Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Seeking a Son Old Madame Sun had been gone for a while before Old Madame Song finally snapped out of it and urged her daughter to hurry after her. "Don't just stand there gaping—go back with your mother-in-law at once." She could tell from Old Madame Sun's tone that this was no joke, and the fact that such words had been spoken meant Old Madame Sun had been entertaining the thought. Only today did Old Madame Song fully realize that the Sun family was not satisfied with her daughter. "But Sister-in-law hasn't—" Song Zhizhi had just started to glance toward Cui Lingrong when her mother pulled her out the door. "What 'but' is there for you here? Going back and winning over your mother-in-law is what matters most. We'll discuss household matters later." Old Madame Song didn't forget to add, "And don't go blabbing anymore about your sister-in-law subsidizing the marquis mansion. The money all went to you, so count yourself lucky!" For the first time, Old Madame Song wished her daughter were smarter. Song Zhizhi asked, "So it's true, then? All these years, Sister-in-law really has been subsidizing the marquis mansion?" The truth of it was undeniable, but having it thrown in her face like that was humiliating. Even for her own daughter, Old Madame Song couldn't muster a kind expression. "Song Zhizhi, did you not hear a word I said? If you don't go back this instant and the Sun family casts you out, don't you dare come crying to me!" She shot a meaningful look at Mama Xu and the others, and only when her daughter had been led away did Old Madame Song breathe a slight sigh of relief. Turning her gaze back to Cui Lingrong, Old Madame Song said only two words: "Hand it over!" Six thousand seven hundred taels in silver notes was no small sum. Old Madame Song's personal savings were not extensive—most had been squandered by the late marquis in her younger years. It was only after Cui Lingrong married in and no longer required her to subsidize the marquis mansion that she had slowly managed to put things aside. Having such a large sum taken from her at once by Cui Lingrong—Old Madame Song hadn't truly intended to give it earlier. She had only done so out of fear that Cui Lingrong might say something reckless. Old Madame Song's gaze was heavy, the years having carved deep lines into her face, which now looked all the more grim. "What does Old Madame want?" Cui Lingrong pretended not to understand. "Lady Cui, you know exactly what I mean." Old Madame Song couldn't bring herself to say the word "money," but her intent was clear, and she trusted Cui Lingrong to understand. But now that the money was in Cui Lingrong's hands, she was no longer the woman she once was. There was no way she would selflessly return it to Old Madame Song. The shattered porcelain on the floor had already been swept away. Cui Lingrong sat down and said, "Your daughter-in-law is dull-witted and truly does not grasp Old Madame's meaning. Today, Old Madame showed me great kindness by returning my silver, and I am nothing but grateful. However, I must confess one thing—I was worried that Zhizhi might have conveyed the message incorrectly, so I sent someone to the Sun residence." Her meaning was clear: if Old Madame Song insisted on taking the money back, she could simply go to the Sun residence again and ask Song Zhizhi for it. If it came to a scene, it wouldn't just be the Sun family who learned that she had been subsidizing the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion all these years—the entire city of Bianjing would know. To strike a snake, you hit its head. The same principle applied in dealing with people. Song Shulan cared most about his official career, so Cui Lingrong never wasted words—she always spoke of his prospects. And Old Madame Song valued face above all. Whenever Cui Lingrong needed to gain leverage over the old lady, she only had to bring up matters of pride and reputation. Sure enough, once Old Madame Song discerned the implication behind Cui Lingrong's words, she stormed off in a huff with her attendants. The moment she stepped out of Qiushuang Zhai, Old Madame Song couldn't hold back her curses. "She really thinks she's something special! If it weren't for her occupying the position of first wife, would the marquis mansion ever have fallen to her to manage? She got lucky—she married in just as the mansion was in decline. Had she come a few years later, she wouldn't have been worthy of our family!" That was six thousand seven hundred taels of silver! Even a full year of saving wouldn't bring Old Madame Song that much. These past few years, she had grown accustomed to a comfortable life. Even in recent months, when Cui Lingrong stopped subsidizing the marquis mansion, she could still quietly use her private funds to keep herself comfortable. Now that Cui Lingrong had taken such a large sum at once, and she couldn't even vent to her son about it, Old Madame Song was like a mute swallowing bitter medicine—unable to voice her suffering. "Don't fret, Old Madame. The eldest young mistress took the silver, but it will surely be spent on the marquis and the young masters and misses. She has always been frugal and rarely spends on herself." Mama Xu could only console her mistress this way. "The expenses for Yu-jie and the others were always meant to be hers to bear. When did it become my place, an old woman, to foot the bill?" The more Old Madame Song spoke, the angrier she grew. "And she dared to threaten me!" Mama Xu hadn't expected the eldest young mistress to defy Old Madame either. "Impressive. Truly capable!" Old Madame Song gritted her teeth, her brows furrowing unpleasantly. "I knew she had some tricks up her sleeve, but I never imagined she'd dare turn them against me. She has no idea her place!" She had originally intended to return to Shouan Tang, but Old Madame Song was too furious and wanted to put Cui Lingrong in her place, so she turned and headed toward Wutong Yuan instead. She knew that Cui Lingrong's greatest fear was Princess Rongjia. Old Madame Song had servants bring along many tonics, and upon arriving at Wutong Yuan, the moment she saw Princess Rongjia, she proposed going to burn incense. "Zhizhi came by today, and we all saw how kind you were to her. I know of a temple where prayers for children are especially efficacious. Tomorrow, you shall come with me, so you can give me a fine grandson as soon as possible—who knows, he might be the one to uphold the marquis mansion's legacy!" The implication was unmistakable. Old Madame Song was hinting to Princess Rongjia that if she bore a son, that son would have every chance of inheriting the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. As for Cui Lingrong's two sons—wasn't Cui Lingrong so capable of threatening her? Well, they'd just see what other tricks Cui Lingrong had up her sleeve! By all rights, with Old Madame Song saying this, Princess Rongjia should have been delighted. Princess Rongjia did want to laugh, but the moment she heard "burning incense and praying for a son," she felt physically ill. After marrying into the Du family, the Dus hadn't brought up the matter of children at first, but as time wore on, it grew worse and worse. Du's mother had even sought out folk remedies and made her drink no small amount of talisman water. Now Old Madame Song wanted to take her to burn incense as well, and Princess Rongjia's first reaction was disgust—she wanted to refuse. "Why is Your Highness's face so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" Old Madame Song didn't think much of it. "Should I call for a physician?" Princess Rongjia said there was no need. "I'm fine—it's just the wind. Tomorrow, you say? I'll accompany you." "Mm, mm. Burning incense and worshipping Buddha is all about sincerity of heart. Starting tonight, you must abstain from meat and fish. We wouldn't want the scent of grease clinging to you and displeasing the Bodhisattva's nose," Old Madame Song instructed. "Also, we'll need to leave early tomorrow. We must arrive before the ordinary folk do, to show how sincere we are." Old Madame Song longed for Princess Rongjia to conceive quickly. As long as Princess Rongjia bore a son, they'd see whether Cui Lingrong could still be so confident. The Cui family had no ability whatsoever—in all these years, not a single one had come to Bianjing for the Imperial Examination, let alone to serve as an official here. Old Madame Song was so fixated on putting Cui Lingrong in her place that she failed to notice Princess Rongjia's expression turning sour. "Alright, rest well now. We'll go out together tomorrow." After the incense burning, Old Madame Song also wanted to stop by the Sun family. Her daughter had displeased Old Madame Sun today, and her son-in-law still hadn't returned home—who knew what state things were in over there. After Old Madame Song left, Chen De's Wife quickly steadied her mistress. "How are you feeling, Your Highness?" "Help me inside." Princess Rongjia wouldn't let anyone else into the room. She gripped Chen De's Wife's hand tightly. "Tell me—why is everyone so fixated on my belly?" Her original plan had been to fake a pregnancy, then miscarry, and pin her own inability to bear children on Song Yu. That way, Song Shulan would feel guilty toward her, and she could also make sure Cui Lingrong and her daughter could never climb back up. But then Cui Zeyu and Xie Yunting had barged in at the last moment, throwing her entire plan into chaos—and Wang Shanxi's Wife had died too. Now she had no chance to declare she couldn't conceive, and so she'd be forever expected to produce a child. Princess Rongjia loathed the very mention of it, yet she had no choice but to play along. "Don't take it to heart, Your Highness. Old Madame certainly isn't forcing you to have children. Think carefully about her words—she's likely been slighted at Qiushuang Zhai and wants to elevate you. You should actually be pleased. As for the matter of children, that's all about fate. The Marquis already has two sons; he won't pressure you." Chen De's Wife tried to comfort her. Princess Rongjia took a deep breath. "Hmph. That Cui Lingrong has no sense of propriety, insisting on quarreling with Song Zhizhi. It's only natural Old Madame favors me. Now that Old Madame has turned against her, as long as the Marquis also turns his back on her completely, we'll see how she manages to hold her ground in the Marquis's household!" At this very moment, Cui Lingrong had already learned that Old Madame Song had gone to Wutong Yuan and had ordered the carriage prepared for tomorrow. Nanny Qiu asked, "Could it be that she's going to the Sun family? Today the young mistress lost face, so Old Madame Sun is bound to punish her. Perhaps Old Madame is afraid that going alone would mean Old Madame Sun wouldn't show her any respect, so she's bringing Princess Rongjia along?" "That's possible—let them go, then. With Song Zhizhi's temperament, she won't easily yield to Old Madame Sun." Cui Lingrong could well imagine how Song Zhizhi would argue. "What I'm more curious about right now is what Song Zhizhi didn't get to finish saying." Something that would affect her entire life—what exactly was Song Zhizhi referring to?