Chapter 1505: Mu Qinglian Side Story (Part 1)
Mu Qinglian heard that the banquet went smoothly, and immediately lost interest.
Ah Yuan returned to her yard, feeling puzzled: "Master, why is Madam so concerned about the affairs of the Earl of Pingyang?" She sincerely couldn’t understand.
Madam Cui did not explain to Ah Yuan, some things are best kept to oneself. Madam Cui had observed for a long time before realizing that her mother-in-law was especially attentive to the matters of the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion. At first, she was puzzled too, but over time, she could roughly guess the reason. Her mother-in-law and the Lady of the Earl of Pingyang were once known as the Beauties of the Capital, and her mother-in-law was not one to be overshadowed by others, so she paid special attention to the Lady of the Earl of Pingyang.
Thinking of the Lady of the Earl of Pingyang, Madam Cui was somewhat envious herself. Her devoted husband, wise and filial children with promising futures, and unmatched achievements in the art world — it could be said, she has everything a woman could want.
Just then, Madam Cui’s wet nurse, Nanny Chen, walked in.
Seeing Nanny Chen’s expression, Madam Cui knew it wasn’t good news: "What happened?"
Nanny Chen said with a grim face: "Master, I’m afraid Maternal Aunt Hua is expecting." Being ’expecting’ naturally meant pregnant.
Madam Cui’s face darkened a bit. If it were another Maternal Auntie, Madam Cui wouldn’t have reacted this way, since her husband already has a concubine-born child. However, Maternal Aunt Hua was rather special; although she was the daughter born of a concubine from an official’s family, she was exceptional in both appearance and talents, gaining the Heir apparent’s favor, even her mother-in-law held her in high regard.
Madam Cui thought for a moment and said, "Since she wants to keep it under wraps, then let her. You leak this news, and let Maternal Aunt You and Maternal Aunt Liu know." Maternal Aunt You was of humble origin, a commoner’s daughter, spotted by Heir Ning during an outing, and taken into the mansion; while Maternal Aunt Liu used to be Mu Qinglian’s close senior maid. These two women have been in the Duke Mansion for seven or eight years and survived; they are not to be trifled with.
Days later, Mu Qinglian heard from the old nanny that Maternal Aunt Hua miscarried, and was furious. Mu Qinglian couldn’t help but be angry as her eldest son only has two sons under his knee. Unfortunately, these two grandsons do not receive Mu Qinglian’s favor, the legitimate grandson is too unremarkable, a blockhead, and the concubine grandson is frail and sickly. Mu Qinglian was hoping that Maternal Aunt Hua could bear her a wise grandson, only for things to turn out this way: "How are you doing as Matriarch? Such a big thing, and yet unaware?" Although said to be an accident, Mu Qinglian, having mixed in the backyard for years, should know the inside tricks.
Madam Cui knelt on the ground, enduring Mu Qinglian’s scolding. Only after Mu Qinglian finished did Madam Cui voice her grievance. Madam Cui can easily clear herself, for Maternal Aunt Hua was clever, concealing her more than two-month pregnancy in every possible way. Now that she miscarried, no blame could be placed on Madam Cui.
Mu Qinglian, upon listening to Madam Cui’s explanations, spat out a mouthful of old blood. However, lacking proof, she couldn’t do anything to this daughter-in-law. Of course, even if evidence were found, she wouldn’t allow her son to divorce. Yet, after this event, Mu Qinglian loathed this eldest daughter-in-law even more.
Ah Yuan felt Mu Qinglian was unreasonable; Maternal Aunt Liu’s miscarriage had nothing to do with her mistress, but unexpectedly, Madam blamed her Master.
Madam Cui chuckled bitterly, as the saying goes, ten years as a wife to become a mother-in-law, just endure it slowly!
After the incident with Maternal Aunt Hua’s miscarriage, Shao Wen’s attitude towards Madam Cui grew increasingly cold, only visiting her room on the first and fifteenth day of the month.
Nanny Chen pitied Madam Cui.
Madam Cui shook her head and said, "What’s there to feel wronged about? I just hope Zhenzhen and Shuoshuo can live peacefully; other than that, I have no further expectations." She once hoped for mutual love between husband and wife, but after ten years, that expectation has worn away.
The cold winter passed quickly, and soon it was the spring imperial examination. Mu Qinglian paid close attention because her nephew was participating. Upon hearing that her nephew passed, although his rank was somewhat low, she was nevertheless pleased. However, upon hearing that the fourth young master of the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion not only passed but ranked fairly high, in the forties, Mu Qinglian’s mood turned sour.
All her life, Mu Qinglian detested Lian Yueyao the most, with no equal. Mu Qinglian considered herself not inferior to Lian Yueyao, yet Lian Yueyao lived better than her.
Madam Cui also sensed Mu Qinglian’s foul mood and acted more cautiously, but undeniably, she felt pleased watching Mu Qinglian’s jealousy-twisted face.
The Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion was bound to hold a wine banquet for such a joyous occasion as the fourth young master passing as a palace graduate. The Duke Ning’s Mansion naturally received an invitation from the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion. Upon learning this, Mu Qinglian instructed Madam Cui to find an excuse not to attend. Invitations from the Princess’s Mansion couldn’t be refused for fear of offending the princess, but for the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion, she absolutely forbade her daughter-in-law to go.
Madam Cui had no objections, but upon returning to her room, she shed her mask, a mocking smile appearing on her face.
Nanny Chen appeared worried: "Master, what should we do? The Earl of Pingyang’s offspring are all promising, and at this rate, the future of the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion looks bright. Nowadays, everyone in the Capital wants to maintain good ties with the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion, yet our Duchess seems to bear a grudge against the Pingyang Residence."
Madam Cui shook her head and said, "Madam forbids going, am I to sneak off secretly? Let’s increase the gift by threefold." Madam Cui also wished to establish good relations with the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion, and even thought if possible, to marry her daughter off to them. Sadly, this is merely wishful thinking. Given her mother-in-law’s relations with the Lady of the Earl of Pingyang, it’s fortunate if the two families don’t become enemies.
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