Favoring Qie Over Wife (36)

Song Jia rarely bothered herself with outside matters, but in this case it was related to the war that Zhao Cheng was in, so she patiently listened to the stories Ruolan told her about other famous nobles sent by Hongwu Emperor that were circulating in the capital to aid the fighting in the north.

In particular, one name stood out. Mu Tingye, the son of a highly-regarded army commander. He seemed to have been born under less auspicious stars, because only a month after he decided to enlist, he pursued the enemy too hotly that his vanguard, which consisted of five thousand men, was cut to pieces before the main body could come to the rescue. Hongwu Emperor was so enraged that he nearly took back the tiger tally [1] that he entrusted to his father.

But the Mu family's misfortune did not stop there. Mu Tingye's brother who had participated in the war before, had finally returned to the capital after his imprisonment in the north for three years. He had not inherited his father's love for anything military and was more interested in writing poetry. Just before his mission began, he gave his wife a loving poem that told her of his eternal love.

However, on his return, he had brought home a barbarian wife.

The wife who had been devoutly waiting for him became struck with overwhelming grief that she directly fainted and died three days after. Her son then avenged her by killing his father's barbarian wife, and his father became so angry that he beat up his only di son.

Both father and son were then summoned for a court trial, garnering the interest of everyone in the capital.

The maidservants were more interested in these kind of stories than actual news regarding the military situation in the north. Song Jia was a bit frustrated, but she still managed to get some rough idea of what was happening. Song Jia had learned what she needed from the few information she gathered from Zhao Cheng and the remaining grains of truth from the rumors that were being spread widely in the capital.

No one else knew, but Song Jia knew. That if Zhao Cheng didn't succeed the throne, the whole dynasty would fall into the hands of these northern barbarians. The Son of Heaven would flee the capital and leave the tombs of his fathers and forefathers in the hands of his enemies. The entire capital would be theirs, making the new Emperor a refugee that had to plead for reinstatement to his vassals.

Only a decade would pass before these very same vassals would turn their backs against the Emperor and decide that it was better to serve a growing than a decaying power. Like a slow melting ice glacier, the entire dynasty would ultimately fall, and the world would descend into anarchy, being ruled by barbarians whose first rule was to have no rules at all.

Anarchy was a very scary thing, if there were no rules to control the people, then all kinds of misbehavior and crimes would arise.

That's why Zhao Cheng needed to become the Emperor.

"Have you told sister Bai not to eat too many pastries?"

It was another peaceful day in the wangfu, and in front of Song Jia was a solemn-looking Ruolan. Every time she went to the side courtyard and checked on Bai Mei Lien's growing belly, she would return with none of her usual vitality.

"Answering wang fei, Bai shufei agreed to eat less sugar. She thanks wang fei for her concern."

Song Jia nodded. Bai Mei Lien was still a young girl, if she ate too much and the fetus became too big, it would result into a difficult delivery. There were still a month and a half before the end of the year, so Song Jia needed to do all she can to keep Bai Mei Lien and Zhao Cheng's unborn child safe until his return.

"Wang fei, if this child turns out to be a boy..."

"Then it is a very good thing for wang ye to have a son." Song Jia was unconcerned, "Just make sure to do your duties well."

She suddenly noticed Ruolan's crestfallen look and laughed.

"What are you making such an expression for? If one does not know, they would think that you were the one who is being wronged."

So wang fei is aware that she is being wronged?

Ruolan pursed her lips. "Nubi doesn't dare."

Song Jia patted her head. "Be good, don't kick up so much fuss. Next time, I won't be as lenient."

Ruolan paled as she registered her words. She slowly bowed her head, "Nubi understands."

Song Jia nodded. She was glad for Ruolan's concern on her behalf, but as a mere servant, she was being too meddlesome. There were too many servants who did unspeakable acts behind their master's back, thinking that their master would thank them for it. She did not want Ruolan to commit the same mistake.

"It's good that you understand. If you anger wang ye, then even I can't protect you."

Ruolan understood the subtle meaning behind it and realized that she had been too vocal in her displeasure against Bai Mei Lien. If wang fei does not even dare to say a word, then why should she? These past few months, she had indeed been courting death.

Thinking of how any random servant could have heard her words and reported her to Xu Qin Wang, Ruolan started to shudder.

"Go and tell Minglan to order the kitchens to make a bowl of crab roe and tofu soup, I want to play the qin in the garden today."

Song Jia spent her afternoons either napping, eating, or practicing the four arts, to avoid being bored to death. No wonder the ladies in this era were so talented, turns out it was their only way to pass the time.

Ruolan barely took a step forward when Minglan herself came hurrying towards them, an excited look in her face. They had rarely seen her this happy.

Her smile extended from ear to ear as she exclaimed, "Wang fei, wang ye will be returning home soon, the northern war has been won!"

[1] used as proof of authority; also known as hufu (虎符)