Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

The servants in the Wutong Garden dared not speak, letting Princess Rongjia rage and berate them.

Qiu Shuang Zhai was a different story; Cai Xia, Cai Yue, and the others were all very happy.

Aunt Qiu already knew that Young Master Yu was alive, but she was still very excited to see him come to the door. "You're finally back! Grandma has been thinking about you every day and hoping that you could come back."

Cui Lingrong hurriedly walked to the door and saw her younger brother, who had lost a lot of weight. Her eyes welled up with tears. "Come in quickly. Qiu Mama, go and prepare some tea and snacks. Caiyue, go and tell the kitchen to make a few more of Young Master Yu's favorite dishes today."

Caiyue exclaimed "Hey!" and took off running.

Qiu's mother and Caixia were busy running around. Cui Lingrong took a deep breath and asked again, "You came because the people chasing you have a lead?"

Cui Zeyu nodded in agreement.

"Who is it?" Cui Lingrong asked.

Cui Zeyu glanced around, and Cui Lingrong immediately understood, leaving only Qiu Mama behind.

Caixia stood guard at the door.

Cui Zeyu then recounted the events of the past few days in detail, saying, "Regarding the past, I... I didn't mean to hide it."

Mother Qiu's eyes were red from crying. "It's not your fault. You didn't know your father was the Duke of Dingguo. You've suffered so much; the Duchess of Dingguo is too cruel!"

Cui Lingrong hadn't expected this outcome. Her brows furrowed. "So, you want to acknowledge the Duke of Dingguo again?"

Cui Zeyu didn't dare to look up at her sister. "I used to think that having money would allow us to live a good life, but now I realize that's not the case at all. Besides, if I don't acknowledge him, I can't take revenge, and the Qin family is still alive and well."

Speaking of Qin Shi, he gritted his teeth, paused, and then asked, "Sister, do you think I'll look down on you?"

"What are you saying? How could I look down on you?" Cui Lingrong had initially asked about Cui Zeyu's past, but Cui Zeyu refused to talk about it, so she stopped asking.

If Cui Zeyu's father were an ordinary person, it would be simple.

The result was the Duke of Dingguo?

She had previously complained to Yuan Mingzhu about how the Duke of Dingguo was a womanizer and not a good man, but now he has become Cui Zeyu's biological father.

The events happened so suddenly that Cui Lingrong couldn't process them for a while.

"Zeyu, you have your choice, and I can understand you," Cui Lingrong said. "You should also seek revenge for what happened to your mother and to you. But you should know that once you take this step, countless battles may await you in the future."

Cui Zeyu: "I understand."

Cui Lingrong continued, "Since you've made your decision, I can only support you. But what are the Duke of Dingguo's plans? Will he take you back directly?"

Cui Zeyu shook his head. "He's very concerned about his reputation, otherwise he wouldn't have tolerated the Qin family's evil deeds for so many years. He said he would arrange for me to go to a collateral branch first, and then adopt me from that branch."

In name, Cui Zeyu was an adopted child, but Lu Zhong knew in his heart that Cui Zeyu was his biological son.

Cui Lingrong frowned again and said earnestly, "Although the Duke of Dingguo is your father, there are some things I must remind you. The Duke of Dingguo is a vain man; he is not a kind-hearted person. He only protects you because you have his blood in your veins."

Just like when Cui Zeyu was imprisoned, the Duke of Dingguo said that he was just a merchant and that his death was no big deal.

Cui Lingrong felt that Qin Shi's methods were too ruthless, but in some ways, she could still empathize with her. As for the Duke of Dingguo, she considered herself to have a good eye for people, but the Duke of Dingguo's character was not good.

"I know my sister, I don't revere him as a father. Even if he didn't know what happened back then, the way he handled it afterwards is enough to show that his own wealth and glory were more important to him than to us, mother and son." Cui Zeyu understood this very well.

He merely used the prestige of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion to wield power for himself.

The room fell silent.

The siblings had a lot to say, but they didn't know how to express it.

Madam Qiu said, "This is a good thing. Young Master Yu has been recognized by the Duke of Dingguo, and he will be the heir to the Duke's mansion. You, Madam, are also Young Master Yu's sister. Princess Rongjia has always said that she has the Rongwang Mansion as her backer. In the future, Young Master Yu will be your backer. Isn't that wonderful!"

Just thinking about it made Madam Qiu feel relieved. "Princess Rongjia was hoping for something to happen to Young Master Yu, but now it's all good. Not only is Young Master Yu safe and sound, but he also has a powerful father. This old servant is particularly looking forward to Princess Rongjia's expression when she finds out!"

Cui Zeyu also said, "Yes, yes, from now on I'll be my sister's support!"

Cui Lingrong smiled. Just then, Yu Jie'er arrived. Cui Lingrong stopped mentioning the matter and instead invited Caixia and the others to set the table.

When Song Shulan learned that Cui Zeyu had returned alive, he came to Qiushuangzhai out of curiosity and saw Cui Lingrong having a meal with Yu Jie'er and Cui Zeyu in a harmonious manner. No matter how he looked at it, it was an eyesore.

Caiyue's address of "Lord Marquis" made everyone in the room turn their heads to look.

Song Shulan's gaze fell on Cui Zeyu, scanning him up and down. He had lost some weight, but he was still well-built. He said with some regret, "I think you should stop doing business, otherwise your sister will worry about you day and night."

He naturally asked Caiyue to add more bowls and chopsticks.

"Okay, I won't do it anymore," Cui Zeyu said.

Song Shulan looked over in surprise, "If you don't go into business, what will you do in the future?"

Song Yu was also curious, "Yes, Uncle, what do you do?"

Cui Zeyu glanced at her sister, who shook her head slightly, and then said, "What I mean is, we shouldn't go out to trade anymore. Let others do it; otherwise, buying and transporting cloth is too dangerous. As for the cloth shop, we should keep it open. We can't just sit around doing nothing, right?"

Song Shulan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. Hearing that Cui Zeyu was still a businessman, her tone was filled with undisguised sarcasm. "Keep your unambitious words to yourself and don't say them in front of the children, lest they learn them."

The atmosphere, which was originally very pleasant, suddenly fell silent after Song Shulan arrived.

After dinner, it was getting late, so Cui Lingrong asked someone to escort Cui Zeyu away.

Song Shulan, however, did not leave.

He was tired. Looking at the mother and daughter sitting by the window cutting paper snowflakes, he asked, "Isn't Yu-jie sleepy yet?"

Song Yu said she wasn't sleepy, "These are for the Dragon Boat Festival. I'll go back after I finish cutting them."

Cui Lingrong said casually, "If Your Excellency is tired, you can go and rest by yourself. Whether it's Huadie, Lanxin, or Wutong Garden, you know the way, don't you?"