Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Cui Lingrong's gesture was clearly an order to leave, and Song Shulan's expression froze. But with Yu Jie'er present, he couldn't lash out.

Song Shulan stormed off in a huff.

Song Yu turned her head and, not seeing her father, dared to ask in a low voice, "Mother, why do you keep sending Father away?"

Cui Lingrong thought that she would be disgusted to death if she were asked to be intimate with Song Shulan. But she couldn't tell her daughter that directly.

"Yu-jie, do you think I need to rely on your father's favor to gain a foothold in the Marquis's mansion?" Cui Lingrong asked.

Song Yu shook her head. "My mother is the matriarch of the household, and even my grandmother has to be tolerant of you."

"Since I don't need a man's favor, nor do I expect your father's affection, why make myself unhappy and keep him here?" Cui Lingrong was very clear-headed. "In the past, your father and I did treat each other with respect, and I also thought that he and I were of one mind. As it turns out, it was just my own fantasy."

In reality, Song Shulan only cared about fame and fortune.

Seeing that her daughter still had doubts, Cui Lingrong continued, "When my aunt was still alive, she often said that it's okay for a man to like you, but a woman can't live her life dependent on love. If all you care about is whether you like someone or not, you'll have a lot more troubles in your life."

"I've also been heartbroken for your father. I'm a human being; after so many years of relationship, how could I not feel sad?" Cui Lingrong smiled slightly. "But thinking about reality, do you think my tears will make your father divorce Princess Rongjia and live with only me from now on?"

Song Yu shook his head and said no.

"Since crying is useless, and I can't abandon the three of you and leave, instead of wallowing in self-pity with tears, I might as well make myself as comfortable as possible. Your father wants to get promoted through the Rong Prince's Mansion, so he dotes on Princess Rongjia. Since that's how he is, I'll do as he wishes. He'll go and curry favor with the Rong Prince's Mansion, and I'll live my own life well."

Cui Lingrong looked at her daughter and said, "I have money and power in the inner quarters. If I were to covet your father's favor, I would be too greedy."

Those who are greedy are destined to be devoured by their desires.

She knows her own capabilities; she can't possibly be good at everything.

People in Bianjing used to say that she was the most law-abiding and meticulous person.

But after indulging in recklessness, one realizes how stifling one's previous life had been.

Cui Lingrong tucked her daughter's hair behind her ear. "Yu'er, you must remember, everyone has times of disappointment, and at those times, only you can save yourself. If you're not strong enough, even if someone hands you a knife, it's just scrap metal."

"Mother, you are so different from others." Song Yu admired you sincerely.

"How is it different? If it were your Aunt Yuan, she'd be climbing on the roof and tearing the tiles off, fighting with your father and grandmother eight hundred times over. That's the real difference!" Cui Lingrong looked at her daughter with affection. "Alright, think about what I'm saying slowly. Maybe you don't understand now, but one day in the future, you'll suddenly understand."

It was getting late, and Cui Lingrong told Yu Jie'er to hurry back.

As night deepened and the dew grew heavy, Song Yu returned home, while Song Shulan went to Wutong Garden.

Upon meeting, both men immediately wanted to talk about Cui Zeyu. It was Princess Rongjia who tentatively brought it up, "Does Song Lang know that Cui Zeyu has returned today?"

"I know, I even saw him. That kid's incredibly lucky, I thought he'd died out there!" Song Shulan snorted.

Princess Rongjia said she thought so too. "I'm not trying to stir up trouble, but Cui Zeyu isn't Sister Cui's biological brother. As long as he's in Bianjing, he goes to Qiushuangzhai every few days. Even if he were a biological brother, they wouldn't have such close contact."

Song Shulan's face was grim; he was more wary of Xie Yunting than of Cui Zeyu.

"But Cui Zeyu is just a merchant, he won't amount to much. This matter has nothing to do with me. I heard he ruined a lot of cloth and will lose a lot of money. I'm afraid Sister Cui will have to send him money again. In Sister Cui's eyes, these people in the Marquis's mansion are not as important as a Cui Zeyu who is not related to her by blood!" When money was mentioned, Princess Rongjia was so angry that she gritted her teeth.

She cut back on her own expenses and still tried to keep the old lady happy, but the old lady still didn't side with her.

But it wouldn't be good to cut off the expenses of Shou'an Hall. After thinking it over, Princess Rongjia blamed it all on Cui Lingrong.

Song Shulan shared the same thought: "I will talk to her about this. Yu Jie and the others are all grown up now, and she should leave some money for Yu Jie and her siblings."

Princess Rongjia said, "I think a person's luck is limited. Cui Zeyu is just a bastard. He has failed in business time and time again. He will not have a future."

Song Shulan felt the same way; only Cui Lingrong treated Cui Zeyu like a treasure.

Thinking about this, Song Shulan felt a lump in her throat.

He hadn't been to Qiushuangzhai for so long, yet Cui Lingrong kicked him out. Could it be that Cui Lingrong was really bewitched by that kid Xie Yunting?

In terms of appearance, Xie Yunting is indeed quite handsome, especially with his roguish demeanor; he must be quite the troublemaker in private.

While Song Shulan was sulking, Princess Rongjia suddenly leaned closer.

But Song Shulan was still thinking about what was going on outside with Princess Rongjia. He couldn't complain about Cui Zeyu to Lanxin and the others. Now that he had finished talking, he got up to leave. "You get some rest. I have things to do. I'll come see you another day."

Princess Rongjia hurriedly embraced Song Shulan, "Song Lang, it's been so long since you last came. Even if you're busy, one more night won't make a difference. Why don't you stay tonight?"

Song Shulan couldn't get over that hurdle in his heart, so he couldn't sleep with Princess Rongjia. He pried Princess Rongjia's hand away and walked into the night, not seeing the disappointed and confused look in Princess Rongjia's eyes.

"Why? Why?" Princess Rongjia asked. "Could it be that the Marquis has truly grown tired of me and, with Lanxin and the others by his side, has completely lost interest in me?"

Chen De's wife comforted him, "This old servant has heard that the Marquis has indeed been very busy lately. Didn't the Prince also say that there are many things to entrust to the Marquis? Only after the Marquis has accumulated some merits can he be promoted."

"Is it just one more night? I feel something's not right." The woman's intuition told Princess Rongjia that something must be wrong with Song Shulan.

Jealousy clouded her judgment. The next morning, she found out that Song Shulan was sleeping in the study, which made her feel a little better. However, she still called Lanxin and Aunt Zhang to serve her. If she was not satisfied, she would punish them by making them kneel in the courtyard.

When Aunt Zhang left, her knees were swollen.

She could tell that Princess Rongjia was unhappy, but she was of low status and had no power. Princess Rongjia ordered her to kneel, so she had no choice but to kneel.

Feeling very aggrieved, Aunt Zhang turned and went to Qiushuangzhai after thinking for a while.

Upon learning of Cui Zeyu's safe return, Aunt Zhang came over to offer her congratulations, saying, "I was really worried these past few days, but you were so busy, Madam, that I didn't dare to come and bother you."

While speaking, Aunt Zhang rubbed her knees from time to time.

Cui Lingrong asked what happened.

Aunt Zhang lowered her head and didn't speak, so the maid beside her answered for her.

"Next time the county princess summons you, come to Qiushuangzhai." Cui Lingrong then asked, "Is she like this to Lanxin too?"

Aunt Zhang nodded in agreement, "The county princess is very hostile towards those of us who serve the marquis."

"Hehe, it seems she really likes the Marquis." Cui Lingrong had someone bring Zhang Yiniang some ointment to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. After Zhang Yiniang left, she learned that Qin Shi had arrived and specifically asked to see her.

Caiyue brought the message, "The person is already at Shou'an Hall, saying they are waiting for you to come over."