Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

In the long corridor near Wutong Garden, Bai Tao and Wang Hechun's house were far from the lanterns, with only the faint moonlight reflecting on Bai Tao's cheeks.

Wang Hechun's family member stood with their back to the light. "You mean Aunt Huadie is still worried?"

"Yes, ever since she heard her aunt say the words 'leave the mother and keep the child,' Auntie has been unable to sleep day and night. If this continues, Auntie's health will not be able to take it," Bai Tao said.

"What do you want to do?"

"Mother Wang flatters me. What good ideas could a mere maid like me possibly have?" Bai Tao didn't want to take the lead, otherwise she would be blamed if anything happened. "I came to ask you to discuss with the Princess and come up with a way to put Aunt's mind at ease."

She stepped closer. "Although the princess really does have this plan, we need to appease her now, otherwise if the concubine loses her child, all our plans will have been in vain!"

Wang Hechun's wife frowned upon hearing this. If a woman doesn't sleep well while pregnant, she's likely to lose the baby. The princess is counting on this child.

She thought it over and over, not daring to make a decision on her own. "Wait until I return to the princess. Try your best to appease her and don't let those shady characters go after the concubine, do you understand?"

Bai Tao nodded and said okay.

Wang Hechun's wife added, "If you serve your concubine well, you'll have your time to enjoy happiness after she safely gives birth to your son."

"Don't worry, I know who's the most capable in the Marquis's mansion. From now on, this huge mansion will definitely be ruled by the Princess. I'm waiting for the Princess to take charge of the household." Bai Tao forced a smile, but fortunately, the light was dim and no one could see each other's faces clearly.

"You're a smart one, hurry back, or your aunt will become suspicious." After saying goodbye to Bai Tao, Wang Hechun's wife hurriedly returned to report to her master.

Princess Rongjia had finished washing up, her long, black hair falling to her waist. After listening to Wang Hechun's report, she clicked her tongue and said, "It's all Song Zhizhi's fault. Her mouth should have been poisoned and rendered mute. Chen De's wife, you two think together about what can be done to put Huadie at ease."

Chen De's family looked towards Wang Hechun's family, their eyes met, and a sense of rivalry filled the air between them.

Whoever solves the princess's problems is the most useful.

Wang Hechun's wife quickly suggested, "Why don't you just let the princess leave it alone and let the old lady take care of Aunt Huadie's pregnancy? That way, when she sees that the princess doesn't care, she'll probably lose interest."

Chen De's wife disagreed, saying, "The old lady doesn't like to get involved. What if something happens if we let her look after things? Also, how can we take action with the old lady's people around?"

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Wang Hechun's wife asked.

"Princess, in this old servant's opinion, Consort Huadie is being suspicious because of what the young lady said. Since you have already promised the Marquis, why not find an opportunity to formally tell Consort Huadie? You said you still want your own child, and no one would think that's a problem," said Chen De's wife.

In Wang Hechun's view, it would be better if the master had his own child, why did he have to take Huadie's child away?

Princess Rongjia thought for a moment and then agreed.

As Wang Hechun's wife left, she snorted, "Mother Chen, you really understand the princess. From now on, you'll be the one calling the shots in Wutong Garden."

"You're wrong. The Princess will always be in charge of Wutong Garden. I advise you to give up. As long as I'm here, you'll never be the Princess's most important person. Doing your job well and not ruining the Princess's duties is the most important thing." Chen De's wife didn't even look at the other person.

In her eyes, she didn't consider Wang Hechun's family as rivals. She had things that Wang Hechun's family didn't know, and just for that reason, the princess would be closer to her.

But a courtyard can't accommodate two head mothers. As time goes by, it will eventually become clear who is superior and who is inferior.

Wang Hechun's family was indignant. When her mother-in-law was alive, what business was it of other people?

She boasted that she was no less capable than her mother-in-law, and certainly no less capable than Chen De's wife; one day, she would surpass her.

We'll rest here at Wutong Garden for now. As for Huadie, Qiu's mother said a lot.

When Bai Tao returned, Hua Die looked at her, remembered what Qiu's mother had said, and finally held back.

It was as if nothing had happened.

But while Hua Die could put on a good show in front of Bai Tao, her reaction when Princess Rongjia came to see her was undeniable.

She instinctively pushed away Princess Rongjia's hand, her eyes filled with panic.

Princess Rongjia's hand hit the bed board, and she raised her hand to hit Huadie, but was stopped by Chen De's wife.

After exchanging glances, Chen De's wife gently shook her head. Princess Rongjia then spoke as she had prepared, "What's wrong with you? Lately, you've been acting like a mouse around a cat whenever you see me. I'm here today to make things clear to you. If you want to raise your own child, then you can. It's not like I can't have children, so why should I raise yours? Don't overthink it."

"Really...really?" Hua Die looked up.

"My own children, aren't they better than yours?" Princess Rongjia sneered, still indignant, and added, "How good can your offspring be? Do you really think I care?"

Princess Rongjia turned and left.

After being scolded, Hua Die's heart pounded.

It was a good thing that the princess said that, but Hua Die had served Princess Rongjia before, and she began to worry that Princess Rongjia might dislike her and cause her trouble in the future.

After much thought, Huadie thought of the eldest madam, but it was daytime and Princess Rongjia had just left. If she went to the eldest madam, wouldn't that be openly going against Princess Rongjia?

Hua Die wanted to cry but had no tears. She used to be able to talk to Bai Tao, but now she couldn't trust anyone.

At this moment, Cui Lingrong is meeting with her younger brother.

When Cui Zeyu mentioned the Qin family's desire to arrange a marriage between Xie Yunting and Xie Yunting, he felt indignant on Xie Yunting's behalf, saying, "The Qin family looks down on Brother Xie, but they can't bear to part with this marriage. They want both. Luckily, Brother Xie has a temper, otherwise the Qin family would have really succeeded."

"What do we do now?" Cui Lingrong asked worriedly. "This is an imperial marriage, not an ordinary one. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. If things don't go well from the start, how will we live together peacefully?"

Cui Lingrong had been through this before, and General Xie had helped her several times. She hoped that General Xie would get better.

Cui Zeyu said, "Brother Xie said he has a way; he definitely won't let himself be unhappy." He then glanced at his sister, "Sister, I heard you and the Marquis had a fight?"

After agonizing for several days, Cui Zeyu finally decided to come and ask, "Is it because of me?"

Cui Zeyu suggested that he go and apologize instead.

It's no big deal for him to suffer a little for his sister's sake.

"No need, you're right to scold me," Cui Lingrong said. "Song Shulan took a concubine, and I'm the only one who benefited. I'm still expected to compromise. I've endured it for so long, and you've already scolded me. If I apologize now, wouldn't I have suffered for nothing?"

"Then what will you do in the future?" Cui Zeyu was worried that her sister would not be doing well in the Marquis's mansion.

"He can't divorce me over this. I still manage the household affairs of the Marquis's mansion, so life goes on." Cui Lingrong didn't want to talk about this. "But you, General Xie is getting married, what about you?"

Cui Zeyu didn't want to talk about this.

He hoped his sister would understand his feelings, but he was also afraid she wouldn't.

While Cui Zeyu remained silent, a maidservant came to deliver a message, urging the eldest mistress to hurry to Shou'an Hall.

Autumn's mother asked what was wrong.

"I don't know the specifics, but I heard that after the princess went to see Consort Huadie, Consort Huadie miscarried. The old lady was very angry and made the eldest mistress take charge."