from the inner room. "Or, if you want a divorce, I would agree to that as well. It just depends on whether Second Brother is willing." The moment Cui Lingrong finished speaking, Song Shucheng's eyes lit up. "I won't divorce." Madame Jiang glanced at Song Shucheng, then looked at He Pingping. Her natal family had a stepmother; if she divorced and returned home, she wouldn't have a good time of it. It was then that He Pingping grew afraid. She crawled on her knees to Madame Jiang. She had refused Song Shucheng at first—such a thing was too shameful. But Song Shucheng said that now many people in the household knew she had stopped Cui Zeyu to talk, so who would still marry her after that? She might as well follow him. He Pingping resented that her cousin refused to help her, and she resented Lady Cui for being so merciless—why couldn't she see He Pingping's worth? In her muddled state, He Pingping let Song Shucheng have his way. Once was enough for a second time. These past two days, Song Shucheng had climbed over the wall at night to come to her, promising that if she could bear him a son, he would divorce Madame Jiang and make her the legitimate wife. "Cousin, I was blinded by greed. I beg you, give me a way out." He Pingping knelt at Madame Jiang's feet, knocking her head against the ground repeatedly. "If I'm sent back to the He family, they'll marry me off to some butcher or hunter. I won't survive. I remember all the kindness you've shown me. I beg you." Madame Jiang grew even angrier at those last words, each syllable dripping with blood: "If you knew I was good to you, how could you still do such a thing? He Pingping, do you deserve me?" "I... I don't ask for your forgiveness. Just let me stay by your side. I'll serve you, and from now on I'll listen to everything you say. Cousin, save me. I really can't go back to the He family." He Pingping's forehead was swollen from knocking, but Madame Jiang remained unmoved. Madame Jiang turned her head away, biting her tongue until it bled, her mouth filling with the taste of blood. She had lifted a rock only to drop it on her own feet—she had raised a scourge for herself. Seeing that Madame Jiang wouldn't help her, He Pingping turned to Song Shucheng instead. "Second Master, say something for me! You promised me, you said you would—" "Don't you say nonsense now. Between you and me, it was just a bit of fun between a man and a woman—just playing around." Song Shucheng's original intention in seducing He Pingping had been precisely to disgust Madame Jiang. He had so many women around him and had never taken any of them seriously, let alone He Pingping. This made He Pingping even more despairing. Just playing around? Everything Song Shucheng had promised her—it was all just playing around? He Pingping swept her gaze across the room. Coldness, disgust, contempt... all of them were there. She let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Hasn't Second Master always wanted a child? What if I've already conceived?" At the word "child," Song Shucheng immediately sat up straight, then frowned. "How is that possible? We've only been together a few days. How would you know you're pregnant?" "I don't know. Why doesn't Second Master wait a month or two? What if? Don't you want a son?" He Pingping could see no other hope. If the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion really did send her back to the He family, the rest of her life would be ruined. She could only seize on Song Shucheng's desire for a son to buy herself another month or two. And those words did indeed make Song Shucheng's heart stir. As long as there was even a glimmer of hope, Song Shucheng was willing to keep He Pingping. "Sister-in-law, you heard what she said, didn't you? Let's wait a while. If there's nothing in her belly, then we'll send her back to the He family." As Song Shucheng spoke, he called out, "Mother." Old Madame, who had intended to keep He Pingping in the house all along, upon hearing this, had Mama Xu help her out. "Do as Shuhe says. Jiang, I have never held you accountable for the things you did before. But now, with Shucheng's heirs at stake, if you are dissatisfied, you are welcome to invite your father and mother over, and we can sit down and talk." Song Shucheng had other concubines who had conceived before, but none had ever carried to term. As for why, Madame Jiang knew best. As for inviting Madame Jiang's parents, her face turned ashen. Her stepmother had never cared much for her—otherwise, with her family background, she could have married into a better household. Why else would she have wed into the empty shell of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion? Since Old Madame had spoken, no one dared to object. Cui Lingrong and Madame Jiang were not on particularly good terms, and she would not defy Old Madame on Jiang's behalf. Old Madame Song dismissed everyone. "No one is to speak of this matter to anyone else. For the next two months, He Pingping is not to go anywhere. Three meals a day—Cui, you will have them sent over." She feared Jiang might secretly administer poison and harm another of her grandsons. The group left Shouan Tang together. Princess Rongjia, leaning on Wang Shanxi's Wife's hand, cast a meaningful glance in Cui Lingrong's direction. Song Shucheng did not think Old Madame would punish him, so he strode off without a care. Madame Jiang, however, called out to Cui Lingrong. Puzzled, she looked at her. "Elder Sister-in-law, why did you help me today?" She knew that had Old Madame not intervened, Cui truly would have sent He Pingping away. "I wasn't helping you. I simply cannot stand such behavior, so you need not thank me." Seeing the complicated look in Madame Jiang's eyes, Cui Lingrong smiled slightly. "You don't think I helped you because I have some ulterior motive, do you?" Madame Jiang said nothing. "But Second Sister-in-law, what do you have that I could possibly need?" Cui Lingrong shook her head. "You can barely protect yourself, let alone help me. Let me give you a piece of advice—He Pingping may be base, but for the next two months, don't you dare lay a hand on her. Otherwise, Old Madame and Second Master will not let you off." At that point, it would not be a mutual divorce but a formal dismissal. Madame Jiang pressed on, unwilling to give up. "I thought Elder Sister-in-law stood on my side because you understood my feelings. If you were to act, who would ever know whether He Pingping was truly pregnant?" Only now did she realize how skilled Cui's methods were. Today, Princess Rongjia wanted to take the spotlight, so Cui let her speak her fill first. Only when Princess Rongjia failed to persuade her did Cui speak up. Later, when Old Madame came out, Cui immediately fell silent. No one understood the art of knowing when to advance and when to retreat better than Cui. Madame Jiang hated He Pingping, just as she had said today—anyone could bear Shucheng's child, but not He Pingping. If Cui merely added something to He Pingping's food, she could make it so He Pingping's pregnancy could never be detected. Seeing Cui remain silent, Madame Jiang stepped forward. "Elder Sister-in-law, surely you don't truly want Princess Rongjia to give birth to that child?" Cui Lingrong raised an eyebrow. "What are you trying to say?" "Princess Rongjia is of noble status. If she bears a son, can Xuan-ge still inherit the Marquis Mansion? With a single word from the Rong Prince Mansion, the Marquis would hand the succession to Princess Rongjia's son. What rightfully belongs to Xuan-ge—can Elder Sister-in-law willingly give it away?" Today, Princess Rongjia had kept urging Jiang to let He Pingping stay, and Jiang knew then that Princess Rongjia had never considered her interests. In Princess Rongjia's eyes, she was nothing but an insignificant pawn. "If Elder Sister-in-law will only help me, I will repay you." Madame Jiang felt certain Cui would agree. No matter how good-natured Cui was, when it came to her children, she could not truly play the saint forever.