"What brings you here today, my lord?"
The owner of Linglong Pavilion had just left, and Song Xia had deliberately left the jewelry she had just bought untouched, so Zhou Yongli saw the sets of luxurious jewelry as soon as he entered the room.
His face immediately turned angry. He had thought Fangniang was being noisy just now, but now he truly felt sorry for her from the bottom of his heart.
"Why did you buy so much jewelry? Didn't you just say that Fangniang spends too much money every month?"
Song Xia scoffed at him, saying that he clearly wanted to stand up for Liu Fangniang, but he still pretended to say such a thing first.
So she sighed deeply and said, "Isn't this all for your reputation, my lord, and for Shu-ge'er's future? I have no other choice."
"How does your buying things have anything to do with us? Fangniang hasn't withdrawn any more money or bought any more items."
"How many days has Aunt Liu restrained herself? I bought these things out of necessity; it was all forced upon me by Aunt Liu."
"Don't blame everything on Fangniang. I know you've disliked Fangniang for a long time."
"Does my lord think that I, Song Xia, the daughter of a prince and a county princess personally appointed by His Majesty, would deliberately stoop to the level of a concubine?" Song Xia's tone and expression were extremely disdainful, as if Zhou Yongli's words were an insult to her.
Zhou Yongli's face was extremely ugly, because Fangniang was not only his concubine, but also the woman he had loved since he was young. Song Xia looked down on Fangniang, which, in a way, meant that she also looked down on him.
"However, since you have asked me specifically, I will answer you. Today, when I went to distribute porridge, I happened to run into the wife of Imperial Censor Wang. She asked me why, despite Linglong Pavilion sending so many pieces of jewelry to the manor last time, I have never seen her wear them."
Song Xia continued to sneer, "Doesn't my lord understand? Your favored concubine, Concubine Liu, is acting too flamboyantly outside. She has already overshadowed me, the legal wife. If I don't go to Linglong Pavilion to spend money, I'm afraid your memorial about favoring your concubine over your wife will be submitted to His Majesty's desk tomorrow."
Zhou Yongli broke out in a cold sweat from what she said. It turned out that it was the wife of Imperial Censor Wang who had personally inquired about this matter. This Imperial Censor Wang was the most impartial and incorruptible person in the capital. He dared to impeach even a prince, let alone a mere Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites like him.
If His Majesty feels that his inner palace is neglected, then his coveted position as Minister of Rites...
Zhou Yongli quickly bowed to Song Xia, saying, "I thank you, madam. This time it was my fault."
Song Xia said with disappointment, "Husband and wife are one. It is my duty to consider the needs of the household and my husband. I just hope that my husband can trust me more in the future and not criticize me based on what he hears. I know you dote on Concubine Liu, but my husband should also have his own judgment."
Zhou Yongli looked embarrassed: "I acted impulsively this time."
"I hope that you will not be as impulsive in the court as you are at home. Please go back and talk to Aunt Liu properly. Don't throw tantrums over the slightest thing. If you continue to be so indulgent next time, then Aunt Liu can run this household. I will ask to be divorced."
Song Xia's words, spoken with both disappointment and resolve, terrified Zhou Yongli.
"Madam, you are too kind. You must never say such things again."
“I’m not trying to scare you, Zhou Yongli. I’m your lawfully wedded wife, not some down-and-out woman who can’t live without your Zhou family. All these years, you’ve spoiled Concubine Liu, and for her sake, you’ve often come to question me. What do you take me for? I’m thinking about you and the Zhou family, but when have you ever considered my reputation as the legal wife? No matter how much you favor Concubine Liu, you should at least make her behave herself.”
Zhou Yongli didn't dare to say a word after being scolded by Song Xia, because he knew that Song Xia was seriously angry these past few days, and that Song Xia dared to ask for a divorce, but he didn't.
The Prince Cheng's mansion is still at its zenith; it would be very easy for anyone in the court to deal with him.
Only then did Zhou Yongli realize that he had neglected Song Xia too much and spoiled Fang Niang too much.
Even if Yu-ge'er is not as good as Shu-ge'er, Song Xia is still the principal wife. How can we completely ignore Song Xia because of this? She has the Prince Cheng's Mansion standing behind her!
Zhou Yongli's legs went weak with fear. How could he have dared to question Song Xia again and again because of Fangniang?
Besides, it's just some jewelry. He deliberately came here for this. In Song Xia's mind, does he mean that Fang Niang bought it, and Song Xia can't buy it?
"Yesterday's summons to Fushou Hall for questioning was the first time, and today's visit to my Ruyi Courtyard by you, my lord, is the second. My lord, I do not wish for a third time, especially since I have done nothing wrong!"
"I know I was wrong," Zhou Yongli said humbly. What had gotten into him lately? Why was he always so inconsiderate? It was just some jewelry, what did it matter? Why did he listen to Fangniang's words and rush over here?
"The day after tomorrow, my brother will take Yuqing and me to live in the Prince's mansion. Without me watching over things in the mansion, my lord would better advise Aunt Liu to behave herself."
Now Zhou Yongli was even more worried. What would Song Xia say to Prince Cheng when she returned?
Seeing his worried yet hesitant expression, Song Xia felt contempt. He had such a big heart, yet no guts. How could "she" have fallen for him back then?
“Since my elder brother has come to fetch you personally, Madam, please spend more time with the Prince. I have some coral and calligraphy and paintings; please take them to the Prince for his appreciation.”
"Hmm." Song Xia said calmly, "Although the Prince's Mansion has plenty, it is still your kind intention."
Her words reassured Zhou Yongli somewhat.
Then she added, "Fangniang still has some jewelry she bought at Linglong Pavilion. She can't wear it casually anymore. Madam, what do you think we should do with it? Or perhaps..."
"Let's put it in the public coffers. My sister-in-law is the wife of the heir apparent, so it wouldn't be right to give her something that belongs to a concubine. Besides, I don't need it. It's better to put it in the public coffers so that it can be used as a dowry when a daughter gets married in the future."
Song Xia directly rejected Zhou Yongli's idea. Did he really think he could use Liu Fangniang's things to curry favor with his sister-in-law? It was beneath him and Liu Fangniang's dignity. No matter how valuable a concubine's things were, they were beneath them.
Zhou Yongli said awkwardly, "Then I'll do whatever Madam says."
After seeing them off, Furong chuckled to herself, "I'm afraid that Aunt Liu will be heartbroken this time."
"It's all her fault for stirring up trouble all the time. This is just the beginning. All the money she took from the public funds before, she has to return to me."
“Madam should be more assertive. I didn’t take it to heart before, which allowed them to develop their own ideas.”
"I was indeed too lenient with you before."
Song Xia sighed. She used to be too proud and didn't want to use this small matter to prove her status. She only wanted Yuqing to work harder and surpass Zhou Shuqing in her studies. However, she didn't expect that her repeated leniency would lead to Liu Fangniang and Zhou Ying acting recklessly. Even Zhou Yongli started to disregard the rules in the mansion.
This will never happen again. Liu Fangniang's good days are coming to an end.
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