Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Princess Rongjia arranged for You Shuyi to stay in a secluded courtyard, several streets away from the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence.

Upon their reunion, You Shuyi adopted a money-grubbing attitude, saying, "Your Highness should understand that Sister Cui and I grew up together. Originally, out of consideration for her, I shouldn't have helped you with your diagnosis. But my family is really short of money, and I also wanted to ask Your Highness for a favor."

The more difficult her demands, the more Princess Rongjia would trust her.

Moreover, the money was a real benefit, and she would indeed treat Princess Rongjia's illnesses, so she didn't feel guilty about taking the money.

"As long as you can take care of my health, I can talk to you about anything." Princess Rongjia was still wary of You Shuyi.

"It's not a difficult matter. I hope my son will have a bright future. The county princess can arrange for him to enter the Imperial Academy." You Shuyi took Rongjia County Princess's pulse.

After a while, she frowned and said, "The county princess is born with a deficiency. If she is treated from a young age, there is a good chance that she can be cured."

Upon hearing this, Princess Rongjia frowned. "Is it not possible now?"

"I imagine Your Highness has consulted many renowned doctors, but none of them could cure you. How could I possibly guarantee anything?" You Shuyi took out a needle. "I can only say that I'll give it a try and see if it works. Your Highness should take this matter with a calm mind; perhaps there will be unexpected results."

The "try it out" is fake.

If it had been twenty years earlier, there would indeed have been a slight possibility that she would have treated the county magistrate of Rongjia.

However, Princess Rongjia's health is now not only weak internally, but also poor in terms of menstruation, and there is no hope of improving it.

However, in Princess Rongjia's view, being able to give it a try meant there was hope, and she immediately began to look forward to it.

Yu Shuyi performed acupuncture on Princess Rongjia and prescribed medicine. "These medicines are all nourishing. Princess Rongjia must take the medicine on time every day, remember to rest early, and also need to move around frequently, instead of sitting or lying down all the time."

After receiving acupuncture, Rongjia County Chief did feel much better in her neck, but she was still wary of You Shuyi. She showed the prescription to other doctors and only went to get the medicine after confirming that it was a nourishing medicine.

As for the house opposite where You Shuyi lived, Princess Rongjia also arranged for people to keep an eye on it to prevent You Shuyi from contacting Cui Lingrong in private.

Ultimately, she still didn't quite trust Yu Shuyi, but she desperately wanted a child of her own, so she decided to try anything, even if it seemed hopeless, and went to Yu Shuyi.

Meanwhile, Luo Feng also arrived in Bianjing, but he set off separately. After arriving in Bianjing, he found Cui Zeyu's cloth shop and met Qiu Mama through the shop assistant.

"My mother said that Princess Rongjia will definitely arrange for someone to keep an eye on her, so we shouldn't go looking for her for now. When the time is right, she will naturally send someone to tell my aunt." After the New Year, Luo Feng had grown quite a bit taller. "My mother also said that she would have Princess Rongjia go for acupuncture often. Every time she goes out, people will become suspicious. My aunt can use this as a prelude."

Autumn's mother nodded and said, "Grandma Luo is the best at making ideas."

"My mother said she has nothing to do at home, so it would be best if she could help my aunt in any way," Luo Feng said.

"If you need anything, sir, just come to the cloth shop. Don't be shy," said Madam Qiu gratefully.

Luo Feng said there was nothing lacking, and then mentioned Yu Jie and her brother, "Last time you came, Yu Jie said she missed Suzhou. Did Xuan Ge go to take the prefectural examination?"

Qiu's mother said the exams were over, "We're just waiting for the results to be released. If we get a good ranking, we'll definitely treat you to a meal."

After exchanging a few words with Luo Feng, Qiu's mother took the message back with her.

After hearing Qiu's mother's account, Cui Lingrong was not surprised. "Shuyi has always been opinionated, so we should just follow her arrangements. As for Feng'er, we'll have someone send him some food and supplies in a few days. He lives alone, and it's really unfair to him."

"This old servant has noticed that Feng-ge'er has grown quite a bit taller, and he speaks and acts with great courtesy. Madam Luo has raised him very well." Madam Qiu liked Feng-ge'er from the bottom of her heart, but unfortunately the Luo family was too far away. Otherwise, even if the Marquis disagreed, Madam Luo would have fought for him.

Cui Lingrong understood what Qiu's mother meant. "Actually, it would be fine to let Yu'er marry into a family in Suzhou. My cousin's family is all in Suzhou, so there are relatives to take care of her, and Shuyi will be her mother-in-law. I'm at ease with that. But it's up to the children themselves to decide on their marriage. Yu'er is still like a child; she hasn't quite figured things out yet."

After a pause, Cui Lingrong asked her cousin-in-law, "How are you? Are you feeling any better?"

Mother Qiu shook her head. "They said it's not good. My cousin's health has always been poor. Feng-ge said he and Grandma Luo went to see her. She's on her last breath."

Cui Lingrong sighed, feeling a tightness in her chest.

Her cousin's wife was a very good-tempered person. Her aunt had good judgment and chose a good daughter-in-law. But fate played a cruel trick on her. After giving birth, her cousin's wife's health deteriorated.

She could go back to see her aunt off before she passed away. But with her cousin-in-law, she could never go back.

"I hope she gets better," Cui Lingrong prayed softly.

Mrs. Qiu nodded. Her cousin was a good person, and she wanted her cousin to be well.

As the days went by, Princess Rongjia went out more and more frequently. When Song Shulan came to see the children, Cui Lingrong casually mentioned, "I shouldn't meddle in the princess's affairs. If the Marquis knows, there's no need to tell me, and I won't ask any more questions."

Song Shulan was unaware that Princess Rongjia went out every few days. He went to court every day, leaving early and returning late. When he went to Wutong Garden, Princess Rongjia never mentioned going out.

Seeing Song Shulan's stunned expression, Cui Lingrong knew that Princess Rongjia hadn't mentioned it. "I've already spoken to the Marquis about this matter. What the Marquis wants to do is for you to ask the Princess yourself. Otherwise, if I interfere, the Marquis might accuse me of causing trouble."

Song Shulan tried to find an excuse for Princess Rongjia, saying, "Perhaps it's about the shop; the princess must have had something to do to go out."

Cui Lingrong hummed in agreement, then changed the subject to the imperial examination for Xuan-ge'er's family, asking, "Does Your Excellency know if there's an examination for the provincial level this year?"

The provincial examination was held twice every three years. Passing the provincial examination made one a scholar.

Cui Lingrong hopes that the provincial examination will be held next year. Xuan-ge is still young, and taking the county and prefectural examinations together will be enough for him to gain experience. If he passes the prefectural examination, it would be even better if he could have more than a year to reflect before taking the provincial examination.

Song Shulan said he didn't know, "I know what you're thinking, and I also want Xuan-ge'er to do well in the imperial examination. But if there's an imperial examination this year, he'll definitely take it."

Cui Lingrong nodded, and hearing Yu Jie'er and Jin Ge'er playing in the courtyard, she couldn't help but worry about Yu Jie'er. She and Song Shulan held very different views on their children's marriages.

After Song Shulan left, Cui Lingrong wanted to chat with Yu Jie'er, but Er Shun hurriedly brought over the letter.

"Grandma, Young Master Yu's caravan has been attacked by bandits, and Young Master Yu has been separated from the caravan!" Er Shun ran, covered in sweat.

Cui Lingrong's brows furrowed as she listened. "How could this happen? Has it been reported to the authorities? When did this occur?"

"Reporting to Madam, the letter stated that the authorities had been notified, but the bandits are rampant and the local officials are helpless. The caravan had already been separated from Young Master Yu for three days when they wrote the letter." Er Shun was filled with anxiety. If something had happened to Young Master Yu, Madam would surely be devastated.

Cui Lingrong immediately went to find Song Shulan. She originally wanted to send someone to the Xie residence, but since Xie Yunting was going to suppress bandits, she had no choice but to ask Song Shulan to help her find someone.

When Song Shulan saw Cui Lingrong approaching, he assumed she was there to offer some words of comfort. However, when Cui Lingrong spoke again, mentioning Cui Zeyu, he immediately lost his temper. "Since it's bandits causing trouble, the local officials will definitely try to suppress them. Otherwise, are the salaries the imperial court gives them just for nothing?"

"But……"

"There's no use in getting anxious and upset. I'm not a military general, much less a first-rank minister. I don't have that kind of ability. As long as he's not dead, he'll definitely be found." Song Shulan wanted Cui Zeyu dead even more. Every time Cui Lingrong mentioned Cui Zeyu, the concern on her face made him feel particularly annoyed.