Chapter 44

Chapter 44: On Officialdom "I refuse." Cui Lingrong used to be a good person—indeed, a thoroughly considerate one. Her refusal of Madame Jiang was not because she cared nothing for the child in Princess Rongjia's belly, nor was it out of some saintly hope that Princess Rongjia would deliver safely. Rather, it was because Madame Jiang was not clever enough. Teaming up with a fool—you never know when they might get you killed. For instance, they had talked for so long on the road. If anything happened to He Pingping or Princess Rongjia in the future, who wouldn't think of them? "I know you're anxious, but I have no need to take risks with you. You didn't refute Old Madame's decision because you know the Jiang family won't help you. If you're smart, you should be making plans—if He Pingping really is pregnant, what will you do to ensure your position isn't shaken? After all, when I mentioned mutual divorce, Second Master's face genuinely showed anticipation." Cui Lingrong finished speaking and left with her people. Returning to Qiushuang Zhai, she sent Caixia to the front courtyard with a message: when Song Shulan returned, he should come see her. On the other side, Princess Rongjia also sent Qingxue to wait in the front courtyard—she too wished to see Song Shulan. When Song Shulan returned and learned that both Wutong Yuan and Qiushuang Zhai had summoned him, he asked Qingxue what the matter was. "Your Lordship, the Princess has prepared the abalone rice you enjoy, and said she has something to discuss with you," Qingxue said. Song Shulan then looked to Qingshan, who said, "Caixia said it concerns Second Master and Your Lordship's official careers. If Your Lordship has time, you might spare a moment to go over." Which to visit first—Song Shulan made his decision at once. On ordinary days, Cui Lingrong never sent anyone unless something was amiss. This time it concerned official matters, so Song Shulan chose to go to Qiushuang Zhai first, telling Qingxue to return, "Tell the Princess I'll go see her this evening." Qingxue was somewhat surprised, but since the Marquis had spoken, she returned. When Princess Rongjia learned that Song Shulan had gone to Qiushuang Zhai first, she smashed her bowl and chopsticks in fury. "Why must she compete with me in everything? Today as well—I urged Madame Jiang to keep He Pingping, and Cui Lingrong had to send He Pingping away." Wang Shanxi's Wife came over to steady her mistress. "Mind the child." She glanced at Qingxue, who withdrew. "Madame Jiang is a fool too. He Pingping could never become an Equal Wife—she's merely a concubine, easily handled however one wishes. But she had to be stubborn about it. If not for Old Madame's ruling, I would have lost to Cui Lingrong again today." Princess Rongjia grew angrier as she spoke. "Cui Lingrong knew I wanted the Marquis to come over—she did this on purpose, didn't she?" "Don't be angry. Didn't Qingxue say the Marquis went over for matters of the court?" Wang Shanxi's Wife urged. "That Cui Lingrong—daughter of some minor official—how would she understand matters of the court?" Princess Rongjia snorted coldly. It wasn't that she looked down on Cui Lingrong, but with Cui Lingrong's limited experience, she could never understand officialdom better than she did. At this moment in Qiushuang Zhai, Song Shulan was likewise puzzled—what could Cui Lingrong possibly tell him about official matters? As Song Shulan crossed the threshold, Cui Lingrong kept only Nanny Qiu behind, then had Song Shulan sit down to talk. "Your Lordship likely knows nothing of today's affair in the Second Branch." She briefly explained the matter of Second Master and He Pingping. "Second Master wants a son—then let him take a concubine properly. If not for the He family's downfall, would the Marquis's household have to take a second Equal Wife?" Song Shulan listened with brows deeply furrowed; he felt Cui Lingrong was mocking him. "Precisely because the He family has fallen, this matter can be covered up. I don't understand the art of officialdom, but I do know that in conduct and dealings, reputation matters most. Second Master's courtyard already has enough women. If he keeps carrying on, his own ruin is the lesser concern—but what if it affects Your Lordship?" Seeing Song Shulan's expression grow worse, Cui Lingrong continued, "One stroke cannot write two 'Song' characters. The Marquis's household has not been divided. If Second Master is impeached, how would Your Lordship hold yourself?" Help his brother, and others would say they were birds of a feather—neither of them good men. Don't help his brother, and he couldn't answer to Old Madame, and would be called cold and heartless. "Wretched fool!" Song Shulan could no longer sit still. Cui Lingrong told Song Shulan not to rush. "Hear me out, Your Lordship. In this matter, He Pingping knows she's in the wrong, so no matter the outcome, it can be suppressed. But Second Master's nature won't change—there's no guarantee there won't be a next time. They say the eldest brother is like a father. With the Old Marquis gone, Your Lordship is the head of the household. As his sister-in-law, it's not proper for me to speak to my younger brother-in-law, but Your Lordship should properly discipline Second Master—don't let this truly affect you." She knew Song Shulan cared most about his future. As long as that was mentioned, Song Shulan would never let this matter pass lightly. Seeing Song Shulan leave in fury, Cui Lingrong sent Nanny Qiu to follow—if anything happened in the Second Branch, she would know. And Song Shulan completely forgot about going to see Princess Rongjia. He charged straight to the Second Branch, shouting for Song Shucheng to come out. Learning that Song Shucheng was drinking with his concubine, he kicked open the door and dragged the man into the courtyard. "Who's there?" Song Shucheng's stomach churned; he lay on the ground, unable to rise. A bucket of cold water splashed over him, and only then did Song Shucheng sober up considerably. "B-Big Brother?" "All these years, because you had no son, I never interfered with your concubines. But now you've gone and slept with your wife's sister! If you can't control what's between your legs, I'll cut it off for you!" The more Song Shulan thought about it, the angrier he became. He was out there enduring hardship, sometimes having to plaster on a smile, and yet at home he had someone dragging him down. After several kicks, Song Shulan finally felt satisfied. Song Shucheng, hurting from the beating, quickly said, "She seduced me!" "Then you just had to take the bait? You're a human being—do you have no self-control?" Song Shulan pointed at his younger brother. "From childhood to now, you've always been like this—refusing to correct your mistakes and making excuses. Do you have any idea how many people are eyeing the position of Vice Minister of Revenue right now? If the Marquis's household makes even one misstep and I don't get promoted, how will you answer to our ancestors?" He took a deep breath. "Let me tell you, from now on, if I find out you've been visiting courtesan houses, or anything like today happens again, I'll split the family and let you fend for yourself!" Song Shulan was at a critical moment. Prince Rong had told him that as long as he made no mistakes, the position of Vice Minister of Revenue would be his. The promotion he longed for would never be allowed to be affected by anyone. Song Shucheng instinctively felt that Madame Jiang had tattled. As soon as his elder brother left, he stormed into Madame Jiang's room. "Was it you?" "I didn't tattle, and I had no reason to." Madame Jiang had heard the commotion in the courtyard, but she hadn't gone out to defend Song Shucheng. "So many people knew about today's incident. Don't forget, the Marquis is the head of the household—someone was bound to tell him." Only then did Song Shucheng calm down. He'd been kicked several times by his elder brother and ached all over. Seeing Madame Jiang still calmly sipping tea, he felt annoyed. "I got beaten by my brother—are you happy about it?" "Is that what you think of me, Second Master?" Madame Jiang gave a self-deprecating smile. "We've been married for years, and you say I'm jealous and vicious. But why is that?" "It's because I care about you." After talking with Cui Lingrong, Madame Jiang felt that Cui Lingrong was absolutely right. Since she wasn't going to pursue a Mutual Divorce, what she should be thinking about was how to hold onto her position as the Second Madam of the Marquis's household. She had given up hope on Song Shucheng—they could never return to the days of their newlywed bliss. But if she kept butting heads with Song Shucheng, she would only push him further away. And when Song Shucheng heard Madame Jiang's words, he was visibly stunned. "We were once in love. Have you forgotten? You even said you'd pluck the moon from the sky for me if I asked." Madame Jiang lowered her head as she spoke, and tears fell with her words. She wasn't unattractive—she had the delicate charm of a modest beauty. That was why Song Shucheng had once been fond of her. Her tears reminded Song Shucheng of the time right after they were first married. Just then, Qingshan came to deliver a message. "The Marquis says that from now on, Second Master's monthly allowance will be given to Second Madam to manage. Second Master is not to have a single coin in his hands." Only then did Song Shucheng realize his elder brother was truly furious. He thought to himself that without money, he'd be at Madame Jiang's mercy. But then Madame Jiang said she'd still give it to him. "I know that in your eyes, I must be pleased right now. But what use is there in taking your monthly allowance? Your heart left me long ago. I'll just give it back to you—I won't manage it anymore." Madame Jiang rose and sat on the edge of the bed, turning her body away so she wouldn't look at Song Shucheng. Strangely, now that Madame Jiang had stopped caring, Song Shucheng felt uncomfortable instead. He was a thick-skinned sort, so he shamelessly sidled over. "What are you saying, my dear? Since my brother wants you to manage it, you really should still manage me." Of course, he'd still keep the silver for himself. But right now, seeing Madame Jiang's coquettish pout that made her look so endearing, he felt a stirring of desire. Watching Song Shucheng come over to coax her, Madame Jiang finally understood why Cui Lingrong hadn't made a huge scene with the Marquis when she returned to the household. Now in the Marquis's household, Cui Lingrong had taken back control of the household management. When Old Madame had important matters, she still had Cui Lingrong help handle them. As for the Marquis, though he mostly stayed at Wutong Court, he hadn't lost his respect for Cui Lingrong. It was only now that Madame Jiang realized she fell short of Cui Lingrong—not by a little, but by a lot. Looking at the man before her, Madame Jiang didn't make a fuss like she used to. She gave a soft hum, gentle and sweet, with a hint of coyness. As for Song Shulan, he was angered by his younger brother's affair and made another trip to Shouan Tang, where he talked with Old Madame at length. It wasn't until he lay down that night that he remembered he'd promised Princess Rongjia he would go to Wutong Court. Forget it. He was already lying down. Surely the Commandery Princess would understand.