tallest building

Chapter 15: Pawn

That day, Song had just finished washing and dressing when a guest arrived.

"Young Madam, the second young lady of the Cui family has arrived," a maidservant announced as she entered.

“Please take her to Ruyi Pavilion!” said Madam Song. “The screens in this room need to be replaced soon, so no one can sit here.”

Willow catkins started flying around at the end of March, and within two days, a thick layer of them would stick to the screen windows, requiring them to be replaced and washed every few days.

Ruyi Pavilion is a waterside pavilion with doors and windows on all four sides, connected to the main building by an arched bridge, making it very suitable for entertaining guests in spring and summer.

Cui Baozhu loves wearing red, and today she is still dressed in red, with a crown of pink butterflies chasing flowers on her head. She looks alright, but it's a pity that she's not fair-skinned enough.

When Song saw her, she was very affectionate and said with a smile, "I was just telling them yesterday that I hadn't seen you for the past few days and that I missed you. It's such a coincidence that you came today."

His uncle brought me some new tea the other day; I'd like to invite you to try it with me.

"You're really favoring me, Madam," Cui Baozhu said with a beaming smile. "It's getting hot, so I embroidered a round fan for you. It's not very well embroidered, but if you don't mind, please make do with it!"

"You're too modest. Everyone knows that Miss Cui is incredibly skillful, and so many people praise her! Besides, this round fan is a true test of skill; not just anyone would dare to try it." Madam Song always spoke highly of others, flattering them to their satisfaction.

“I heard that the young mistress was ill a few days ago, but unfortunately I had something to do at home and couldn’t come to visit her,” Cui Baozhu said. “You look a little thinner today.”

"It's nothing serious, I'm mostly recovered," Mrs. Song said casually.

The maid that Cui Baozhu brought was taken by Liu Yun to stroll around the garden. Since everyone who came was a guest, the maid also had to entertain them.

“As an outsider, I shouldn’t be discussing matters within your household, but I find your mistress quite unlike herself,” Cui Baozhu said, taking a sip of tea. “That day, in front of so many people, she embarrassed you in every way.”

"Who told her to be the principal wife? How could I, a mere concubine, dare to compete with her?" Madam Song maintained her kind expression, her tone tinged with helplessness. "Well, in a few days, Madam will be inviting you all, so I have to tell them to prepare properly."

"She's clearly trying to use everyone's fame to pat herself on the back. I'm not coming. Does she think she can hold a knife to my throat and force me to come?" Cui Baozhu said indignantly. "It would be best to tell everyone that those who don't need to come shouldn't come, and leave her hanging! Let's see who loses face."

"No!" Granny Yang quickly stopped her. "If we do that, she'll blame everything on the young mistress, saying we deliberately didn't send anyone."

“But we can’t just let her have her way! That will only make her more arrogant and put the young mistress in an even worse position.” Cui Baozhu spoke frankly to Madam Song, “She’s all talk and no action. Over the years, she hasn’t handled any of the affairs in this mansion. It’s all been the young mistress who has done it all.”

“Miss Cui, you are absolutely right. It’s just a pity that our young mistress is kind-hearted and soft-hearted. Plus, with her status, she can only be manipulated by her.” Mother Yang looked worried but helpless.

"Alright, that's enough. Why let others worry about our family's troubles? That's not how you treat guests." Madam Song forced a smile. "Second Miss, have another cup of tea. This tea is truly excellent."

Song and Cui Baozhu talked for a while, and then Song invited her to stay for dinner.

Cui Baozhu declined, saying that she had been there for quite some time and it was time to go back.

So Song asked Granny Yang to see her out.

"Second Miss, please slow down." Granny Yang respectfully accompanied Cui Baozhu as she walked out. "Granny Yang, the Old Madam and the First Madam of the East Courtyard..." Cui Baozhu hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"It will be a while before she comes back!" Madam Yang looked at her knowingly. "Don't worry, our young mistress has always kept the Second Miss's matter in mind, but we just need to find a suitable time to speak out about it."

“I’m not…” Cui Baozhu hesitated, “I just wanted to ask…”

It turns out that Cui Baozhu had her eye on Gong Yu'an, the second son of the eldest branch of the Gong family. How could her secret be kept from Song Shi, who was good at understanding people's hearts?

"But as you know, both of the eldest sons intend to get married only after they have achieved official rank," Granny Yang said as she walked slowly with Cui Baozhu. "They won't formally arrange marriages, but as long as they are interested in each other, waiting a year or two won't be a problem."

Her words made Cui Baozhu's heart rise and fall like a bucket.

But she was, after all, a young girl, and many things she couldn't say because of shyness.

"Anyway, our young mistress has taken a liking to you. She often tells us that you are a rare and virtuous wife," Granny Yang flattered, "and we will do our best for you."

Cui Baozhu immediately gave her a grateful look. In fact, her eagerness to find a husband was not because she was shameless, but because she had a real reason for it.

Her biological mother died, and her father later remarried. This stepmother was very capable; she not only managed the household affairs perfectly but also helped her father climb the social ladder in his career.

However, their family's foundation was ultimately shallow. Although they had some money, it was nothing compared to the truly wealthy.

Therefore, they could only think of other ways to please their superiors.

Her personal maid overheard her stepmother discussing with someone that she wanted to marry her off to the mentally challenged son of the Marquis of Fengxian.

Thus, a noble marriage was formed, and the Fengxian Marquis family would surely help her father, since some respectable families in the capital were unwilling to marry their daughters to a fool.

Cui Baozhu was terrified and wanted to find someone to help her.

Looking around, the eldest sister, who was born of the same mother, was already married and no longer lived in Beijing. Apart from that, there was no one else in the family to consult.

She believed that Song was a good person, and that Gong Yu'an was a gentle and refined gentleman, someone she could entrust with her life.

If one could form a marriage alliance with the Gong family, it would surely be better than marrying the foolish son of the Marquis of Fengxian.

Although the Gong family's power is not as great as his, the Gong family's son is not stupid and is very knowledgeable. When he passes the imperial examination, won't he be just as glorious?
But Song saw through her thoughts and tried to win her over. She was like a drowning person grabbing a lifeline and refused to let go no matter what.

"Alas, perhaps it's true that good things come to those who wait! Originally, the young mistress planned to discuss this matter after the old lady returned from worshipping Buddha, but that plague lady has returned. With her around, how can our young mistress possibly discuss the young masters' marriages?" Mother Yang sighed.

Upon hearing this, Cui Baozhu's heart skipped a beat. Indeed, once Wen Mingqian returned, he would most likely seize control of the household. Then Song Shi would be no different from the other concubines. Without being the head of the household, how could she possibly have any say?
Her friendship with the Song family inevitably offended Wen Mingqian, who might even sabotage their relationship.

If the Song family can't help her, who can?
She'd rather die than marry that idiot!
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(End of this chapter)