Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

"That's not what I meant," said Wang Hechun's wife. How could she allow her mistress to go to the eldest mistress? "I meant, why don't we send someone to the Luo family?"

Seeing that the county princess remained silent, she continued, "She's just a female doctor. If we give her more money and promise her a favor from the Rong Prince's Mansion, she won't let the money slip by."

Over the years, Princess Rongjia secretly took a lot of medicine, but the doctor said that she was born with a deficiency and it would be difficult for her to conceive.

In recent years, the Princess of Rongjia County has given up having children.

Now, seeing that Jiang is pregnant, she feels resentful, but after hearing what Wang Hechun's family said, some hope has been rekindled in her heart.

Indeed, it's not like Cui Lingrong is a doctor, so there's no need to ask her for help. It would be better to send someone directly to the Luo family.

Rongjia County took the initiative and immediately arranged for it.

If she could have a son or daughter, she would surely be of high status, far surpassing Cui Lingrong's children.

Princess Rongjia sent someone with her letter to the Luo family, which would take time. Before that, her confinement was lifted, and the maids returned to the palace.

As soon as she came out, she went to Shou'an Hall to pay her respects to Old Madam Song.

It just so happens that Cui Lingrong and Jiang Shi and others were there.

When Princess Rongjia saw Cui Lingrong, the hatred in her eyes was almost uncontrollable.

Cui Lingrong pretended not to see the look in Princess Rongjia's eyes and got up to take her leave.

"Wait a moment," said Old Mrs. Song. "I know you work hard managing the household, but think about what I just told you. We're all family, why make things look bad?"

Old Madam Song was referring to the expenses of the Marquis's residence. She had specifically asked Cui Lingrong to come over, offer a few words of concern, and then bring up the recent issues of food and clothing for the Marquis's residence.

In previous years, the Marquis's residence would make new clothes every quarter, and a banquet would be held for it.

Spring is almost over this year, but Cui Lingrong has not had any new clothes made, let alone a spring banquet.

Old Mrs. Song couldn't get used to this kind of hard life, so she brought up Xuan-ge'er and Jin-ge'er again, and finally mentioned that Song Shulan's official robes were all worn out, so that Cui Lingrong would pay more attention to them.

However, Cui Lingrong simply ignored these words.

After leaving Shou'an Hall, she said to Aunt Qiu, "Even if I resume my previous lifestyle, will the old lady be grateful to me? No. She will only resent me for mistreating her during this time."

Cui Lingrong understood perfectly well that the old lady only cared about her own reputation, and that Cui Lingrong's affairs were often of little concern to the old lady.

Before, Qiu's mother would advise her great-grandmother that harmony in the family brings prosperity, but now she doesn't. "After you got money, the old lady lived a decent life for a few years. Now her food, clothing and daily necessities have been halved. Everyone says it's hard to go from luxury to simplicity, and the old lady definitely won't be able to adapt."

"I have to adapt, even if I don't want to. If she were even a little more on my side, I wouldn't be so heartless. If I want better food and clothing, I can pay for it myself, or have Princess Rongjia give it to me. Anyway, I have to slowly get back those 70,000 taels of silver notes." After leaving the money in her hand, Cui Lingrong fully understood the benefits of having money.

As for the second and third wives, she would let them live whatever kind of life the Marquis's family was capable of, and she would never spend any more money on the Marquis's family.

A few days later, Cui Lingrong received a letter from You Shuyi, informing her that Princess Rongjia had sought medical treatment from You Shuyi. You Shuyi knew some things about the Jiangyuan Marquis's mansion and expressed that she would never submit to the Rongwang Mansion's tyranny.

Cui Lingrong was surprised that Princess Rongjia would approach You Shuyi. She immediately wrote a letter to You Shuyi, urging her to agree to Princess Rongjia's request. However, she couldn't agree immediately, as You Shuyi was her good friend, and agreeing too quickly would seem suspicious.

Therefore, when the people from Rongjia County returned, they told You Shuyi that she had been making excuses and it was inconvenient. In a fit of anger, Rongjia County sent someone to give more money to You Shuyi.

You Shuyi then agreed to Princess Rongjia's request and said to Princess Rongjia's attendants, "I can go and treat your princess, but as you know, I am a close friend of your mistress. She absolutely cannot know about this. Either Princess Rongjia comes to Suzhou, or I will go to Bianjing City secretly. As for the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence, I will not go there."

She emphasized, "I only agreed to treat her because of Princess Rongjia's sincerity. Don't ruin my relationship with your eldest daughter-in-law, or I'll leave immediately."

The servant relayed the message back to Princess Rongjia, who was now married and naturally could not go to Suzhou.

She considered Yu Shuyi's words and thought they made sense. "Hmph, what sincerity? What close friend? They're just after money!"

Wang Hechun's wife said, "It's normal for Grandma Luo to make such a request. If she came to see you openly, she would not only fall out with Grandma Luo, but also be labeled as greedy. She came secretly, got the money, and didn't affect her relationship with Grandma Luo. She's quite shrewd."

"Yes." Princess Rongjia said that she would still let You Shuyi come to Bianjing, and she would arrange another residence for You Shuyi and provide her with acupuncture and medical treatment.

Wang Hechun's family immediately took people to make arrangements.

Chen De's wife was somewhat worried. "Your Highness, Madam Luo is Madam Luo's close friend. What if she conspires with Madam Luo and harms you?"

When a doctor diagnoses a patient's pulse and prescribes medicine, even a single ingredient can drastically alter the efficacy of the medicine.

Princess Rongjia, still uneasy, asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Why not hire another trustworthy doctor? Let them take a look at your prescription every time Grandma Luo writes one for you," Chen De's wife suggested.

Princess Rongjia said it was a good idea, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Those quack doctors before couldn't cure her. If You Shuyi can cure her, she won't even need to fight; she'll be able to defeat Cui Lingrong.

Before You Shuyi arrived in Bianjing, life at the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence was peaceful and uneventful.

Cui Lingrong pretended not to know that You Shuyi was coming. She wanted to thank the person who gave Rongjia County Princess the idea, otherwise she would have been worried about how to let Song Shulan know that Rongjia County Princess was infertile.

Before that, Song Shulan found his former classmate, an old friend who now teaches at the Imperial Academy, to help take care of his two sons.

The other party wanted to leverage Song Shulan's influence to secure an official position in the future, so they agreed.

When Cui Lingrong found out, she called her two sons to her side but didn't expose Zhao Xu's affair. Children have their own secrets, and if she revealed it, it would affect the trust between the siblings. She only said that there was such a person, who was their father's classmate, and that they could contact him if they needed anything.

Before long, it was early April when Cui Zeyu wrote to say that he was preparing to set off back to Bianjing.

Cui Lingrong went to the cloth shop ahead of time to organize the account books for her younger brother during this period. She had just reached the top of the stairs when she heard the Duke of Dingguo's voice and turned to look.

Their eyes met, and Cui Lingrong had no choice but to get down and greet him, "Has the Duke come to buy cloth?"

The Duke of Dingguo was looking for someone. His men had learned that Cui Lingrong had adopted a younger brother more than ten years ago. And that younger brother was very likely the young man he had seen on the street.

When he was separated from his son, the son was already eight years old. If he could see him again, he would definitely recognize him.