Chapter 61

Chapter 61: The Noble Concubine After the physician took Huadie's pulse, he confirmed that she was over a month pregnant. Huadie was overjoyed, eager to send someone to report the good news to the Marquis. Cui Lingrong's only reaction was a barely perceptible frown. Was she unhappy? It seemed she wasn't. Cui Lingrong quickly assumed the composure and grace befitting a principal wife. "The Marquis has gone to his post. I will send word to the gatekeeper so that the Marquis will come see you upon his return. Since you are with child, you must take good care of yourself—especially during the first three months, you must be extra careful and avoid eating anything harmful." She then instructed Baitao, "You must be especially meticulous with your mistress's food and clothing. You are still an unmarried girl and know nothing of these matters, so I will find a nanny to assist you. Once your mistress gives birth, you will be handsomely rewarded." Naturally, Baitao was delighted that her mistress was pregnant and agreed without giving it much thought. After Huadie and her maidservant left, Cui Lingrong sent Nanny Qiu to Shouan Tang. "Report the good news to Old Madame and let her share in the joy. After Shouan Tang, go to Wutong Yuan and tell them that I have made all the arrangements. If the Commandery Princess wishes to bestow tonics or such things, it would be best to inform us first, so as not to conflict with anything." Nanny Qiu understood her mistress's intentions and went first to Shouan Tang. Caixia was somewhat puzzled. "Is Concubine Huadie trying to pledge herself to you?" "I'm not sure. Since she came, I will handle matters according to the rules. I cannot afford any mistakes here," Cui Lingrong said. "And since Princess Rongjia knows she came to see me, it seems their relationship is not what it once was." Meanwhile, Princess Rongjia had sent Song Shulan off early in the morning and then heard from Wang Hechun's Wife that Huadie might be pregnant. When Wang Hechun's Wife went to find Huadie, she was nowhere to be seen. Only later did she learn that Huadie had gone to Qiushuang Zhai. Then Nanny Qiu arrived and relayed her mistress's message to Princess Rongjia. Princess Rongjia was so furious her face nearly twisted out of shape. "Go tell Sister Cui that since Huadie came from my Wutong Yuan, I will take care of her myself. There's no need for her to trouble herself." "Forgive me, Your Highness, but the Young Mistress is the managing matriarch of the marquis's household. Concubine Huadie's pregnancy is a joyous occasion. The Young Mistress is duty-bound to look after Concubine Huadie properly. Otherwise, if Concubine Huadie were to feel unwell, the Marquis would be displeased." Nanny Qiu insisted on the Young Mistress's position. After Nanny Qiu left, Princess Rongjia hurled her teacup to the ground. "That lowly slave! I elevated her and gave her everything she has today. How dare she go behind my back and consort with that wretch Cui Lingrong!" She sent someone to summon Huadie. Wang Hechun's Wife tried to explain on Huadie's behalf. "Your Highness, please don't be angry. Concubine Huadie came yesterday evening to report this matter, so she clearly thought of you first. When she arrives, you can question her carefully." When her mother-in-law had been alive, she rarely spoke of the Princess's affairs, only occasionally letting slip a word or two. Regarding Concubine Huadie, her mother-in-law's assessment had been: beautiful, certainly, but truly stupid. If that was the case, then summoning the physician was probably not Concubine Huadie's own idea. But Chen De's Wife had a different view. "If Concubine Huadie were truly devoted to Your Highness, why would she go to Qiushuang Zhai this morning? Has Mama Wang received some benefit from Concubine Huadie that she would speak up for her?" Wang Hechun's Wife immediately put on a stern face. "What benefit could I possibly gain? I was brought into Wutong Yuan to serve because of Your Highness's favor, and I am nothing but grateful. When my mother-in-law was alive, she always said that Your Highness showed our family great kindness, and that our Wang family would remain loyal for a lifetime!" At the mention of Wang Shanxi's Wife, Princess Rongjia felt a slight pang in her heart. That was the nanny who had watched her grow up and knew everything about her. She waved her hand to signal the two women to stop arguing and told Wang Hechun's Wife to go fetch Huadie. There were many things she couldn't easily discuss with Wang Hechun's Wife; she never felt quite as close to her. "Don't argue with her. The entire Wang family is in my hands, and Wang Shanxi's Wife was my most capable person in the past. The Wang family would never do anything to betray me," Princess Rongjia said in the Wang family's defense. She couldn't feel close to Chen De's Wife either, but Chen De's Wife was her mother's trusted confidante who knew all her private matters, so she could be trusted to use. Chen De's Wife conceded, "This old servant was wrong. We should be united against outsiders." After a pause, she turned to the subject of the child in Huadie's belly. "We must ensure this child survives. If it's a boy, we'll bring him over and register him under your name." Princess Rongjia somewhat regretted choosing Huadie to serve Song Shulan. "Huadie's mind simply isn't sharp. If I had chosen Qingxue back then, she would have been far more reliable in her conduct." "Stupid has its advantages. Once the child is born, after a few months, we'll deal with Concubine Huadie, and then you'll be the child's birth mother. That way, the bond will be closer," Chen De's Wife said. Princess Rongjia narrowed her eyes, silently acquiescing to Chen De's Wife's suggestion. Before long, Huadie arrived. Before coming, she had been reminded by Baitao, so upon entering the room, she knelt directly and explained, "The Young Mistress sent someone to summon this concubine a few days ago. This concubine thought that never going would leave a handle for the Young Mistress to use, so she decided to pay a visit. Unexpectedly, the pastries at Qiushuang Zhai were too rich, and this concubine couldn't help but vomit. That's when the Young Mistress called for the physician. This concubine absolutely had no intention of defecting to the Young Mistress." "Baitao, quickly help your mistress up. It's winter, and the ground is cold." Princess Rongjia wore a look of magnanimous concern. "Look at you, do you take me for such a petty person?" As she spoke, Chen De's Wife brought over tonics and rewards. Princess Rongjia continued, "You are someone I sent to serve the Marquis. Your pregnancy brings me honor as well. In the days ahead, all you need to do is protect the pregnancy—don't worry about anything else. If you lack anything, come and tell me. Even if I have to go without in my own quarters, you'll be provided for first." Seeing the Princess's every word filled with concern, Huadie finally breathed a sigh of relief and no longer suppressed her joy. "Thank you for your care, Princess. I will surely bear the Marquis many children and give him a healthy son!" Princess Rongjia smiled and said good, then had the small kitchen make Huadie's favorite pastries and deliberately kept her for a meal, sending Huadie's heart soaring with delight and making her look forward to the child's birth even more. By evening, when Song Shulan returned and learned that Huadie was pregnant, he was overjoyed and went straight to her quarters. Within half a day, the entire Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion knew that Huadie was with child—some were pleased, others envious. The next day, when Cui Lingrong went to Shouan Tang to pay her respects, she overheard Old Madame telling Madame Jiang that she wanted to arrange two concubines for the Second Master. "If He Pingping's belly doesn't produce anything, find Shucheng a Noble Concubine." Old Madame Song gave Madame Jiang no pleasant expression. "Don't pull a long face and sulk. How many years have you been married into the Marquis Mansion, and Shucheng still has no son? Once he has a son, Shucheng can devote himself to his official career, and your good days will come." Inside her sleeve, Madame Jiang's nails dug into her palm until it turned white, yet she felt no pain. A Noble Concubine was no ordinary concubine—Madame Jiang could neither beat her nor sell her off at will. If the Noble Concubine bore a son, Madame Jiang might well end up living at the mercy of her moods. At this moment, Madame Jiang had no choice but to concede. "The Second Master said... said he fancies Cuiying by your daughter-in-law's side. I've already planned to give Cuiying her freedom and elevate her status." "Hmph, at least you have that awareness." Old Madame Song refused to change her mind. "But the Noble Concubine must still be arranged. Me asking you to find one now is me giving you face. If you're unwilling to handle it, I'll have your eldest sister-in-law take charge." Suddenly put on the spot, Cui Lingrong had no choice but to interject, "Old Madame overestimates your daughter-in-law. This is, after all, a matter of the Second Master's household—it wouldn't be proper for me to interfere. Better to let Second Sister-in-law carefully select someone who suits both her and the Second Master's tastes." Madame Jiang had been afraid Cui Lingrong would accept the task; hearing that she wanted nothing to do with it, she silently breathed a sigh of relief. Old Madame Song gave a snort, then turned to the matter of Huadie's child. "Cui, pay close attention to this. This is Shulan's first child since his promotion—it carries good fortune." "Your daughter-in-law understands." Cui Lingrong said. Leaving Shouan Tang, there was a stretch of path where Cui Lingrong and Madame Jiang had to walk together. Madame Jiang spoke with veiled sarcasm, "Elder Sister-in-law has such a generous heart, able to tolerate so many women surrounding the Marquis. Do you not care about him at all?" "Second Sister-in-law, don't tease me. The Marquis and I are an old married couple—why would I dwell on such things?" Cui Lingrong brushed it off casually. But Madame Jiang refused to drop the subject. "But have you considered—if Huadie gives birth to a son and Princess Rongjia has him recorded under her name as a legitimate heir, who's to say Xuan-ge won't lose the inheritance of the Marquis Mansion!" "The Princess is still young." Cui Lingrong said. "Is that so? What if the Princess is eager to rise?" Madame Jiang looked at Cui Lingrong. "Everyone in Bianjing says Elder Sister-in-law is the most thorough and thoughtful person, and I'll admit to that. Why not have Elder Sister-in-law think of a way for me to make Old Madame abandon the idea of a Noble Concubine? I'll remember your kindness."