Chapter 534 - 312: Mutual Threats

Chapter 534: Chapter 312: Mutual Threats

Mrs. Cai had been a competitive woman her entire life. Even when her conflict with her daughter, Song Yunzhao, became public knowledge, she had felt no fear. But now, having secured the position of Marchioness, the words she heard today had instilled a sense of dread in her.

She had only just become the Marchioness; she had no intention of making way for someone else.

Her most beloved older daughter still needed her support. She couldn’t afford to lose her current status.

She couldn’t bear the thought of Aunt Che’s smug face, gloating over her victory. The two of them had fought for a lifetime; how could she let that woman have the last laugh?

Mrs. Cai looked again at Song Yunzhao on her high seat. She had known long ago that this daughter was not one she could rely on. The girl was born with a rebellious streak.

With Mrs. Cai quiet and not causing any trouble, Song Yunzhao couldn’t be bothered with her, having no desire to guess how her mother was weighing the pros and cons.

She turned to Madam Song to discuss proper business. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"Now that I’ve been promoted to concubine, I imagine things have been quite lively at home?" Song Yunzhao asked.

Madam Song nodded. The topic was a bit awkward. Everyone knew that Song Yunzhao and her mother, Mrs. Cai, did not get along. Most of the congratulatory cards sent to the Song Family had been addressed to her, which was one reason for Mrs. Cai’s rude behavior today.

"All the families we’re acquainted with have sent their cards, and even some we had no prior dealings with have come to visit. I received them all politely, but I did not accept their gifts," Madam Song explained in detail to Yun Zhao.

Song Yunzhao nodded and look at Madam Song, instructing her, "Now that I’ve given birth to the Eldest Prince and been promoted to concubine, the number of visitors will only increase. During these times, I must rely on you, Aunt, to manage the household." She shot a glance at Mrs. Cai before continuing slowly, "The Emperor will surely bestow a new mansion upon us. When that time comes, our two branches of the family will still live together. I will tell Father that the household management should be combined, with you, Aunt, in charge of all the inner court affairs. Only then can I be at ease in the palace."

Mrs. Cai: ...

Madam Song hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Although it would be troublesome, her husband’s and son’s futures were also very important. If the household affairs were managed separately and Mrs. Cai was manipulated into causing some great disaster, it wouldn’t just be Yun Zhao and the Eldest Prince who were in danger. Her own branch of the family would be unable to escape the consequences, and her husband and son would both suffer.

"If you trust me, then I am naturally willing."

"How could it be a matter of trust? Your willingness is more than I could ever ask for, Aunt. With you managing the household, I can’t imagine how much worry it will save me."

Mrs. Cai felt her heart grow even heavier as she listened. But she said nothing. It would be useless. Besides, even though the two branches of the family had formally separated, ever since Song Yunzhao had been promoted to Zhaoyi, the household’s management had essentially been in Madam Song’s hands anyway. There was little difference between then, now, and the future.

Mrs. Cai was resentful, but neither her husband nor her debt-collecting daughter would speak a word in her defense.

After they had more or less finished discussing family matters with Madam Song, Nanny Yu came over to give them a reminder. Seeing that the hour was getting late, Song Yunzhao rose to escort Madam Song and Mrs. Cai out. They still had to meet up with the other noble women before heading to the banquet at Qinghua Hall together.

Once Madam Song and Mrs. Cai were outside the gates of Wangyou Palace, Mrs. Cai’s expression immediately soured. She sneered, "I suppose you’ve finally gotten your wish, Sister-in-law."

Madam Song paid Mrs. Cai’s taunt no mind, replying lightly, "You should reflect on this yourself, Third Sister-in-law. Her Ladyship is your biological daughter, so why is she willing to entrust the Song Family’s affairs to me? Your mother-daughter bond has reached its limit. I only hope that during the banquet, you’ll think of Qing Han and Bu Yue before you speak or act. Qing Han is married, so that’s that. Even if her life isn’t easy, she is at least settled. But Bu Yue has yet to take a wife."

Mrs. Cai became even more choked with anger, thinking Madam Song was trying to interfere in her son’s marriage. She gritted her teeth and said, "I won’t trouble you to worry about Bu Yue’s marriage, Sister-in-law."

’As if I could be bothered to interfere,’ Madam Song thought. ’With a personality like Mrs. Cai’s, I fear Bu Yue’s marriage will be... well, never mind. He’s her son, after all. As long as it doesn’t cause a public scandal and ruin the Song Family’s reputation, he can marry whomever he pleases.’

The two sisters-in-law arrived at Qinghua Hall. Palace Attendants were methodically preparing for the banquet. They bustled back and forth, carefully arranging gold, silver, and jade ornaments throughout the grand hall. The hall was filled with countless fresh flowers, and a floral fragrance greeted them the moment they entered, a scent quite distinct from blended incense. Exquisite tableware was set on the dining tables in the hall; the gold cups, silver goblets, and jade plates all proclaimed the grandeur of the palace banquet.

A band of pipes and drums played by the entrance, their music elegant and solemn, adding a layer of ceremony and dignity to the palace banquet. The noble women, dressed in magnificent attire, entered the hall in succession, finding acquaintances and engaging in warm conversation.

As soon as the two sisters-in-law entered, they were immediately welcomed. Mrs. Cai was quickly pulled aside by Marchioness Wu Xin for a chat. Madam Song didn’t join them; she was surrounded by an even larger crowd.

After all, everyone knew that Ming Fei of the palace was closer to Madam Song.

After completing a round of social pleasantries, Madam Song was pulled aside by Mrs. Han and Mrs. Feng for a private word.

Mrs. Han said in a low voice, "I heard that Princess Fuke went straight to Shouci Palace as soon as she entered the palace. She hasn’t been seen since. Do you think something might have happened?"

Princess Fuke’s family was connected to Madam Song’s by marriage, so this was meant as a heads-up for Madam Song.

Madam Song knew that Princess Fuke and the Empress Dowager didn’t get along well. She had heard that the Empress Dowager hadn’t even gone to greet the Emperor upon his return to the palace. If she also failed to appear at the Eldest Prince’s full-month banquet, the rumors outside would surely turn ugly.

Princess Fuke had likely gone to Shouci Palace as soon as she arrived precisely because of this matter.

Though Madam Song was speculating internally, she said aloud, "Princess Fuke hasn’t seen the Empress Dowager in a long time. It’s only natural that she would go to pay her respects first upon entering the palace."

Knowing Madam Song had taken the hint, Mrs. Han felt relieved. She then pointed at Mrs. Feng and laughed, "Just now, someone asked Mrs. Feng to introduce them to you, Madam Song."

Madam Song gave a helpless smile. "I’m just an ordinary woman. It’s only by Her Ladyship’s grace that I am even here. Talk of introductions is misplaced; I would be the one aspiring to associate with them."

Mrs. Feng laughed heartily. "If it weren’t for some proper business that required me to act as a go-between, I would have refused them directly."

Mrs. Han added, "You should have seen it. That lady’s face went completely dark."

"A lady with such a temper... if I had met her, I’m afraid I would have offended her terribly. Thank you, Mrs. Feng, for turning her away for me. I’ll host a banquet another day, and we can all have a proper drink together," Madam Song said.

From a distance, Mrs. Yao watched Madam Song chatting happily with the others, then glanced at Lady Lu, who was also conversing with people on the other side. A thoughtful expression crossed her face.

’My daughter told me that Consort Shu and Ming Fei are on good terms,’ she mused. ’So why don’t Lady Lu and Madam Song seem acquainted? They’ve been here all this time and haven’t made any effort to speak to one another. Could they be trying to avoid suspicion?’

On the other side of the hall, Mrs. Cai’s expression had also soured. She stared at Marchioness Wu Xin, hardly daring to believe her ears. ’That good-for-nothing son-in-law, Xu Anxing, went into my daughter’s room last night?’