Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Miscarriage On the long corridor near Wutong Courtyard, Baitao and Wang Hechun's Wife stood far from the lanterns, with only faint moonlight casting upon Baitao's cheeks. Wang Hechun's Wife stood with her back to the light. "You're saying Concubine Huadie is still worried?" "Yes. Ever since she heard the Old Madame's words about removing the mother to keep the child, the concubine has been unable to sleep day or night. If this continues, her health will suffer." Baitao said. "What do you propose to do?" "Mama Wang flatters me. I'm just a little maidservant—what good ideas could I possibly have?" Baitao had no intention of sticking her neck out, lest she be blamed if something went wrong. "I came to say that you should discuss this with the Commandery Princess and think of a way to put the concubine's mind at ease." She stepped closer. "Even if the Commandery Princess truly has that plan, she needs to soothe the concubine for now. If the concubine can't keep the child, then all the scheming will have been for nothing!" Wang Hechun's Wife frowned at this. When a pregnant woman couldn't sleep well, she would most likely lose the child—and the Commandery Princess was counting on this child. She thought it over and didn't dare act on her own. "Wait until I report this to the Commandery Princess. In the meantime, do your best to comfort her, and don't let any shady characters go near the concubine, understand?" Baitao nodded in agreement. Wang Hechun's Wife added, "If you serve the concubine well, once she safely delivers a son, you'll have your share of blessings." "Rest assured, I know who holds the most power in this marquis's household. In the future, this vast estate will surely be under the Commandery Princess's control. I'm waiting for the day she takes charge." Baitao forced a smile, though fortunately the dim light hid both their faces. "You're a clever one. Go back now, or the concubine will grow suspicious." After bidding Baitao farewell, Wang Hechun's Wife hurried back to report to her mistress. Princess Rongjia had already finished washing up, her jet-black glossy hair falling to her waist. After listening to Wang Hechun's Wife's account, she clicked her tongue. "It's all Song Zhizhi's fault—that mouth of hers deserves to be scalded mute. Chen De's Wife, the two of you think together. What can be done to put Huadie at ease?" Chen De's Wife glanced at Wang Hechun's Wife. Their eyes met, a silent contest passing between them. Whoever solved the Princess's problem would prove more useful. Wang Hechun's Wife spoke first. "Why not have the Princess step back and let Old Madame look after Concubine Huadie's pregnancy? That way, when the concubine sees the Princess isn't paying attention, she'll likely let her worries fade." Chen De's Wife objected. "Old Madame doesn't like meddling in affairs. If something goes wrong under her watch, what then? Besides, with Old Madame's people around, how would we make our move?" "Then what do you suggest?" Wang Hechun's Wife asked. "Princess, in this old servant's view, Concubine Huadie's suspicions stem from the Old Madame's words. Since you've already promised the Marquis, why not find an opportunity to tell Concubine Huadie directly? Say that you still want a child of your own—no one could find fault with that." Chen De's Wife said. In Wang Hechun's Wife's opinion, it would be better for the mistress to have her own child anyway—why insist on taking Huadie's? Princess Rongjia thought it over and agreed. As Wang Hechun's Wife left, she snorted. "Mama Chen, you certainly understand the Princess. This Wutong Courtyard will always be under your control." "You're wrong. Wutong Courtyard will always be under the Princess's control. I advise you to drop those ambitions. As long as I'm here, you'll never be the Princess's top confidante. Do your job well and don't ruin the Princess's affairs—that's what matters most." Chen De's Wife didn't even look at her. In her eyes, Wang Hechun's Wife wasn't worth treating as a rival. She knew things that Wang Hechun's Wife didn't, and that alone would keep the Princess closer to her. But one courtyard couldn't accommodate two head stewards. Given time, the hierarchy would inevitably be settled. Wang Hechun's Wife refused to accept it. When her mother-in-law was still alive, no one else had a place here! She prided herself on being no less capable than her mother-in-law, and she certainly wouldn't lose to Chen De's Wife. One day, she would rise above her. Wutong Courtyard settled down for the night. Over at Huadie's place, Nanny Qiu had spoken at length. When Baitao returned, Huadie looked at her, remembering Nanny Qiu's words, and held herself back in the end. It was as if nothing had happened. But Huadie could put on a performance for Baitao. When Princess Rongjia came to visit her, her reaction couldn't deceive anyone. She instinctively pushed away Princess Rongjia's hand, her eyes filled with panic. Princess Rongjia's knuckles struck the headboard. She raised her hand to strike Huadie but was stopped by Chen De's Wife. After an exchange of glances, Chen De's Wife gave a slight shake of her head. Princess Rongjia then spoke according to the prepared script. "What's wrong with you lately? You act like a mouse seeing a cat whenever I come near. I'm here today to make things clear: if you want to raise your own child, then raise it. It's not as if I can't bear my own—why would I want yours? Stop overthinking things." "R-really?" Huadie looked up. "A child of my own blood—wouldn't that be better than one from you?" Princess Rongjia snorted coldly, still unable to let go of her anger, and added one more jab. "What good could come from your seed? Did you really think I'd treasure it?" Princess Rongjia flicked her sleeves and left. After being scolded, Huadie's heart pounded wildly in her chest. Being praised by the Commandery Princess was a good thing, but Huadie had served Princess Rongjia before, and she began to worry that Princess Rongjia disliked her and would cause trouble for her in the future. After thinking it over, Huadie thought of the Eldest Young Madam, but it was daytime now, and Princess Rongjia had just left. If she went to see the Eldest Young Madam, wouldn't that be openly opposing Princess Rongjia? Huadie wanted to cry but had no tears. Before, she could at least talk to Baitao, but now she couldn't trust anyone. At this moment, Cui Lingrong was meeting with her younger brother. Cui Zeyu brought up the Qin family's desire to swap the marriage, feeling indignant on Xie Yunting's behalf. "The Qin family looks down on Brother Xie, yet they can't bear to give up this marriage. They want to have it both ways. Fortunately, Brother Xie has backbone, or the Qin family would have gotten their way." "Then what happens now?" Cui Lingrong couldn't help but worry. "The Emperor bestowed this marriage; it's not an ordinary union. Marriage is a matter of a lifetime. If it starts off badly, how can they live well together in the future?" Cui Lingrong had been through it herself, and General Xie had helped her several times. She hoped General Xie would fare well. Cui Zeyu said, "Brother Xie said he has a way. In any case, he won't let himself be unhappy." At this point, he glanced at his sister. "Sister, I heard you quarreled with the Marquis?" After agonizing over it for several days, Cui Zeyu had finally decided to come and ask. "Is it because of me?" Cui Zeyu said that perhaps he should go apologize. For his sister's sake, humbling himself a little was no big deal. "No need. You were right to scold him." Cui Lingrong said. "He, Song Shulan, takes an Equal Wife, and I'm the only one who gains nothing, yet he still insists I swallow my pride. I've endured for so long. Now that you've already scolded him, if you go apologize, wouldn't all my suffering have been in vain?" "Then what will the two of you do from now on?" Cui Zeyu worried that his sister wouldn't live well in the Marquis's household. "He can't divorce me over this matter. I still manage the household affairs of the Marquis's residence, so I can get by." Cui Lingrong didn't want to discuss this. "But what about you? General Xie is about to marry. What about you?" At the mention of this, Cui Zeyu didn't want to continue the conversation. He hoped his sister would understand his feelings, yet he was also afraid she wouldn't. While Cui Zeyu remained silent, a maidservant came to deliver a message, asking the Eldest Young Madam to hurry to Shouan Tang. Nanny Qiu asked what had happened. "I don't know the specifics. I only heard that after the Commandery Princess went to see Concubine Huadie, Concubine Huadie had a miscarriage. The Old Madame is very angry and has asked the Eldest Young Madam to go and take charge."