Four Seasons Brocade – CH 042

Chapter 42 ☆、 Sighing Over My Daughter’s Long Hair (Part 2)

Ah Wu understood that a father’s love was something she did not want to share, but she did not understand that a woman’s husband’s love was even less likely to be shared. She thought that a man’s fondness for concubines and chambermaids was no different from her fondness for the grasshoppers and bamboo pen holders Rong Yin had given her. They were all playthings.

However, a man’s love for his legal wife was characterized by respect and affection. Just like a man’s love for his parents and teachers, it was a love that must be given, a natural and rightful love—respect and affection.

“Madam, there’s no need to trouble yourself. It’s just another mouth to feed. Her allowance comes from public funds; it will not cost us any money,” Ah Wu advised.

If Princess Kangning were alive, she would surely jump up and down in a rage, “Vulgar thing, vulgar thing, truly vulgar thing! Having another concubine, the most important thing in your eyes is just a monthly allowance!”

As the saying goes, even a hero could be brought down by a single penny. Ah Wu was in the thick of it all and had to adapt, though perhaps a little too much.

Lady Cui glared at Ah Wu with annoyance. Was Ah Wu’s heart burning with pain because of her monthly allowance? She really was still just a child; how could Lady Cui say certain things to Ah Wu?

Seeing Lady Cui’s distress, Ah Wu decided to try again. She should not have said these things; a young girl like her could not be so insidious. “Madam,” she said, “the most important thing now is to prevent her from giving birth to a son.”

Third Master Rong was born of a concubine, and so was Lady Cui. Ah Wu should not have said such things, but to divert Lady Cui’s attention, she had no choice but to bring it up. Actually, Ah Wu did not think there was anything wrong with having children born of a concubine; in fact, almost every family had children born of a concubine. Besides, if siblings were successful, they could help each other.

But since even Princess Fuhui could not tolerate it, Ah Wu thought that Lady Cui, with her narrow mind, probably could not tolerate it either. The Old Madam regarded Third Master Rong as a thorn in her side, which was why Ah Wu offered this advice.

“Your father’s feet are on his body; what business is it of mine?” The mention of having a son made Lady Cui even more agitated. Third Master Rong had not even heard a whisper of Concubine Wang becoming a concubine, yet Lady Cui was already jealous.

Ah Wu looked at Lady Cui strangely. Did this contraceptive soup have anything to do with whether Third Master Rong went to see Concubine Wang or not?

Ah Wu’s ignorance about matters of love and sex was not surprising. She had not married in her previous life, so naturally, no one taught her these things. The Imperial Princess was the most serious person, and although Ah Wu was well-read and secretly read some strange tales, she would never dare to touch anything like the later Romance of the Western Chamber or The Peony Pavilion.

Others dared not tell Ah Wu such private matters.

Therefore, Ah Wu had been ignorant her whole life, and in this life, she had not yet grown up. Even the changes in her body were barely noticeable to her. Princess Kangning was frail and underdeveloped from childhood; her breasts were always the size of fried eggs, and she had never grown any pubic hair. Therefore, as you could see, if Ah Wu were to understand matters of love and sex, that would be utterly absurd, illogical, and inconceivable.

Since this tactic of diverting attention from one area to another failed to persuade Lady Cui, Ah Wu had to resort to a more drastic measure. “Madam, jealousy is one of the seven grounds for divorce. Be careful; the Old Madam might use it to control you.”

“I do not believe Rong Jichang would dare divorce me for this! I…I…” Lady Cui could not hold back any longer and burst into tears.

Ah Wu was completely bewildered, not knowing what to do. She felt like she had stirred up a hornet’s nest. The more she tried to persuade her, the more chaotic things became, and Ah Wu dared not utter another sound. However, Nanny Li came in, repeatedly calling out, “My good Madam, my good Madam…”

Si-Shu also came in and coaxed Ah Wu back to her own room.

However, Ah Wu was not a fool. Her advice to Lady Cui was not meant to add fuel to the fire.

Ah Wu simply did not understand Lady Cui’s fickle heart. Her heart was completely devoted to Third Master Rong, and the two had once been inseparable, intolerant of anyone else’s interference. Even hearing the slightest rumor was enough to set Lady Cui’s heart aching.

This Concubine Wang was beautiful and delicate, and Lady Cui feared that Third Master Rong would be captivated by her. Remembering the infamous reputation of Yangzhou’s “skinny horses,” she felt her future was doomed. The thought of her husband’s intimacy with another woman made her weep uncontrollably.

Actually, Ah Wu believed she had given excellent advice. She reasoned with Lady Cui, presenting the facts. First, having another concubine would not harm the third branch of the family; it would not even cost money. Even the concubine herself was a gift.

Secondly, if she still could not stand this, then Ah Wu would find her something to do to distract her. If it were Ah Wu, the moment that concubine showed her face, she’d probably be thinking of getting contraceptive medicine from the pharmacy. She’d plan and arrange everything to control this concubine.

Alright, Lady Cui still would not listen and just kept crying, not understanding that, since the situation could not be changed, she should do something practical.

Fine, in the end, Ah Wu had to scare Lady Cui, and you saw the result.

Ah Wu shook her head, thinking to herself that her mother, being born of a concubine, lacked common sense.

A moment later, Ah Wu returned to her room, then regretted forgetting to mention to Lady Cui that she should ask the Old Madam for the new concubine’s indenture. She’d been so confused by Lady Cui’s crying that she did not know if Lady Cui would even remember.

Ah Wu sighed, feeling burdened by the weight of the entire household. She was so young, yet carried such a heavy load.

Zi-Yan, watching Ah Wu’s comical imitation of an adult’s sighs, chuckled to herself. “Do not be upset, Miss,” she said. “Master and Madam will handle everything. Why are you making such a fuss?”

Although Zi-Yan knew Ah Wu was precocious and intelligent, seeing her young lady’s demeanor made it hard to forget her cleverness. Ah Wu looked smaller than most, still short and chubby, with delicate features, resembling a New Year’s picture doll. That was why Zi-Yan teased Ah Wu for acting like an adult.

Meanwhile, Third Master Rong sneezed as soon as he entered; someone must have been talking about him. Over the years, Rong Jichang had cultivated several undercover agents within the household. Upon his return, news reached him that the Old Madam had sent him a concubine.

Third Master Rong was unimpressed; he was certain he was not a womanizer. It was just that the Old Madam’s constant scheming was utterly tiresome.

The maid who was lifting the curtain saw Third Master Rong and quickly relayed a message inside. Only then did Lady Cui wipe away her tears, her eyes red, and rise to greet him.

“What’s wrong? You look like a red-eyed chicken.” Third Master Rong asked Lady Cui with a smile.

Lady Cui glared at Third Master Rong, then sat down again, coldly saying, “Master’s back. Why not go see your beautiful concubine first?”

Third Master Rong bowed repeatedly. “No, no, I have not even seen her yet, and Madam’s already spilled a jar of vinegar. I dare not go see her.” With that, Third Master Rong approached Lady Cui and pulled her into his arms.

Lady Cui hesitated for a moment in Third Master Rong’s arms, then obediently leaned on his shoulder, scoffing, “You are not allowed to go see her.”

“She was given to me by the Old Madam. Even if I am lustful, I would never touch someone she gave me,” Third Master Rong assured him.

Lady Cui gave Third Master Rong a glance that meant she was wise enough to believe her husband’s words.

For example, that Concubine Mu was given to him by the Old Madam when Lady Cui became pregnant with Rong Jie. Third Master Rong only went to her room the first night and never went back. Because of this, Concubine Mu had no choice but to stay quietly under the eaves of her small courtyard.

And because of Concubine Mu’s obedience, Ah Wu never mentioned her in her stories. If it were not for the arrival of Concubine Wang, who was to live next to Concubine Mu, probably no one would have mentioned Concubine Mu at all.

After hearing the man’s assurance, Lady Cui finally had the leisure to chat with Third Master Rong. “I heard Concubine Wang is a ‘skinny horse’ bought from Yangzhou.”

“What Concubine Wang? Even Concubine Mu served for several years before becoming a concubine after Ah Wu’s birth. How could a newcomer like her become a concubine?” Third Master Rong was very good at understanding women’s minds, even though this Concubine Wang was definitely a concubine.

Upon hearing Third Master Rong’s words, Lady Cui’s expression indeed softened, and she became even more gentle and attentive towards him. “But the Old Madam has been keeping it from us. You must inquire privately, My Lord.” Lady Cui did not believe Zi-Shan could find out everything.

Third Master Rong nodded.

“That newcomer, did the Old Madam give you her indenture?”

“Oh…” Lady Cui suddenly remembered and said embarrassedly, “I did not know she came from such a background before. The Old Madam even said she wanted to marry her in as a concubine.”

Third Master Rong shook his head inwardly. Only Lady Cui Yilan could be so naive. If she were to be married in as a concubine, without a pink sedan chair and a small banquet, would she really have come into the house with her first? But Third Master Rong also knew he could not blame Lady Cui; she was simply a person who did not think things through.

Third Master Rong was already very satisfied to have such a beautiful, gentle, and kind-hearted wife under the Old Madam’s care. To ask for anything more would be greedy.

“Now that you know she’s not from a respectable family, you still need to get her indenture,” Third Master Rong instructed.

Lady Cui looked troubled, knowing full well that the Old Madam, wanting to control Concubine Wang and use her for her own purposes, would never give her indenture to the third branch of the family. Third Master Rong, intending to train Lady Cui a little, did not offer her any advice.

Third Master Rong thought that in the past, he was useless, only able to endure his stepmother, and the Old Madam did not take him seriously, so he never had to resort to many ruthless methods. Now things were different. Open humiliation was not enough; she even used spies behind his back—she really thought highly of him.

Third Master Rong had been wondering if he should offer Lady Cui a word of advice if she tossed and turned all night, but after only a few breaths, he heard faint snoring beside him. Third Master Rong stared at Lady Cui’s back for a long time, finally smiling helplessly, and straightened the blankets for her. Lady Cui’s carefree nature was not necessarily a bad thing.

Actually, Master Rong had misunderstood. Lady Cui was not carefree at all. Before going to bed, she had been worrying about how to broach the subject with the Old Madam, but she was exhausted from anger and crying, her mind a complete mess. Then she thought of Ah Wu—right, she could ask that clever little devil if she had any ideas.

It turned out that, without realizing it, Lady Cui had begun to rely on Ah Wu.