Chapter 67

Chapter 67: The Curse "Your brother-in-law is so sure that our sister can't leave the Marquis's household that he doesn't take her seriously at all." Xie Yunting felt indignant on Sister Cui's behalf. "If you ask me, a man like him deserves to be taught a lesson. How about I find an opportunity to give him a beating?" "I've already hit him once, and I can't cripple or kill him—no matter what I do, it won't vent my anger." Cui Zeyu shook his head. As long as Song Shulan was alive, he would keep causing trouble. Xie Yunting agreed. "I'm not afraid of trouble, but killing someone is out of the question. Just wait—if I ever catch him slipping up, I'll make sure to report him thoroughly to the Emperor!" Cui Zeyu thought it over. Song Shulan wasn't particularly capable; his promotions were all thanks to Prince Rong. "Rather than reporting him, you'd be better off reporting Prince Rong. Isn't the reason he's fawning over Princess Rongjia because of Prince Rong?" "You're right, but Prince Rong may be flashy in his ways, yet no real dirt has ever come out about him." Xie Yunting said there was plenty of time ahead. It was getting late, so Xie Yunting simply stayed the night at Cui Zeyu's place. The next day, Cui Zeyu went to the cloth shop. He didn't go to tell his sister about this matter—he didn't want to make her sad. The only way he could truly help her now was by becoming stronger himself. As for Cui Lingrong, she had been busy for several days and decided to take a day of rest. She had the kitchen slaughter two sika deer and planned to roast venison in the pavilion. The pavilion was shielded from the wind with straw mats on all sides. Inside, the charcoal fire brought warmth without making it stuffy. Cui Lingrong sent invitations to both the Second and Third branches, including Old Madame Song. However, Old Madame Song was afraid of the cold and didn't come herself. Instead, she sent Mama Xu with a jar of fruit wine. "The Old Madame says she won't come to join the fun. This jar of plum wine is sweet and tart—it pairs well with roasted venison." "Please thank the Old Madame on my behalf. Since you're here, Mama Xu, have a couple of pieces first." As soon as Cui Lingrong finished speaking, Caixia, quick-witted as ever, brought a plate of venison. The aroma of roasting meat whetted the appetite, and Mama Xu instinctively swallowed before smiling and eating two pieces. "Thank you for the treat, First Madam. This old servant will be on her way now—enjoy yourselves and have a good time." After Mama Xu left, Huadie arrived. Everyone was surprised to see her. "I know I can't eat any of this, but since everyone is having fun, I just couldn't bear to stay away. I wanted to come over and chat with my sisters." As she spoke, Huadie deliberately touched her belly. She walked over to Concubine Zhang and gestured for her to give up her seat. Now that she was pregnant, she was far more distinguished than Concubine Zhang. After sitting down, she said to Concubine Zhang, "Would you be so kind as to pour me a cup of tea, sister? The smell alone makes me salivate, but unfortunately I can't eat any." Madame Jiang interjected, "Oh? You're a concubine, and Concubine Zhang is also a concubine. How is it that you're ordering her around? Concubine Zhang, you just sit right there. There are plenty of servants in this pavilion—are they all deaf?" Madame Jiang couldn't stand Huadie's smug attitude. So what if she was pregnant? What was there to show off about? Hearing this, Caixia hurried over to pour the tea. Huadie was scolded by Madame Jiang, and since she didn't dare talk back to her, she took out her anger on Caixia instead. "Caixia, what's wrong with you? It's so hot—how am I supposed to drink this?" "Sister Huadie, if the tea is hot, just wait a moment. Why take it out on a servant?" Concubine Zhang couldn't help but say something. Huadie let out a "pfft" and said, "The First Madam hasn't said anything—since when is it your place to manage me?" She turned her head. "First Madam, you're in such high spirits today. If only I weren't pregnant—I'd love to eat roasted venison too." Cui Lingrong looked over with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Huadie, being pregnant doesn't mean you can strut around and belittle others. Don't be so defiant. I am the wife, and you are the concubine. In my presence, you must follow the rules. Apologize to Concubine Zhang." Concubine Zhang didn't want to cause trouble. "Forget it, First Madam." "This isn't just about you today—the rules of the Marquis's household cannot be bent." Cui Lingrong insisted. She looked at Huadie. "What? Does my word not carry weight?" "First Madam, I..." With so many people watching, Huadie didn't want to apologize. Concubine Zhang was old and faded—how could she compare to Huadie? But with the First Madam staring her down, Huadie felt a pang of guilt and had no choice but to rise and offer her apologies to Concubine Zhang. After that, she had no face to stay. She left in a huff with Baitao. Just as she stepped out of the pavilion, Madame Jiang sneered, "What a petty, small-minded display. Anyone can get pregnant—the real skill is carrying it to term. And even after giving birth, keeping the child is what truly counts. Strutting around here and throwing your weight around—don't end up making clothes for someone else's child in the end. Now that would be a real joke." Madame Jiang had no children of her own, and she hated it when people flaunted their pregnancies. Huadie heard these words and, unable to contain her anger, stormed back. "Second Madam, must you be so cruel? You don't have children, so you wouldn't understand the hardships of us mothers." These words struck a raw nerve in Madame Jiang. "You vile creature—who says I have no children? It's people like you gossiping behind my back that ruined my luck! So what if you're pregnant? What's so great about that? You're nothing but a concubine-born wretch, and you dare to challenge me? Sister-in-law, if you don't deal with her today, I won't let this go!" Cui Lingrong had hoped for an easy day, but Huadie had come to cause her trouble. She sighed. "Huadie, you are a concubine. You must know your place. Apologize to Second Madam." "I... I won't!" Huadie felt she had done nothing wrong and ran off in grievance. Baitao chased after her, afraid something might happen to her mistress. Madame Jiang pursued her to the edge of the pavilion. "Running off, are you? Too ashamed to show your face?" She returned to the pavilion grumbling. "What bad luck. Everyone was having a good time, and she had to come and spoil it. Sister-in-law, even if someone like her gives birth to a child, she shouldn't be allowed to raise it. Don't let her ruin the children of our marquis manor." "That is not something you or I need to worry about," Cui Lingrong said. At her words, everyone present understood the implication—Huadie belonged to Princess Rongjia, and who raised the child would be Princess Rongjia's decision. Still, Huadie had indeed been rude today. Cui Lingrong had Nanny Qiu make a trip. "Convey my orders: Huadie is to be placed under house arrest for one month. She hasn't reached three months yet, so let her stay in her room and rest well to protect the pregnancy. She may come out after three months." Meanwhile, Huadie had run to the Wutong Pavilion to lodge a complaint. "Boo-hoo, Your Highness, you must seek justice for me! Second Madam actually cursed that my child won't be born!" Huadie grew more aggrieved as she spoke. "I wasn't disrespectful to her—I only asked Concubine Zhang to pour me a cup of tea, and she said such things about me!" Princess Rongjia lay on her side eating an apple, looking at Huadie as if she were a fool. "She said you shouldn't eat it while pregnant, yet you insisted on going over. If she wasn't going to humiliate you, who else would she humiliate?" "Your Highness, I was simply bored," Huadie explained. "Bored? And that's a reason to risk the child?" Princess Rongjia learned that Huadie had come running all the way and immediately put on a stern face. "If you tripped and fell, hurting yourself would be the least of it. If anything happens to that child, I'll make you pay!" "Your Highness..." "Stop your noise. You're giving me a headache." These days, Huadie came to hover before Princess Rongjia at every opportunity, and she was growing weary of it. Chen De's Wife stepped forward and said, "After today's events, you must understand even more clearly, Concubine—everyone else is an outsider. You came from the Wutong Pavilion. Only Her Highness shares your interests." "I know that well enough." Huadie wanted Princess Rongjia to vent her anger on her behalf. She couldn't touch the Eldest Madam, but she could at least teach Second Madam a lesson. "Since you know, you should take good care of yourself," Chen De's Wife said, also afraid Huadie might disturb the pregnancy. "This old servant has already sent someone to fetch a physician. Since you're here, let's have your pulse checked for peace of mind." Huadie thought to herself that the Princess truly cared for her. Even if the Princess wanted to raise her child, she would be willing—as long as she could come see the child every day. After all, if the child was raised by the Princess, it would become a legitimate birth and gain the support of the Rong Prince Mansion. Before the physician arrived, Nanny Qiu came first. Huadie was indignant. "It was Second Madam who cursed my child first! Why does Eldest Madam only punish me?" Nanny Qiu said impassively, "If you are dissatisfied, Concubine, you may go to the Marquis and Old Madame. The Princess is here as well—you could also ask her to speak with Eldest Madam." Princess Rongjia didn't want to trouble herself over Huadie and brushed it off. "Enough. Huadie, stop making a fuss. Eldest Madam only wants you to rest well for the pregnancy. Just stay quietly in your room and don't run around everywhere." She could only hate that she couldn't bear a child herself. If she could, she would care for it meticulously—not carelessly like Huadie. If anything happened to Huadie's child, she would make sure Huadie never saw the light of another day.