Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

"Really?" Old Mrs. Song was overjoyed.

"It's true, Madam. When I went there, the doctor was still there. He said the princess is a month and a half pregnant, which is the most crucial time," said Mama Xu. "Didn't you hope for more offspring in the manor? Now, you're going to have a grandson again."

"How is the princess's health?" Old Madam Song was more concerned about this. "Isn't she feeling unwell? What's wrong?"

Madam Xu said that the princess needed to rest quietly, and then added tactfully, "There have been too many things happening lately. Wang Shanxi's wife said that the princess has been having trouble sleeping day and night and has been very uneasy. Today, the eldest mistress went to speak with Wang Shanxi's wife, saying that the princess had taken the screens and other items from her room without permission. Wang Shanxi's wife sent this old servant to ask if those things could be moved after the princess gives birth?"

Grandma Song agreed, "Since the princess likes it, then give it to the princess. My Jiangyuan Marquis's mansion is not so stingy. Go to Cui Shi's place and tell her that the princess is pregnant and we need to be careful with the expenses of Wutong Garden. Or, just tell her directly that the expenses of Wutong Garden will be increased by 50%."

The child that Princess Rongjia is carrying will surely be even more noble.

Mrs. Xu smiled and agreed, then asked in a low voice, "Should we keep an eye on the things used in Wutong Garden?"

After all, the eldest mistress and the princess don't get along. If the eldest mistress were to do something, how would the Marquis's mansion explain it to the Rong Prince's mansion?

Old Mrs. Song squinted her eyes. Based on her understanding of Cui Lingrong, she knew that Cui Lingrong would not do such a despicable thing.

However, one can never be too careful.

"Doesn't the princess have a small kitchen? From now on, the princess's meals will be prepared by Wutong Garden. That way, Cui Shi won't be able to interfere." Old Madam Song was particularly happy and had Xu Mama take out a lot of tonics from her private treasury and send them to Wutong Garden.

Mother Xu went to Wutong Garden first, and then to Qiushuangzhai.

When Cui Lingrong learned that the princess was pregnant, she nodded lightly, "Okay, I understand. It's perfect that you're here, Mama Xu, there's something I need to mention."

Cui Lingrong was not surprised by Princess Rongjia's pregnancy.

Song Shulan spent half of the month staying at Princess Rongjia's place. It would be strange if Princess Rongjia didn't get pregnant.

"Please speak, Madam." For some reason, Madam Xu had a bad feeling. The Marquis said that Madam had changed, but just by looking at her, Madam hadn't changed much; she was still calm and composed. But after spending time with her, she had a different feeling.

"The old lady is probably aware of the current state of the Marquis's mansion. A few days ago, the prefectural steward squandered a lot of money. Now we need to tighten our belts on the expenses of Wutong Garden, and each branch of the household will have to cut back on spending." Cui Lingrong's face showed no emotion. Her aunt had told her that when scheming against someone, she should not let anyone guess her true feelings.

Cui Lingrong was already planning to cut expenses, and the old lady just happened to give her an excuse.

"Given the considerable expense of the autumn banquet, my plan is to cease all banquets at the manor by the end of the year. Whoever wishes to host a feast will have to contribute to the public funds. The food and clothing for the old lady and the marquis will remain unchanged, but the amount of wild game and mountain produce sent from the estate will be halved to generate some revenue. And there are a few other things..." Cui Lingrong slowly recounted several matters, causing Xu Mama's expression to grow increasingly somber.

Finally, Mrs. Xu couldn't hold back any longer and tentatively asked, "Now the eldest madam is in charge of the cloth shop..."

"You mean the profit sharing from the cloth shop? There won't be any for the next year. Because I wanted to give Yu-jie a decent dowry, I borrowed money from the money shop to prepare it, and now I have to pay back the profit sharing." After saying this, Cui Lingrong looked at Xu Mama, "Any other questions?"

For a moment, Mrs. Xu couldn't think of a way to refute her eldest daughter-in-law. But her eldest daughter-in-law wouldn't allow the old lady to invite a play or hold a banquet, and even stipulated the number of pieces of jewelry and headdress. The old lady had lived a carefree and pleasure-seeking life for several years. How could she be happy now?

Seeing Xu's mother stunned, Cui Lingrong smiled slightly, "Life like this is much better than when I first married into the Marquis's mansion. The Marquis's mansion was like this for the first few years. I think the old lady can understand, after all, the Marquis's mansion doesn't have any other major sources of income right now. Life will get better after the Marquis is promoted."

They're hoping for the Marquis to be promoted, so let's wait until that day to enjoy a better life. Anyway, Cui Lingrong has no money.

Madam Xu had nothing to say and returned to Shou'an Hall with her grandmother's words in mind.

Old Madam Song was naturally angry, but she couldn't find a reason to complain. Moreover, Cui Lingrong's reason was very legitimate. Preparing a dowry for Yu'er was a serious matter. Only if the dowry was well prepared could the Marquis's mansion have face. She couldn't let Cui Lingrong make things simple.

Madam Xu cautiously looked at her master, "I suppose things will get better once the Marquis is promoted."

"I'm also looking forward to that day, but I don't know when it will be," Grandma Song sighed.

Her son was getting on in years, and if he wanted to advance further, he needed someone to promote him. If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have given Princess Rongjia so much face.

Madam Xu said it would be soon, "The Marquis is born with good fortune and will surely rise to the highest position in the court."

"You certainly know how to talk," said Old Madam Song, then thought of Jiang Shi. "Go and tell the Princess to have the doctor from the Rong Prince's residence take Jiang Shi's pulse as well. She's been married into the Song family for so many years and hasn't had a single child. We can't let Shucheng die without an heir, can we?"

Mrs. Xu agreed.

Princess Rongjia naturally had no objection and immediately sent someone to take Jiang's pulse.

Jiang was extremely embarrassed. She had always secretly seen doctors and took medicine, but now that Princess Rongjia had invited a doctor from the Rong Prince's Mansion, wouldn't everyone in the Rong Prince's Mansion know that she couldn't have children?

However, since it was the old lady's order, Jiang had no choice but to bite the bullet and have the doctor take her pulse.

The doctor said that her constitution was too cold and she needed to be treated. But Jiang had heard this countless times before, and seeing that the doctor had not made any new discoveries, she was somewhat disappointed.

After the doctor left, Madam Jiang sat and sighed, "Why is my life so miserable? Cui Lingrong and Li Shu are giving birth one after another, even Princess Rongjia is pregnant, but I'm the only one who isn't?"

The old woman beside her gently comforted her, "Second Madam, don't take it too hard. Sometimes it's better to relax and let things take their course."

"How can I not be anxious? If this continues, I'm afraid the old lady will arrange for the second master to take a concubine." Madam Jiang was genuinely afraid of this. A concubine was not like an ordinary concubine; she couldn't just beat or scold her at will. If she gave birth to a son, he might even surpass her.

As they were talking, a maid came to deliver a message that a letter had arrived from the He family.

Jiang hurriedly opened the letter. It was from her aunt, who said that the He family had settled down in their hometown. If they still couldn't find a marriage for He Pingping in Bianjing, Jiang should send He Pingping back.

After all, He Pingping is not young, and we can't delay any longer.

Thinking of her cousin, Jiang felt worried and took the letter to her cousin.

As soon as she entered the house, seeing her cousin leaning against the window in a daze, Jiang sat down beside her with concern. "It's getting cold, why don't you take better care of yourself?"

"When did my cousin arrive?" He Pingping had been in a daze and hadn't heard anyone come in.

"Look at you, you're completely stunned." Jiang took out her aunt's letter. "I'll give the matchmaker some extra money to make her hurry up. When you meet the matchmaker, at least smile a lot, that way you'll leave a good impression."

"Cousin, I..."

Seeing He Pingping pause, Jiang knew that He Pingping had something to say, so she took her hand and said, "Say whatever you want to say. We're not blood sisters, but we're closer than blood sisters. As long as it's within my power, I will definitely help you."

Upon hearing this, He Pingping suddenly knelt down, pleading, "Please, cousin, help me."

"Oh dear, what are you doing?" Jiang hurriedly reached out to help him up.

He Pingping refused to get up. When Jiang asked what was wrong, He Pingping kept her lips pursed and couldn't say anything for a long time.

"Are you trying to drive me crazy?" Jiang gasped for breath. "Just tell me what's wrong. I'm your cousin; I'll help if I can!"

He Pingping then whispered, "Actually... I already have someone I like."

"Who?"

He Pingping whispered a name, her face turning red from her cheeks to her ears, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at Jiang Shi.

Jiang was stunned for a moment, then immediately flew into a rage, "How could it be him? How...how could you fall for him? No, absolutely not! Anyone else is fine, but not him!"

Jiang gripped the teacup tightly and slammed it down. "If you marry him, you'll only disgust me!"

He Pingping's eyes were brimming with tears. She knew she was too old to delay any longer, so she mustered up her courage and knelt down in front of her cousin, pleading in a pitiful voice, "I know I've disappointed you, cousin, but... but I really like him. Please, cousin, help me."