CWTGD Chapter 150 - Song Tangning is a pearl covered in dust, the sooner you act, the sooner you will feel at ease
Madam Fu had always been concerned about the Cheng Princess Consort, and now, with the intent of arranging a match between their juniors, her enthusiasm was even greater than usual.
Seeing the princess consort reclining on the chaise in a loose gown embroidered with brocade patterns, her face no longer rosy but pale and fragile, Madam Fu frowned. "Why does the princess look so unwell?" she asked, recalling how just a month ago, the princess consort had still looked radiant and undaunted after leaving the Cheng Prince’s residence. How had she weakened so much in such a short time?
Remembering that Song Tangning had mentioned the princess consort had recently been ill, Madam Fu was about to ask if she was still recovering when she suddenly noticed the slight bulge of her abdomen as she shifted.
Madam Fu paused in surprise. "Princess, are you...?"
The Cheng Princess Consort, having invited Madam Fu to visit, had no intention of hiding the matter from her.
"After I left the Cheng Prince’s residence, I discovered I was with child. Out of concern that others finding out might cause trouble for Tangning, I have kept it quiet and not let anyone outside know."
She placed a gentle hand on her abdomen, her voice soft. "This child hasn’t been an easy one to carry—endlessly troublesome, day and night, testing my patience. I suppose I’ve become a bit haggard from it and gave you a fright."
Madam Fu, hearing this, couldn't hide her surprise. She’d been there when Song Tangning had created an uproar at the Cheng Prince’s residence, and she was well aware of the tense fallout between the princess consort and the prince that nearly led to blows. It was only with the help of herself, the Marchioness Wenxin, and the women of the Qian family that they’d managed to delay long enough for Xiao Yan to arrive.
After that, the whole Song family was imprisoned, and the Cheng Prince was implicated and relieved of his duties, placed under house arrest. The princess consort had left the residence resolutely, never once looking back. Who would have thought that she’d be with child during all this?
And by the look of it, she was already at least four months along.
Sitting opposite the princess consort, Madam Fu hesitated before asking, “Does the prince know about your pregnancy?”
The princess consort shook her head. "I haven’t told him yet."
Madam Fu opened her mouth, somewhat guessing the princess consort’s intention. She was likely afraid that if the Cheng Prince knew about the pregnancy, he would use the child to pressure Song Tangning into making concessions in the Song family’s matters, thereby easing the situation for the Cheng Prince’s household. Clearly, the princess consort did not want this child to be a vulnerability for Song Tangning.
She hesitated, wanting to ask about the princess consort’s plans, but the question felt too forward given their relationship and might be disrespectful.
The princess consort seemed to notice Madam Fu’s hesitation and spoke up. "This child came at a difficult time, but it is still a part of the prince’s lineage. We have been married for over a decade. No matter what happens, I should discuss things with him in person. It just so happens I received word that the Dowager Princess is unwell, so I plan to return to the Cheng Prince’s residence tomorrow."
As for what would happen afterward, that would depend on her discussion with Xie Tianyu.
Madam Fu relaxed a bit and nodded. "A talk would be good."
She wasn’t necessarily advocating for reconciliation; she, too, could not tolerate deception. But since the prince was a royal, it seemed improper for the princess consort to leave the residence so abruptly, especially now that she was with child and staying at Tangning’s residence. People were quick to judge women harshly, and in time, they would overlook the prince’s mistakes, viewing the princess consort’s actions as unreasonable or disruptive to her unborn child.
Such perceptions could tarnish the princess consort’s reputation and place Song Tangning in an awkward position, as if she were stirring trouble among her elders.
The princess consort said gently, “That child, Tangning, has been hiding the Lu family matter from me out of fear I’d worry. If not for a slip of the tongue from a servant, I would still have no idea of the dangers she’s faced.”
"Knowing you were coming, I should have gone to the front courtyard to greet you, but given my condition, I had to trouble you to come back here instead. I wanted to thank your family’s young master for helping Tangning; without him, she may not have made it out unscathed."
Madam Fu responded, “You’re too kind, Princess. Given your condition, you should avoid unnecessary strain. As for today, Zi Zhan is just a young fool, hardly deserving of such serious thanks from you."
"In matters of fate and happenstance, that boy has taken a liking to Miss Song. He’s all too happy to do whatever he can, so please don’t treat him with formality."
The princess consort's gaze softened slightly. "Master Fu…"
"To be frank, Princess, my grandson has taken a fancy to Miss Song," Madam Fu said, openly expressing her wish to form this match. She had a keen eye for character and knew what was best.
Song Tangning had an exemplary character, was exceptionally beautiful, and though she no longer had the protection of the Song family, the legacy of Rong Qian’an, coupled with the soon-to-be-established academy, would ensure her standing in the capital for years to come. She would eventually have a reputation surpassing the daughters of other noble families.
Furthermore, this young lady was growing steadily. From her early innocence at the Qian family’s wedding banquet to her composed demeanor when confronting the Lu family, her eyes remained clear, but her demeanor grew more poised.
At first glance, Song Tangning seemed controversial, but she was a hidden gem, like a pearl obscured by dust. Someday, she would surely shine, and by then, the doorstep of the Tang residence in Jiyun Lane would be worn down by suitors. And in a capital city full of discerning individuals, Madam Fu knew she was not the only one who recognized Song Tangning’s merits.
Although Fu Laijing was a respectable suitor, he wasn’t the pinnacle of eligible matches. Outwardly, the Fu family appeared prominent, but it was already showing signs of decline.
Madam Fu wanted to ensure that the princess consort held a favorable impression of Fu Laijing early on, hoping that when the time came for Song Tangning’s marriage, the princess consort would prioritize considering the Fu family.
Madam Fu didn’t bother hiding her intentions and spoke openly, "Zi Zhan, that silly boy, has taken a liking to Miss Song. When he heard from his granduncle that she had gone to the southern part of the city, he secretly followed her, hoping just to catch a glimpse from afar. Who knew he’d happen upon Lu Family’s third son attempting something improper? That’s how he ended up with this chance to be her savior."
“When he got home, he was so hesitant to speak about it. It was only after I pressed him that he confessed everything. It was his rashness that got him involved, so Your Highness needn’t think he helped Miss Song to earn special favor, nor feel obligated to remember this incident—it was simply the right thing for him to do.”
The Cheng Princess Consort hadn’t expected Madam Fu to be so forthright. She herself had been slightly suspicious of how coincidental it was that Fu Laijing had arrived just in time to rescue Song Tangning. But before she could even investigate further, Madam Fu had already “sold out” her grandson entirely and was subtly leaning in Tangning’s favor in every word.
Far from feeling annoyed, the princess consort found herself amused at the young man’s open heart. She smiled, saying, “Young love is perfectly natural, and regardless, Fu Langjun did indeed help Tangning.”
“Glad you don’t blame him for his recklessness,” Madam Fu replied, feigning irritation. “I’ll be sure to teach him a lesson when I get back. What sort of way is this to chase after a girl? He should be more careful not to scare her.”
The princess consort could tell that Madam Fu’s “scolding” was really an attempt to excuse Fu Laijing’s behavior. This forthrightness about his intentions was also a way to gauge her stance on the matter.
Not addressing Madam Fu’s suggestion directly, the princess consort simply smiled and said, “Young folks’ antics—there’s no need for you to worry, Madam.”
A glint of understanding flickered in Madam Fu’s eyes. Realizing that the princess consort wasn’t ready to make any declarations on the matter today, she let the topic drop, a bit disappointed but not pressing further.
Just then, a message came from outside that Song Tangning had arrived. Madam Fu smiled and said, “You’re absolutely right, Your Highness. Let the young ones work things out themselves. It seems I’ve been overthinking.”
“Overthinking about what?”
Song Tangning entered the room, lifting the curtain as she came in. She hadn’t caught the earlier conversation fully and assumed the princess consort was feeling unwell again. Rushing over to her aunt, she asked with concern, “Auntie, are you feeling alright?”
You can read ahead to chapterr 300 (100+ extra chapters) here
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