Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Beaten to Death "My Lord, this concubine..." Concubine Zhao had just begun to speak when Song Shulan's brows furrowed. He directly ignored Concubine Zhao and let Cui Lingrong handle it as she saw fit. Concubine Zhao hastily kowtowed to Cui Lingrong. "Grand Madam, spare my life! This concubine was also... I was momentarily confused. I beg you, in consideration of past affections, spare me this once. From now on, I will serve you like an ox or a horse, without a single complaint." Again and again she kowtowed, blood streaming down her forehead. But Cui Lingrong felt not a shred of sympathy. If not for General Xie being present today, she and her younger brother truly might not have been able to protect Yu-jie's reputation. Should she sympathize with Concubine Zhao for being forced into this? Cui Lingrong would not. Concubine Zhao came to the Wutong Courtyard every few days—everyone knew she was trying to curry favor with Princess Rongjia. "Concubine Zhao, you have at least served the Marquis for several years. In consideration of that bond, I will spare your life," Cui Lingrong said. "But you can no longer remain in this household. From now on, you will go to the estate, and your food and clothing must be earned by your own hands. Whether it's washing clothes or embroidery and weaving, it's up to you." At these words, Concubine Zhao's vision went black, and Nanny Qiu had to press her philtrum to revive her. In all her years at the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, Cui Lingrong had never shorted Concubine Zhao's monthly allowance—she never had to work in the dark for money. After years of comfortable living, her ten fingers had grown slender and fair. Now being made to do rough labor—how could Concubine Zhao bear it? And as a disgraced person sent to the estate, would others let her off easy? "Grand Madam, I beg you, spare this concubine!" Concubine Zhao crawled forward weeping, but Cui Lingrong gave her no chance to plead further and directly ordered the matrons to drag her away. Only after Concubine Zhao's cries faded into silence did Song Shulan speak. "He Qingxue and Wang Shanxi's Wife both serve the Princess. Perhaps... perhaps let the Princess handle them?" Wang Shanxi's Wife's fingers had already been put to torture. She knew she would certainly be punished, but having served Princess Rongjia for so many years, she still hoped the Princess would spare her life. She looked toward the door with hope in her eyes, but no one came out. Qingxue kept her head lowered, her teeth clenched tightly, showing no intention of begging for mercy. Cui Lingrong looked up at Song Shulan. "Does the Marquis not feel any guilt toward Yu-jie?" Song Shulan awkwardly turned his head away. "Then what do you suggest?" From the moment Prince Rong arrived at the Wutong Courtyard, Cui Lingrong knew she could not touch Princess Rongjia. She had long wanted to cut off the Princess's right and left hands, and this time Princess Rongjia had handed her the leverage herself—how could she let it go easily? Especially Wang Shanxi's Wife—every previous time, it was she who had come out to mediate for Princess Rongjia. "The confession states that Wang Shanxi's Wife was the mastermind, and that she was the one who kept instigating the Princess. Such a treacherous servant cannot be kept. If she is not severely punished, how can order be maintained?" Cui Lingrong's cold gaze swept over Song Shulan, and when she looked at Wang Shanxi's Wife, her eyes were like those of someone looking at the dead. "Set up two benches right here in this courtyard. Wang Shanxi's Wife will receive fifty strokes of the board. Qingxue..." From beginning to end, Qingxue had not spoken a single word. Cui Lingrong looked at her. "Qingxue will receive twenty strokes. Whether they live or die depends on their own fortune. If they survive, they'll be sent to the estate to do rough labor." With twenty strokes, Qingxue might have a chance at survival—Cui Lingrong had other uses for her. But Wang Shanxi's Wife had to die. If she was not ruthless today, it would harm her in the future. Song Shulan wanted nothing to do with this matter. He let Cui Lingrong handle it however she wished and walked away. Cui Lingrong stayed behind, watching as Wang Shanxi's Wife and Qingxue were punished. At the twenty-sixth stroke, Wang Shanxi's Wife fainted. Cui Lingrong had someone splash a bucket of water on her to wake her. "Wang Shanxi's Wife, if you have anything else to say, I might reduce your punishment somewhat. Look—your loyal mistress won't even show her face. How chilling." Wang Shanxi's Wife's face was a mess of tears and snot. She wanted to live, but she could not betray the Princess—her entire family's lives were held in the Princess's hands. She could not even lift her head, and could only lie prone as she said, "Grand Madam has won today, but can you keep winning forever? This old servant will go down to the underworld first and wait—let's see when you come to join me!" "Very well. You're quite bold." Cui Lingrong gave a look, and the matrons continued the beating. Inside the room, Princess Rongjia listened to the screams one after another, her hatred for Cui Lingrong growing ever deeper. She had wanted to go out, but her mother's people held her back, and Chen De's Wife blocked her path. "Your Highness, don't be foolish. They are already your discarded pieces. This incident has already created a rift between you and the Marquis. If you go out and quarrel with the Grand Madam again, the Marquis will only grow more irritated." "But they have served me for so many years. To just sit here and listen—my conscience won't allow it." Princess Rongjia did share some genuine feeling with Wang Shanxi's Wife. "Mama Wang dying for her mistress is her honor. In the future, you can promote her son and daughter-in-law—that will be her blessing as well." Chen De's Wife was to remain and take Wang Shanxi's Wife's place, and she needed to make the Princess see clearly. "As long as you remain safe and well, there will always be a chance to turn things around. And when that day comes, will there be any lack of opportunity for revenge?" "Yes, you're right. I was too careless." Princess Rongjia wished she could grind Cui Lingrong's bones to dust. "I never expected Cui Zeyu to bring Xie Yunting here." She wondered whether Xie Yunting would go around spreading word of today's events. The Princess's brow twitched incessantly. Cui Lingrong had her kneeling in the ancestral hall every day for an entire month. That venomous woman! The screams outside had stopped. Nanny Qiu entered to report, "Princess, Mama Wang is dead. The Eldest Young Madam sent me to ask whether you'll handle Mama Wang's remains yourself, or have them tossed into the mass grave?" "Leave her to me!" Princess Rongjia ground out through clenched teeth. "The Eldest Young Madam said that if you wish to handle it, you'll have to cover the expenses yourself. A treacherous servant like Mama Wang doesn't deserve the household's silver." Nanny Qiu felt immense satisfaction. Her mistress had bested Princess Rongjia and made the Marquis see the Princess's true face. From now on, the Eldest Young Madam's position was unshakeable. Princess Rongjia longed to tear Nanny Qiu's mouth apart, but she truly had no strength left. Chen De's Wife said, "We're grateful for the Eldest Young Madam's consideration. The Princess can certainly afford this small sum." "Very well." Nanny Qiu withdrew and followed her mistress to visit Yu-jie. Song Yu had been watching the doorway the entire time. The moment her mother appeared, she asked urgently, "How did it go, Mother? It's been proven that I didn't run into the Princess, hasn't it?" Cui Lingrong looked at her daughter with tender affection. "Mm, it's all been proven." She took her daughter's hand and recounted the day's events in detail. "Fortunately, your maternal uncle brought General Xie along, or this matter would have been very difficult to resolve." Song Yu cried. She buried herself in her mother's arms and wept with abandon. Even though the truth had come to light, she wasn't happy. What she had endured today was the most humiliating experience in her decade and more of life. Especially her disappointment in her father. If her mother hadn't insisted on seeking justice for her, how could she ever have shown her face again? "Now, now. If you keep crying, you'll ruin your eyes." Cui Lingrong gently wiped away her daughter's tears. "Your great-aunt once told me not to shed tears lightly. Cry only when crying can resolve something. You've been hurt today. Remember this lesson well. Only when you grow stronger yourself can I rest easy." "Mm, I won't cry anymore." Song Yu gave her mother a small smile, then grew worried for her in turn. "You defied Father and Grandmother today. What will you do now?" "The same as before." Cui Lingrong smiled with a hint of helplessness. "In this household, your father is the head. Though I wish you could live a purer life, without these schemes in the inner quarters, it's hard to get by. Remember my words. When your father and grandmother send people to see you, you may be angry, you may throw one or two small tantrums—but never a third." Song Yu pressed her lips together. "I think I'll never be close to Father again." Just thinking of him wounded her. That kick had shattered her heart. "You don't need to be genuinely close to him. Instead, you must learn to use his guilt to your own advantage." Cui Lingrong sighed. "Yu-jie, I can't protect you forever. You have to become formidable yourself." Song Yu nodded. "I understand." Mother and daughter talked for a long while. By the time Cui Lingrong left, the night had grown deep. She returned to Qiushuang Zhai and was surprised to see a figure seated in the room. Entering, she saw Song Shulan holding a book. The words he had spoken today flashed through Cui Lingrong's mind. Expressionless, she asked, "The Marquis is still awake at this hour. Is there something you wish to discuss with me?"