Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Schemes The mere mention of Princess Rongjia made Cui Lingrong's blood boil. As it turned out, Princess Rongjia had learned that Song Zhizhi was returning, and had come specially to curry favor with the Old Madame. "What a coincidence, Sister Cui is here too. Greetings to you, Old Madame. I heard that Sister Zhizhi is coming back, and I wanted to ask what she likes, so I came to inquire with you." "You're thoughtful indeed, unlike some people." Old Madame Song cast a sidelong glance at Cui Lingrong. This was one thing she was particularly dissatisfied with about Cui Lingrong—if not for the fact that Princess Rongjia couldn't manage the household, she certainly wouldn't have let Cui Lingrong hold the reins. Princess Rongjia feigned confusion. "Who is the Old Madame referring to?" "Hmph, the person I'm talking about knows well enough in her own heart." Old Madame Song still didn't call her out directly, and began discussing her daughter's preferences with Princess Rongjia. Princess Rongjia stood to the side, looking virtuous and considerate. Cui Lingrong didn't want to sit there watching the harmony between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, so she rose to take her leave. "Remember what I said. Zhizhi is my only daughter, and I don't want her to suffer any grievances the moment she returns." Old Madame Song left those words hanging, then turned her attention back to Princess Rongjia. Cui Lingrong hadn't walked far from Shouan Tang when Princess Rongjia caught up with her. "Sister Cui, have you angered the Old Madame?" Princess Rongjia's eyes were full of amusement. "Why bother, really? The Old Madame dotes on her daughter. As the sister-in-law, what's a little money spent? Isn't your younger brother quite good at earning money?" "Speaking of which, I should thank you, Princess. If you hadn't introduced business to my brother, his cloth wouldn't have sold to those great households." Cui Lingrong thought about it now—misfortune was where fortune leaned. Although her brother had lost money, maintaining those connections would open up business opportunities in the future. Princess Rongjia was taken aback. She hadn't expected Cui Lingrong to know about that. "It was nothing. We're family—let's not talk about it." She shifted the topic. "But you should put more thought into Sister Zhizhi's matter. Don't affect the Old Madame's mood." "How to handle things, I have my own measure. No need for you to trouble yourself, Princess." Cui Lingrong caught sight of Huadie approaching from a distance and a thought formed in her mind. "Princess, you should concern yourself more with the child in Huadie's belly." Hearing the deliberate tone in Cui Lingrong's voice, Princess Rongjia immediately sensed ill intent and said without thinking, "Huadie's matter is none of Sister Cui's concern. I'll take good care of her." "With the Princess so attentive, it seems you intend to raise this child. I'm curious—you can still bear children yourself, so why fixate on Huadie's?" Cui Lingrong spoke with a smile throughout. "If you later have a child of your own, what then? I don't believe the two would be treated the same. By then the child would be attached to you, yet you'd grow cold toward him—wouldn't that be too heartless?" Princess Rongjia didn't know why Cui Lingrong had so much to say today, but she couldn't afford to have a falling out with her, so she forced herself to say, "I've said it before—my affairs are none of Sister Cui's concern." "The Princess just said we're family. Huadie's child is also the Marquis's child. I am the Marquis's lawful wife, so this child will have to call me mother as well. Since it's also my child, I naturally need to put in more thought." Cui Lingrong noticed Huadie had stopped in her tracks, and raised one eyebrow. "Huadie, didn't the Old Madame tell you not to come out before you're three months along?" Huadie looked at the First Madam, then at Princess Rongjia. "This... this concubine is almost three months now." "Still, you should be careful. The spring chill lingers, and with child, mind the slippery ground." Cui Lingrong walked over to Huadie's side. "You should be very grateful to the Princess. She's been worrying plenty over the child in your belly." Patting Huadie on the shoulder, Cui Lingrong pressed her lips into a smile. "But the Princess has never borne a child, so there are many things she doesn't understand. If you have any questions, feel free to send someone to find me at Qiushuang Zhai." Watching Cui Lingrong walk away, Huadie remained frozen in place. It wasn't until Chen De's Wife came over that Huadie gave a start and snapped back to her senses. "Mama Chen, what did you say?" "The Princess sent this old servant to ask why you've come out at this time." Chen De's Wife saw that Huadie's expression wasn't good and, fearing she might overthink things, added, "Don't listen to the First Madam's nonsense. You came from Wutong Yuan. When you do well, the Princess's face shines too—that's why she looks after you so well." "Mm." Huadie nodded. Seeing the Princess looking at her, and since the First Madam had already opened this can of worms today, she decided to ask outright. "Prin... Princess, is it true what the First Madam said—that you intend to raise this concubine's child?" Princess Rongjia was already irritated by Cui Lingrong, and now seeing Huadie being so tactless, she frowned and countered, "Are you unwilling?" Huadie wanted the child to stay with her, but she also wanted the child to have a good standing by following Princess Rongjia, so she was torn. But the First Madam had raised a point she didn't understand either. "If the child could follow the Princess, with your abilities, you would certainly raise the child better. This concubine is merely curious—why doesn't the Princess wait for her own child to be born?" This topic again. Princess Rongjia felt her temper flare at the mention of it. If she could bear children herself, why would she be waiting for a fool like Huadie to give her one? Seeing that Princess Rongjia was about to lose her temper, Chen De's Wife spoke up first, "In great households, concubine-born children are always raised in the care of the legitimate mother. This is a favor, Concubine. Don't overthink it." She looked at Baitao, "The wind is strong here. Why don't you hurry and help the concubine back inside?" Only then did Baitao dare to step forward. Huadie wanted to ask more questions, but Baitao pulled her away. Back in her room, Huadie still couldn't make sense of it. "Why do you think the Princess is so fixated on my child?" If anyone said the Princess was magnanimous, that was absolutely impossible. Huadie had been a dowry maid and had served the Princess for a time. When the Princess threw a tantrum, no one in Wutong Courtyard dared to make a sound. Baitao had a sharper mind, but she had already given up on saving her mistress. "Don't overthink it. Didn't Mama Chen say so? Your child being raised by the Princess is his honor." "But Ling'er from the Second Branch stays with Concubine Meng. That shows the Marquis's household has no such precedent." Huadie couldn't help but dwell on it, yet no matter how she racked her brain, she couldn't figure it out. On the other side, Princess Rongjia returned to Wutong Courtyard and, recalling what Cui Lingrong had said, angrily cursed, "Tell me, what does Cui Lingrong mean by that? Could she be planning to make a move?" Chen De's Wife said it wasn't certain. "If the Eldest Young Madam wanted to make a move, she would have done so long ago. She wouldn't wait until now." Wang Hechun's Wife had a different view. "The Eldest Young Madam knows the Princess intends to raise Concubine Huadie's child, and she surely can't tolerate that child. She just never had the chance before. What she said just now—she must have seen Concubine Huadie coming over and deliberately tried to sow discord." Princess Rongjia thought Wang Hechun's Wife was right. "Cui Lingrong looks like a good person, but her methods are darker than anyone's. There's no way she'd sit back and watch me have a child. Wang Hechun's Wife, go check on Huadie every day. Make sure she delivers safely." Wang Hechun's Wife proudly agreed and shot a smile at Chen De's Wife. Trying to compete with her—she should take a good look at her own abilities. After Wang Hechun's Wife left, Princess Rongjia added, "Didn't I have someone burn down Cui Zeyu's cloth shop? Why is it still open?" "Your Highness, Cui Zeyu seems to have gotten help from the wife of the Duke of Dingguo's heir," Chen De's Wife said. "His business won't go under anytime soon." "Then step up the efforts. Cui Zeyu is nothing but a merchant. The Cui family has never acknowledged him as a son—only Cui Lingrong protects him. Even if he finds new cloth, I want his shop ruined. Find someone reliable and do as I say." Princess Rongjia beckoned Chen De's Wife over and whispered a few instructions. "Better yet, teach Cui Zeyu a lesson. Breaking an arm would be even better." Chen De's Wife was also in favor. "If something happens to Cui Zeyu, the Eldest Young Madam will lose her money. Then we'll see how she manages the household." "Exactly. I want to see just how much she values this adopted brother of hers." Princess Rongjia snorted coldly. Imagining Cui Zeyu's fate, she felt a wave of satisfaction. Meanwhile, Cui Lingrong went to the Second Branch to find Madame Jiang. "Why has Sister-in-Law come?" Madame Jiang looked haggard and was quite surprised by Cui Lingrong's visit. "Sister You will soon be arriving in Bianjing. I came to let you know." Cui Lingrong lowered her eyes. "If you keep moping like this, aren't you just letting others have the satisfaction?" Madame Jiang was stifled with frustration. Ever since He Pingping became pregnant, the Second Young Master had been running to He Pingping's place every day and hadn't come to her even once. "What can I do? How am I supposed to be happy?" "Then you really are useless." Cui Lingrong gave a mocking snort. "It's only a concubine's pregnancy—she might not even give birth to a son. If you're already shutting yourself in and crying now, how will you ever fight anyone?" If there were no one else in the Marquis's household she could use, Cui Lingrong truly wouldn't want to involve Madame Jiang. Seeing Madame Jiang look at her, Cui Lingrong raised an eyebrow. "Even if she does give birth to a son, can't you learn from Princess Rongjia? You're the legitimate mother." "What does Sister-in-Law mean?" Madame Jiang didn't understand. "If you can't understand, then forget it. I didn't come here today to beat around the bush. I need you to pass a message to Huadie for me." Cui Lingrong crooked her finger at Madame Jiang. Even while scheming, she remained composed and elegant, pressing her thin lips together before directly threatening Madame Jiang. "If you're unwilling, I'll have Sister You change her route and go straight back to Suzhou."