Chapter 1504: Mu Qinglian Side Story (Part 1)
The heavy snow arrived with the winter, covering the earth like a layer of silver, pure white. Long icicles hung from the eaves like crystal short swords, even each breath turned into puffs of white smoke.
Mu Qinglian’s room had a dragon stove, which was lit as soon as winter arrived. The main room was warm, a stark contrast to the outside.
Not long after, Lady Mu’s eldest daughter-in-law came to the main room to pay her respects to Mu Qinglian. Lady Mu’s eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Cui, was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Earl of Yongchang’s Mansion. In fact, Mu Qinglian held no regard for the Earl of Yongchang’s Mansion—not because the mansion, although hereditary, had fallen into decline, with no promising descendants. They knew nothing beyond eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. However, due to Mu Qinglian’s past and the fact that Duke Ning’s Mansion had neither power nor influence, no esteemed family in the Capital City would marry their legitimate daughter into Duke Ning’s Mansion. In order to find a suitable match for her son, Mu Qinglian exhausted all means. Unfortunately, the Old Madam of Duke Ning’s Mansion did not understand her efforts and decided on her own to betroth Madam Cui to her eldest son, Shao Wen.
Ning Lixuan had defied his parents in his early years to marry Mu Qinglian, but as he aged and became a father himself, he came to understand the difficulties his parents faced. Especially after the passing of the Duke, Ning Lixuan became increasingly filial to his mother. Since Mother had taken a liking to Madam Cui, he naturally did not object.
Despite her teeth grinding into silver powder, Mu Qinglian could do nothing without her husband by her side. Although the Cui family was lacking, Madam Cui’s personal qualities were commendable. Not only was she good-looking, but she was also skilled in needlework and had strong management skills. However, precisely because of these strong abilities, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had always been strained.
Madam Cui attended to Lady Mu during breakfast, then said, "Mother-in-law, Princess Jiahe’s youngest son will have his full-month celebration tomorrow, and I intend to take Sister Zhenzhen there." Sister Zhenzhen was Madam Cui’s eldest daughter, already eight years old, and it was time for her to start attending social events.
Mu Qinglian was in a good mood, but her spirits plummeted upon hearing this news: "Do as you see fit! I’m tired, you all may leave!" She had no patience for anything related to the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion, yet such matters endlessly haunted her like a restless spirit.
Madam Cui bowed and withdrew respectfully upon hearing this.
Back in her own courtyard, Madam Cui’s personal maid, Ah Yuan, said, "This Princess Jiahe is truly blessed." Generally speaking, relationships between princesses and their prince consorts tended to be strained. For example, the Eldest Princess married into the Earl of Chengyi’s Mansion for ten years without even having a daughter, let alone a son. Moreover, she even prohibited the Prince Consort from taking concubines, so now the Second Master of Earl of Chengyi’s Mansion is childless. Princess Jiahe, on the other hand, had three sons and two daughters, which was remarkable among the Imperial Princesses.
Princess Jiahe not only bore many children but lived in harmony with the Prince Consort and got along well with her father-in-law and mother-in-law. She had now become a model praised by the royal family.
Madam Cui softly said, "Those who marry into the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion are indeed fortunate."
Ah Yuan nodded, "That’s true. Several young ladies in the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion have been giving birth to children every one or two years. Now, the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion has eight young sons."
Madam Cui let out a bitter smile: "In the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion, besides the legitimate wives, there are no concubines or secondary wives, so having births every year is rather normal." Madam Cui herself had a daughter and a son. Her daughter, Sister Zhenzhen, was twelve months older than her son, Brother Baibai. This meant Madam Cui became pregnant immediately after completing her postpartum month.
Madam Cui was aware that becoming pregnant soon after childbirth was damaging to her health, but she had no choice. Her mother-in-law was dissatisfied, the concubines were eagerly waiting for a chance, and her natal family provided no support; only by bearing a son could she secure her position in Duke Ning’s Mansion. Fortunately, she had a good physical foundation, and the children were born healthy, but her health was ultimately compromised, and she had been unable to conceive since.
Ah Yuan, being Madam Cui’s confidante, quickly changed the topic upon seeing her expression, bringing up the matter of attending the princess’s son’s celebration banquet.
Madam Cui called over Sister Zhenzhen, gave her a few instructions, and then sent her back to prepare well. The full-month banquet the next day was sure to be attended by many madams, and leaving a good impression would be beneficial for Sister Zhenzhen’s future matrimonial prospects.
Madam Cui returned from socializing the next day and immediately went to see Mu Qinglian, detailing the events she had encountered at the banquet. In reality, very few of the Earl of Pingyang’s family members were currently in the Capital City. Not to mention that the Earl and his wife were traveling, even the Earl’s Second Young Master and Third Young Master were holding positions outside. Moreover, their wives and children accompanied them to their posts.
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