Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

As soon as Cui Lingrong entered the study, Song Shulan glanced up at her and asked, "Did Mrs. Zhou look for you?"

Cui Lingrong said no.

"If he's looking for you, don't be too enthusiastic, keep a cool head." Song Shulan was writing something and didn't look at Cui Lingrong as she spoke. "Today, Lord Zhou came to see me and asked about Yu'er. His family's official rank is too low, and his son didn't pass the imperial examination."

The Zhou family is the maternal family of Yuan Mingzhu's sister-in-law.

Song Shulan saw right through the Zhou family's intentions. "Lord Zhou used to be cold to me, so why does he want to arrange a marriage now? Isn't it because he sees my connection to the Rong Prince's Mansion and wants to curry favor with the Rong Prince through me?"

Pshaw, he wouldn't even look at someone like that.

"Mingzhu told me that the Zhou family has a good official position, but the whole family is a mess, and Yu'er is not suitable for such a family." Cui Lingrong also did not want her daughter to marry into the family, but Lord Zhou is a third-rank official, which is higher than Song Shulan's official position. Why would she not like him?

"That's right. Yu-jie is my only daughter, so I definitely have to find her a good marriage," Song Shulan said.

At this point, Cui Lingrong couldn't help but ask curiously, "Lord Zhou is a third-rank official, but the Marquis thinks the Zhou family's official position is too low. What kind of family does the Marquis intend to choose for Yu'er?"

Next year, Yu-jie will come of age and get engaged. We can take our time to see how things go.

Cui Lingrong, as the mother, has already prepared a dowry for Yu Jie'er. As for the choice of her son-in-law, it is not up to her alone.

Song Shulan really did have a target in mind. "What do you think of the eldest son of the Rong Prince's mansion?"

This was proposed by the county magistrate of Rongjia, who said it would strengthen the family ties and make things even better.

Cui Lingrong immediately frowned. "Why did you suddenly think of this, Lord Marquis? Did the County Princess mention it?"

"She's right. Think about it, the youngest son of Prince Rong is favored by the Emperor. If Yu'er can marry into Prince Rong's mansion, our family will be closely connected with Prince Rong's mansion. Will we still worry about Xuan'er and Jin'er not having a good future?" Song Shulan was very satisfied.

Upon hearing that it was Princess Rongjia's intention, Cui Lingrong quickly realized what it meant.

Whenever she met with Madam Wu, someone would see it. She had also previously said to Madam Rongjia that she was infertile, so Madam Rongjia would definitely think that Madam Wu was the one who said it.

Therefore, Princess Rongjia specifically mentioned the marriage of the two families' children. From Madam Wu's perspective, her son could freely choose the daughters of wealthy and powerful families. The social standing of the Jiangyuan Marquis's family was far inferior, after all, the eldest son of the legitimate wife would inherit the royal family in the future.

If Cui Lingrong decides to go to Wu Shi, a rift will inevitably develop between them.

From Song Shulan's perspective, however, the fact that Princess Rongjia took the initiative to suggest strengthening ties with her maternal family shows that she was virtuous and considerate of the Jiangyuan Marquis's family.

Princess Rongjia knew it was impossible, yet she still said it in order to sow discord between Cui Lingrong and Song Shulan, as well as between herself and Wu.

Incidentally, it will also ruin Yu Jie'er's reputation, showing her ignorance and arrogance.

Cui Lingrong glanced at Song Shulan without showing any emotion. "Lord Marquis, you may not know, but today at the Duke of Dingguo's residence, I saw the Heir Apparent's wife. If she were interested in marriage, she would definitely have told me, but she didn't say a word."

"You met them?" Song Shulan frowned.

"Yes, the Crown Princess greeted me and we chatted for a while, but she never mentioned Yu'er or her eldest son to me." Cui Lingrong's thoughts raced, and she turned the attention back to Princess Rongjia, "However, since Princess Rongjia seems to have this in mind, why not let her go back and talk to her elder brother and sister-in-law? They're closer, and perhaps if Princess Rongjia brings it up, there'll be hope?"

That's what they said, but Cui Lingrong knew it was absolutely impossible.

She simply returned the trouble to Princess Rongjia.

Song Shulan agreed, "You're right. Since you don't object, I'll mention it to the county princess later."

Cui Lingrong smiled, pursing her lips. If Princess Rongjia wanted to sow discord, then let Princess Rongjia go back to the Rong Prince's Mansion to talk about it. After all, it was Princess Rongjia who brought it up, so they couldn't very well refuse Song Shulan again.

After Cui Lingrong left, Song Shulan went to Wutong Garden.

Princess Rongjia was somewhat bewildered when she heard that Cui Lingrong had agreed.

She thought that Cui Lingrong disliked her and that the Rongwang Mansion would also resent her, so she would definitely not agree. Unexpectedly, Cui Lingrong actually agreed.

"Madam Cui has always valued children. As long as it's for the child's good, she'll agree." Song Shulan was very pleased that Cui Lingrong was understanding this time. "It's kind of you, Princess, to make this trip. If this matter is successful, I will definitely thank you properly. Madam Cui will not make things difficult for you in the future, after all, it was you who helped Yu'er marry into a high-ranking family."

Princess Rongjia was too stiff to smile. If she were to mention it even once when she returned to her parents' home, her sister-in-law would definitely scold her for dreaming.

As for his father and mother, they would certainly not agree.

That's the future heir of the Rong Prince's Mansion, how could he possibly marry into the Cui family?

Just thinking about it made Princess Rongjia's cheeks burn.

But she brought it up herself, and if she doesn't go back and go through the motions, she won't be able to explain it to Song Shulan.

Princess Rongjia could only reluctantly agree. When she returned to the Rong Prince's residence the next day, her brows were furrowed. "What do you suggest we do?"

Chen De's wife was also surprised that the eldest mistress would agree. "Why don't we just talk about it casually and not bring it up specifically? If the Marquis asks later, we can just say that the Crown Princess disagrees and ask the Marquis not to mention it again."

"I'm afraid that if I say I disagree, the Marquis will be unhappy." Princess Rongjia is now more cautious and careful when facing Song Shulan. There have been too many times before that she felt that Song Shulan might dislike her.

"Push everything onto the Crown Princess, and try to keep the Marquis from getting angry," said Chen De's wife.

The county magistrate of Rongjia nodded; that was the only way.

When she returned to the Rong Prince's Mansion, she intended to speak with her mother privately, but Madam Wu was also there. She waited for quite a while until it was time for dinner before Madam Wu left.

Princess Rong, knowing her daughter well, asked, "What exactly are you trying to say, and why are you doing this in front of your sister-in-law?"

Princess Rongjia had no choice but to tell Yu'er about it. "Mother, don't worry, I didn't really want Yu'er to marry into the family. I just wanted to sow discord between Cui and Song. I didn't expect Cui to actually agree."

"So now you're caught in a dilemma?" Princess Rong sighed. "You, you've been set up!"

Princess Rong, having lived a decade or two longer, quickly understood Cui Lingrong's intentions. "She knows you're trying to sow discord, so she deliberately agreed. Do you really think she'd dare let her daughter marry into the family?"

Princess Rongjia finally understood, "So that's how it is. She really is a despicable person!"

"Come closer, and tell Song Shulan this when you get back..." Princess Rong whispered a few words in her daughter's ear.

Meanwhile, after leaving the main hall, Madam Wu sent someone to the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence.

"The Crown Princess deliberately dragged things out for a while, but the County Princess avoided her, seemingly unsure of what to say."

Cui Lingrong smiled and recounted Princess Rongjia's scheme, "She didn't dare tell the Crown Princess, so she could only say a few words to Princess Rong. Please thank the Crown Princess for me, and also tell her that I am self-aware."

After the mother returned home, she told her master the truth.

After hearing this, Madam Wu seemed to be deep in thought. "If Yu-jie'er has the abilities of Madam Cui, I wouldn't mind her social status."

She hadn't originally intended to, but now that Princess Rongjia had interfered, she might consider Song Yu. If she were to promote Song Yu, Rongjia would probably be furious.