Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Stoking Discord Song Mingxuan was four years older than his younger brother, old enough to understand the ways of the world. Hearing his sister speak of Princess Rongjia's false pregnancy, a wave of lingering fear surged through his heart. "To answer Mother, the Princess wanted to spoil Jin-ge and me, didn't she?" Hearing Xuan-ge's reply, Cui Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief. "Princess Rongjia will eventually have a son of her own. She and I are both legitimate wives of your father. Both would be legitimate sons—so who inherits the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion?" By legitimacy and by seniority, it should be Song Mingxuan. But Princess Rongjia's status was different. She was a Commandery Princess, and she might even have a brother who would become the crown prince. If Princess Rongjia wanted her son to inherit the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, Song Shulan would certainly agree. Cui Lingrong said seriously, "Xuan-ge, you have been precocious since childhood. You should understand that her position and ours are hostile. From her arranging for you to enter the Guozijian, to her frequent displays of goodwill now—it all reveals something strange." Song Mingxuan replied, "Yes, your son will be more careful from now on." He would study even harder and would never let anyone take what rightfully belonged to him. Cui Lingrong then looked at her younger son. "If Jin-ge wants dignity, he should earn it through his own efforts. The Guozijian contains not only nobles and officials but also those less fortunate than you. You should devote yourself to study rather than comparing clothing. This matter was your fault, and your attendants failed to advise you properly. I will assign you new people." Song Mingjin said he wouldn't dare do it again, and pleaded on behalf of his page boy. "Moshang grew up with me. Please, Mother, give him another chance." "Don't worry, I won't sell him off. I'm only changing the people around you." Cui Lingrong insisted. Cui Zeyu chimed in, "That's right, Jin-ge. Loyalty is a good thing, but you must consider to whom you show it. Next time you and Xuan-ge have a day of rest, I'll take you to the silver shop. Whatever you like, your uncle will buy it for you." Hearing this, Song Mingjin's eyes immediately lit up. "Really?" He had a child's temperament, easily swayed by emotion. Cui Zeyu said it was true. "Yu-jie will come along too." Hearing this, Song Yu also felt a hint of anticipation. She hadn't been out in many days and begged her mother to come along as well. Cui Lingrong, seeing her daughter in a rare good mood, agreed. The group chatted and laughed together, and Cui Zeyu only left after having a meal at Qiushuang Zhai. Cui Lingrong's quarters were warm and cozy, but the rest of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion was not the same. The Third Branch was accustomed to frugality, while Madame Jiang of the Second Branch dared to be angry but not to speak. Both Wutong Yuan and Shouan Tang could not bear the days of insufficient charcoal. Princess Rongjia deliberately paid a visit to Shouan Tang. Seeing that even Shouan Tang had not lit the floor heating grate but instead used a brazier of charcoal, she remarked casually, "I heard from the servants that in our marquis mansion now, only Qiushuang Zhai has the most warmth. People find any excuse to go over there." Old Madame Song, advanced in years, feared the cold even more and rarely left her room during the day. But since Cui Lingrong bought the charcoal with her own money, she found it hard to ask her daughter-in-law for some. The old lady gave a light snort. Princess Rongjia knew the old lady was dissatisfied. "By all rights, you are the elder. Whatever is good should be offered to you first. It's not that we covet what's in Qiushuang Zhai—I'm just worried about your health." At that, Chen De's Wife added, "Indeed, Old Madame. The Princess worried that you might not have enough charcoal here, so she specially spent money to purchase several baskets and had them delivered to Shouan Tang." "You are thoughtful." Old Madame Song also blamed Cui Lingrong for being inconsiderate. She didn't meddle in household affairs, but Cui Zeyu had sent so much charcoal, yet she had never once seen Cui Lingrong show filial piety toward her. After the false pregnancy incident, Old Madame Song did harbor some resentment toward Princess Rongjia. Although Wang Shanxi's Wife insisted that Princess Rongjia had been framed, the truth of the matter could not withstand scrutiny. There was one point in particular that Old Madame Song could not understand. If Princess Rongjia had plotted the false pregnancy, why would she harm Yu-jie? If it had involved Xuan-ge and his brother, she could have understood it somewhat. But this one point, she had never been able to figure out. Or perhaps, as Wang Shanxi's Wife had said, Princess Rongjia truly knew nothing of the false pregnancy, and her actions toward Yu-jie were merely simple revenge? Old Madame Song had lived most of her life. When the old Marquis was alive, there had been many struggles among wives and concubines. But she had been the only legitimate wife, unlike the current situation. She knew that Cui Lingrong and Princess Rongjia could never get along harmoniously—just as now, Princess Rongjia was clearly sowing discord. But Cui Lingrong's recent behavior had disappointed her somewhat. Regardless of what schemes Princess Rongjia harbored, as long as she respected her and showed her filial piety, that was good enough in the old lady's eyes. "The Old Madame dotes on me, so I must think of you in return." Princess Rongjia then brought up the child in Huadie's womb. "Huadie is a fortunate one. She came from my household. Though Sister Cui is the steward, managing the entire household is already exhausting enough. I was hoping to ask the Old Madame for a favor—to allow me to care for Huadie." "You needn't work so hard. Lady Cui handles such matters thoroughly enough." Old Madame Song's first reaction was that Princess Rongjia feared Cui Lingrong would harm Huadie's child. On that point, Old Madame Song trusted Cui Lingrong. After so many years as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Old Madame Song knew very well what kind of person Cui Lingrong was. Though she was not generous enough to proactively take concubines for her husband, Cui Lingrong was by no means the jealous, petty type like Madame Jiang. And with Xuan-ge and his brothers already so grown, a mere concubine-born son could not affect Xuan-ge or Jin-ge. Princess Rongjia added, "I have nothing better to do anyway, and I'd like to share in the good fortune." "I see." Old Madame Song still agreed. "That's true—perhaps if you take care of Huadie, the Child-Giving Goddess will be moved and grant you a child of your own." Princess Rongjia lowered her head with a faint smile, tacitly accepting Old Madame Song's words. After Princess Rongjia left, Old Madame Song realized belatedly, "Mama Xu, do you think Princess Rongjia wants to raise Huadie's child?" "That can't be. The princess is still young, and the Marquis dotes on her. She'll have her own child sooner or later; there's no need for her to raise a concubine-born son." Mama Xu paused, then added, "Normally speaking, that would be the case." "That's true. I hope I'm overthinking it. But if she does want to raise it, that's fine too—if she has a child at her knee, the Rong Prince Mansion would be more willing to promote Shulan." Old Madame Song still hoped her son could advance further. "Send some charcoal to the front courtyard, then go to Qiushuang Zhai and ask Lady Cui whether she's short on charcoal. If she is, I'll send her some too—let's see if she has the face to accept it!" Mama Xu said yes. She went to the front courtyard first, then to Qiushuang Zhai. Before she even entered the room, a wave of warm air hit her face—the princess had indeed not exaggerated. Mama Xu relayed Old Madame Song's words, then paused. "But it seems the Eldest Young Madam doesn't need any here. Your quarters are the most comfortable in the entire marquis residence." Cui Lingrong understood the subtext of Mama Xu's words, but she had no intention of following the step Old Madame Song had laid out for her to play the role of a filial, dutiful daughter-in-law. Instead, she praised Princess Rongjia. "The princess is truly well-off. My dowry can't compare to hers. As for the charcoal in this room, I didn't buy it—Zeyu sent it over." Mama Xu thought to herself that no matter where the charcoal came from, as a daughter-in-law, the Eldest Young Madam should first be filial to her mother-in-law, then prioritize her husband and sons, and only last enjoy things herself. When she looked at the Eldest Young Madam again, the young madam was still the same as before, but the logic behind her words and actions had changed. Mama Xu knew Old Madame Song cared deeply about face, so she stopped there and said no more. After Mama Xu left, Caiyue snorted. "Everyone wants to take advantage of Qiushuang Zhai, but when something happens, the Old Madame never helps the Eldest Young Madam!" "Caiyue." Nanny Qiu shot her a look. The Old Madame's conduct was indeed improper, but a mistress was a mistress—one shouldn't gossip behind her back. Caiyue pressed her lips together and quietly went back to work. Speaking of charcoal, Cui Lingrong thought of something else. "Nanny Qiu, after dark, quietly send two baskets of charcoal to the third branch. Tell Madam Li not to make a fuss, and just say she bought it herself. The two young masters of the third branch are still small and can't withstand the cold." "The Eldest Young Madam is truly kind-hearted," Nanny Qiu said.