Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Cui Lingrong was very anxious because she had no news of her younger brother.

On this day, the results of the imperial examination were released, and Xuan-ge'er came in third place.

Yu-jie brought Xuan-ge to her and comforted her for a long time.

"My uncle is a lucky man, and he's smart, so he'll definitely come back," Song Yu said.

Song Mingxuan nodded in agreement, "Yes, Mother, we'll do our best to find it. You can't let your health deteriorate."

"You're right." Cui Lingrong didn't want to sigh in front of the children, so she forced a smile and led them to pay their respects to Grandma Song.

At the entrance of Shouan Hall, I ran into Princess Rongjia again.

Princess Rongjia brought Zhu Qing with her today.

"Greetings to the eldest mistress." Zhu Qing gave a perfunctory bow. The county princess had said that once she became pregnant, she would be made a concubine.

Cui Lingrong nodded and followed them into Shou'an Hall.

Grandma Song had also heard about Cui Zeyu's situation. These days, thanks to the subsidies from Princess Rongjia, she had returned to her previous comfortable life. She kept a straight face towards Cui Lingrong, but then turned her gaze to Xuan Ge'er and smiled brightly, "Come, come, come quickly to your grandmother."

She completely ignored everyone else, her eyes only on Xuan-ge'er, and she didn't even hear the greeting from Princess Rongjia.

Grandma Song held Xuan'er's hand with a loving smile, "Good child, you have really brought honor to our Marquis's family. You are even better than your father was in the imperial examinations. If you need anything in your room, or if you want something to eat, you can... just tell your mother and she will arrange it for you."

The old lady originally wanted to talk to her, but then she thought that she would have to spend the money herself, so she decided to let her grandson find Cui.

Song Mingxuan smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Song Yu used to joke, "The old lady is biased. Now that Xuan-ge'er has passed the prefectural examination, she only has eyes for him."

"You silly girl, I'm just being a little more affectionate towards Xuan-ge'er right now. Haven't I been good to you?" As soon as Grandma Song opened her mouth, Mama Xu said that she had prepared Yu-jie'er's favorite snacks.

For a time, Shou'an Hall was filled with joy and harmony.

Princess Rongjia was somewhat at a loss for words, finding it particularly irritating to watch Cui Lingrong and the children trying to win over Old Madam Song.

She covered the expenses of Shou'an Hall, but Old Madam Song didn't say much to her; her eyes were only on Song Mingxuan and Song Yu.

Children, always children!

Princess Rongjia clenched her fists. She had received acupuncture from You Shuyi several times, but she didn't know if it would be effective.

She also wanted to have a child of her own. After she returned, she didn't even look at Zhu Qing, and went directly to find You Shuyi with Chen De's family.

When Cui Lingrong learned that Princess Rongjia had gone out again, she knew without a doubt that she was going to see You Shuyi.

In the afternoon, she asked Yu Jie'er to go to Shou'an Hall again so that the old lady would also know about this.

Old Mrs. Song usually didn't manage affairs, so she didn't understand why Princess Rongjia was frequently going out. When she heard her granddaughter say something in a huff, she didn't say anything at the time. But in the evening, she called her eldest son over and asked him what was going on.

"The county princess mentioned it to me briefly, about the shop." Song Shulan had no doubts.

"What shop requires her to go out so often?" Old Madam Song wasn't suspecting that Princess Rongjia had done anything improper. "Even if it's about the shop, wouldn't you send the shop assistants to the Marquis's residence? Going out and showing her face every day, even more so than Madam Cui, what will others think of the Marquis's residence?"

Song Shulan also felt it was inappropriate, but since the county magistrate was about to leave, he couldn't say much.

"You should talk to her later and tell her not to go out every now and then. People who don't know better will think she's up to something," said Old Mrs. Song.

Faced with the old lady, Song Shulan had no choice but to say yes.

However, he didn't think much of it. That night, when he went to Wutong Garden, he casually mentioned, "You know how much the old lady values ​​her reputation. She said that business matters should be handled by the employees."

Princess Rongjia was taken aback for a moment, then realized she had been out too much lately. She didn't argue with Song Shulan, and smiled in agreement, "Okay, I understand." She paused, "But Lord Marquis, I'm only doing this for the sake of our manor's reputation. It's alright if Sister Cui withholds money from the manor, causing me hardship, but your and the Old Madam's expenses can't be reduced. If I don't find a way to earn some money, how can we survive?"

These words struck a chord with Song Shulan. He embraced Princess Rongjia, saying, "You're so considerate. But how would you know how to make money?"

"Don't underestimate me, Song Lang. I've already found the way, and I'm just waiting to make money," said Princess Rongjia.

Song Shulan asked what the secret was.

"You'll find out later." Princess Rongjia offered a kiss, and she and Song Shulan enjoyed another night of pleasure together.

The next morning, Princess Rongjia went to Shou'an Hall and spoke to the old lady about making money. "It was my fault," she said, "but I was hoping to cheer you up. Also, regarding the Marquis's expenses, if Sister Cui doesn't contribute, we can't let him be laughed at."

Hearing what Princess Rongjia said, Old Madam Song instantly understood. Most of her recent expenses had come from Princess Rongjia. Thinking that she had asked her eldest son to remind Princess Rongjia yesterday, she felt a little guilty.

"You're so sensible," said Old Madam Song, letting Princess Rongjia go as she pleased, and she would explain to the others.

That's the main point Rongjia County wanted to make; otherwise, if she had to go out again in the future, the old lady would definitely be unhappy.

With just a few words, she managed to shift the old lady's displeasure onto Cui Lingrong.

After all, it was Cui Lingrong who withheld the Hou family's money, which is why she was needed to subsidize Shou'an Hall.

After chatting with the old lady for a while and hearing her mention the children again, Princess Rongjia made an excuse to leave.

She desperately wanted a child. These past few days, both the old lady and Song Shulan had been talking about Xuan-ge'er constantly. In their eyes, Xuan-ge'er was clearly the future hope of the Marquis's mansion.

This is definitely not what she wanted to see.

If Xuan-ge'er were to inherit the Marquis's mansion, would she be given a good life?

Princess Rongjia felt this wouldn't do; she insisted on having a child.

Two days later, Princess Rongjia went out to find You Shuyi again.

She never expected that Song Shulan's friend would recognize the carriage and attendants.

Gao Jingzhi was on his way to drink with Song Shulan when he spotted the carriage of Princess Rongjia. Upon seeing Song Shulan, he casually remarked, "It has to be the Princess's grandeur; I recognized her at a glance."

Upon hearing that Princess Rongjia had gone out again, Song Shulan paused, raising his wine cup. "Her shop is near Donghua Gate. Why did you come from that direction today?"

"No, Donghuamen is so far from my home, why would I go there?" Gao Jingzhi waved his hands repeatedly, saying that he came from another direction.

Song Shulan's expression froze. In his memory, the shop of the County Princess Rongjia was located at Donghua Gate, not at the place Gao Jingzhi mentioned.

Could it be that the County Magistrate of Rongjia has a new business opportunity?

Subconsciously, Song Shulan thought of an explanation for Princess Rongjia, but she couldn't help but overthink it, since Princess Rongjia had indeed been going out a lot recently.

When he returned to the Marquis's residence that night, half-drunk and half-awake, he went to Huadie's room and had Huadie serve him so he could rest.

He inquired about the shop of the county magistrate of Rongjia, and once again received confirmation from Huadie. Still puzzled, he sent Qingshan over to inquire early the next morning.

Princess Rongjia could only say that she wanted to eat crystal pork knuckle, so she took a detour to the shop. After Song Shulan found out, she still felt uneasy and asked Qingshan to secretly follow Princess Rongjia.