Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

As for Caiyue, she took the money sent by Wang Hechun's family and said nothing of substance.

She turned to the eldest mistress and said, "This servant doesn't care for the filthy money from Wutong Garden. Wang Mama was trying to get information out of you today, asking if you had a lover in Suzhou. I knew immediately she was trying to smear you!"

Cui Lingrong told Caiyue to take the money, saying, "Since she gave it to you, just take it. Money doesn't have a 'smell,' it's just a matter of whether you feel guilty or not."

Caiyue said no.

Autumn's mother laughed and said, "If you don't want it, are you going to throw it in the stinky ditch? You little rascal, you've got quite a temper."

"Alright, I'll add some dishes for everyone. Anyway, I can't sleep without this money." Caiyue handed the money to Qiu's mother and asked her to go to the main kitchen and tell them that Qiu Shuangzhai wanted to add some dishes today.

After Qiu's mother tried to persuade her a few times, Caiyue remained adamant, so she had no choice but to go to the main kitchen to give instructions.

That evening, even the rough-and-tumble women in the courtyard ate plenty of meat. When they learned that Caiyue had given them the money, their praise of Caiyue reached Wang Hechun's ears, and only then did Wang Hechun's wife realize that she had been tricked by Caiyue.

Chen De's wife seized the opportunity to go to Princess Rongjia and badmouth Wang Hechun's wife, saying, "It's not that this old servant is stirring up trouble, but you've spent a lot of money, and all you got in return is a feast of meat at Qiushuangzhai. The eldest mistress is definitely laughing about this behind your back."

"Do you think I don't know?" Princess Rongjia glared at her. "Go and fetch Wang Hechun's family!"

A short while later, Chen De's family arrived with their men.

Princess Rongjia launched into a tirade, "Didn't you say Caiyue was naive and could be easily tricked into revealing information? Well, look what happened! She took the money and treated the entire Qiushuangzhai to a lavish feast. You're something else, really something. You're conspiring with outsiders to swindle my money, aren't you?"

Wang Hechun's wife quickly shook her head, "Your Highness is wise! This servant was also deceived by that vile woman, Caiyue!"

Even now, she still can't figure out what she missed that made her fail to see that Caiyue was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"You got scammed, and now I'm being laughed at by Cui Lingrong too. You're really something!" Princess Rongjia looked at Wang Hechun's wife with disappointment. "From now on, just focus on your work. I don't need you to interfere in my affairs."

Wang Hechun's heart sank. The county magistrate was unwilling to give her an important position, and she lost to Chen De's wife.

But no matter how much she cried and begged, the county princess refused to give her another chance.

She had finally managed to serve the Princess of Wutong Garden, but because of Caiyue, she lost the Princess's heart.

Wang Hechun's family found an opportunity to stop Caiyue, asking, "Why did you try to harm me?"

"What are you saying, Aunt Wang? What have I done to harm you?" Caiyue pretended not to understand.

Wang Hechun's wife said, "You're still pretending! You took what I gave you, but you secretly told the eldest madam about it behind her back. Caiyue, Caiyue, I never imagined you were such a scheming person!"

"Mama Wang, that's not right. I'm from Qiushuangzhai, so naturally I should tell Madam about my affairs. I thought you gave me these things because we got along well, so I told you everything about my life from childhood. Isn't that good enough?" Caiyue paused, then emphasized, "Oh, I see. You're not trying to bribe me to be your spy, are you?"

Her voice grew louder, startling Wang Hechun's family, who hurriedly looked around.

Caiyue snorted, "I misjudged you. I thought you were a good person, but I didn't expect you to have ulterior motives. Aunt Wang, I advise you to behave yourself, otherwise you might get struck by lightning one day and not even know why!"

After Caiyue finished cursing, she felt relieved.

On her way back, she kept suppressing a laugh. As soon as she entered Qiu Shuang Zhai, she eagerly pulled Qiu's mother and Cai Xia aside and said, "You didn't see it! Her face was so dark, she looked like she wanted to eat me alive!"

Mother Qiu said, "I heard that the county magistrate scolded her, and she lost the county magistrate's trust, which is why she got angry with you."

Caiyue laughed coquettishly, "That's what she deserved. She thought I was easy to manipulate, but who knew I was just pretending!"

Just as they finished speaking, they saw Ershun arrive. Caiyue and the others looked over and asked what was wrong.

Er Shun said it was nothing, "Just some things at the fabric shop. Where's Madam?"

Aunt Qiu said that Grandma was taking a nap, "I'll go in and check on her, she'll probably wake up soon."

When Qiu's mother entered the room, Grandma was already up. "Why didn't you call us when you were awake?"

"Since you're having such a good time, I'll get up myself." Cui Lingrong let Ershun in.

Er Shun looked around, and Qiu's mother immediately understood, so she asked Cai Xia to pour Er Shun a cup of chrysanthemum tea.

Er Shun then said, "Madam, it's a message from Young Master Yu. He said that what we encountered on the way wasn't bandits, but assassins."

Upon hearing that it was an assassin, Cui Lingrong frowned. "Who wants him dead?"

Er Shun shook his head. "Young Master Yu didn't say anything. He was afraid you would worry, so he sent someone to tell you first, so you can pretend you don't know anything about it. He will meet General Xie and return to Bianjing with him."

Upon hearing that Xie Yunting was traveling with them, Cui Lingrong immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

After worrying for so many days, she finally heard news about her brother and could finally feel a little relieved.

But who is it?

Is it Princess Rongjia again?

Cui Lingrong thought it was very likely.

On several previous occasions, it was Princess Rongjia who tried to harm Zeyu, but she managed to evade the attack each time.

This time, they actually sent assassins to hunt me down. Thinking of how her younger brother almost died in a foreign land, Cui Lingrong couldn't help but take a deep breath. "I know about this. Just pretend you don't know."

After Er Shun left, Cui Lingrong asked, "Aunt Qiu, do you think it will be Princess Rongjia?"

Mother Qiu said it was possible, "otherwise this old servant wouldn't be able to guess who it was."

"Me too."

"Fortunately, Young Master Yu is blessed to have met General Xie. With General Xie by your side, you need not worry."

"Yes." Cui Lingrong still frowned. Her younger brother had escaped death; she wondered if he was injured.

At this moment, Cui Zeyu, dressed as a soldier, mingled with Xie Yunting's group and entered the east gate of Bianjing.

Xie Yunting rode his horse, with Cui Zeyu following closely on his right.

"Once we get to Bianjing, you'll have to make do for a while, living and eating with my brothers. They're roughnecks, so if you have any discomfort, just tell them." Xie Yunting glanced at him; after being away for so long, his stubble was bluish, and his smile was both roguish and wicked. "When we find the person who wants to kill you, I'll tie him up and bring him to you. If he's a man, I'll castrate him!"

Cui Zeyu was amused. "Then Lord Qian will definitely be so scared that he'll wet his pants."

In their view, Qian Jin was the most likely candidate.

Xie Yunting scoffed, "I just want to see him wet his pants. You dare send assassins? Are you afraid I'll castrate him?"

As the two spoke, the surrounding people all looked over.

Those who knew Xie Yunting cheered for him when they learned that he had returned victorious from suppressing bandits.

Meanwhile, in the teahouse, the Duke of Dingguo had just cast his gaze when it landed on Cui Zeyu.

At this moment, Cui Zeyu seemed to sense something and looked up at the teahouse.

Their eyes met, and their expressions shifted from disbelief to shock.

Duke Dingguo rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, and his heart pounded wildly. It was the first time he had ever seen someone who looked so much like his son when he was a child.

Is it the same person?

Duke Dingguo rushed down from the teahouse to catch up with Xie Yunting's group, eager to verify it for himself.