Chapter 52: Two Concubines Clash

Chapter 52: Two Concubines Clash

Xing Dairong, having just paid her respects to the concubine in Lu Lingyun's courtyard, emerged from it.

Lu Lingyun had bestowed upon her numerous gifts, including a twenty-tael silver ingot as a concubine's red envelope.

She had now officially become Aunt Xing.

"Concubine Xing, please walk slowly," said Qiukui, carrying things behind her.

"Don't call me Concubine!"

Hearing the title "Concubine Xing," Xing Dairong felt uncomfortable all over.

Deep down, she still clung to that sliver of modern pride, and now that she had fallen to the status of a concubine, she could no longer bear to hear it.

"Oh, isn't this Concubine Xing?"

At that moment, a familiar, sarcastic voice rang out.

Qiu Ling approached with a seductive demeanor.

Seeing her, Xing Dairong felt a surge of anger. "Let's go."

"What's the rush, Concubine Xing? Now that both of us are concubines in the household, we're sisters from now on."

Xing Dairong was about to explode with rage.

Qiu Ling seemed born to antagonize her.

Now that she no longer had any conflict of interest with Lu Lingyun—since she could never compare to her anyway—why did Qiu Ling keep provoking her with her passive-aggressive tactics? She wouldn't be a proper time-traveler if she didn't defeat Qiu Ling.

She stopped and suppressed her anger. "Concubine Qiu, do you need something?"

"Of course, I came to congratulate Concubine Xing. You must have received many gifts after paying your respects, right?"

Xing Dairong's eyes flickered, and she immediately beckoned Qiukui and the maidservant carrying the items to come forward. "Oh, not much, really. The Young Lady gave me three batches of fine silk, ginseng, deer antlers, oh, and almost forgot, this box of jewelry. How could there be so much? I can't possibly wear it all!"

Imitating Qiu Ling's tone, she opened the jewelry box Lu Lingyun had given her, revealing a plethora of gold and silver pieces.

Qiu Ling's eyes widened in astonishment.

Qiu Ling had only a few decent pieces of jewelry. Concubines in the household received one piece of jewelry per year, and the rest depended on the mistress's generosity.

As a house-born servant, Qiu Ling had no dowry when she entered the household, and she had accumulated only a few pieces over the years. Her most presentable items were the gold hairpin and large gold bracelet she wore daily.

How could she have seen so much jewelry!

Seeing Qiu Ling's reaction, Xing Dairong felt a great sense of satisfaction. "Oh, Sister, you paid your respects earlier than me. The Mistress must have given you even more."

Xing Dairong knew exactly how poor Qiu Ling was; she always wore the same few pieces, and this would surely infuriate her.

Qiu Ling's eyes turned red with envy. "How could I compare to Concubine Xing? You carry the precious heir of the marquisate, so the Mistress has to favor the child, even if not the mother."

Her words implied that Xing Dairong had used her pregnancy to gain favor, and also hinted at her having conceived before being formally accepted into the household.

In the past, Xing Dairong would have fought back, but now, hah!

"Well, who can blame my fortunate womb? I remember the Prince first shared a room with you. With such a good opportunity, you couldn't hold onto it. Maybe you should think about whether it's you who's lacking."

Saying this, Xing Dairong patted her still-flat belly proudly.

Qiu Ling: "..."

"Chunxing, let's go!"

This round, Qiu Ling lost.

Fuming, Qiu Ling led her people to Lu Lingyun's courtyard.

Xing Dairong, feeling elated after her rare victory, watched Qiu Ling's retreating figure and scoffed.

Just wait.

If she couldn't beat Lu Lingyun, she could certainly beat Qiu Ling.

Since she had become a concubine, she intended to be the most favored one in the household. If she bore Cheng Yunshuo their first son, she might even climb higher!

"Qiukui, let's go!"

She needed to win back Cheng Yunshuo's affection!

In the main courtyard,

Lu Lingyun listened to Qiu Ling's tearful complaints while reviewing the accounts, occasionally offering soothing words.

Once the account review was complete, Qiu Ling had finished crying.

"All right, later I'll send you two bolts of cloth to make some new winter clothes," Lu Lingyun said, putting down the abacus.

Hearing the promise of gifts, Qiu Ling sniffled, "Young Lady, I just can't stand her attitude."

"Concubine Xing is now a concubine in the household. You are sisters and should get along well. Besides, she is pregnant, so be understanding. I understand your grievances."

Lu Lingyun smiled at her. "The new jewelry hasn't arrived in the treasury yet for this winter, but when it does, you'll be the first to choose, and I'll give you an extra piece."

She gave another piece of jewelry to Qiu Ling, and with this gesture, how could Qiu Ling not take the hint? "Thank you, Young Mistress. I know you care for me, so I won't feel wronged anymore."

Lu Lingyun smiled at this, comforted her by wiping away her tears, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and sent her back.

She watched Qiu Ling leave with the gifts and smiled contentedly.

She bestowed these favors on Qiu Ling partly to soothe her emotions and balance the scales between her and Xing Dairong.

Although Xing Dairong had done plenty of mischief in the past, she now had a son, making her significant.

But there were only two concubines in the household, and she couldn't let Xing Dairong bully Qiu Ling all the time. She needed to show favoritism towards Qiu Ling to ensure they remained evenly matched.

Additionally, it was also a subtle warning to Qiu Ling not to make any moves against Xing Dairong.

If Qiu Ling felt wronged, Lingyun could resolve it for her; she wouldn't lack for clothes or jewelry. If she still harbored other thoughts after receiving these gifts, it would be unforgivable.

After settling the minor conflict between the two, Lu Lingyun stretched lazily. "Any other trivial matters?"

"Oh, Young Mistress, Miss Wang sent word that a new troupe has arrived on West Street, performing some very novel plays. If you have time, you should go see them together."

Lu Lingyun thought for a moment. "Sure, let's go tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll send someone to reply."

In the evening.

Cheng Yunshuo finished his shift.

Ever since he joined the Imperial Guards, he found the work increasingly smooth.

In the past, Cheng Yunshuo had been lazy about his duties, spending years riding horses and wandering the streets with friends, looking down on those who worked diligently.

But somehow, perhaps due to his age, he began to find genuine pleasure in doing proper work. The more he did, the better he became at it.

He had just finished handling a case of petty theft, earning praise from his superiors, who promised to promote him. Cheng Yunshuo's steps were light as he returned home.

As soon as he entered the inner courtyard, he encountered Xing Dairong waiting in the cold wind.

"Yunshuo!"

Xing Dairong, seeing him, spoke in a sing-song voice, fluttering towards him like a flower butterfly.

Cheng Yunshuo immediately turned cold. "Stop!"