Chapter 64

Chapter 64: A Hint While Madam Li was doing needlework, Nanny Qiu arrived at the Third Master's courtyard. Nanny Qiu did not dare to linger long. She passed along the message to Hongmei, who served Madam Li, and then left. When Madam Li learned that Nanny Qiu had come to deliver charcoal briquettes, she was taken aback. "Hongmei, I've done wrong by my eldest sister-in-law." Hongmei knew her mistress was referring to the matter of Yu-jie. "Don't overthink it. You have little standing in this household. Even if you had gone to Wutong Yuan that day, it wouldn't have made a difference. Fortunately, in the end, it was Princess Rongjia who knelt in the ancestral hall. Don't burden yourself with guilt." Because of her husband's words, Madam Li had hesitated and ultimately not gone to Wutong Yuan. Receiving the charcoal today filled her with remorse. "My eldest sister-in-law is a good person," Madam Li sighed. "Old Madame only cares about the Marquis and herself, and Princess Rongjia has a black heart." The life of the Marquis's household only looked splendid to outsiders. The truth of how good or bad it was, only they themselves knew. "Once the family is divided and you can be mistress of your own household, your days will be better," Hongmei consoled her. "That's true, but it's also not. Right now, before the division, we eat and live at the Marquis's expense. After the division, we can make our own decisions, but how will we get by?" Speaking of this, Madam Li felt like sighing again. Third Master managed the Marquis household's properties. After the division, how much would actually fall to the Third branch? Madam Li felt a melancholy in her heart and slept poorly that night. The next day, she brought the protective pads she had made and took them to Qiushuang Zhai. When she arrived, Cui Lingrong was still speaking with the stewardesses, so she sat to the side and listened. "If anyone wants to help Young Master Yu, you can speak with Caixia. Your monthly allowance will be increased by half this month. Also, for the New Year gifts, make sure to coordinate with the merchants and don't leave anything out." After giving her instructions, Cui Lingrong took a sip of chrysanthemum tea to soothe her throat, then thanked Madam Li for the protective pads. "It's just a small thing. You're too kind, eldest sister-in-law." "No matter how small, it's something you made with your own hands. It's the thought that counts." Cui Lingrong said with a smile. "The weather has been getting colder lately. Ling-jie has caught a chill, so you need to take good care of both children. Children fall ill easily—you can't afford to be careless." Regarding Ling-jie of the Second branch, Madam Li had only seen her twice—once at her full-month celebration and once at her first birthday. Other than that, Concubine Meng had never brought Ling-jie out again. "Thank you for your concern, eldest sister-in-law. These days, I haven't been taking Lang-ge out at all. Otherwise, the sudden change from warm to cold would be too much for him." When it came to talking about their children, Madam Li and Cui Lingrong had many topics in common. After a while, Nanny Qiu came in and said that Old Madame had instructed that from now on, all matters concerning Huadie would be handled by Princess Rongjia, and Cui Lingrong need not concern herself. Hearing this, Madam Li studied her eldest sister-in-law and tentatively asked, "Does the Princess want Huadie's child?" Cui Lingrong shook her head. "As you know, the Princess and I don't even maintain a facade of harmony anymore. How could I possibly know what she's thinking?" Madam Li thought for a moment and helped analyze the situation. "Huadie is someone who came from Wutong Yuan. It would make sense for her child to be registered under the Princess's name. But the Princess isn't that generous. If she truly wants Huadie's child, I'm afraid she won't keep Huadie in the Marquis's household." Madam Li appeared low-key, but in truth, she understood many things. She was eager to repay Cui Lingrong's kindness and continued, "If the Princess intends to remove the mother to keep the child, eldest sister-in-law should worry more about Xuan-ge. Ideally, Huadie would give birth to a daughter, so that she might be safe. But whether the Princess wants the child at all is another matter—I'm just saying it's better to be prepared." If it were Madam Li, she likely wouldn't let Huadie carry the child to term. Not because she was jealous or couldn't tolerate others, but because the situation in the eldest branch was truly special. "You're right. Thank you for thinking of me." Cui Lingrong could see that Madam Li was grateful for the charcoal she had sent. When Madam Li left, she had Nanny Qiu find two sheepskins for Madam Li to take back for use. After Madam Li left, Nanny Qiu also began to scheme a little. "Actually, Third Madam is right—it would be best if it's a daughter. But we won't know whether it's a boy or girl until the child is born. Eldest Madam, allow this old servant to say one more thing. You have a kind heart, but sometimes you must be willing to play the villain." "Let me think about it." Cui Lingrong had never done such a thing before and couldn't make a decision right away. However, there were some things she could warn Huadie about in advance. Old Madame wouldn't let her manage Huadie, but when a concubine was pregnant, it was perfectly normal for the legitimate wife to send some gifts as a gesture of concern. She called for Caixia. "Go pay Huadie a visit. Tell her that the Princess has taken over her affairs, and from now on, she can bring anything up with the Princess directly." Caixia understood her mistress's meaning. She brought some things and went to Huadie's quarters. As soon as she entered, she smiled and praised Huadie. Before leaving, she made sure to add one more remark: "You're truly blessed, Madam. The Princess specially requested this favor from Old Madame. It seems she places great importance on the child in your womb. If your child can be registered under the Princess's name and raised by her, it would be even more honorable." "What? The Princess wants to raise my child?" Huadie had never considered such a possibility. "Oh, this servant doesn't know anything about that. I was just speaking casually because I saw how attentive the Princess is. Don't take it to heart—this servant was just rambling." Caixia said. "This servant will take her leave now. Please rest well." The moment Caixia was out the door, Huadie wanted to go find the Princess and ask for clarification. Baitao's face turned pale with fright as she grabbed her mistress's arm. "You're being foolish! If the Commandery Princess is willing to raise your child, that's a good thing!" "What's so good about it?" Huadie didn't want to give her child to the princess. "She'll have her own children someday. Why does she have to take mine?" The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt. Baitao said hurriedly, "The child came from your womb—no one can change that. But if the child is registered under the princess's name, he'll be a legitimate son. Isn't that better than following you?" "But I can't bear to part with him." "If you miss the child, you can go see him every day. Besides, what would you accomplish by going over there now? If you question whether the princess wants to raise your child, do you think she'll be pleased?" Baitao felt exhausted. How had she ended up with such a mistress? Only when Huadie heard that the Commandery Princess would be angered did she stop charging out the door. She let Baitao pull her back to sit down, her mind a blank. Baitao soothed her for quite a while, and only after her mistress had rested did she head to the Wutong Courtyard to find Mama Wang. "So it was Caixia who came by, and that's what gave Concubine Huadie the idea?" Wang Hechun's Wife asked. Baitao said yes. "I suspect the Eldest Young Madam wanted to stir up trouble, which is why she sent Caixia over. Mama Wang, does the princess really want the concubine's child?" "Don't worry about that. Just do your job well by the concubine's side, and when it's done, the princess will surely reward you." Wang Hechun's Wife dismissed Baitao, then went to report to her mistress. When Commandery Princess Rongjia learned that Caixia had gone to see Huadie, her face darkened instantly. "She really does have ill intentions. Thank goodness Baitao is quick-witted and could talk Huadie down." "Yes, Baitao was chosen by my late mother-in-law, so she naturally sides with you, Your Highness. She had to persuade Concubine Huadie for quite a while before she calmed down." Wang Hechun's Wife now felt a sense of crisis—she sensed that the princess only shared certain matters with Chen De's Wife and not with her, so she made a point of bringing up her deceased mother-in-law from time to time. "Yes, if your mother-in-law were still here, I wouldn't have to worry at all." Commandery Princess Rongjia sighed. "Have Baitao keep watching. Cui Lingrong is very likely to make a move. We must protect Huadie's child." Wang Hechun's Wife ventured, "Actually, Your Highness, if the Eldest Young Madam truly has such intentions, why not turn her scheme against her? Once we have leverage over her, the Marquis and Old Madame will surely side with you." Commandery Princess Rongjia had considered this herself, but she feared the child in Huadie's womb might truly be lost. "Let's not. The safety of Huadie's child comes first." She had waited so long for this child—she absolutely could not let anything happen to it. Wang Hechun's Wife found it strange. The princess could simply have her own child—why fixate on Huadie's belly? Meanwhile, Cui Lingrong, who had gone out, encountered Lady Wu at the Fanlou restaurant. She had taken her people to her younger brother's new residence to inspect the site, and since she was already out, she decided to bring her daughter to the Fanlou for some refreshments. "I spotted your maidservant outside the door and learned you were here. What a coincidence! I hope the Marchioness doesn't mind my intrusion?" Lady Wu had already taken a seat, her own daughter in tow. Cui Lingrong could only say it was no trouble and introduced her daughter to Lady Wu. "Yu-jie, come give your respects to the Consort of the Heir to Prince Rong." Song Yu was just about to rise when Lady Wu quickly said there was no need for such formalities. "There are no outsiders here—no need for all that ceremony. This is my daughter, Yu-jie. The two of you are about the same age, so you can chat together." With that, she turned to her daughter. "Yu-jie, didn't you say you wanted to go listen to the storyteller? Why don't you take Yu-jie along?" Zhao Yu glanced at her mother, then rose to wait for Song Yu. Cui Lingrong nodded to her daughter and had Caixia accompany the two young ladies. Only when the private room was left with just her and Lady Wu did she ask, "Your Highness, you sent the girls away—is there something you wish to discuss with me?" "I heard that Rongjia has gotten the Marquis's concubine pregnant," Lady Wu said. "Your Highness is indeed well-informed. That's correct—she's already more than a month along." "What are your thoughts, Marchioness? Do you want this child to be born?" Hearing this, Cui Lingrong studied Lady Wu carefully. "I don't understand Your Highness's meaning. Moreover, the Commandery Princess specifically sought out our Old Madame and asked me not to interfere in Huadie's affairs—she will handle Huadie's care herself." "Do you know why?" Lady Wu asked. Cui Lingrong ventured, "Most likely the Commandery Princess wants to raise this child herself." "Yes, she certainly wants to raise this child." Lady Wu was very pleased with Cui Lingrong's answer. This showed that Cui Lingrong was clever—and such a person was fit to be her ally. "Would the Marchioness like to know why Rongjia doesn't have a child of her own, but instead sets her sights on the child in the concubine's womb?"