Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Eavesdropping Cui Lingrong had Nanny Qiu put away the prescription. "I'm a little envious of Shuyi. She's carefree—daring to act and willing to bear the consequences." "Madam Luo is indeed a clear-sighted person. She's figured out what true happiness is," Nanny Qiu remarked with a sigh. Unfortunately, her mistress had too many entanglements; asking her to let go of them all would be far too difficult. "Yes, seeing her live well makes me happy too." Cui Lingrong smiled. "In a few days, it'll be New Year's Eve. Has the Cui family sent word yet?" Every year at year's end, the Cui family would send someone with New Year's gifts, accompanied by various requests, hoping Cui Lingrong could do this or that for the Cui family. Nanny Qiu said not yet. "Probably in the next day or two. The Marquis was promoted this year, so the Cui family will certainly send even more lavish gifts. Previously, the Madam also wrote asking about Yu-jie's marriage prospects—I got the feeling she wanted to strengthen the family ties." The "Madam" she referred to was Cui Lingrong's stepmother, who was proposing a match for her eldest brother's son. But Cui Lingrong had already hinted that wouldn't do. She wouldn't let Yu-jie marry far away—she would only choose from within Bianjing. "It must be my father's idea. The Cui family has no outstanding young men, and the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion is the only relative with any real prestige, so they're desperately eyeing Yu-jie's marriage. But my eldest brother and sister-in-law have too many schemes—if Yu-jie married into that family, her days wouldn't be comfortable," Cui Lingrong said. "Yes, this old servant has observed that Feng-ge'er is quite a good match, and he gets along well with Yu-jie. It's just a pity that the Luo family is in Suzhou, a fair distance from Bianjing." Nanny Qiu had been watching for several days and had grown quite fond of Luo Feng. Cui Lingrong and You Shuyi were close friends from their maiden days, so if Yu-jie married into the Luo family, there would naturally be no mother-in-law troubles. But the Luo family practiced medicine, and Song Shulan would likely look down on their social standing. Her daughter's marriage wasn't decided by Cui Lingrong alone. "Yu-jie is still young. Let's wait and see," Cui Lingrong said, not in a hurry. She began making arrangements for the New Year instead. In the blink of an eye, New Year's Eve arrived. The Cui family's New Year gifts were delivered just before New Year's Eve, with an explanation that their carriage had broken down en route, causing a delay. Along with the gifts came a request from Cui Lingrong's father, asking her to arrange for two of her nephews to enter the Guozijian. Cui Lingrong said she didn't have that kind of influence and sent a letter back with the messenger. Setting aside the Cui family's reaction for now, this year's Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion was especially lively. Princess Rongjia loved being in the spotlight and had prepared New Year's gifts for everyone in the household. Song Mingjin remembered his sister's words and didn't dare accept the gift. It was only when his father urged him that he took it and handed it to his nanny. He no longer dared to accept gifts from Princess Rongjia. Princess Rongjia could sense Song Mingjin's wariness and deliberately approached him. "What's the matter, Jin-ge? Isn't the gold lock I gave you pretty?" Song Mingjin said it was pretty. "Then why don't you try wearing it?" Princess Rongjia was just about to help him put it on when Song Mingjin instinctively took a big step back, bumping into a pillar. Princess Rongjia's hand froze mid-air. "Oh my, what's this? I don't recall ever scolding you—why are you so afraid of me?" Song Mingjin's back hurt from the collision, but he didn't dare cry. He ran behind his elder brother to hide. Song Mingxuan stepped forward to speak for his younger brother. "To answer the Princess, Jin-ge was so excited about New Year's Eve that he didn't sleep well last night. He's just a bit out of sorts right now." "Is that so?" Princess Rongjia didn't believe it. Old Madame Song interjected, "It's New Year's Eve—let's not stir up unpleasant matters. Jin-ge, come to your grandmother. I'll get you some candied hawthorn to eat." The Old Madame could tell that Princess Rongjia was about to make trouble and was somewhat displeased. On a day like this, the family should be celebrating together. Only when Old Madame Song spoke did Princess Rongjia let the matter drop. During the vigil for the New Year, Madame Jiang proposed a game of leaf cards. Cui Lingrong didn't play, so she went with Madam Li to amuse Lang-ge'er. Ling-jie was already over a year old now, and seeing her little cousin chubby and adorable, she grabbed a piece of shortbread and toddled over. Concubine Meng hurried over, cautious and careful. "Ling-jie should eat it herself—Lang-ge'er is still too young to have any." Actually, Lang-ge'er could eat it now. Madam Li saw how careful Concubine Meng was and didn't get angry. "You don't need to watch Ling-jie so closely. She and Lang-ge'er are about the same age—it's good for the siblings to play together and keep each other company." "Third Madam, this concubine is just afraid that Ling-jie is still young and doesn't understand things yet. It wouldn't be good if she accidentally hurt Lang-ge'er." Concubine Meng rarely came out, but today was an important day—the Old Madame liked all her descendants to be present, so she had no choice but to bring Ling-jie along. "You're too cautious." Madam Li said no more. Everyone had their own way of living; she was from the third branch and had no say over the second branch's affairs. Concubine Meng carried Ling-jie away, while Huadie pestered Song Shulan, hinting between the lines that she wanted him to come keep her company tonight. But Song Shulan wasn't so blinded by lust that he'd lost his senses. He told Huadie to go play elsewhere while he discussed recent matters with his younger brothers. Huadie got the cold shoulder. She looked down on Concubine Zhang and Concubine Meng, so she sidled up to the Princess and forced her way into the conversation between the Princess and the Old Madame. "This concubine knows of the Duke of Dingguo's wife. I've heard she's terribly jealous. It turns out she wanted to adopt a child for her daughter-in-law. Well, that makes sense—her son is dead, so someone needs to carry on his line." Huadie's lips moved as she chattered on, completely oblivious to the grim expressions on Old Madame Song and the others. "Eh, Old Madame, play this one." Huadie reached out and made a move. The moment Old Madame Song played the tile, someone else won. She immediately glared at Huadie. "Letting you join us for the New Year's vigil is already a courtesy. Why aren't you off playing quietly instead of bothering me here?" If not for the child in Huadie's belly, Old Madame Song would have had Mama Xu slap her across the face. Scolded by the Old Madame, Huadie's cheeks burned, but she dared not argue. Instead, she picked on someone weaker. She went up to Concubine Zhang and snapped, "Move aside. I want to sit here." "And why should I?" After what happened last time, Concubine Zhang didn't budge. The Eldest Young Madam had said they were both concubines, and there was no need for one to yield to the other—the Marquis's household hadn't lost its rules yet. "Sister, haven't you heard of first come, first served?" When Concubine Zhang finished speaking, Huadie looked at the Eldest Young Madam and the Third Young Madam, but seeing no one speak up for her, she left with red-rimmed eyes. Cui Lingrong instructed Baitao, "It's cold outside. Since your mistress doesn't want to stay for the vigil, take her back to her room. If she catches a chill in this freezing weather and harms herself, not even the gods could save her." Baitao's scalp tingled as she hurried after her. When the vigil ended, everyone returned to their own quarters. Song Shulan glanced at Cui Lingrong, and seeing that she remained as cold toward him as she had been lately, he followed Princess Rongjia to Wutong Court without another word. Cui Lingrong felt nothing. She had grown used to Song Shulan following Princess Rongjia. She had also grown used to Song Shulan always choosing Princess Rongjia when forced to pick between the two. She had learned to console herself—if she didn't care, then she truly wouldn't care. Song Yu, feeling indignant on her mother's behalf, deliberately walked back with her father, only parting ways outside Wutong Court. She whispered to Qiutang, "She wants to outshine Mother in everything, even the New Year gifts. She's just putting on a show to appear wealthy. I'd like to see how much money she has left after the New Year to keep up the act!" Just as she finished speaking, she spotted someone approaching in the distance and recognized Wang Hechun's Wife's voice. She quickly told Qiutang to snuff out the candle. Wang Hechun's Wife sounded furious. "She really thinks she's a proper mistress. She couldn't throw her weight around at Shouan Tang, so now she's ordering us around instead. First she wants hot soup, then she wants the small kitchen to make her lotus-leaf chicken. It's New Year's—everyone else is happily enjoying themselves. Even the other mistresses don't make this much fuss." She had been perfectly content at Shouan Tang, cracking melon seeds and drinking tea, but Huadie had to throw a tantrum and leave. The Commandery Princess, worried about Baitao being alone, had sent her to keep an eye on things. When she arrived at Huadie's room, Huadie took out her anger on her. Baitao also thought her mistress was foolish. "Don't be angry, Mama Wang. She's only arrogant now. Once she gives birth, the Commandery Princess definitely won't keep her around." "Where did you hear that?" Wang Hechun's Wife frowned deeply. "No one told me—I just know it in my heart." Baitao pulled out a pouch of silver. "This is all my savings. I know the Commandery Princess worries I might talk too much, but I can swear I won't breathe a single word to anyone. I only beg the Commandery Princess to spare me and send me to any estate she pleases. You're the most capable person by her side—if you just say the word, I'm sure you can help me." Wang Hechun's Wife weighed the pouch in her hand—it was substantial. She looked at Baitao with renewed interest. "You're a clever girl, aren't you? Fine, I'll remember this. As long as you take good care of Huadie until the child is born, the Commandery Princess will surely reward you handsomely." "Thank you for your kind words, Mama Wang. I won't see you out—if the concubine waits too long, she'll get angry and take it out on me again." Baitao looked around, and only after Wang Hechun's Wife had walked away did she mutter to herself, "I'm really unlucky. I thought I'd rise with my mistress, but it turns out she's a fool digging her own grave." Behind the wall, Song Yu's brows jumped as she listened. So Princess Rongjia planned to remove the mother to keep the child?